Chapter 20 #2
I squeeze my mom’s hand. In doing so, some of the bitterness I harbor toward my father fades. He doesn’t deserve to take up space in either of our thoughts. “Let’s go home.”
Mom smiles.
Ten minutes later, Derek and Levi reappear. Dr. Reese discharges me from the hospital.
“How do you feel about shacking up with me?” Derek murmurs as he helps me into a wheelchair.
“What?” I ask, my eyes darting to my mother. Behind her, I note Levi watching me curiously.
I glance back to Derek.
“He wants some time with her,” Derek explains, tipping his head toward Levi. “Something about making amends…”
“Oh. Yeah, um, okay,” I agree.
Derek snorts. “You could sound a little more enthusiastic, Stellina. I’ve been tasked with giving you a sponge bath.” He winks.
I groan.
He grins.
As Derek wheels me toward the parking lot, I check my messages. With the commotion of Mom arriving, my friends texted their well wishes, promising to drop by to see me during the week.
Nova: I’m getting ice cream delivered to your place.
Ivy: Ice cream? Our girl needs wine.
Kenny: Are you really okay, A? We’ve been so worried.
Nova: Girl, your mom showing up…PLOT. TWIST.
Ivy: How’s that going?
Kenny: Is she staying in town for a while?
Ivy: Levi was so sweet when he brought her up. He was ushering her forward and had this look on his face…totally astonished.
Kenny: He just seemed really happy to see her, you know?
Nova: Derek didn’t give a fuckkkkk. He wouldn’t leave your room UNTIL your mama showed up and Levi made him.
Me: How do you girls know all this?
Nova: Maverick. Duh.
Ivy: He’s got all the tea.
Kenny: Yeah, he spills it too. (eye roll emoji)
Me: You girls are the best! Thank you for spending so much time in the waiting room, waiting for me.
Ivy: What else is new? (sarcastic face emoji)
Kenny: Of course!
Nova: Are you home??
Me: Well, another plot twist…with mom being in town and Levi also wanting some time with her (of course)…I’m staying at Derek’s.
Nova: YOU MOVED IN!
Ivy: I knew this would happen.
Kenny: Are you sure about this? You can stay with us too…
Nova: Yeah, Ivy’ll wear her nurse costume from Halloween last year if you want! Tell Reign we can make shit official too.
Ivy: HA!
Kenny: I’m serious, A. You have options.
Me: I know. AND THANK YOU. But I’m good with it. He’s been by my side since everything went down and has been taking great care of me. I’m feeling better already.
Kenny: How bad was it?
Me: Scary. Scary as shit. But I’m okay.
Ivy: Levi wanted to go nuclear.
Nova: Derek too. Mav was the voice of reason.
Ivy: Yeah, he called your bank and had your credit cards cancelled.
Kenny: Maverick Tate is never a voice of reason.
Nova: Just because he gets under your skin doesn’t mean he isn’t the most entertaining guy in any room.
Ivy: Fact.
Kenny: Whatever. Allegra, we’re sending ice cream and wine to Derek’s.
Nova: Oh yeah! Doing that now.
Ivy: LOVE YOU.
Kenny: We’ll come by this week.
Me: Can’t wait! I miss you.
Kenny: Get rest! (heart emoji)
Nova: Get D! (eggplant emoji)
Ivy: (sarcastic face emoji, laughing face emoji, kissing face emoji)
Kenny: I don’t know what’s happening anymore.
I laugh at my friends’ messages. Derek opens the passenger car door and stares at me, his gaze questioning.
“The girls.” I shake my phone before dropping it beside me. “Don’t be surprised if a delivery arrives.”
Derek’s lips curl into a smile on one side. “They were worried about you.” He helps me into the car and carefully clips in my seat belt, folding up a hoodie so the strap doesn’t cut into my ribs.
“Yeah,” I say shakily, breathing through the discomfort of moving my body.
“We all were.”
“I know,” I say quietly. “It was terrifying.”
“Christ, Stellina.” Derek dips down to press a kiss to the crown of my head. “Let’s go home, baby.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
But when Derek pulls back, his eyes are still questioning. There’s a glimmer of unease that puts me on alert.
He slides into the driver seat and takes us to his condo. We ride in silence, each of us lost in our thoughts.
What has Derek on edge? Is it the attack? The future?
How are things unfolding between Mom and Levi? Is he making amends? Are they forgiving each other? Is it awkward? Will she stay in town long?
Should I postpone my interviews? Can I interview virtually, over Zoom? Or on the phone?
When we arrive at Derek’s, I don’t have answers to any of my questions and I’m too tired to sort them out. Derek helps me into his condo and settles me into his king-sized bed. I relax against the pillows as the doorbell rings.
“I’ll get it,” Derek says, moving toward the front door. Before he exits, he glances at me. “You okay?”
I smile. “Yes. Answer the door.”
He appears a moment later, holding up a care package.
I chuckle when I see the postcard of Magic Mike.
“What the hell is this?” He sneers, turning it over. He reads it aloud. “Get that D, girl! It’ll make you feel better. Love, us.”
Derek looks at me. I dissolve into laughter before I wince, holding my ribs.
“Be careful, beauty,” he warns.
“What else did they send?” I ask.
Derek places the box down on his bed and I open it up.
“Ice cream,” I say, pulling out the mini-freezer inside. It’s stocked with several delicious flavors.
“Birthday cake?” Derek questions.
“It’s the best!” I pull out a bottle of wine and one of champagne.
“Damn,” Derek laughs.
“A code for Magic Mike.” I roll my eyes, dropping the slip of paper with the download information on it.
Derek shakes his head, but his eyes are lit up with amusement instead of uncertainty. I relax slightly.
I unpack the remainder of snacks and look at Derek. “Got plans today?”
“Just you,” he replies.
I gesture to the supplies on his bed. “Wine, junk food, and a movie?”
“We’re watching Magic Mike, aren’t we?” he groans.
I smile. “We’re totally watching Magic Mike.”
Derek sighs. He goes to the kitchen to stock the ice cream but returns a moment later with a tray holding two bowls of birthday cake ice cream, two wine glasses, and some napkins. He slips into the bed beside me.
We download the movie, lean back, and hang out.
We watch Magic Mike, eat ice cream in bed, and howl with laughter. Well, I laugh as much as I’m capable of. It’s really Derek’s reactions to the film that fill me with amusement.
Afterwards, Derek kisses me sweetly and puts me to bed.
And I feel like I’m home. The one Mom talked about.