33. Cherise
Chapter thirty-three
Cherise
“I’m going to grab you a drink,” Leo whispered, his hand brushing mine before he slipped into the crowd.
I nodded, watching him go.
The music was loud, the room full. People on the dance floor having the best time.
A moment later, he returned behind me. “Hey, Cherise.”
“About time,” I said jokingly, reaching back blindly. “What took you so long? Got lost on the way—”
My hand closed on air.
My stomach dropped.
Wait.
That voice—
I turned.
And my entire world tilted.
Derrick.
Standing right in front of me.
For a second, I couldn’t breathe.
Couldn’t think.
Couldn’t move.
“Surprise,” he said with a crooked grin, tugging at his lips, totally oblivious that he just ripped the floor from under me.
“Flight was a nightmare, but at least I made it before the reception was over.” His smile widened as he took my hand in his, “Look, I’m so sorry.
I didn’t know what I had until I lost you.
When I found out you felt the same, I had to come see you. To make things right between us.”
My ears rang.
No.
What the hell was he talking about?
What did he mean I felt the same?
Crash!
Glass shattered from behind Derrick.
He flinched, glancing over his shoulder.
I didn’t need to look.
I already knew who it was.
Leo.
I stood and stepped around Derrick, my heart pounding as my eyes locked on Leo standing a few feet away, shattered glass at his feet, his hand frozen midair.
His eyes on Derrick.
Derrick turned fully now.
He looked at Leo.
Then at me.
Back to Leo.
Confusion written all over his face… then recognition.
“Oh, I get it.”
My stomach twisted.
“No,” I started, shaking my head. “Derrick, it’s not—”
“This?” he interrupted, gesturing between Leo and me. “This is your big move?”
His laugh was sharp.
“You bring my brother to the wedding instead for some sick form of revenge?”
“That’s not what this is.” I argued.
“Really?” he said, eyes narrowing. “Because it looks like you’re trying real hard to get my attention.”
He took a step closer.
“You couldn’t just move on, huh? Typical Cherise. Had to make a statement.”
“Derrick,” Leo started, stepping forward, grabbing for Derrick's arm. “We can talk about this. Not here. Let’s go somewhere—”
“No,” Derrick snapped, jerking his arm away. “No, we’re going to talk right here.”
“There are two Derricks?” A voice came from the crowd, which had now gathered around us, staring. Whispering.
Derrick heard.
Of course he did.
Realization flashed across his face. “Two Derricks? So that’s what this is?” he scoffed. “Couldn’t show up alone, so you had to bring my brother to pretend to be me to save face?”
Gasps surrounded us.
“I mean, seriously, Cherise?” he said, laughing under his breath. “That’s just…sad.”
Leo stiffened beside me. “Derrick,” he warned.
But Derrick was far from done.
His eyes darkened, locking on mine.
“A week on a secluded island together? You’re not actually fucking him, are you?”
Silence. A mistake. A loud one.
Derrick’s expression snapped.
“You’re a damn joke,” he muttered. “All that attitude and fake pride, and this is what you do? Crawl to my brother?”
For the first time I didn’t know what to say. Just stood there frozen.
His eyes shot to Leo. “You’ve always had a thing for my sloppy leftovers, huh?” he muttered.
My stomach sank.
This is what Derrick did.
Twisted. Cut. Tried to make you feel so small that you started to think it was true.
My mouth opened to respond, but I was too late.
Leo moved.
Fast.
A fist connected with Derrick’s jaw.
The sound cracked through the room.
Derrick stumbled back, stunned.
And I just….stared. Jaw dropped.
Because this wasn’t Leo.
Leo wouldn’t hurt a fly. He didn’t fight. He didn’t even raise his voice.
And yet—
He stood there, chest heaving, eyes blazing.
“Don’t you ever talk about her like that again.”
My heart flipped so hard it hurt. Butterflies erupted fast, so fast it made me dizzy.
For me.
He did that… For me.
Derrick let out a short, humorless laugh, rolling his jaw as he straightened.
“Really?” he said, shaking his head. “You’re hitting me now? Over her?”
Leo didn’t back down. “I’ll do it again if you keep her name in your mouth. Show some fucking respect.”
Derrick’s expression hardened.
Then—
He swung.
His fist connected with Leo’s face.
Hard.
Leo went down.
People screamed.
Everything slowed, including my heart.
“Leo!”
I dropped to my knees beside him, my hands shaking as I grabbed his face, turning it toward me.
“Leo, look at me. Leo—”
He didn’t move.
Didn’t respond.
Nothing.
My chest caved in.
“Leo, please—!"