Touched By You (The Touch Series) (17 page)

After our talk at her place we both decided it was best to take some time apart.

So I decided to book and earlier flight and leave Sunday morning…four whole days before I was supposed to head home to Boston.

Now I sit here waiting to board a plane and all I can do is pray I don’t regret the decision we just made.

I pull out my cell and am so tempted to send her a text to tell her how sorry I am and that it will be okay. But I can’t…because it won’t.

Instead I call Charlie and let her know what just happened.

“Hey Derrick, what’s up? You guys bored without us already?” Charlie says.

“Umm not really, I’m actually at the airport waiting to catch a flight.” I reply.

“What?” She screams in the phone.

I can hear her telling Riley that I’m on my way home. And in the background he’s asking her why.

“Look Derrick, whatever happened it will all be okay. When do you fly in? We’ll come get you.” She says in between telling Riley to shut up so she can hear me.

For a second a smile creeps on my face. Those two are nuts.

“I don’t think it will be okay Charlie, but thanks anyway. I’ll tell you about it when I get there. Pick me up around six. Oh, and Charlie, thanks.”

I hit end on my phone and then shut it down. I need to distance myself from everyone.

Boarding the plane was simple. It was realizing why I was on the plane that killed me inside.

For eight years Chloe Taylor was my world. She was the reason I wanted to be a good man, have a great job, and find a way in life that would support both of us as we built a family. Now all those dreams are gone. I know in my mind we made the right decision, but I can’t convince my heart and now its breaking.

A tear begins to roll down the side of my face as I punch the pillow and lay my head up against the cabin wall.

I close my eyes and try to get some sleep. Once I get back to Boston I have a lot of things I need to do.

The last few weeks have flown by and I’m swamped with three case loads that leave me no time to even think. Thankfully tonight I’m going to head over to Riley and Charlie’s for dinner and then out to the pub with Riley and some of the guys. I deserve some time to enjoy myself instead of having my head stuck in the office.

I walk down the street to their house. It still kind of cracks me up that these two bought a house down the block from me. Between the two of them they’ve done everything they can to keep me in line and on track with the things that are important like food, sleep, and clean underwear.

When I reach their front porch Riley and his dog Manny are waiting for me outside. Manny runs down to the sidewalk to greet me and Riley has a big smile on his face.

“What the hell has you so happy today?” I ask him.

“Well besides the fact I have the best girlfriend in the world, I taught Manny a new trick today.”

“Oh yeah, dare I ask what this trick may be?” I reply giving him a glare.

Only Riley can spend hours with his dog and teach him to do the stupidest things. Just last week he tried to get him to flush the toilet after he took a shit. Riley was so excited he called me and Charlie in the bathroom to watch. Too bad for us we didn’t realize what was in the toilet until it was too late.

“Look man, I promise there’s no shit involved this time. Come on, you’ll love it.”

“Okay Manny let me see what you got.” I tell him.

“Manny, come here boy. Listen boy, its Miller time go get it boy.” Riley yells while opening the front door.

What the hell is he up to and what does Miller time mean to a dog.

Just then Manny comes running out to me on the porch with a bottle of Miller in his mouth.

“No shit, man’s best friend is now man’s best bartender. Way to go Manny. You two should go on the road with this stuff.”

“Very funny Derrick, don’t encourage him. Next thing I know Manny will be vacuuming the rugs for us.” Charlie says while coming over to me and giving me a tight squeeze.

“And how would that be a bad thing, less cleaning for you babe.” Riley says grabbing her from me and kissing her on the forehead.

“Come on in you fools and eat some food before you head out to the pub.”

We follow Charlie inside and take a seat at the table. I’m so grateful for these two people in my life. As crazy as they are, they are pretty much all I got right now.

“Oh hey Derrick, I forget to tell you my sister Emma is coming up for a visit next weekend. She may need a place to crash for a few weeks. Can she take my old room at your house?” Riley asks and piles a fork full of food in his mouth.

“Wait, what? Why can’t she stay here?” I ask looking at the two of them.

Charlie places her hand on Riley’s and responds for him. “Well it’s kind of complicated and Riley doesn’t want Emma’s husband to know that she is staying up here in Boston. So just in case he comes up here we don’t want her in the house.”

“Well then of course she can. It’s not like I’m ever home and I have the extra space.”

“Great, thanks man. I’ll let her know.”

I guess it will be nice to have a roommate again…we will see.

After some convincing on Trent’s part and Andrew twisting my arm, I agree to go out with the crew for a drink after our session has wrapped up. I agree that I’ve been a hermit the past few weeks, but I have a valid reason. The love of my life is now living his life without me.

I walk back to our office to grab my things when a warm arm swings across my shoulders pulling me into a hug.

“Come on Chloe, you can drive with me. I think we have a lot to talk about anyway.” Trent says with a raised eyebrow.

“Trent, don’t give me that look.” I respond.

“Chloe you’re one of my closest friends here in LA. I tell you about my crazy shit everyday at lunch. You can’t keep the fact that you and Derrick broke up a secret.”

The look on his face is that of hurt. He’s right; he has been a good friend to me since we both moved out here.

“Alright, I understand how this could be a bit upsetting for me to have omitted this tiny detail. But to be honest Trent, I really didn’t want to talk to anyone about it.”

“I get it Chloe. I really do, but you shouldn’t hold in this kind of stuff. After all, your family and friends are on the other side of the country and you don’t have anyone here to really turn to for support. Just know that you will always have me as a friend to be there; especially while that douche Lock is all up in your game.”

I laugh off his comment as we walk together to our office. I grab my purse and keys and we’re out the door.

Trent escorts me out of the building and being the gentleman that he is opens the car door for me.

The ride over to the club is quiet and I appreciate the time to think to myself. Telling Trent about Derrick and I is something I really need to do and it may even help to get some of the stress off of my chest. Maybe I’ll invite him to lunch over the weekend and we can chat. Yeah, that sounds good.

“So are you ready for…lights, camera and action when we get here?”

“Umm, I don’t know what you mean. Why would there be cameras? We always come here and no one ever makes a big deal about it.”

“You’re right we always do come here, but you do realize who else is coming here tonight?” He asks giving me a look of amusement.

“Oh.” I reply. It’s really all I can muster.

Andrew is coming out with us tonight. I hadn’t thought about the publicity that will bring with us to our favorite spot. Oh well, we’ll just have to deal with it I guess. I’m still unsure of Andrews’s motive when it comes to him perusing me. He can have just about any girl out there. Why is he constantly harassing me? I shake off my thoughts for a moment as I see the lights of the club ahead.

Trent pulls up to the front of the club. As the valet guy comes over to the car Trent gets out and comes around to open my door for me. There doesn’t seem to be a big commotion outside so he leads me to the entrance and we make our way back to a large section in the back filled with soft leather booths and tables. Since we’re expecting a larger group tonight, this will be perfect.

A few minutes later the rest of the ESPN Live crew come into the club and Trent waves them back our way. Some of the other analysts crowd into our section along with a few of the camera and makeup crew members.

Looking around at all the people that surround me, I never really felt close with that many people here in LA besides Trent. I seem to have put up a guard not allowing many people into my close circle. My real friends and family are all back in Boston, but I chose to move away and follow my dreams.

I don’t know if I’m supposed to stretch my wings and start anew now that Derrick and I are no longer a couple. It has been a little over a month since he left…and not a word, text or anything.

I smile as I gaze around this group. This is my family, these are my friends and I believe it’s time to bring down some walls. Indeed it’s time to move on and make new friends, after all LA is my home and nothing is going to change that. Not only do I have these fine people, I also have my Cousin Lucy’s best friend Sam out here. I really need to give her a call. A full girl’s day may be exactly what I need right about now. I haven’t spent a day at the spa since Char was out here for New Year’s. I’m well overdue.

I stand and move toward Trent. He’s talking to another analyst and I don’t want to interrupt their conversation. Instead I put my hand on his shoulder and signal with a nod that I’m heading to the bar.

Being here tonight I have a sense of freedom. I’m not sure if it’s the decision to break down my walls or just being in this environment. I feel happy and that is something I haven’t felt in a few weeks.

I spot an opening up at the bar and slide my way in between a tall guy and a group of ladies. The female bartender flies past me and I breathe out a sigh of annoyance. I feel a warm hand press against my back and hear a whistling sound behind my right ear. The guy next to me rolls his eyes as the female bartender saunters over to the guy invading my space from behind.

“What can I get you tonight handsome?” She asks.

Oh god, I roll my eyes right back at her direct flirting.

“I’ll have two Miller Lite bottles and whatever this beautiful lady wants.” He says moving in closer to my body so that I can feel his legs against the back of mine.

“I’ll have a glass of Moscato, please.” I tell the bartender.

I turn my head to look at this mystery man and once I gaze over my shoulder I see who is pressing his body against me.

Of course the bartender was right, he is indeed very handsome. With his bright green eyes, dark brown hair and hypnotizing smile, it’s none other than Andrew Lock.

Since he has me pinned against the bar and both of his arms are now on either side of me, I attempt to turn my body to face his.

“Well hello there Andrew.” I say looking up through my thick, dark lashes.

“Glad to see you came out to join me tonight.” He replies.

I giggle at his forwardness.

“Oh Andrew, you seem to have a misconception of me. I didn’t come out here to be with you. Why don’t you take a look toward the back of the club?” I say in a soft seductive tone.

He turns his head to look and I glance at his defined jaw and a hint of stubble that has grown in since I saw him earlier today.

“Yes, those are the people I came here to be with tonight.”

He bends his head down and I can feel his lips touch my hair.

“We’ll see who can make you come the fastest.” He says grazing his lips deeper into my hair skimming along my ear.

My body begins to tingle and I feel flushed by his comment. I need to get myself out of this situation with him. This is not something I’m ready for now or anytime soon for that matter.

I turn toward the bar and grab my glass of wine.

Bringing my body back to face Andrew, I thank him for the drink, give him a smile and lift his arm to make my way back to my friends.

I woke up this morning a bit earlier than I usually do, but I want to make sure things are in order for Emma, my new roommate. Charlie has gone out and bought a few things to help make the extra room a little more presentable. Well at least that what she said. Even though I think she wanted to make it look more girly. I still don’t understand what was wrong with what I had in there. Riley never complained about the décor in the room.