Derailed (Terminal Book 2) (7 page)

“Last night, I went to Venice to hook up with an old…” I pause carefully thinking about my word choice. “Friend.” I smile and brush my bottom lip with my thumb. Lexi blinks, and she begins to chew the inside of her cheek. “I'll spare you the details, but she told me something that made me laugh at the time. I didn't want to hear it then.”

“What was that?” Lexi asks playfully. “That you give great face? Look, Des, I don't care what other women say to you. Honestly, I don't want to hear any of it. So save it, and I'll get us a drink.” She goes to stand, and I press my hand onto her thigh encouraging her to stay put.

“Please wait. It's not what you think,” I reply and take a deep breath. “When I was in Japan, I didn't even call my usuals. I mean, I jerked off a lot but I didn't fuck anyone in Japan. I could've had all the pussy I wanted but the only pussy I wanted was yours.” I push myself to standing and hold my weight on my good leg while I hobble away from the couch. I need to pace, and my fucking stupidity is preventing it.

“Lex, you invaded my fuckin’ skull.” I stab at my temple with my finger to get the point across. “Consuming every one of my fucking thoughts and controlling all of my fucking actions.” I glance at her on the couch as she follows my every jerky movement with her eyes. “I bought you a fucking present from every fucking airport I was in.” I laugh and scrub at my face. “I have never bought any chick a fucking present, unless it was a box of condoms.” I stop pacing and drop my hands to my sides. “What the fuck have you done to me, Lexi?”

She gently tugs my arm so I am sitting back on the sofa. With a grunt and a chuckle, I'm beside her waiting for a reply. She makes a sound similar to one of disdain, convincing me that I have completely fucked this up with my admission. “Don't get the wrong idea, Lexi. I don't love you, ‘cuz that shit is just crazy. We barely fucking know each other. I do like you. I like fucking you. I like being with you, and when I came to this morning on the highway, you were the one I wanted to see.” I shake my head and look at my lap. “Fuck, I think I just grew a vagina.”

I huff out a lungful of air, waiting for her laughter. It doesn't come. Instead her hand touches my face and she leans in. Just before she kisses me, she smirks at me. “You bought me presents?”

“They're at my place.” I nod.

She bites her lip and brushes her thumb along the stubble on my chin. I can feel her breath on my skin every time she exhales. “I don't fuckin’ love you either, Des.” She kisses my mouth, parting her lips granting me access. My tongue slides between her lips, and she rewards me with gentle suction that radiates through my nuts. Releasing my tongue she whispers, “But I sure do love fucking you.” Her arms wrap around my neck and she pulls me close. I chuckle into her neck and pull her back onto my lap. My tongue tastes her neck and my teeth playfully nip her lobe.

“What do you wanna do now?” I ask as I taste the skin on her throat, licking my way down to her collarbone.

“You really wanna know, Des?” she asks playfully.

“I do,” I reply trying to pull her onto my lap wanting her to ride me again.

She pushes up on her knees and whispers, “I wanna go get my presents.” Pulling away she's wearing an angelic smile as she bites down on her fingernail. She's no angel. She's a seductress, teasing and getting what she wants. There is no way I can deny her of anything.

“You want your presents,” I state quietly.

“I do.”

“You're fucking serious.” I deadpan. I was hoping we could go for another round and she wants to go get her presents. My cock is poking its fucking head through the knitted holes in this grandmotherly couch blanket and she wants to get her presents. I shrug and open my hands as I glance down at the protrusion. “You know, I've got a big present for you right fucking here.”

“I've had that one.” She winks at me. “I thought that was the only present I was getting from you, but now that I know there's more–” She stands and pulls her shirt on over her head. “Chop chop, buddy, I want my presents.” She claps her hands.

I shake my head and click my tongue. “Alright, babe, whatever you want but you're gonna have to help me get dressed.”

She buttons her own jeans and grins at me. Offering me a salute and drops to her knees to help put my leg into the pants. Gently, she lifts it and helps me bend it into position. I wince and hiss in pain.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry,” she repeats quietly.

“Babe?”

“Yea, Des?” she asks as she begins to pull the pants up to my knees.

“While you're down there, you wanna do something about the beast that lives in my pants? He needs to be tamed before he can be put away.”

Her gaze reaches my hard on and she shakes her head. Curling up her hand, she flicks my head with her finger. “Down boy, I want my presents,” she tells it, and that's when I know I won't be getting head.

“Fine. Let's go.” I sigh. “But you're gonna fucking owe me. I have enough trouble walking and now you want to throw a hard on in to the mix. You're pure evil.”

“But you like it.”

“I do.” I agree as she helps me to my feet and picks up her purse. Strutting away she tosses her bag over her shoulder and walks ahead of me to the door. Forcing me to fend for myself. Opening the door, Lexi rests her wrist up high on the side and places her opposite hand on her jutted out hip. “You coming, hoppy?”

I shake my head and hobble toward her, clutching my cane as I go. “Fuck you, Lexi.”

“Yes you do, and it's always amazing.” Lexi winks at me as I limp past her. She slaps my ass causing a surprised yelp to sneak past my lips.

“Manly.”

Rolling my eyes I continue on my awkward path to her vehicle, after all, my fiery temptress wants her presents.

Chapter 10

“Landyn, what the fuck happened in the past few days? Like, fuck, bro. First you profess your undying love for Siannon in the cheesiest way possible. By the way, what in the actual fuck was that? Coloring books??? Fuck, dude.” I scold him for his stupidity from the living room entryway.

Landyn drops his head into his hands and takes a deep breath. “I never told her I loved her.” He groans.

“Close enough!” I cross the room and sit on his stupid white artsy fucking chay or chase lounge or some shit. It's a weird fucking sofa. I don't get it. I can't even get comfortable on this fucking thing. I can't even fucking say its name right. “You should have just told her about Brooke from the beginning. Instead of fucking lying to her.”

Micha walks back into the room shaking his head as he tucks his phone back into his pocket. “Believe it or not, I agree completely with Desmond. You should have told Siannon back when we thought maybe the chick that was causing shit for her could have been Brooke. Your ex psycho.”

“She wasn't my ex ANYTHING,” he states into his hands. “I fucked her a few times and that was it. I never told her shit.” Landyn sighs scrubbing his face.

“That's not the way Brooke sees it, and now Siannon sees it the same way,” Micha states calmly leaning back on the regular couch and tossing his left ankle up on his right knee.

“FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!” Landyn yells and quickly stands storming out of the living room.

I feel sorry for the bastard, but really he is never honest with his girls. Total damn shame. I drop my hands to my lap with a clap and stand up. I promised Lexi I would stop by with some food for her and Siannon. She says the poor girl looks like shit, and Lexi can barely even get her to come out of her room.

“Gotta go. Good luck with him.” I nod at Micha as I slide my sunglasses into place.

“Fuck you. Where are you off to?” Micha asks.

“Dinner with Lexi.”

“You're having dinner with Siannon's best friend,” he states in disbelief. “Or is that just what you're calling fucking and chucking these days?” He raises his eyebrow at me.

“Bye, fucker,” I tell him without giving his comments a second thought. I don't even bother saying goodbye to Landyn. He's fucking wallowing in self-pity and I think he should roll in it for a while.

My limp is getting better, but it still hurts when I put too much weight on it. I climb into my car and drive to pick up the food I ordered an hour ago from my favorite takeout place. It's a pretty calm evening. LA traffic is typical and I think I'm going to be lucky if I get to Siannon's and the food is still warm.

Forty-five minutes later, I am finally pulling into her visitor stall around back. Knowing full well that my hobble will prevent me from carrying all this food up the stairs, I have to ask for help. Again. I fucking hate being so needy.

ME: Lex you wanna come down and help me with something?

LEX: Um... I don't want to blow you in the parking lot.

ME: Can you at least handle my bag a little?

I laugh at my childish ways. I'm a goddamn riot.

ME: Just the smell is gonna make you want it.

ME: You'll be licking your lips to taste it

I'm sitting in the parking lot, texting a girl I like, snickering like a hyena.

LEX: Des?

ME: You'll have to be gentle though. My bag is delicate.

LEX: Uh Des.... helloooooo.

ME: Don't squeeze too hard or we'll have a big mess to clean up.

LEX: DES!!!!

ME: What?

LEX: Look out your window.

I turn my head to look over my left shoulder and there's Lexi, standing right fucking there on the other side of my door waving at me. While I was being a child, my girl came to help me. Damn... this role reversal shit sucks nutsacks.

I open the door and stand in front of her. She's a natural beauty, which is so refreshing in this town. Offering me a quick kiss, she notices the bags on the passenger seat and walks around the car to claim them without asking a single question. I wonder if she found my texts as funny as I did. Probably not.

“Come on, gimpy, let's go eat.” She nudges me and walks past to the back entrance of the building.

“That really hurts, babe.” I grab my chest and puff out my bottom lip.

“Suck it up, buttercup,” Lexi calls over her shoulder and holds the door as I make my way to the building. Stopping just before her, I take off my sunglasses and lean in a smidge.

“You really want to see me cry don't you?”

With an eye roll, she pushes me through the door and toward the stairwell. 

I walk behind her, pretending it's because I'm limping, but in reality it's so I can stare at her sweet heart-shaped ass. That very ass will be bent over her table later as I pound into her again and again. I readjust my pants as my dick starts to swell thinking about all the various ways I will be fucking her as soon as I'm recovered. Maybe I should get her to come to Europe. They have some wicked clubs in Paris. My inner deviant is not helping the hard on situation at all and the fucking chafing from my jeans is making this all the more difficult to limp up the stairs.

The bodyguard nods at us as we enter the suite. I look around and wow, Landyn fixed this up nice! New furniture, painted walls... that fucker has got it bad. Lexi puts the food down and calls to me from the kitchen.

“Babe, can you lay it out? I'm going to go check on Siannon.”

“You're talking about the food right?” I wink at her and it earns me another eye roll. Limping into the kitchen, I take out the various containers and spread them across the table. Once I finally find the plates, I stack three on the counter and being as hungry as a mother fucker, I dig in loading my plate high with amazing Chinese food.

Lexi comes back into the kitchen and shrugs. “I can't tell if she's awake or not. She didn't answer me.” She's pretty upset about this whole thing and I can't say I blame her. This has been a fucked up journey that no one should take. She steals a piece of beef from my plate and gives me a peck on my cheek. We stand in the kitchen both of us eating from my plate, quietly talking about Siannon.

“Lexi?” Siannon calls out as she steps into the kitchen.

“You're awake! Good.” Lexi rushes to her best friend and wraps her arms tightly around Siannon.  “Desmond brought us some food.” She points to the counter filled with takeout containers of various sizes. I place my plate on the counter and hobble over to the sad girl with open arms. Before I wrap them around her, I look into her eyes and seek approval. I don't want to overstep myself with her. She needs people she can trust right now. Her face drops and she nods a sad approval. I pull her to my chest and give her a squeeze before smoothing her hair

“Jesus, kiddo. You look like shit,” I mumble into the top of her head. “You need to eat, Siannon.” I pull her to the counter and I dish up a plate for her, loading it high with protein and carbs. “Your bodyguard is outside, and he's not going anywhere. You're safe.” I assure her, and then I turn and offer her the plate with a mountain of food piled high.

“How much do you think I'm going to eat?” Her eyes grow wide and she climbs up on a bar stool, offering me a sad smile. “How are you doing, Des? Sorry I stole Lexi from you for a couple of days.”

“Don't worry about me. This is all kinds of fucked up, Siannon. I can't believe it got this crazy! She's a number and always has been.” I pull the other stool out and sit beside her. I have to tell her the truth, she deserves it. She needs to know about Landyn and Brooke. “We met her at a meet and greet a few years ago. Landyn gave her a backstage pass for after the show. I don't know what happened during that meeting. None of my business, all I know is she started making threats online and stalking our friends. It got nasty.” I take a drink of my soda and put it back on the table. “Then she got quiet for a while.” I spin the glass in my hands. “And by the time you were involved, we were already trying to figure out what to do with her. It's not all about you. I promise you that.”

Lexi is leaning her hip against the sink listening intently. She knows this story. I've told her bits and pieces over the past few days. “Sweetie, you really should call Landyn,” she tells Siannon. “He's losing his shit. The guys are supposed to be in the studio and can't because he refuses to be there in case you come home.”

“It's true, Siannon. He's a pathetic son of a bitch right now.” I agree but in my head I know he deserves this.

She puts her plate on the counter and stands up. “I'm not hungry anymore. I'm going to bed. You guys can lock the door on your way out.” She storms into the bathroom and slams the door.

Fuck. That's the last thing I wanted to do.

We put the containers in the refrigerator and let ourselves out. Quietly we make our way to my car. I drop my head back on my seat and close my eyes. Guilt washes over me.

“I didn't mean to upset her, Lex.”

“I know, babe.” She takes my hand in hers. “Me neither but can we just walk away though? I mean the shit she's already been through.”

“She's a big girl, Lex. She'll call if she needs you.”

I turn the key in the ignition and pull out of the parking lot. Silently we make our way into traffic and Lexi starts humming along to the radio. “I love this song.” She smiles.

Listening closely I smirk when I realize it's a fuckin’ bubblegum pop song from the 80s. Shaking my head I roll my eyes and hiss out the word “kids” which makes her laugh and slap my chest. My not quite healed yet chest. Which causes me to groan in pain and jerk the wheel slightly. “Fuck, babe.” I laugh.

Her hands snap over her face quicker than I can say
on your knees
and her eyes bug out of her head. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Fuck. Shit. Sorry.” The guilt drips from her and she looks like she's about to cry.

“Sweetie, it's okay.” I laugh. “I mean, it hurt. But it's not the end of the world at all, babe. I'll survive.” I try to assure her, but I think I'm doing a piss poor job of making her feel better, so I opt for a hand squeeze and return my hands to the steering wheel to continue the drive in silence. Instead of taking the turn-off to her place, I continue driving until we're on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Lexi looks out the window and smiles at the ocean to her right as we head south to Santa Monica. Parking the car, we walk to the beach and head to the water line where we can take off our shoes and feel the water.

“Why did you bring me here, Des?” Lexi asks while kicking a wave.

“I figured you needed to step out of the Siannon and Landyn shit show for a while. You need to forget. You need to stop focusing on them.” I tug her pinkie with mine and she turns to glare at me.

“Why, Des? Why do I have to stop taking care of my best friend? I don't want her to regress she's worked SO FUCKING HARD.”

“Lex, I didn't bring you here to fight with you. I brought you here to let you know it's okay to think about yourself now. You've done so much for her. She doesn't remember how to do it for herself. You have to let her figure it out, Lex,” I tell her as gently as I can, while still holding her pinkie with mine.

She stops walking and drops her head. Releasing a painful sigh, I see that she's shaking. Thinking she's cold, I take off my jacket and wrap it around her shoulders. Pulling the zipper up, she looks into my face and I see the tears. Suddenly, I feel like the biggest douche, and I hold her face in both of my hands, brushing away her tears with my thumbs.

“What did I say, babe? Don't cry.”

“You're right,” she whispers and I hear the faint popping of sticky saliva with each word. She sniffs and nods frantically. “You’re right. I need to let go. Siannon won't heal if I keep trying to fix her.” She blinks and tries to form a smile,\with a quivering chin and a puffy lip it's far from a smile.

“I didn't say for you to stop taking care of her, I just said it's time to think about you.” I take both of her hands in mine and swing them a little. “And maybe me?”

Releasing a sharp puff of air she scrunches up her eyebrows and twists her smile. “And you?”

“And me.” I nod

“What are you trying to say, Charter?” She pulls back and smirks at me.

“I'm saying that maybe you can think about us. Not just fucking.” I lick my bottom lip. “Moving toward something... maybe?”

“You have something in mind, Des?”

“I'm thinking my vagina is fucking larger than a fucking whale.” I admit and shake my head.

“I don't love you, Des.”

I kiss her hard on the mouth and pull back just so my lips brush hers. “I don't fucking love you either, Lex.”

She bites her bottom lip and bounces on her toes.

“Got ants in your pants, babe?” I step back and hold her at arm's length to avoid any further injury from her.

“I have an idea. Come on!” She runs ahead of me without hesitation to the pier. My limp prevents me from any speedy chases that might come up. Stopping just before the dark that falls below the gigantic playground above, she waits for me to catch up and pulls me under with her.