Robbery in Progress

Seventeen

The shooting range was just the release I needed. With each pull of the trigger, the anger left my body. Again...and again...and again.

"Now how do you feel?"

"Better." I paused for a moment, staring at the target. "Thanks for the invite, Paul. I appreciate it."

"You know I got your back, Jen." I smiled at him, playfully punching him in the shoulder. "Well, what do you want to do now?" I shrugged.

"I have no idea. I'll probably just head home. I'm not really in the mood to do anything right now."

"You're more than welcome to come to the house for supper."

"Thanks, Paul, but I think I'd rather just be alone right now." He nodded, knowing exactly what I meant by that.

On the drive home, I couldn't help but blame myself. I blamed myself for being stupid enough to open up to someone again. I blamed myself for liking someone again. I blamed myself for starting to get attached to Derek and for agreeing to go on a first date with him. I blamed myself for pretty much everything. If I hadn't have agreed to go on a date with him and continued to blow him off, none of this would have ever happened. Things would be normal. I would be working, occasionally going to Paul's for supper and to see his family, which were pretty much my family, too. I would be living my life the way I had been for years. I liked how I had been conducting things before all of this mess with Derek happened. I wanted it back more than anything.

I pulled in my drive, turned off my car, and stopped in my tracks.

Not him. Please, not him.

I slowly got out of my car, trying to maintain a hold on my temper.

"Jen..." I shook my head.

"Don't." He stopped talking and only stared at me, sadness in his eyes. "Derek, why are you here?"

"I..." I put my hand up.

"Did you not get the hint earlier? I do not want to talk to you."

"I know you're hurt, Jen. Tell me how to fix this." He seemed like he wanted to make things better...like he wanted things to be happy between us again. I had been staring at the ground while he talked. I looked up to see tears forming in Derek's eyes. I had this warm feeling come over me. I knew what it was but I couldn't just forgive him so easily.

"Derek, I can't just forgive you. You hurt me....but you know that." He nodded. "I can't tell you how to fix this either. You have to figure that out for yourself. It's going to take some time, though."

"I understand, but I'm willing to work for it. I care about you, Jen."

"I care about you, too."

"Well, I guess I'll go. I probably need to get to bed early tonight anyway. My sister is coming in tomorrow."

"Oh." I knew he probably wished that I would be joining him and his sister, but I just couldn't right now. It wouldn't feel right with how things were between the two of us currently. "I hope you two have fun. I'll see you later, Derek." He gently smiled at me as I pushed open my door.

A/N: I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I have worked so hard to make this one good for you all. This chapter is such a changing moment for Jen and I hope you all will vote and comment on any thoughts you have! I am so excited to hear from you!