The Ink That Haunts Us

Chapter Eighteen

My nerves were on end as I settled myself on Derek's couch. Things shouldn't feel this awkward between us. We had known each other for a long time, and I had never felt this uneasy being near him. This unexplainable shyness was so foreign I felt like a stranger in my own body. I needed something to loosen me up or I was going to blow a fuse.

    "Here," Derek said, pushing a beer into my hand. He knew me well.

    I took a long drink before leveling him with a look, but he didn't let me get a word out.    

    "You look nervous," he chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not going to spring any surprises on you or get on one knee and confess my undying love for you."

    A startled laugh choked me, but his words didn't put me completely at ease. I managed to relax a little. The easy way he joked with me felt familiar and I welcomed it. This was the side of Derek I was used to. The serious and intense Derek was completely new to me. I needed more time to figure him out.

    "Watching Freya and Jensen together, how they started out as friends, and seeing what they have together now convinced me to stop pretending." He jumped right in not bothering with small talk. "The moment you walked into the shop looking lost and broken, I knew. I knew I would do anything to see you smile. Then I got to watch as you became the person you were meant to be, even if that was a damn fairy.

    It was hard at first. We had become such great friends and the last thing I wanted to do was mess that up. When Jensen and Freya figured their shit out and found something amazing together, I knew I could have that with you. I want that with you." His words shook me to my core. I had no clue they ran so deep.

    It blew my mind that I had been completely oblivious to his feelings.

    "How could I have been so blind? I spotted it as soon as Freya and Jensen were in the same room together, but I've known you for three years. I never had a clue." I shook my head in disbelief. "Maybe Freya is right. Maybe I am completely blind when it comes to myself."

    "You've had a lot going on." He wasn't wrong.

    "Does everyone know? Or just Freya?" Freya was one thing. I would be completely humiliated if the guys knew.

    Derek let out a chuckle and gave me an apologetic smile. "Mack has known from the beginning. He spotted it not long after you got settled. Everyone else followed eventually. Freya was the first one to call me on it. That was about two months ago."

    I let out a groan and covered my face. Of course, everyone knew. I was going to punch Jensen in the throat for keeping such a secret from me. When he came to me about Freya, I didn't hesitate to tell him. And Mack, he's known for years. How could he keep quiet about something like this? He was constantly on me about finding a guy.

    I let my hands fall away from my face and narrowed my eyes at Derek.

    "So, it's been two months since you stole my best friend." I was trying to change the subject. My brain needed a minute to process this new information.

    "I did not steal your best friend." His lips twitched.

    "You did. She used to talk to me about everything. Now she can't talk to me anymore because of all your secrets." I wiggled an accusing finger at him.

    "What do you want to know?" His lips pulled up into a smirk.

    "What do you and Freya talk about?" I asked, point blank.

    "Mostly about you and how I feel about you. She's been helping me figure out how to get you to this point." A light bulb seemed to turn on inside my head. I let out a snort.