The Ink That Haunts Us

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Derek had insisted I go home with him so we could talk. Once I agreed, he called to kick Ollie out for the night. He told her she would have to crash at a friends for the night. She objected until he promised he would explain in the morning. I had missed her just as much as the rest of the crew and I couldn't wait until I could see her again. I just hoped she would be happy to see me too.

    The rest of the work day seemed to fly by. Everytime I looked at the clock, seeing the hands inch closer and closer to closing time, the more ramped up my nerves seemed to be. No amount of prepping would prepare me for what all had to be said. So many fears were going through my head and it was putting me on edge.

    At the end of the night, I took my time closing down my studio while Derek waited for me out front. Once I finished, I remembered I had drove myself. I considered riding with Derek and picking my car up tomorrow, but I didn't want to just assume I would be staying the night. There was a good chance I might go home tonight.

    I decided to drive myself, and as I drove, I had to give myself multiple pep talks. The ride felt forever long and by the time I was feeling good about talking to Derek, I would overthink it. Then, I would have to start my process all over again. It was an endless cycle and by the time I reached Derek's, I was even more nervous than I had been.

    Derek had beat me to his apartment, his car parked right outside. He must have sensed my nervousness earlier because I found him waiting for me right outside the apartment building entrance. I let out a chuckled as he jogged to my car, opening my door for me, then helping me out.

    "Were you worried I wouldn't show?" I asked, smiling up at him.

    "Maybe a little." That admission made me so sad. Somewhere along the way I had done something to make him feel this way. I would do anything to make sure he knew I was here to stay.

    Derek opened his front door for me, letting me go in ahead of him. When I entered the living room, I came to a sudden stop, my mouth falling open in surprise. In place of his old, worn out couch was the monster couch that had once sat in my living room.

    "Yeah, sorry about that," he said sheepishly, coming to a stop beside me. "No one had the room for it and I couldn't just let them sell it. As soon as you find a place just say the word and you can have it back."

    "That's okay. It looks good here. Keep it, please." It really did look good. It suited his home perfectly. Just like I knew it would.

    "Are you sure? A couch like that doesn't come cheap." His brow furrowed in uncertainty. There was no need to tell him money wasn't an issue for me anymore.

    "I'm sure."

    "Thanks." He looked a little relieved. "Ollie loves it. She'll be happy to know we get to keep it." He walked further into the room, moving towards the kitchen. "Want a beer?"

    "Sure," I nodded, heading for the couch. A happy sigh escaped me as I sank onto it. This couch really was one of a kind. It was properly worn in, but still looked in really good condition considering how long I had owned it.

    "Here." He thrust a beer into my hand before taking a seat next to me.

    As I sat there sipping on my beer, I tried to figure out the best way to start. Should we start with small talk and work our way up to the heavy? I didn't have a clue what to do here. So, I went with the first thing that popped up in my head. It was the one thing I longed to say to him since I had returned.

    "It wasn't my choice to leave." It came out quieter than I had intended. I wasn't even sure if he heard me, but I went on. "I would never have left you like that."