Only you | Derek Morgan

Alright, sunshine

D E R E K ' S P O V

I tap my foot impatiently against the carpet, not even paying one ounce of attention to the football game that's playing on the tv across my living room.

I pick up my phone from the coffee table and check it for what feels like the hundredth time today, only to be met with no new notifications.

It's been a whole eighteen hours since I left Layla's apartment. I've never been in a friends with benefits situation before so I honestly don't know how long is the appropriate amount of time before I can see her again.

I don't know how this works. Does she text or do I call or text her? Do I wait to see her on Monday? Or am I allowed to just show up at her apartment?

I look out the window at my street and it's starting to get dark out. Realising she's probably not going to reach out first, I decide fuck it and throw on my shoes and grab my keys. I'm going over there. I don't want to wait any longer to see her.

While driving over to her apartment, I pass the Chinese food place she's mentioned loving. Maybe..if I show up at her place with Chinese food she'll be happy to see me and if not, her favorite takeout will be welcomed and I'll slip into the apartment without her noticing. Full proof plan if you ask me.

After picking up way too much Chinese food for two people, I get back into my truck and make my way to Layla's apartment.

Do friends with benefits have rules? I hope not. My overthinking gets the better of me and I realise I Maybe should have called first.

So I tap her contact and press speakerphone since I'm driving and wait while it rings.

"Hey," I say when she picks up. "What are you doing right now?"

Layla grumbles, voice muffled from what sounds like she's buried underneath her comforter. "Wallowing in self pity."

I snicker at her sincere admission. I can literally picture her right now, cocooned in bed. "Do you do that often?"

Layla grumbles again. "Oh you know, just at any minor inconvenience in my life."

I laugh, my mind wondering over all the different ways I plan on making her feel better. "I'm on my way over to your place."

"No, Derek," She murmurs through a groan of almost pain. "I don't want you to come over today."

I'm not sure if I should be offended or not at how quick she was to shoot me down. I frown. "Why not?"

The sound of a puff of air passes her lips. "Because I'm not in the mood."

I'm not going to lie, her grumpy and irritated tone takes me back a little, wondering if I imagined us sorting everything out last night. But no, we definitely did because my lips are no doubt still kiss swollen.

I've known her for probably about a month now and I've never seen her this snappy. A month.. ah. That's why. And if she thinks that's keeping me way, she's wrong.

"Too bad. I'm coming over," I say, not giving her a chance to protest before I end the call and make a detour to the store.

-

Tapping my knuckles against Layla's apartment door, I brace for impact because I am fully expecting to be greeted with violence.

The door swings open to Layla scowling at me. "Do you have selected hearing?" She asks, crossing her arms over her chest. "I told you not to come over."