If You Make a Deal With a Shadow...

Chapter 36

"Now I'm gonna' make a time to make love. I'm gonna' make a point just to focus on us. Now I'm gonna' make sure you get enough. When I make it all about you, take care of us."

- Mood by dvsn

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The doorbell rang repeatedly and Aubrey groaned. It couldn't have been a coincidence that Payton had just left only 10 minutes ago and somebody was already at the door. She didn't fathom the idea of getting up from the warm spot in her bed so when the ringing stopped she smiled to herself. That smile immediately fell when it started again.

"So, nobody else is home?" she retorted out loud, rolling her eyes. No one answered, of course. Kasey left earlier to go work out at the nearby gym, Payton went to football camp, and the girls were still out on vacation.

The doorbell continued to ring and she was growing frustrated. "Shut up already! I'm coming!" she yelled as she jogged down the stairs.

Aubrey opened the door and came face-to-face with Derrick. Derrick Walsh. The Running Back for the Philadelphia Eagles. Her attitude quickly diminished as she stared at him. She didn't realize she was gawking until he began waving his hand in her face. "Hellooo, anybody home?"

"Oh... Uhh... Yes!" she widened the door. "Come on in," she nodded as he checked her out from head to toe. It was his turn to stare at her.

He smiled before walking in. Aubrey looked down and noticed he was holding his left hand painfully. Her eyebrows raised up at him and he looked to where she was looking.

"I burned my hand while working on my car and since I was in the neighborhood..." he uncovered his hand and she cringed.

Aubrey grabbed it and stared at him in mock horror. "Jesus, what happened?" she began inspecting his hand.

He shrugged. "I don't know. My car was kind of overheating and I went to take a look. This..." he pointed at his burn. "... is what happened. I was on my way to the camp."

"Okay," she nodded. "Follow me," she gripped his wrist and began walking towards the kitchen.

Cyrus stopped her. "Miss Wilson, we need to search him," he spoke.

She looked at him like he was crazy, but before she could speak Derrick spoke up. "C'mon, Cy! It's me, man," he smiled and winked at him.

Cyrus didn't waver one bit. Derrick was one of Payton's friends, but he hasn't been over in awhile... Well, Aubrey hasn't seen him over. Plus, Cyrus seemed to not like him very much for some reason. "It's okay, Cy. Really," she spoke and he gave her the eye as if to say, 'You sure?'. She subtly nodded. He nodded gruffly before moving out of the way. Aubrey began dragging Derrick to the kitchen again.

He licked his lips at her as she opened the cabinet to grab the First-Aid kit. As she reached for it her áss was giving him the perfect show so he just sat in the chair and watched. When she retrieved it she quickly began taking the stuff she needed, out.

After she grabbed the bandages and burn ointment she packed up and went back over to Derrick. "Sit your hand up there," she nodded at the table and he complied silently.

Her phone went off in her back pocket and she kissed her teeth, rolling her eyes. She held her finger up at him before pulling her phone out. She immediately cheesed when she realized it was a text from Payton.