The Man Next Door

Chapter 11

One month later…

Derek woke Monday morning feeling the same way he had every Monday morning since that day a month beforehand. He was exhausted, and despite how he enjoyed his job, he lacked motivation to go. He lacked motivation to do anything but lie there and think about the terrible decisions he had made. But there was one in particular that consumed his thoughts during most of his free time. He couldn't grasp the fact that he had rejected Meredith that day. The day that everything changed between them. Not on the outside though, no, on the outside he played the supportive friend that was happy for her and she played the happy new fiancé. But inside, he was hollow. He had lost all hope for something he didn't even know he was hoping for. A future with Meredith. He wanted to be the bigger man, the man who didn't cheat on his wife and kept his family in tact. But in the process, he lost what his heart truly desired, love and happiness with Meredith. 'She probably doesn't even think of me that way. It happened for the best' he told himself for the millionth time since he had heard the news of her engagement to Finn. He was in denial, but he knew for a fact that it wasn't true. She had leaned into him to kiss him that day on the beach. She had made the move and she looked at him the way only lovers looked at each other, with beautiful sparkles, calmness and deep warmth in her eyes. A person doesn't look at another like that unless they have true feelings for them. But he reasoned these all away, equating it to a moment of weakness, which lots of girls seemed to have when around him, and focusing on the facts. She had said yes to Finn, why would she do that if she had for him the same feelings that Derek had for her?

Feeling Rose roll over close to him on his left, he sighed and began to turn the sheets over to get ready to go to the set. They had nearly finished filming the first season, which was much shorter than most with 9 episodes because the show was a mid season replacement. There had been talk that it was going to get renewed for a second season however, which both pleased and scared Derek half to death. Yes, it meant he got to keep his job but it also meant he's have to stick around to see a happily married Meredith who was scheduled to get hitched a week after they finished filming. At least if she was just his neighbor he would have his house to hide out in.

"Don't go yet," croaked Rose sleepily as she reached her arm out around his waist to pull him back in bed. "This is the only time I get to see you with your ridiculous schedule."

"I'm going to be late," replied Derek firmly. He was not in the mood to talk to Rose at the moment. He could tell she was trying to repair their marriage that had slowly dwindled over the years, more so declining now with Derek's new job and her busy schedule.

"Derek I'm trying here," she sighed, looking up at him with sad eyes. "I love you so much and you've just closed yourself off to me. I'm your wife. Your wife Derek! You can tell me anything." She continued desperately.

"It's nothing Rose, work is just so busy right now. Shannon had us working overtime so we can keep to schedule and finish on time. Something about a new actor on the very last episode who is only available for one day."

"Oh, so nothing to do with that slut of a neighbor then?" she growled.

"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT SHE IS NOT A SLUT?! WE WERE JUST HAVING FUN!" Derek shouted at the top of his lungs. Ever since the beach day Rose had been constantly criticizing Meredith because of paparazzi photos that had been printed in magazines everywhere and he was tired of it. She was perfect, sweet, kind and never did anything wrong.

"Again with the defending of Meredith Grey! There's something up with that woman and I'm going to get to the bottom of it," responded Rose angrily. Somehow Meredith Grey had wrapped her finger around her husband and she needed to chop it off. If she was blackmailing her husband against his will, she would find out.