Forgotten Temptations

Chapter 18: Loose Ends

Thank you for reading!! I took a little break from this story but I'm back to finish it! There's only a few chapters left so enjoy!

Toni POV

It was 12:25pm and I sat in the parking lot waiting to go into the diner. My stomach was turning and I dreaded having to face Derek since the night he walked in on Cheryl and I. Maybe it's not too late to just leave. Maybe he won't even show up! Part of me hoped that was case, until I saw his car pull into a spot up front. He was wearing a dress shirt and slacks, as if he came straight from work. He walked into the diner and my heart began to beat faster realizing I had to walk in soon. I took a deep breath and opened my car door. I had to do this.

I walked into the diner and looked around until I saw the back of his head sitting towards the back. He was on his phone not paying attention as I walked over. "Uhhh. Hi Derek..." I awkwardly said as he looked up.

He stood up and instantly cleared his throat. "Hey! Umm.. let me get that for you" he awkwardly said pulling my chair out for me, something I didn't expect. I expected for him to look at me with disgust and instead he was being even nicer than usual.

"Oh.. thanks" I said as I sat down and he returned to his seat. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

"I hope you don't mind but I already ordered you your favorite" he said taking a sip from his coffee.

"Uh. Thanks.. that was nice of you" I replied still not knowing why he was acting this way. "So.. I guess we should talk about it huh?" I blurted out not being able to handle the awkwardness I felt.

"If I'm being honest. I'm just really happy you came. I knew if you came, you were serious making this better."

"I couldn't let you wonder for the rest of your life why this happened. There's a lot you don't know" I softly said. I was glad he was understanding I needed to get closure.

"Honestly babe, I don't even care, I'm just glad you decided not to throw away what we have for someone who took advantage of you". My face dropped. Did he really think I came to get back together with him?

"Wait what? We're not getting back together.. I only came to explain to you what lead up to that night." His face dropped at my words. "And I was not taken advantage of! So why don't you try to listen for once!" I yelled back, feeling my blood boil at the mention of me being victimized.

"What do you mean? YOU cheated! We're engaged! How can you not try to fix this?" He asked, his tone getting more stern.

Just then the waitress walked over with an awkward smile on her face, obviously hearing part of the conversation. "I have a grilled cheese for you, and the BLT for you" she said as she slid our plates in front of us.

"Thanks" I mumbled as she turned and walked away. I looked up to see Dereks face turning red, a clear sign he was pissed off.

"Listen, I'm really sorry this happened Derek. I'm sorry you had to find out the way you did but I'm not going back with you... I don't love you the way I'm supposed to love you" I quietly said trying not to attract anymore unwanted attention to our table.

"But why? I've done everything for you." He pleaded. "I just don't understand how you can see your old friend, then sleep with her! How does that even happen? You're not even-.."

"I am Derek" I cut him off. "I'm attracted to both, men and woman. I just never told you because I didn't think it mattered, but she just wasn't my friend. She was my girlfriend, for a long time at that." I continued slightly pushing the food away. I had no appetite.

He pushed back into his chair and glared towards the ceiling "so, what? You've always loved her or something? You just settled for me? Is that it?" He asked as I noticed his eyes begin to gloss over.