The Naughty Spaceholder

Catherina

"Hey, stranger." I tapped Derek's shoulder. 

His gaze flicked up to meet mine, and his brows furrowed. Then muscular fingers returned to adjusting his climbing shoes.

At his expression, a pang of disappointment transformed my smile upside down. Yet, I continued anyway, "Hey, best friend, haven't seen you in ages." I clasped my hands together. "Really? Life has just been busy, so how are you?" Those hands fell to my sides. "I've been great, hanging out with my girlfriend, being macho, and so on..."

Derek remained quiet, paying keen attention to his difficult task of ensuring his shoes were intact. 

Okay! So, he didn't want to talk. Great!
At least, now, I didn't have to tell him I was going out on a date. 

I pivoted on my heels with a sigh. "Whatever!" 

Before I got a chance to walk off, Derek grabbed my wrist. "I'm sorry." He combed fingers through black curls. "I'm just stressed. I have a lot going on, you know?”

A lot going on? What could be…

Oh, my gosh! 

I swiveled around to face him, feeling stupid. "Oh, shit! I totally forgot about the game next Saturday. And, here I am, thinking you're the worst best friend ever. Gosh! This makes me the worst friend in the universe."

His lips parted for a slight second, but they were clamped back shut with a shake of his head. Blue eyes remained glued to the floor. 

"Yeah, I just want to win, you know? My whole career depends on this one night. And, it's not just my future but the rest of my teammates'," Derek confessed.

Gosh, I was a horrible friend. Next Saturday was the last game of the baseball season, the last game of his college life. 

I nestled beside him on the seat. "I know what this game means to you." Our fingers entwined together. "But, I also want you to know you don't have to bear the burden alone. No matter what, I'm always going to be here for you."

Always. Even if I had a boyfriend or went out on dates with other guys. He would always be my first. Nothing could change how I felt about him. He was my best friend. But, of course, I wasn't going to come right out and tell him about the boyfriend part. Regardless, he should still know. Once he read between the lines. 

"I know, I'm so so sorry," he replied.

The defeat in his voice made those words seem like an apology for something more than being absent for a couple of days. Nevertheless, I didn't probe further in fear of reopening any wounds.

Resting my head on his shoulder, I teased, "I know, you're just being who you are: an asshole."

Derek chuckled, "Hey?" and slightly squeezed my fingers. Blue eyes glowed with compassion. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

I smiled at the comment. "I know." The smooth talker was rewarded with a kiss on his cheek. My gaze went to the wall decorated with colored handholds and I jumped to my feet. "The last one to the top of the wall has to do the chores for a month," I challenged. 

He arched an eyebrow. "Really?" 

Pfft! 

I ran off in response to the ridiculous question. A laugh slipped through my lips when footsteps came up fast behind me. 

Yes, he was faster, but I was smarter. Or so I liked to think. Derek was even better at rock climbing than I was. However, due to practicing and support from fellow climbers, I was better at it.