Broken Submission

Split

"Get out."

Derek stared at Matthew. "What?"

Matthew shook his head. "You need to get some space. Clear your head."

"There's no way in hell I'm leaving her."

"You're doing fucking nothing for her right now, Derek!" Matthew shouted, taking Derek aback. "You've been off kilter, and it's screwing with the people around you. So do the right thing and take some time to get your shit together."

Derek glared at his friend. "How could you even suggest I take off on her? What kind of dom--hell, what kind of partner--would that make me?"

"You think we can't take care of her for a few days?" Matthew crossed his arms. "Taking this time apart makes you the smart kind of partner. It means that you understand that you are human, and sometimes you need to take care of yourself and your needs so that you can come back and take care of others'."

"But--" Derek swallowed. "What just happened--"

"She's not hurt, Derek," Matthew said, voice softening. "But maybe that why this is a good time. Because she could have been. If you were right in the head, this would never have happened."

Derek flinched, the truth stinging.

Jack spoke up. "She can stay with Damien and me, if she wants."

Derek flushed at the lack of anger or reproach in Jack's voice. "Hey man--"

"Don't worry about it," Jack interrupted. "You guys are in the swirling center of a massive shitshow."

"That's graphic," Matthew said.

Jack shrugged, the movement jostling Damien against his side. The two sat on one of the low benches that dotted the walls, Damien curling into his boyfriend's side.

Seeing this, Derek approached and knelt so that his eyes were level with the sub's.

"I'm sorry, Damien," he said. "What I did is inexcusable, and it violated the trust that I felt was between us."

Damien pressed closer to Jack's side. His dom's fingers, however, stroked his arm, coaxing a response from him.

"Thank you," he said finally. "I like you, sir. I like Amelia even more. But I don't regret getting between you and Jack. I will fight anyone--"

"Hush baby," Jack soothed, warmth and amusement and pride in his gaze. Damien resumed snuggling with a last warning glance at Derek.

Derek stood, gaze going to the door that the girls had disappeared through. "I can't just take off. She'll think I abandoned her."

"We'll tell her that we made you go. And space doesn't have to mean radio silence," Matthew said. "Call her. Text her. Just take a breath that isn't half her carbon dioxide. You two have been glued face-to-face for the past few months, and it's no wonder you can't think straight anymore."

Uncertainty and guilt bubbled in his gut, but he was surprised by the generous dose of relief mixed with it. Still...

"You'll keep an eye on her?" Derek said, eyebrows drawn.

"Both," Matthew assured him. "And if she isn't comfortable staying with Jack then she can come stay with us. Brianna would be thrilled."

Derek inhaled, blowing out the breath in a steady stream. "I really hope I don't regret this."

***

Amelia's eyes searched the room. Where was Derek?

"We told him to take some time."

Her eyes shot to Matthew. "What do you mean?"

He sighed. "Look sweetheart, you've got this man tied up in knots--and I know it's not nearly all your fault," he hurriedly added, "but if he isn't in the right mindset, he can't do his job."

Her brows furrowed. "His job?"

"He can't take care of you if he's not taking care of himself," Brianna supplied. "Right?"

Matthew nodded.

"Still," Brianna frowned. "It's kind of shitty for him to just take off."

Amelia's phone chirped.

I'm sorry, little one

Another text buzzed through.

I don't know if this was the right decision, but I had to do something. I've been floundering trying to figure out what the right move is. You say the word, and I'll turn right back around. But I'm hoping this is what we both need

I love you

Amelia covered her mouth with her hand, staring down at her screen until it started to blur. 

Brianna put a hand on her shoulder. "You can stay with me and Matthew, or Jack and Damien. We've got an extra bedroom--"

"No." Amelia pulled away. "No, thank you. I--I need to be alone right now, I think." Unable to look them in the eye, she hurried through the club and burst through the doors onto the street.

Wrapping her coat around herself, she broke into a run, bolting down the sidewalk without a destination in mind.

***

"Shit," Matthew said, staring after her. "Did we screw up?"

His worry was reflected on Brianna's face. "I don't know. After what she said to me in the back room, I would not have recommended Derek give her more space."

"Why?" Matthew rounded on her. "What did she say?"

"That she might leave him."

***

Feet throbbing, Amelia stared out at the waterfall as it glittered in the starlight. The chill had worked its way into her bones and settled there like a greasy film. She stood on the rocky outcropping where Derek had taken her on their first date. One of their only dates, she reflected. Events had changed what might have been a fun courtship into an intense, co-dependent relationship where they were both too comfortable and too ignorant of one another.

How many relationship steps had been skipped because of her past? How many milestones trampled on?

Was he leaving her? She shook her head. His text had clearly been meant to dissuade her of that idea. She blinked back the film of tears that appeared over her eyes. She was a mess. It's no wonder he needed time to himself.

Muscles creaking, Amelia lowered herself to the ground, the frosty air stinging her lungs. Numb fingers pulled out her phone and dialed. 

"Damien? I could use a ride."