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“I need you, baby… I’m so goddamn sorry for everything. I’ll happily spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Just come back to me, M. Just come back and I promise to never hurt you again or make you shed anything but happy tears. Just come back to me…”
16 Miranda
DEREK WOULD ARRIVE any minute to pick me up. When he asked to look at the car, I didn’t think I’d have to be present. Then again, I didn’t want to hand over my keys to him either. Brea had plans with friends and couldn’t accompany me, which was unfortunate. Usually, I wasn’t bothered by this type of thing, but keeping my identity hidden was the issue.
I hoped I could trust Derek.
A black truck pulled in front of my cottage at precisely ten in the morning, as Derek had said. I appreciated his promptness. I grabbed my handbag and darted out the door before he got out of the truck. I didn’t want him coming to the door.
Paranoid much? Hell yeah! It was safe to say I was over-the-top nervous. The Watson family seemed like nice people. They were friendly and talkative, all but Derek. Now I’d be in his truck and alone with him. He’d mentioned towing the car to his house if he couldn’t get it running. I must have been out of my mind to agree with him.
I froze at the familiar sound of a motorcycle. Someone in my neighborhood rode one. I never saw them but heard the bike at all hours of the day and night when I was home. Come to think of it, I had noticed the same sound at work too.
The biker slowly approached and craned his neck, checking out Derek’s truck.
Odd.
Derek glanced my way as I went to the passenger’s side, then followed my gaze to the passing motorcycle.
I inhaled a deep breath. “Good morning,” I greeted as I opened the door and lifted myself into the cab. Even with the running board to step on, his truck wasn’t easy to climb into.
“Morning. What was that all about?” He jerked his chin in the direction the Harley went.
“Nothing, I don’t think. I’ve never noticed so many motorcycle enthusiasts until moving here.” I fastened my seatbelt. “I really appreciate this.”
“I’m happy to help.” He gave me a nod and put the truck in reverse.
Okay, I needed to stop freaking out every time I heard the rumble of an engine. I also needed to stop feeling guilty. The last thing I wanted to do was irritate Derek.
I surveyed the inside of the truck like everything new I encountered: black leather seats, second row behind us, country music playing in the background. Derek appeared to be a clean freak judging by his spotless interior. Not a speck of dust was on the black dashboard. This guy exhibited pride of ownership. I liked it.
I tried not to stare at Derek, but I couldn’t help flicking my gaze his way. The third time I caught him doing the same. I could swear he blushed, but neither of us said anything.
It was a short ten-minute drive from my house to Radiance. We didn’t talk at all, and I caught myself reaching for my earring.
“Let’s do this,” he said, pulling along the curb in front of my car.
I nodded, not sure what I’d be doing, but exited the truck just the same.
“Can you pop the hood for me?”
“Absolutely.” I got into the driver’s seat, pulled the handle, and waited for his next request.
“Go ahead and try to start it.”
“Okay.” The same grinding sound made me cringe.
“You can stop,” he hollered from under the hood. He tinkered for a bit, then went to his truck.
I inhaled at the sight of him. While yesterday he’d made me anxious, today he seemed non-threatening. Maybe his mom had read him the riot act? Or maybe, he didn’t feel threatened by me? I hoped for the latter.
Derek returned and leaned under the hood on the driver’s side. I observed his long legs in faded jeans and the black hoodie he had on. Both made me smile. He was different from most of the men I’d been around. Different was good. Different I preferred after Will.
But wasn’t it too soon to be having such thoughts about another man?
No, it wasn’t too early. It wouldn’t matter anyway, once Derek learned I was pregnant. Following that thought, I put Derek in the friend-zone. A male friend would be perfect—especially the kind who fixed cars and wasn’t too talkative.
He tapped on the window, startling me. I rolled it down and he rested his elbows on the door, putting himself at my level. A black streak near his nose caught my eye.
