guys.”
She shook her head. “What’s wrong with us?”
“I don’t know. But it sucks.”
“Yeah.” She finished her work then clocked out, dreading it. When she was done, she had to go home to that empty house. She would break down and start crying, hating herself for being so stupid.
Andre patted her on the shoulder. “It’ll be okay, Nancy.”
“Thanks, Andre. I wish you weren’t gay so I could date you.”
He laughed. “I’ve heard that at least a hundred times.”
They left the facility and walked outside. When Nancy saw Derek’s truck parked in front of her car, completely blocking it in, she felt the anger explode inside her.
“Uh, I’ll talk to you later,” Andre said as he turned to the right.
Nancy marched to Derek.
He had his hands in his pockets, a sad expression in his eyes, and he watched her approach him, a look of murder on her face.
When she reached him, she slapped him hard across the face then pushed him into the truck, rocking it.
Derek kept his hands in his pockets and let her shove him.
Nancy glared at him. “Move your fucking truck.”
He rose to a stand and looked at her. “Please hear me out.”
“If you don’t move your truck, I’m going to slap you again.”
There was no anger or emotion in his eyes. He looked dead inside. “I’m not going anywhere until we talk about this.”
She slapped him again.
He took the hit without reacting.
“How many times do I have to hit you?”
“Until you hear me out.”
She raised her arm to strike him again but he gr abbed it and steadied it, guiding her against the truck. He pinned her against the door and held her there.
“Let me go!”
He tried to kiss her but she moved her head, not letting his lips touch hers. She knew what would happen if their mouths touched. “This is what happened. I waited for you to come to me. You never did. I waited until it was my turn. By then, I didn’t think you were coming. It pissed me off. You said you would be there but you weren’t. I really needed you, Nancy. I was so nervous. I didn’t need you just as a girlfriend, but as a friend. In the end, I let my anger get to me. When I saw your phone call, it just made me angrier. I admit my actions weren’t right, but I was in the spotlight and couldn’t be a jerk. I was celebrating my victory, and I didn’t think you wanted to be with me anymore because you didn’t show up. I’m sorry for hurting you. I really am.”
“That’s a bullshit excuse.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Well, it doesn’t mean anything to me.”
“Nancy, look at me. I’m sorry. Coen and Henry told me your side of the story. I completely understand why you’re upset. I really am sorry.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Then get off me.”
“I’m not letting you go.”
“You said you wouldn’t let me go until we talked about it. We’ve talked. Now let me go.”
He didn’t release his hold on her. “I can’t lose you, Nancy.”
“Don’t act like you give a shit about me.”
“I do.”
“No you don’t!”
He pressed his lips against hers. She tried to turn her head but he wouldn’t let her. The familiar taste of his lips broke down her walls. Against her will, she responded to his touch, feeling him breathe into her mouth. His grip on her arms loosened, cupping her face and kissing her passionately. She fell into him—again.
“No,” she said as he pushed him off.
He grabbed her and pinned her down again.
Against her control, she started to cry, tears spilling from her eyes. “I can’t keep doing this,” she said with a sob. “I can’t, Derek. You keep hurting me and I’m sick of it.”
His eyes softened when he looked at her. “I’m so sorry. I hate hurting you.”
“Fucking liar.”
He grabbed her and held her to his chest, holding her tightly. “I’m so sorry, Nancy. I hate this.”
She sobbed into him, letting him hold her. “I just want to be with someone who cares about me, who I can trust, who
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