14. Derek’s Destiny

DESTINY

It had been one of those days that seemed to stretch on forever. Eden, The Mayor, Marcy, and some of Derek’s team had all come by the office, and we’d spent hours going over the final itinerary, checking in with our musical acts, and making sure all our vendors were squared away. The MC for the show had dropped in to go over the script one last time, and by the time the sun had dipped below the horizon, I was more than ready to call it a day. Thank God the drive home was just five minutes, though I couldn’t help but wish Derek had been able to pick me up. But he’d been gone since the middle of the night, wrapped up in his music, rehearsals, visits and who knows what else. His plate was just as full as mine.

When I finally walked through the door, exhaustion weighing heavy on my shoulders, I flicked on the light and nearly jumped out of my skin. There Derek was, sitting in the living room chair, dressed in white basketball shorts and socks, with that smug grin I knew all too well.

He chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. “ Zero, I’m in your home, time to make my Princess moan.”

“Derek!” I gasped, clutching my chest like he’d just popped out of a horror movie. “You scared me! Why are you sitting in the dark like some kind of creep?” I asked, dropping my purse on the table and shooting him a look.

“‘Cause I’m here to collect,” he said, leaning forward with a sly grin, slamming an empty milkshake cup from Ruby’s on the table like it was some kind of dramatic evidence.

“Collect what?” I asked, already knowing where this was going but playing along.

“That pussy you’ve been keeping away from me.”

I rolled my eyes, already bracing for his antics. Kicking off my shoes, I sighed, tired but amused. “Derek, I had my period. And did you seriously go down to Ruby’s just to get an empty cup as a prop for this little performance?”

“Told you I don’t care ‘bout no period,” he shot back, zeroing in on the topic like it was a personal offense. His voice was filled with mock outrage, as if I’d done him wrong. “And then you got the nerve to make it last a week?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of him. “I didn’t make it do anything, Derek. Biology just did its thing.”

“And then you didn’t even say anything when it was over,” he continued, getting up from the chair and stalking toward me like a man on a mission. My eyes widened as he closed the distance between us, that familiar fire lighting up in his gaze. I knew I was in for it, and damn if it didn’t send a thrill right through me.

“It needed a day…to, like, air out…you know?” I tried to explain, moving slowly as his eyes followed my every step.

“Air out?” he repeated, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “I didn’t see you hang it out back.”

I snorted, trying to keep a straight face. "You’re ridiculous."

"And for your information," Derek continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "I had to take Keem’s greedy ass down to Ruby’s for a milkshake ‘cause he was whining like a bitch about not being able to use my ice cream machine."

"That was nice of you," I said, trying to shift the conversation, hoping to distract him or at least slow him down. The way he was looking at me, I could tell he was about to wear me out even more than I already was.

But Derek wasn’t taking the bait. His voice rumbled low in his chest, a sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “Anyway, I’m bout to fuck the shit outta you tonight, you know that, right?”

Well, that didn’t work.

My eyes flicked toward the guest bedroom, where Hakeem was staying, and I tried another angle. "Hakeem is here, Derek. We have to be courteous to our guest," I suggested, though I knew it was a weak attempt. I was grasping at straws now, and Derek wasn’t about to let me off the hook.

“Hakeem is grown,” he countered, stepping closer, his eyes never leaving mine. There was a heat in his gaze that had me feeling both cornered and craving what I knew was coming. “And besides, even folks on the outskirts gon’ hear you scream my name tonight. You think I care?”

I bit my lip, knowing I was in trouble. Derek wasn’t backing down, and the way he was looking at me, like he was ready to devour me, had my pulse racing.

“Derek…” I started, but the words caught in my throat as he closed the distance between us, his hands finding their way to my waist, pulling me flush against him.

“Yeah, baby?” he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

“What’s that over there?” I asked, my voice full of exaggerated surprise as I pointed behind him with wide eyes.

“What?” he said, stupidly looking back over his shoulder. I didn’t waste a second—I bolted toward the bedroom, my laughter echoing through the hallway.

“Motherfucker!” Derek chuckled, hot on my heels as we raced into the room, both of us laughing like we were kids again.

We ended up on opposite sides of the bed, him eyeing me like a predator, while I tried to catch my breath, laughing so hard I could barely stand.

“Bring that pussy here, Destiny!” he grunted, his voice filled with playful determination as he lunged across the bed for me.

I screamed, laughing even harder as I darted into the bathroom, trying to slam the door shut behind me. But I was no match for Derek in his determined, horny state. He pushed the door open with ease, catching me mid-giggle, his grin wide and wicked as he cornered me.

“Nowhere to run now, Princess,” he said, his voice low and teasing as he stepped closer, his presence filling the small space.

My laughter subsided into breathless anticipation as I looked up at him, knowing I’d lost this little game, but loving every second of it. There was no escape, not that I wanted one. The way he looked at me, like I was the prize he’d been chasing all night, made my heart race in the best way possible.

“Guess you caught me,” I whispered, my voice a mix of teasing and surrender.

“Damn right I did,” Derek growled, pulling me into his arms with a possessiveness that made my heart skip a beat. He lifted me effortlessly, setting me on the bathroom counter, and just like that, the playful chase turned into something much deeper—something electric. The way he kissed me, with all the passion and need he’d been holding back, made my pulse quicken, my skin tingling under his touch. It was a reminder of why I’d never get tired of running toward him, even if it meant getting caught every time.

He didn’t waste any time, his hands rough but eager as he practically tore my clothes from my body, each rip and tug making me wetter. The air between us crackled with intensity, the need we had for each other simmering just beneath the surface, ready to explode.

“I’m hungry as fuck, Destiny. You starving a nigga,” Derek muttered, his voice rough with desperation as he tore my underwear off like a man possessed, his breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps. The sound of the fabric ripping filled the small bathroom, echoing the urgency between us.

I could see the hunger in his eyes, the way his need for me bordered on pain. It sent a thrill through me, knowing just how much he wanted me, how much he needed this with all the stress on his shoulders. I felt the same, the aching desire coiling low in my belly, demanding release.

“Then eat,” I whispered, my voice low and breathless, the anticipation almost too much to bear.

His eyes darkened at my words, a growl rumbling deep in his chest as he gripped my thighs, pulling me closer to the edge of the counter with urgency. Before I could catch my breath, Derek dropped to his knees, his arms wrapping around my thighs, holding me in place with a strength that left me no choice but to surrender. The moment his mouth met my sensitive bundle of nerves, it was like he had just discovered his favorite candy, and he wasn’t about to let go.

I cried out instantly at the sensation, my body jolting at the intensity of his touch. He looked up at me, and the wildness in his eyes made my pulse race even faster. He was completely lost in it, in me—sucking, slurping, and shaking his head from side to side, his mouth a relentless, hungry suction that made me forget everything but the way he was making me feel.

My head fell back and hit the mirror with a thud, more intense than I’d anticipated, but I barely noticed. My mouth flew open in a silent ‘O,’ my body trembling under his expert tongue, the pleasure almost too much to bear.

“Mine,” Derek growled into my center, his voice vibrating against me before he spit on it, the rawness of his claim sending a shiver through my entire body. There was no mistaking it—he wasn’t just taking me, he was owning me, and I was more than willing to let him. The connection between us was so deep, so primal, that I couldn’t imagine ever wanting anything else.

My toes curled, and my fingers tangled themselves in his long locs, gripping tight as the sensations overwhelmed me.

“Derek! Derek!” I screamed, the pleasure building to a point I could barely stand. “Oh my God!” Tears rolled down my face as the intensity of it all crashed over me, and when he slipped two fingers inside, curling them just right, my head hit the mirror again with a thud. “Derek!” I screamed his name like it was the only thing that could anchor me as he found that spot, the one that made me see stars.

“Oh my God!” The word slipped from my lips in a gasp, and before I knew it, I was overtaken by a wave of sensation that started at my toes and shot straight to my core. I screamed like I was being torn apart, my nails digging into Derek’s scalp as my body convulsed in pure ecstasy. Realizing I might be hurting him, I withdrew my hands, pressing them against the wall instead, trying to find some stability as my body shook uncontrollably.

The sounds that left my mouth were a wild mixture of cries, laughter, and pure, unfiltered joy as I fought to come down from the high. But Derek wasn’t done—not even close.

“Again!” he demanded, his voice thick with a possessive hunger as he looked up at me, those dangerous eyes of his glinting with something that bordered on insanity. He used his fingers to spread me wider, giving himself full access before diving back in with a ferocity that had me seeing stars all over again. My head hit the mirror once more, but the pain was nothing compared to the pleasure that tore through me like a storm, leaving me helpless in his grasp.

I could barely think, could barely breathe, as wave after wave of pleasure wracked my body, leaving me completely at Derek's mercy.

Suddenly, there was banging on the wall, breaking the intensity of the moment.

“Aye, turn that fucking ice cream machine down! I’m tryna watch Osmosis Jones! Damn!” Hakeem’s voice boomed from the guest room, his words echoing through the thin walls of the bathroom.

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, the absurdity of it all too much to handle. Derek paused, his forehead resting against my mound, and he let out a deep chuckle that vibrated through both of us. "This fool," he muttered, shaking his head.

I tried to catch my breath, still giggling. “We really need thicker walls in this house,” I whispered, wiping the tears of laughter from my eyes. But I knew Derek wouldn’t be deterred, and honestly, I wasn’t either.

I should’ve been embarrassed, mortified even, but instead, another wave of pleasure hit me just moments later as Derek dove back in, and all I could do was cry out even louder. I could feel him laughing against my skin, clearly taking pleasure in both the situation and in draining me completely, my fluids splashing onto the floor beneath us.

“Please! Please! Please!” I begged, my voice desperate, not even sure what I was asking for at this point—release, mercy, more, everything. But Derek knew exactly what he was doing, and once he licked me through this last intense orgasm, he finally pulled back, his mouth and face coated in my cream and wetness. He licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Best goddamn milkshake in the world," Derek said, standing up, though he looked drunk on me, his eyes heavy with desire and contentment.

I could barely catch my breath, my body still trembling from the intensity of it all. But as I looked at him, flushed and disheveled, a slow smile spread across my face.

"On your feet, Princess," Derek commanded, his voice low and firm.

"I don't think I can," I managed to say, still breathless, my legs feeling like jelly.

"Don’t make me repeat myself”, a dangerous edge to his voice, "unless you want another punishment."

My eyes widened at the man before me, and I did my best to stand on my shaky legs. I almost fell, but his strong arms caught me before I could hit the ground.

"Told you I wouldn’t let you fall," Derek murmured, kissing my neck and shoulder as I groaned, my body reacting to his touch all over again. "But I don’t see those non-slip socks. You better stay sturdy on them toes.”

"I don't… I can't…" I was practically incoherent, the words slipping away as I struggled to string together a thought. He had done this to me, sucked the intelligence right out of my body, and I was helpless to do anything about it.

He chuckled softly at my babbling, his hands cradling my face, his thumbs gently rubbing over my cheeks as if he was grounding me, bringing me back to reality.

“There’s something about you when you’re like this, Princess,” he murmured, his voice tender but still holding that hint of command. “Seeing you like this… knowing I can bring you to this place where you’re completely open—it does something to me. You’re so strong, so damn strong on your own. But when you let go with me, when you trust me enough to be this open and vulnerable, it makes me feel like the luckiest man alive. I want to honor that trust, protect it, and keep you safe with everything I’ve got.”

I looked up at him, my eyes heavy with exhaustion, but also filled with a deep sense of love. There was something about the way he spoke, the way he looked at me right then, that made me feel seen and cherished in a way I hadn’t in a long time. Even in my most vulnerable state, I felt safe—like no matter how much I surrendered, he’d always be there to catch me, to hold me, to love me.

"You trust me to take care of you for the rest of your life, right?" he asked, cocking his head to the side, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Yes…" I breathed out, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, who?" he pressed, his tone firm but playful, pushing me just that little bit more.

"Yes, yes… Daddy," I finally said, the words slipping out as I surrendered completely to him, my heart swelling with the certainty that I was exactly where I was meant to be—right there, with him, forever.

He leaned in, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that was softer than I expected before widening his smile.

As he pulled back, his hand still cradling my face, he whispered, “That’s right.”

He turned me around and pushed my back down, my hands instinctively gripping the counter for support. Our eyes locked in the mirror, the intensity between us crackling like electricity as he spread my legs and then entered me in one smooth motion, making us both gasp. The connection, the rawness of it, was undeniable.

He pulled all the way out, teasingly slow, before thrusting back in with a force that made my whole body shudder. I couldn’t help the whimper that escaped my lips. “Derek…”

But he wasn’t about to let up. He did it again, and again, each time pulling back just to slam into me with a precision that had me trembling.

When my eyes started to roll back from the sheer pleasure, he caught my gaze in the mirror and growled, “Uh uh, eyes on me, Princess.”

I fought to keep my focus on him, but when he thrust into me again, my vision blurred, and my eyes crossed with the overwhelming sensation. That’s when I felt the sharp, stinging smack on my ass. He alternated between both sides, each slap firm enough to send a jolt through me, but not so hard that it hurt—just enough to remind me who was in control. He rubbed the spot after each smack, the contrast between the sting and the soothing touch driving me wild.

“Don’t play with me, Destiny,” he commanded, his voice low and rough as he increased his speed, his thrusts becoming faster, more intense. “Behave. Watch me fuck you.”

I forced myself to keep my eyes on him in the mirror, the sight of him taking me with such authority, such passion, making me feel like I was on the edge of losing control. The way he looked at me, the way he demanded my attention, only made me want him more.

With each thrust, each smack, I felt myself unraveling, my body responding to his every move like it was made for him. And in that moment, nothing else mattered. I was completely his, and I wanted more, even when it felt like I couldn’t take any more.

“Baby…” I whimpered, my voice barely holding together.

“You know I love you, right?” he asked, his words punctuated by the relentless rhythm of his hips, each thrust driving me closer to the edge.

“Yes,” I managed to breathe out, clinging to the counter like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.

“Even when I’m fucking you like I don’t?” he asked, shifting to a new angle that made me gasp, the pleasure so intense it brought tears to my eyes.

“Yes,” I cried out, the sensation overwhelming, making it hard to focus on anything but him.

“You love this dick, Des?” His voice was rough, demanding, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

“I love it,” I purred, the words slipping out without a second thought. I sounded like a damn fool, but in that moment, I didn’t care. All I knew was how much I needed him, how much I craved what he was giving me.

“Then why you always running from it, huh?” he challenged, his voice dropping lower as he slapped my hand away, before landing four sharp smacks on my ass, each one making me moan louder.

“I need it, Derek. I need you,” I confessed, my voice breaking with the sheer need coursing through me.

“Throw this shit back then, Destiny,” he commanded, slapping each cheek hard enough to sting. “Stop playing with me!”

“Ughhh!” I screamed, doing exactly as he told me, feeling him drive even deeper, his thickness stretching me, and that devilish smile spreading across his face as he watched me lose myself.

He wrapped his hand around my hair, twisting it tight to keep my head from falling forward, forcing me to look into the mirror. His gaze locked on mine, even though I was struggling to keep my eyes open with every thrust.

“I know you ‘bout to come, and I need to see it, baby… I love the look on your face when you break for me.”

He was right; I was right there, teetering on the edge. His free hand pushed one of my legs up onto the counter, deepening his plunge, and the new angle knocked the damn sonic rings out of me.

“Daddy!” I screamed, as the intensity of it all sent me spiraling as my hands settled on the mirror to steady myself, my eyes rolling back, my mind splintering into a million pieces.

“So fucking creamy, Destiny,” he groaned, looking down between us, his bottom lip caught between his teeth as he watched me. “This ice cream machine was backed up for five years, but it ain’t no more, is it?”

“No,” I whined, my body shaking, my voice high and broken, lost somewhere between pleasure and delirium.

“This is my shit!” Derek growled, his voice thick with possession, his eyes blazing as he watched me in the mirror. “Hear me?”

“Yes! It’s yours…” I gasped, my voice breaking, my mind barely holding on as he continued to make his way in and out of me.

“Cum for me then!” he demanded, his breath hot against my neck.

A sound tore from my throat, something primal and raw that I didn’t even recognize as my own. My body was wound so tight, every nerve on fire, and I knew I was close, so close.

“Now!” Derek yelled, punctuating his command with a hard smack on my ass that sent a shockwave through me.

And just like that, my body, which he played like an instrument, obeyed him like a good girl. I shattered. Hard. A scream ripped from my lungs, a mix of pleasure and pain and everything in between, and tears pricked my eyes as I fell apart. Derek’s grip on my hair tightened, keeping my head up so I couldn’t look away from the mirror. I saw myself breaking, my face twisted in ecstasy, my body trembling like a live wire. He didn’t let up, not for a second. He kept pounding into me, kept my leg perched up on that counter like he owned it, like he owned me. He was the master, and I was his, completely.

“That’s what I’m talking ‘bout, baby!” he murmured, leaning over to kiss my cheek, his lips soft against my flushed skin even as his thrusts stayed relentless. His eyes stayed locked on mine in the mirror, his voice a low, raspy command. “So beautiful like this. Give me everything. Give it to me.”

“Ahhhhh!” I cried out, my voice breaking into a sob as the pleasure spiraled higher and higher, almost too much to bear. It felt like this orgasm wouldn’t end, like it was tearing me apart and putting me back together all at once. My body shook, my legs trembling uncontrollably, and still, he kept me right there on the edge, drawing out every last bit of ecstasy from me, like he was savoring it, like he couldn’t get enough of watching me fall apart for him.

“Don’t you stop, Princess,” he whispered, his breath heavy and ragged, his eyes dark with need. “Keep giving me all of it. I want it all.”

And I did. I gave him everything.

“I’m calling animal control!” Hakeem’s voice suddenly cut through the air from the guest room. “Shit is ridiculous! Gotta be some wildcats or something that got in that damn ice cream machine!” he complained, his voice full of irritation. “All that fucking screaming!”

Derek’s grip tightened around me, his arms wrapping me up like he never intended to let go. His pace quickened, each thrust more intense than the last, and I could feel the heat in his growl, almost like he was punishing me for Hakeem’s antics. “You’ve got me, Des. I fucking love you. Always,” he said, his voice rough and low.

Derek ground into me with such intensity that his growl seemed to vibrate through my entire body, shaking me to my core. My name left his lips in a rough, urgent cry that drowned out everything else—even Hakeem banging on the wall, adding to the chaos. But in that moment, I was too lost in Derek to care. His movements slowed, every thrust still powerful, like he was savoring every last second, until he finally pulled out, swift and decisive. Before I could catch my breath, he grabbed me and guided me down from the counter.

“On your knees for me, baby. You know what I need,” he rasped, his voice low and commanding. I was already dropping to my knees, anticipation coursing through me. I knew exactly what he wanted. I took him in my mouth, letting him fill me, tasting him as he groaned deeply. Just a few short pumps, his hands gripping my head like I was his lifeline, and then he was gone, undone, releasing himself down my throat.

“Fuck!” Derek groaned, his fingers still tangled in my hair as if he needed the anchor to stay grounded. His head fell back, eyes closing as if the sheer exhaustion was taking over him. For a moment, he was silent, catching his breath, before he finally pulled out and stumbled back against the door. He slid down to the floor, his chest heaving, a lazy, satisfied grin spreading across his face.

“See what you do to me? You make me feral and shit,” he muttered, shaking his head with a half-laugh, like he couldn’t believe the way I’d pushed him to the edge. His eyes, dark with satisfaction and something deeper, locked onto mine. He looked completely wrecked in the best way, like I’d taken every ounce of his control and left him bare. And that look on his face, that mix of disbelief and pure, raw hunger, made me feel powerful, like I was the only woman who could ever make him lose himself like that.

I tried to straighten up, my body still buzzing from everything we’d just shared, and I couldn’t help but smile at him. There was something about seeing him like this—completely mine—that made my heart swell with love and satisfaction.

As I leaned against the counter, trying to steady myself as I stood, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “Well, it’s mutual, believe me.”

Derek looked up at me, his eyes filled with that familiar mix of desire and affection. “Good,” he said, his voice low and rough, “Now, let’s get you cleaned up,” he said, his voice still holding that firm edge but laced with care.

He somehow found the strength to stand up, even though we were both still catching our breath. Derek reached out, took my hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze as we moved to the shower. Derek turned on the water, adjusting it until it was just right. As the steam began to fill the room, he guided me under the warm spray, his hands never leaving my body. He washed me with a tenderness that made my heart ache—in the best possible way. It was the kind of intimacy that went beyond the physical, something that felt like a promise wrapped in every gentle touch.

“You okay, Princess?” he asked as he ran his hands down my back, his voice soft, the intensity from before replaced with something softer, more nurturing.

“Yeah,” I whispered, leaning into his touch, letting the warmth of the water and the comfort of his presence soothe the lingering tremors in my body. “I’m more than okay.”

He smiled at that, the tension in his shoulders easing as he continued to wash me, taking his time like he had all the patience in the world. When he was satisfied that I was clean and relaxed, he turned off the water and wrapped me in a thick, soft towel, pulling me close to his chest.

“Let’s get you to bed,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

We walked back to the bedroom, and Derek dried me off with the same tenderness he’d shown in the shower. He took his time, gently massaging lotion into my skin, paying extra attention to my bottom, his hands soothing and steady. There was something about the way he touched me that made me feel cared for, cherished in a way that went beyond the physical.

When he was done, he rummaged through my drawer and pulled out one of those soft Walmart nightgowns he always teased me about. He smiled as he handed it to me, his eyes twinkling with that familiar playful glint. I slipped it on, feeling the comforting fabric against my skin, and watched as he led me to the bed, tucking me under the covers like I was something precious.

Derek slid in beside me, his body warm and solid against mine, his arms wrapping around me in that way that made me feel safe and protected. As I nestled into him, feeling his steady heartbeat against my back, I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

There was something so simple, yet so profound, about this moment. After everything we’d been through, all the highs and lows, it was these quiet moments that reminded me why we’d fought so hard to get back to each other. It wasn’t just about the passion, though that was a big part of it—it was about this, the way he held me, the way he made me feel like I was the most important thing in his world.

“I love you, Derek,” I whispered into the darkness, the words carrying more weight now than they ever had before.

He tightened his hold on me, his lips brushing softly against my forehead. “I love you too, Destiny. Always.”

“You ready for the Jubilee?” I asked, shifting slightly to look up at him.

“You’ll be there, so yeah, I’m ready,” he replied with a small smile.

“Speech ready?” I pressed, knowing how much this event meant to him.

He let out a deep sigh. “I keep trying to write it, but I think I’ll just speak from the heart. You ready? You’ve been working so hard on this.”

“Yes,” I said, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.

“I’m really proud of you, Des, for real,” he said, turning me to face him fully, his eyes sincere and full of that deep admiration that always caught me off guard. “You really pulled this shit together. Plus, you got the best rapper in the world to perform,” he added with that cocky grin of his, clearly referring to himself. “That’s crazy. Who else can say they did that?”

I shrugged, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “I mean, I’m sleeping with him, so that helps. I’m sure that’s what they’ll say.”

Derek’s grin faded into something softer, more thoughtful. He shook his head slightly, his gaze holding mine. “I signed on when I wasn’t even sure you would speak to me again.”

“Your little plan really worked out, huh?” I teased, my eyes narrowing playfully. “You sell out arenas all over the world, got all the accolades, all the money, and all the opportunity, and yet here you are about to perform at a Juneteenth community event in a little town no one’s even heard of.”

“To get back in your life? It’s whatever I had to do,” he said, his voice dropping lower, more serious. “I wasn’t gonna be right with myself until I got right with you. If this is what I had to do, fuck it. I’d do it again.”

“Did you think I’d take you back?” I asked, my tone softer now, more vulnerable. The words hung in the air between us, heavy with the weight of all the things we’d left unsaid.

He paused, searching my face like he was looking for something. “I don’t know what I thought… I just knew I was gonna try,” he admitted, his voice raw and open in a way that Derek rarely ever was. “I couldn’t stand the idea of us being done, not after everything. So I figured I’d start here, doing what I do best, and just see if I could find my way back to you.”

His honesty hit me like a punch to the chest. It wasn’t like Derek to lay himself bare like this, to strip away all that swagger and confidence and just be real. But here he was, saying he was willing to do whatever it took to make things right. It was like he’d peeled back every layer, every defense, and laid his heart at my feet.

“Besides, I know how much the Jubilee means to you… saw you perform and all growing up, had to see you running this thing,” he continued, his voice softer, almost like he was talking to himself. “And if I could be a part of it, why not? This is your moment, Des, and I wanted to be here for it.”

I could see the honesty in his eyes, the way they softened when he looked at me. It wasn’t just about winning me back or showing off; he really wanted to be here, to support me, to be by my side.

“Even if the Mayor had said no to the performance, I would have been around,” he added with a small smile. “You’d have seen me in the crowd, cheering you on like a damn fool.”

I chuckled, my heart swelling with something warm and tender. “Derek, you don’t do ‘cheering from the crowd.’ You’re always front and center.”

He grinned, shrugging. “For you? I’d be wherever you need me to be, Princess. Front, back, don’t matter. I’m here.”

The sincerity in his voice wrapped around me like a blanket, and for a moment, I could see it—the Derek who wanted to be better, not just for himself but for us. And that was more than enough.

We settled into a comfortable silence, my body relaxing against his, until he broke it.

“E’Lana called me today,” Derek said casually, like he was commenting on the weather.

“Oh yeah?” I tried to keep my tone light, nonchalant, even though my mind was now racing. My heart felt like it was about to beat out of my chest, insecurity rising up in my throat like bile. E’Lana. Of all people.

“I made it clear to her that she and I have nothing anymore,” he said, his fingers gently pushing my hair away from my face as he looked at me, his eyes sincere. “Told her I’m building with you, and I’m not interested in anything or anyone else. Not her, not nobody.”

My eyebrows shot up so high they could’ve touched my scalp. I wasn’t expecting him to come out and say all that.

“You’re not saying anything, but your face is saying everything. Talk to me, Princess,” he urged softly.

“You rejected a pop star for me?” I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it.

“Yeah,” he replied with a shrug, like it was the most normal thing in the world. “What’s so hard to understand about that?”

“Derek, I’m not…” I started, then cut myself off, suddenly feeling foolish. I wasn’t the insecure type, not usually. But E’Lana? She was beautiful in that magazine-cover, kind of way. Women brought her picture to plastic surgery consultations trying to emulate her. And he’d been with her, had a friendship with her her, been inside her… How could he just walk away from that, for me?

He must’ve sensed my hesitation because he pulled me closer, his arms tightening around me like he was never letting go. His voice was gentle but firm, steady like he was trying to ground me. “Des, listen to me. You’re the one I want to come home to every night. The one I want to build a life with, have kids with, grow old with on some front porch, rocking in chairs, watching our grandkids run around. You. Not E’Lana, not anyone else. No comparisons, no doubts.”

I looked up at him, still feeling that tightness in my chest, like I was holding onto something I wasn’t even aware of. But his words—so honest, so certain—were like a balm, soothing that ache I didn’t realize I’d been carrying. “You really mean that?” I asked quietly, searching his eyes for the truth.

He didn’t hesitate, his gaze steady and filled with a love that made my heart swell. “With everything I got, Des. I’ve made mistakes, but choosing you, loving you—that’s the only thing I’ve ever been sure about.”

I didn’t even realize a tear slipped out till he wiped it away.

“E’Lana might be a star, but you’re my universe, Destiny. Ain’t nobody else that could shine like you,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that left no room for doubt.

“Jesus Christ, Derek,” I said, rolling my eyes as I let out a mix of a laugh and a sob. “You and these damn words.”

“And I mean every single one,” he shot back, no hesitation, his voice steady and sure.

I couldn’t help but smile, my heart swelling a little. But then he continued.

“But she did make an offer.”

“An offer?” I repeated, feeling my stomach tighten again.

“Yeah, she said if you want, you can have her as a wedding gift,” he said, his face completely serious.

I blinked, trying to process. “Like… she wants to perform at our wedding or something?”

“No, like…” he shook his head, disbelief and maybe a hint of some memory flashing across his face. “Like, if we were open to her coming into our bedroom, she’s down.”

My eyes widened, the realization hitting me like a freight train.

“I told her you’re not into shit like that,” he said with a chuckle, his hand rubbing my back reassuringly. “It was just a desperate attempt to hold on to me any way she could. She’s not used to me having real boundaries with her.”

“Oh,” I said, still a little stunned but relieved.

“I just wanted to be upfront about it,” he continued, his tone serious again. “I don’t want to hide anything from you.”

I looked at him, taking in his honesty and his commitment to this thing we were building. “Thank you for telling me,” I said.

"Always," he whispered, leaning in to kiss me softly, sealing his promise with the kind of kiss that made my toes curl.

As he pulled back, his eyes locked on mine, I couldn’t help but pry a little. “Derek…”

“Yeah, baby?” he murmured, his voice low and warm.

“A wedding gift, though? Why that specifically?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

He looked at me like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “’Cause I told her I’m spending my life with you,” he said matter-of-factly. “You got a problem with that?”

I tried to keep a straight face, but a smile tugged at my lips. “No,” I said, failing miserably at hiding my amusement.

Derek grinned, that sexy, knowing smile of his, and then he pulled my leg over his thigh, drawing me even closer. I could feel the heat between us starting to build again, the familiar tension rising as I felt him begin to harden against me. His hands slid up my leg, his touch firm and gentle at the same time, like he was reminding me exactly who I belonged to.

“And just so you know,” he murmured, his voice dropping to that deep, raspy tone that always made my heart skip a beat, “there’s no gift in the world better than having you all to myself. Don’t need nobody else in our bed but you, Princess.”

A warmth spread through me, and I couldn’t help but smile, feeling his words settle deep in my chest. For once, I truly believed him—I felt like I was enough, more than enough, just as I was. He had a way of making me feel like I was the center of his universe, like no one else could ever compare. And in this moment, I knew that was the truth.

14 Years Earlier…

The bass from the speakers thudded through the floor of Gigi’s living room, vibrating up through my feet as Drake’s verse on, “Bedrock” played. I stood there in the middle of the chaos, clutching a red Solo cup that had been thrust into my hand about five minutes ago. I hadn’t even taken a sip, mostly because I had no idea what was in it, but also because the idea of drinking anything in this environment was giving me heart palpitations. This was supposed to be a wholesome sleepover—movies, snacks, maybe some late-night gossip—but it had turned into a full-blown high school party as soon as Gigi’s parents left for their weekend getaway that me nor my parents knew anything about.

Gigi, the bubbly girl from my math class who always had a smile and something nice to say, had suddenly transformed into someone I barely recognized. She was in the middle of the living room, her hair wild, dancing with a guy I was pretty sure was the captain of the football team. Her neon pink pajama shorts and tank top seemed almost tame compared to some of the other outfits around. Half the people here looked like they’d decided “pajama party” meant lingerie ad, and I felt like I’d missed the memo.

“Come on, Destiny, let loose!” Gigi yelled over the music, her words slurring slightly as she swung her hips to the beat. “You look like you’re waiting for the SATs to start!”

I forced a smile, nodding back at her. “I’m good, Gigi!” I called, even though I was definitely not good. I was uncomfortable as hell. The air was thick with sweat, perfume, and the unmistakable smell of cheap weed, and I could barely hear myself think.

My parents were out of town for some church retreat, which meant I was stuck here unless I wanted to walk home alone. I looked around the room again, my eyes searching for a safe spot, some corner where I could melt into the background until this whole thing blew over.

“Des! You need to have a drink,” Gigi’s friend Nadia appeared out of nowhere, slinging her arm around me. Her breath was hot and reeking of tequila, making my stomach churn. She shoved a red cup into my hand like it was the cure for all my problems. “This is a party, girl! Aren’t you and Derek broken up for the 100th time? You’re single! Act like it.”

Oh, that’s right. I was single. And I hated being reminded of that fact, especially in this moment, standing in the middle of a party that I didn’t want to be at, surrounded by people I didn’t know. My chest tightened as I thought about what I’d done to get here—how I’d hurt Derek because I’d let my mom get in my head. And yet, more than anything, I wished he was here because, with him, I never felt unsafe. Derek was my protector. And now? Now I was out in the world on my own, without him to hold on to, feeling more terrified than ever.

I wished so badly that he would come through that door and pull me out of here. But I knew there was no way he would even speak to me. For the past two days, he’d avoided me completely at school—taking different routes between classes, not showing up for lunch, and vanishing right after the last bell. I couldn’t catch a glimpse of him even if I tried, and it was making me sick.

I’d come to this sleepover thinking it would be a great distraction—a night with the girls to get my mind off Derek. But the more the night dragged on, the more I realized that nothing could pull me away from him. Even surrounded by people, I felt like I was standing on an island, and the only thing that could save me was being in his arms again.

I took a deep breath, looking down at the cup Nadia had shoved into my hand. The smell of whatever was inside made my nose wrinkle. “I’m good, Nadia,” I muttered, pushing it back toward her.

She rolled her eyes and laughed, a little too loud. “Girl, you’re hopeless,” she teased before slipping back into the crowd, leaving me standing there with my thoughts.

Hopeless. Maybe she was right. I gave her a tight-lipped smile as she went back into the crowd. I felt the panic start to creep in, the walls closing in as the room seemed to get smaller and smaller. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and decided to make my way to the kitchen. Maybe there’d be water there.

I weaved my way through the crowd, dodging guys who were already too drunk to stand straight and girls laughing a little too loud. My oversized T-shirt and pajama pants felt like a bright, flashing sign that I didn’t belong here. When I finally broke through to the kitchen, I leaned against the counter, letting out a long breath.

“Hey, you good?” a deep voice asked from behind me. I turned to see a tall guy I didn’t recognize leaning against the fridge, his eyes sharp and curious. His presence felt heavy, like he was used to taking up space and making sure everyone knew it.

“Yeah,” I lied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just… looking for some water.”

He smirked. “You don’t look like you’re having fun.”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Just… wasn’t expecting a full-blown party. Thought it’d be more of a chill night, you know?”

“Gigi’s like that,” he said, nodding like he’d seen this scene play out a hundred times before. “Always trying to turn something small into something big. You want out?”

I blinked, surprised by the offer. “What, like, leave?”

He nodded. “I’ve got my car outside. No pressure, just figured you might wanna bounce. You look like you’re two seconds from running out of here.”

I hesitated. I didn’t know this guy, and my parents would kill me if they knew I got into a car with a stranger. But as I looked around, saw the grinding bodies, heard the screeching laughter, and felt the sticky humidity of sweat and alcohol, the idea didn’t seem so bad.

Before I could respond, the door to the backyard opened, and there he was—Derek. His eyes scanned the room like he was on a mission, and when they landed on me, his expression softened, just a bit. I knew that look. He was both pissed and relieved to see me here.

We hadn’t spoken in three days, which might as well have been a lifetime for us. Three days since I’d sat in my kitchen with my mother breathing down my neck, practically holding my hand as I broke up with Derek over the phone. He was confused and blindsided, his voice sharp with anger and hurt. I couldn’t blame him—one minute we were planning the rest of our summer together, and the next, I was ending things because my mom said he was "too much of a distraction." She had no idea how much that decision had gutted me. I’d cried through the whole thing, and I knew he’d heard it in my voice, but it didn’t make it any easier.

“Aye, you want that ride?” the guy beside me asked, his smile wide, his hand already reaching for mine.

“I—” I started, my attention shifting back to him, trying to play it cool, like my whole world wasn’t suddenly unraveling right there in Gigi’s kitchen.

“Princess!” Derek’s voice boomed over the music, loud enough to turn heads.

My head snapped back to him, my heart jumping into my throat. He was moving toward me with a fierce intensity. I closed my eyes for a second, feeling the tension coil in my stomach. This wasn’t gonna be good. I didn’t want to fight with him right now, not here, not with half the school watching like they were waiting for the drama to unfold.

“Derek, I—” I began, but he was already in front of me, towering over the guy who’d just offered me a ride.

“What you doing here, Destiny? This ain’t your thing. And who is this nigga? This is why you wanted to break up? So you could get with him?” Derek asked, his eyes locked on mine, his tone calm but with that edge that sent chills down my spine. His stare began to flick to the guy beside me, and I could see the anger rolling off him like a thundercloud.

The guy, sensing the tension thickening like a storm cloud about to burst, took a cautious step back, his hands up in mock surrender. “Yo, man, we were just talking—”

“You talking to my girl now?” Derek cut in, his voice low and edged with a dangerous calm that sent a chill through the room. His eyes were locked on the guy, daring him to say anything more.

“She’s not your girl; you guys aren’t even together,” Gigi chimed in, her tone snide and dismissive, like she was trying to fan the flames.

Derek sucked his teeth, his jaw tightening, and waved her off like she wasn’t even worth his time. “Destiny is mine, period.”

“She’s not your property,” Nadia interjected, stepping up to stand next to Gigi, her arms crossed defiantly. “She broke up with you. Accept it.”

“I can handle this myself,” I cut in, my voice more forceful than I felt. The tension was building, like the air before a thunderclap, and I could feel Derek’s energy shifting into something darker.

“Obviously not,” Gigi scoffed, rolling her eyes with a dismissive flip of her hair. “He’s so crazy, I don’t know why you deal with his ass.”

My heart dropped into my stomach. She had no idea how much worse she was making things. If there was one thing Derek hated, it was being called crazy, like his emotions were a joke, like the way he cared wasn’t real. I could see the way his fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, his breathing getting heavier as he fought to keep his cool. If Gigi had been a guy, things would have gone left already.

“Gigi, stop,” I said quickly, trying to defuse the situation, but she was already on a roll.

“No, seriously, Des,” she continued, ignoring the warning in my voice, “you deserve better than this psycho. You need to cut him off for good.”

Derek’s face hardened, and I could see the storm brewing behind his eyes. His gaze flicked to me, searching for something, and I knew he was waiting for me to set the record straight. My heart raced as I tried to think of something—anything—to say that would keep this from boiling over.

“Derek,” I started softly, stepping closer, trying to get him to focus on me instead of Gigi and Nadia. “Please, go.”

But Gigi wasn’t done. “Yeah, Derek,” she taunted, “why don’t you just leave? Let Destiny live her life.”

“Nah, I think we need to have a conversation right here,” he said not caring about anything Gigi or Nadia said, his eyes never leaving mine. “Why the hell you here with him when we ain’t even talked?”

The guy beside me took another step back, clearly not wanting any part of this. “Look, man, I didn’t know—”

“Now you do,” Derek snapped, and the guy backed off completely, disappearing into the crowd without another word.

I took a deep breath, reaching for Derek’s arm, feeling the tension in his muscles. “Derek, please. Let’s not do this here.”

He looked at me then, really looked at me, and I saw it—the hurt beneath the anger, the frustration of feeling like he’d been left in the dark.

“Why’d you do it, Des?” he asked, his voice quieter but still sharp. “Why’d you break us up like that?”

The room around us faded away, the noise of the party becoming distant as I held his gaze. “I didn’t want to,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “But I had to. My mom—”

“Your mom?” he cut in, his jaw tightening.

“I’m sorry, Derek. I didn’t know what else to do,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly, his eyes softening just a bit, like he wanted to understand but was still holding onto the sting of what had happened.

Before I could say anything else, Gigi suddenly appeared out of nowhere and yanked me away from Derek, her grip firm and insistent.

“Oh my God, he’s so insane. He’s ruining my party. I don’t know why you’re even arguing with him. You guys are broken up,” she said, her tone sharp and dismissive, like she had all the answers.

I glanced back at Derek, and he looked like he was ready to explode. I could practically see the steam coming out of his ears. This wasn’t good—Derek was a storm brewing, and it was only a matter of time before he unleashed it.

Before I could even think of what to say or how to calm him down, the guy who’d offered me a ride earlier cut in, clearly sensing his chance. He sidled up next to me with that same cocky grin, eyes flicking between me and Derek.

“Shit looks crazy between you and him. That’s your man?” he asked, his voice all slick and smooth.

“Was, her man!” Gigi emphasized, letting go of my arm and sauntering back into the crowd, where the music had picked back up and people were starting to dance again, as if nothing had happened.

The guy smirked, his attention fully on me now. “Okay, so you’re single then. Good,” he said, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Cause you real pretty.” He slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me in closer, and I stiffened. “Let me take you for that ride. Maybe we can head up to Juniper Hills, to the lookout,” he said, his voice dropping lower, like he was trying to be seductive. He cradled my chin with his hand, forcing me to look up at him, and his other hand conveniently brushed across my chest. “And we can see what happens,” he added, his smile widening, confidence oozing from him. “Ask about me, I can make you feel real good.”

“I don’t think—”

Wham!

Suddenly, the guy was on the floor, his back hitting the hardwood with a sickening thud that sent a jolt through the room. Gasps rippled through the crowd, and everything seemed to move in slow motion. Derek stood over him, his chest heaving, eyes blazing with fury.

“Don’t touch her! Don’t ever fucking touch her!” Derek roared, his voice louder than the music, his words slicing through the air like a knife. In a flash, he was on top of the guy, his fists flying with a ferocity that stunned everyone watching. Each punch landed with a sickening crunch, and the guy beneath him tried to shield himself, his arms flailing uselessly as he struggled to defend himself.

“Derek, stop!” I screamed, panic seizing my chest as I lunged forward, grabbing for his arm. But Derek was in a zone, a dark place I’d seen him go to only a few times before, a place where reason didn’t exist—only raw, primal rage.

“Fuck him!” Derek growled. His eyes never left the guy, who was now groaning on the floor, blood trickling from his nose. “You think you can just put your hands on her? You think this is a fucking game?”

Derek kept swinging as everyone gasped and screamed. Each punch was fueled by the tension of the last three days—the hurt, the betrayal, the desperation of not knowing if we were really done. It was like all of his emotions had funneled into this moment, and I knew if I didn’t stop him, this could end badly.

“Derek, please!” I yelled again, my voice breaking with both fear and something deeper. “Stop it! You’re gonna kill him! Derek, it’s me. Please! Your Destiny!”

That seemed to cut through the haze. Derek froze, his fist still raised, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His eyes flicked to mine, wild and desperate, and for a second, I saw the boy I fell in love with—the one who’d do anything to protect me, even if it meant losing himself.

“Destiny…” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding bass of the music and the murmurs of the crowd. The adrenaline drained out of him in an instant, and he staggered back, his chest still heaving, his eyes clouded with a mix of fury and regret.

I took a shaky breath, my hands trembling as I reached for him, pulling him back from the chaos. “I’m right here,” I said softly, my voice steadying even though my heart was racing. “I’m right here, Derek.”

His eyes were still wild, darting around like he was trapped in a nightmare, but he held on to me like I was the only thing keeping him tethered to the ground. I could feel the tension in his grip, his fingers digging into my skin like he was scared I’d disappear if he let go.

“This is really bad, we gotta get outta here,” I whispered urgently, my heart pounding in my chest like a warning bell.

Derek nodded, his jaw clenched tight, and without another word, he pulled me through the crowd, his steps quick and determined. The partygoers parted like the Red Sea, their eyes wide and mouths whispering, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was getting him out of there before things got worse.

We burst out the front door into the cool night air, the bass from the music still thumping faintly behind us. Derek didn’t stop; he kept moving, his hand gripping mine as he led me down the street. I could feel his anger radiating off him in waves, but underneath that, there was something else—a desperation, a need.

“Where are we going?” I asked, trying to keep up with his long strides, my breath coming in short bursts.

“Anywhere but here,” he muttered, his voice still rough around the edges. “I just need to be with you, away from all that bullshit.”

We walked fast, the streets blurring around us, and then I realized where he was headed. The old community pool. It was closed, but everyone in town knew how to get in if they wanted to. It was like an unspoken secret, a spot for teenagers to break the rules a little.

When we reached the gate, Derek stopped, pulling a bobby pin from my hair and grinning for the first time since we left the party.

“You still got your skills?” he asked, nodding toward the rusty padlock.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Step back and watch,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. My hands were still shaking, but I slipped the bobby pin into the lock, jiggling it like I’d done a dozen times before. After a few seconds, I heard the satisfying click, and the gate creaked open.

“Damn, you still got it,” Derek said, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

“Don’t act surprised,” I shot back, giving him a playful nudge as we slipped inside.

The pool was empty and dark, the moonlight casting an eerie glow over the cracked tiles and murky water. But for some reason, it felt like the safest place in the world at that moment—just me and him, away from all the noise and drama.

Derek kicked off his shoes, stripping down to his boxers without a second thought. “Come on, Princess,” he said, his voice softer now, coaxing. “Let’s get in.”

I hesitated for a second, then shrugged off my own shoes and pajama pants, standing there in my T-shirt and underwear. The water looked cold, but I wasn’t about to back down now. “You first,” I challenged.

He grinned, and in one smooth motion, he dove in, the splash echoing off the empty walls. I watched him surface, his hair slicked back, water dripping down his face. He looked younger, lighter, like the weight of everything was starting to lift.

“Come on, Destiny,” he called, his smile wide and genuine. “Water’s fine.”

I took a deep breath and jumped in, the cold water shocking my skin, but it felt good—like a jolt to my system. When I surfaced, Derek was right there, his hands reaching for me, pulling me close.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice low and filled with that familiar concern that always made my heart flutter.

“Yeah,” I said, breathless but smiling. “I’m okay.”

For a moment, we just floated there, the water lapping around us, our bodies close but not quite touching. The adrenaline was still buzzing in my veins, but there was a calmness too, a sense that maybe this was exactly where we needed to be.

“I’m sorry, Des,” Derek said suddenly, his voice breaking the silence. “For everything—for everything back there…for not understanding why you did what you did.”

I shook my head, the tears welling up again. “I’m sorry too. I didn’t want to break up with you. I didn’t know how to tell you what my mom said without it feeling like… like I was choosing her over you.”

He nodded, his eyes softening. “I get it. I do. I just… I can’t lose you. Not like that.”

“You’re not gonna lose me,” I whispered, reaching up to cup his face, feeling the warmth of his skin under my palm, grounding me. “We’ll figure it out.”

Derek pulled me in closer, his hands gripping my waist with a firmness that spoke of both his his desperation. My legs instinctively wrapped around him under the water, and I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath. His arms circled me tight, holding me like he was afraid to let go, like I was the one thing keeping him steady.

“It’s not gon always be like this,” he promised, his voice low and steady, but filled with that unyielding determination I knew so well. “One day, nobody’s gonna be able to have any say on whether we’re together or not. I’ll be so rich, we can do whatever we want. And I’mma take good care of you.”

“I know,” I whispered, and I did. I believed him, because even though his dreams felt so big, like something out of a movie, Derek had never lied to me. He’d never told me anything he didn’t truly believe himself. When he said something, he meant it with his whole chest, and that’s why I knew he’d find a way to make everything he dreamed up come true.

There was a beat of silence, the water lapping softly around us, and then he asked, his voice low and careful, “She made you break up with me?”

“Yes…she was sitting right there, Derek. I had to do as she said,” I confessed, my voice trembling. I hated how weak I sounded, like I wasn’t the girl who could hold her own, but my mother had a way of pulling strings I didn’t even know were still attached. “And you know I don’t have my phone during the week, so I was gonna—”

“Don’t even worry about it,” he cut me off, his voice firm but not unkind. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing away the tears I didn’t realize were falling. “We’ll put it behind us.”

“Okay,” I said softly, nodding as I leaned into his touch, feeling the warmth of his palm steady me.

He tilted his head, his lips brushing against my ear. “I love you,” he murmured, the words like a soft, steady beat against my heart.

“I love you too,” I breathed, the words coming easy, because they were true, because they felt like home.

He was quiet for a moment, and then his voice came out harder, darker. “He touched you… I saw it.”

I tensed, the memory of that boy’s hand brushing across my chest flashing through my mind. He’d tried to be slick, thinking he could make a move on me while I was vulnerable, and for a second, I’d been caught off guard. I closed my eyes, grateful I hadn’t been stupid enough to leave with him, grateful that Derek had shown up when he did.

“I’m always gonna protect you,” Derek said, his voice firm and resolute. “Always gonna be there. No matter what.”

I raised my head from his shoulder, my eyes meeting his. His gaze was intense, almost fierce, and in that moment, I saw the depth of his promise—the weight of it. Derek wasn’t just saying things to make me feel safe; he meant every word, from the bottom of his soul. His love for me wasn’t something light or easy; it was heavy and deep, like the roots of a tree that had grown through hard soil, determined to find a way.

“I know,” I whispered again, my fingers tracing his jawline, feeling the tension there.

He leaned in, his forehead pressing against mine, and for a moment, we were just there, breathing each other in, soaking in the comfort of the promise we’d made. The weight of everything around us seemed to fade away, and all that mattered was the steady rhythm of his breath mixing with mine, the warmth of his skin grounding me in ways words never could.

“How did you know I was there?” I finally asked, my voice barely a whisper against the quiet of the night.

“Mike texted me,” he admitted, his tone flat but with a hint of annoyance. “Why were you there, Des? You don’t even go to parties.”

I sighed, feeling a little stupid now that I had to explain it. “Thought it was gonna be a regular sleepover with a couple girls. Just a chill night.”

“Gigi…” he muttered, his voice laced with disdain. The way he said her name made it sound like a curse.

“Yeah,” I chuckled softly, shaking my head. “Gigi.”

Derek’s grip on me tightened slightly, his fingers digging into my hips, and he made sure to catch my eyes, his expression dead serious.

“Des,” he said, his voice steady, “even if we’re beefin’, if you need me to come get you, call me. It’s always me and you, versus everybody—even if we fight. You got that?”

I nodded, feeling the truth of his words sink deep into my bones. I knew he meant it. “Yeah, I got it,” I whispered.

“I’m always gon’ be there, always gon’ take care of you,” he said, his voice firm with a promise that felt as strong as the arms holding me.

“You’ve been ignoring me for days,” I said, my voice breaking despite my best effort not to cry. My emotions were too raw, too close to the surface.

“You dumped me out of nowhere, Princess,” he shot back, his tone softening a little but still carrying that edge of hurt. “What did you want me to do? I needed a minute. Planned to see if I could sneak you out tonight so we could talk, only to hear you was at this party. And then I walk in and see you with dude,” he said, his jaw clenching, like he was getting upset all over again.

“I didn’t know him,” I said quickly, trying to ease the tension building up in him again. “And there’s nobody else. There’s only you, Derek. Always.”

His eyes searched mine, looking for the truth, and I could see the war going on inside him—the anger, the jealousy, the fear of losing me.

“Only me?” he asked, his voice a little softer now, like he needed to hear it again, needed to believe it.

“Only you,” I repeated.

His eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, everything else fell away. He leaned in slowly, his breath mingling with mine, and I felt that familiar pull, that magnetic force that had always drawn us together. My heart hammered in my chest, and just as our lips were about to meet—

Flashing blue and red lights cut through the darkness, slicing through the moment like a knife.

“Shit!” Derek swore, his head snapping around as the sound of sirens filled the air. Two cop cars pulled up outside the gate, their lights flashing, and I felt my stomach drop.

“Derek Harris!” a voice boomed over a loudspeaker. “Come out with your hands up!”

“Fuck,” Derek muttered, his eyes wide with panic.

“Derek, oh my God” I whispered, the fear crawling up my spine.

“The fight,” he said, his voice tense. “We gotta go. Now.”

But it was too late. The cops were already spilling out of their cars, flashlights bouncing off the chain-link fence. Derek unwrapped my legs from around him and put distance between us.

“I’m sorry, Princess,” he said, his voice heavy with regret. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

Before I could say anything, he turned toward the gate, lifting his hands in surrender. “I’m right here!” he shouted. “I’m not resisting!”

The cops moved in, hands on their guns, and I watched, my heart breaking in my chest, as they grabbed Derek out the water and slammed him against the fence. The sound of metal hitting metal echoed in the stillness of the night, and I felt a sharp pain in my chest like I’d been punched in the gut. My breath hitched, and I wanted to scream, to run over and throw myself between him and those cops, but my feet felt like they were cemented to the ground. All I could do was stand there, helpless, as they cuffed him, his eyes locked on mine the whole time.

He mouthed, “I love you,” like it was a prayer, a promise, a desperate plea, and my vision blurred with tears as I got out the water.

“Are you okay?” A female officer’s voice broke through the chaos. She draped a blanket around my shoulders, her eyes searching mine with a mix of concern and suspicion.

I didn’t answer; I couldn’t. My mind was spinning, my heart caught in a vise, squeezing tighter with every second that ticked by. All I wanted was to get to Derek.

“She didn’t do anything! It was all me!” Derek shouted, his voice raw and jagged, fighting to be heard over the commotion as they handcuffed him.

“We know!” another officer snapped, dragging him toward the squad car like he was nothing more than a rag doll.

Derek’s body went rigid, his muscles tensing as he fought against their grip, his head snapping around to find me. His eyes, usually so steady and fierce, were wild now—a chaotic mix of fury and fear that pierced right through me.

“Des, call Ant!” he shouted, his voice breaking with urgency.

I nodded frantically, my mind spinning, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. But God, I wanted to do more than nod. I wanted to scream for him, to make them understand that they didn’t know him, that he wasn’t who they thought he was. Derek wasn’t some thug, some troublemaker—they didn’t know how much heart he had, how much he loved, how he was mine.

But my throat was tight, the words strangled by the tears clogging my throat. I felt like I was choking on everything I needed to say, everything that would make them see him the way I did. My vision blurred as tears spilled over, hot and heavy, running down my cheeks as I watched them shove him toward the squad car.

I wanted to shout that they had it all wrong, that Derek would never do anything without a reason, that he’d never hurt someone without a cause. But no matter how much I wanted to scream, my voice was locked inside, suffocated by the fear that had wrapped itself around my chest.

“Let’s get you home. You’re not in trouble,” the female officer said, her voice softer now as she guided me toward her car. “Let me tell you something,” she continued, turning me to face her as she bent to my level. Her eyes bore into mine, and I could see she thought she was doing me a favor, handing down some kind of wisdom. “Boys like that… you stay away from them,” she said firmly, her breath warm against my face while I shivered under the thin blanket. “A boy like him, this won’t be the last time he gets in trouble.”

“He’s a good person,” I choked out, my words barely more than a whisper, my tears streaming down my face, hot and heavy.

She shook her head slowly, her expression softening but still carrying that knowing look that made me want to scream. “Everyone says he came into the party looking for trouble, and when someone tried to get you away from him, he beat them up and then dragged you out of there.”

“No—” I tried, but she cut me off, her hand gripping my arm just a little too tightly.

“It’s okay, Destiny,” she said, her tone turning pitying, like she thought she knew everything. “I know this is an embarrassing situation. You’re scared, confused. Maybe even a little in love.” She said it like “love” was a bad word, like it was a sickness I needed to be cured of.

Her words cut deeper than I thought they would, hitting that soft spot of doubt inside me. But I wasn’t confused. I wasn’t scared because of Derek. I was scared because I knew how this looked, how the world would see him. “He didn’t drag me anywhere,” I whispered, my voice shaking but strong. “He was protecting me.”

The officer sighed, like she’d heard it all before. “You think he’s gonna change? That this is just some phase? A boy like him doesn’t change, Destiny. He’s trouble now, and he’ll be trouble later. He has no future, he’ll never amount to anything.”

I wanted to shake her, to scream that she didn’t know him, didn’t know us. But instead, I bit my lip, holding back the anger and fear bubbling inside me. Because she didn’t know Derek. She didn’t see the way he’d held me when I was scared or the way he’d fought for me when no one else would. She didn’t see the love in his eyes when he looked at me. She couldn’t see the heart beneath the rage.

She looked at me, her expression wavering between pity and frustration. “You’re young, sweetheart. You’ll understand one day.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to. My voice was still trapped somewhere deep in my chest, tangled up with all the things I wanted to say but couldn’t. Instead, I climbed into the passenger seat of the squad car, the cold leather sticking to my skin, my hands shaking as I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I stared at the screen for a second, my mind blank except for one name.

I never thought I’d have to make this call, never thought I’d be in this position. But there was no other choice.

The line rang twice before I heard his voice. “Hello?”

“Ant,” I whispered, my voice already breaking, tears burning the back of my throat as the car pulled away from the curb, the red and blue lights flashing against the darkened streets. “Derek got arrested.”

There was a beat of silence on the other end, the kind that stretched like an eternity, and then Ant’s voice, calm but laced with tension. “What happened, Destiny? Where are you?”

“By the old community pool,” I said, trying to steady my breath, my words coming out in ragged gasps. “The cops...they came. It was a misunderstanding, but they took him.”

“Shit,” Ant muttered, and I could hear him moving, grabbing keys or a jacket, his footsteps quick and heavy. “I’m on my way.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me, wiping away the tears that kept streaming down my face. “Hurry, please.”

And with that, he hung up, and I let the phone slip from my fingers into my lap, staring out the window as the city blurred past. My chest ached with worry, with the weight of everything happening, but I knew Derek’s big brother Ant would come. He always did.

All I could do now was hope that this nightmare would end as quickly as it started, because once my parents found out about this, they’re for sure never let be with Derek again.