Page 6 of Devil’s Kiss (Sunset Cove #2)

Jordan wanted to offer his ear should Derek need someone to talk to . But at the same time he wasn’t one hundred percent convinced it was his good intentions and not his cock doing the offering, and for that reason all he said was, “No. That’ll be all.”

Derek picked up his bag and as he walked to the door Jordan spun away and shut his eyes, trying to calm himself.

Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh. My. God . Talk about a first-day impression.

“Oh, and Professor Devaney…” Derek’s voice had him slowly pivoting to see him standing at the door—all six foot whatever-he-was of him.

“Yes, Derek?”

“I just want you to know, I respect who you are, very much.”

And with that ambiguous comment, Derek Pearson left his classroom.

DEREK CAUGHT UP with Finn just outside the History building, where he sat on one of the stairs waiting for him. Damn it , he’d been hoping that moment inside would be the last he’d have to talk about his craptastic morning, but it appeared his torture wasn’t over just yet.

As soon as Derek stopped beside his friend, Finn was on his feet and looking at him with expectation in his eyes, and Derek knew the quicker he got this over with, the sooner he’d be able to forget it ever happened.

“Okay, Danny boy. Let’s have it,” he said as they walked down the stairs. He dug in his front pocket for his pack of Marlboros. “Ask what you want, I’ll answer. Then we won’t talk about this again. Deal?”

“Deal.”

They headed along the path across the lawn toward the east building, and he didn’t even bother to ask where they were going. He was too busy inside his head trying to work out a way to phrase his next words so Finn wouldn’t feel any guilt over them.

He took a cigarette between his lips and lit up, taking a drag to try and calm his frayed nerves. He really didn’t want to get into this, but Finn had other ideas.

“When did it happen?”

One thing that could be said about Daniel Finley was his directness.

Derek didn’t know any other person as blunt as the guy walking beside him, and if Finn wanted something he would, in the end, always get it.

That would make him a helluva lawyer one day, even as it made him a giant pain in the ass today.

“This morning.”

“Fuck, Derek.”

When several passersby turned their way, Derek scrubbed an agitated hand over his chin. “Would you keep your voice down?”

“Sorry, but damn it. How are you even here? Your face must be killing you.”

“Yeah, it hurts like a bitch.”

“Let me take you to the ER.”

“How about no.”

“Don’t be stupid. You need to get it checked out. Make sure he didn’t fracture your cheekbone.”

As they stepped under a covered walkway, Derek tugged on Finn’s arm and led him to one of the benches in front of a trimmed hedge. “Nothing’s broken.”

“How do you know? Your eye is barely open.”

“I just need some ice.”

“Jesus. When are you gonna pack your shit and get the hell out of there?”

This argument wasn’t new, but he didn’t want to be a burden to the Finley family.

They had gone through enough. Mrs. Finley had raised two children on her own, three if Derek counted himself, which he might as well with the amount of time he’d spent there over the years.

There was no way he was bringing his father’s wrath to their door.

Right now, the only reason his father tolerated him was because he was one hell of a deduction at tax time.

But he knew it was only a matter of years before that ran out. “When I can afford to.”

“I’ve told you over and over?—”

“No, Daniel.” His friend shut up then. Finn knew he was serious when he used his full name. It was a rare event, and Derek’s tone said he was done talking about it.

“Then tell me why. He hasn’t touched you in at least…I don’t know…but it’s been a while.”

“A year. At least a year. Ever since I started spending time at the gym, the fucker got smart. Decided it wasn’t a good idea to pick on someone who outweighed him.”

Finn sat down on the bench, and Derek followed suit.

When they were side by side, a comfortable silence settled between them, and he marveled at the peace he felt with Finn.

He’d often wondered why they didn’t work on a level beyond friends.

But he knew deep down this was why. They were like brothers.

It might not have been by blood, but it sure as fuck was through choice.

He would do anything for Finn and he knew that feeling was mutual.

They had each other’s backs, and he knew no matter what happened or where they ended up, they always would.

“Tell me.” Finn’s voice was soft, but his tone firm.

“He called you a…” Derek was unable to bring himself to say it. A large, comforting hand touched his shoulder, and when Finn squeezed, Derek tried again. “He called you a faggot.”

The word lingered between the two of them for a moment, and before he could open his mouth and say anything further, Finn got in first. “And then he hit you?”

“No. I hit him first.”

“Derek.” Finn sighed and got to his feet. Then he gripped the back of his neck as he paced, and it had Derek shooting off the bench.

“He fucking deserved it. He’s a homophobic prick.”

Finn whirled around to face him and poked him in the chest. “You know better than to react to him that way. Especially over me. What do I care if he calls me a faggot or a queer? I am queer. But you know what I do care about? I care about my best friend getting a fist in his face. That I care about. Who knows what would’ve happened if you’d fallen to the ground unconscious?

I’ve seen you after his boot has hit your ribs. I don’t want to see that again, Derek.”

“I know,” Derek said, and cursed under his breath as Finn clasped the back of his neck and pulled him into a hug.

It wasn’t awkward, since the two of them were roughly the same height.

It actually felt pretty damn good to be touched that way.

To be comforted. Then Finn turned his head and whispered in his ear, “Don’t ever let him make you doubt yourself. Not ever.”

He hugged Finn a little tighter then, because while he’d reacted to the words on his friend’s behalf, the both of them knew the pain ran on a much deeper and more personal level.

One that was dark.

One that was damaged beyond repair.

One that made him wonder if he’d ever be able to find peace in his life. And the only thing he knew with exact certainty was that he would never give up trying.