Scarred for Love (MFM)

Chapter 12

Declan's P.O.V

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"Flight 345 is now boarding". The robotic voice announcement called my flight number. I didn't have luggage. Just me, on my way to Seattle. Why? Because I run away. I'm running to my best friend, Raiden. I met him in college and we keep in contact but we barely ever see each other. I figure, kill two birds with one stone, right? Run away from problems and see my bestie.

My phone pinged again, notifying me of yet another text message. Probably from Derek again too. I sighed and took out my phone.

'Scar': Derek told me you left. What's going on?

'Scar': Declan?

'Scar': Babe... :(

I quickly sent her that I would call her when I landed in Seattle. That, of course, made her call me instantly. I hesitantly answered.

"Hello?"

"Declan Everett Castlerock, Why are you going to Seattle in the middle of the f*****g night?!" her voice boomed from the other end. I pulled the phone away from my ear, while inching toward the stewardess checking the tickets.

"Tickets were a great price." I try and the other line was silent. I sigh "I'm just visiting Raiden" I tell her.

"But why in the middle of the night all of a sudden?" she sadly asked.

"I just need some time to think, okay?"

"Okay", her voice was laced with sorrow. "Are we okay?"

"I love you, Scar. But I'm boarding. I'll let you know when I land" I told her.

"I love you too and you better" she says, and then I hang up the phone.

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About 6 hours later, I landed and am calling Raiden.

"What gate are you at?" He asked as soon as he answered. I called him before buying the tickets, so he was already ready for when I landed. I told him what gate and he pulled up in his silver Cadillac XT5. I made sure to text Scar that I landed, even though she's probably passed out with Rosalina.

"Hey" I said as I climbed into the passenger seat.

"Hey yourself" he chuckled, putting his indicator on to get out of the airport. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asks. It made me think of the time Derek came into my office after his honeymoon.

"Can't I miss my best friend?" I replied cheekily.

"Ha ha...when you miss me, you face time me. Not buy a $250 ticket to come see me" he deadpanned. I grimaced.

"I'll tell you when we get to your place", I sighed.

Ten minutes later, we pulled into his apartment's garage. He shut off his car and we climbed out, heading to the door of the building.Once inside his apartment. I kicked off my shoes into his shoe cubbies by his door. He has a sweet little bachelor pad. A very homey feeling with neutral brown, tan and white shades.

"So?" he asked as we made our way to his brown suede couch.

"Okay, I know you're my best friend. But I haven't told you everything about me." I worried my lip as I looked at him. He just arched a dark eyebrow at me.

Raiden is a very handsome man. I could've had a crush on him if I wasn't head over heels for Derek. He's tall, has a well maintained body. Not muscular like Derek's. Raiden's eyes reminded me of the mint shade of green with short raven hair. He's gorgeous. Also, Pansexual. So, I could've made a move if I wanted, but I also didn't want to ruin the friendship. He expressed that he found me attractive the first day we met. That's what kind of sparked our friendship. However, since I wasn't interested, he respected it and we became best friends instead.

"Go on", he made a rolling motion with his hand.

"Okay, so please don't judge..." I said with a pleading tone.

"I promise, I will not judge you" he sincerely told me. I've never told him about Derek because I mean, what random person you meet in college would be like oh cool, you love your brother. No one.

"So you know Derek, right? My brother?"

"Yeah?"

"So, ever since I was younger....I've kind of had a giant crush on him" I winced at the ending.

"You have a crush on your brother?" he asked slowly. I looked at him and nodded, biting my tongue ring. When I get anxious, I f**k around with my tongue ring.

"Okay"

"Okay?"

"Yeah. Okay. What about it?" he asks and my jaw fell open.

"I tell you I'm in love with my brother and all I get is an okay?!" I asked, shocked at his reaction.

"What? Do you want me to burn you alive?" He asked with an eyebrow arched and a smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes.

"Sort of" I deadpanned. "No, Just didn't think you'd take it this well"

"Declan, I'm attracted to people regardless of gender. Love is Love" he simply said.

"You know, I don't know how, but my family seems to always find the friends who are okay with this" I said thoughtfully.

"Your family?" he questioned

"Oh, yeah...That's another thing you don't know..ha ha" I sighed and told him basically my life's story. I obviously have told him stuff about my life, but not to the extent of how my family works and how intricate it is.

"Wow" he said with surprise when I finished with the reasoning of why I turned up at his doorstep at 3am. I was completely exhausted by now. I could feel my eyes starting to get heavy.

"Yeah, I just didn't know what to do" I shrugged. "I figured you could give me some life advice, being an outsider and all" I gave a meek smile.

"Well, I can honestly say running away from your problems is not the way to go", he gave me a pointed look.

"Fair" I nodded, fiddling with my fingers.

"But what made you run?" he asked

"Derek said he may still have an attraction but then said he didn't" I shrugged. He gave me a confused look. "What?"

"You were telling me that he closed off any feelings of attraction when you guys were younger, correct?"

"Yes" I slowly answered.

"And he said he may still have attractions?"

"Yes" I answered again.

"Why would he say he didn't right after then?"

"Well-...I don't know. I kind of cut him off before he could say anything else and voila, I'm here." I bit my lip, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.

"You're a dumbass" he plainly stated and I scoffed.

"Rude"

"Pftt, you're the rude one. Didn't even let the man explain himself." he gave my shoulder a slight shove. I opened my mouth to say something in response but then closed it. I probably should've heard him out instead of assuming he was just saying he didn't have the attraction anymore. I felt my cheeks burn as I looked down at my lap.

"Hey" he softly said, putting a hand on my knee. "It's okay. Just a little miscommunication and assumptions. All you have to do is talk it out, fully and clearly next time round. Emphasis on the fully." he said.

"You're right" I muttered with reluctance. He gave me a cheeky grin, squeezing my knee gently.

"I always am."

"Yeah, yeah" I waved my hand at him. He's always been so logical and admittedly right most of the time.

"So, are you leaving right away or are you staying for a bit?" he questioned.

"Don't be crass. I'm staying for the week". I hit his shoulder with mine.

"Alright, I'll get you some clothes to borrow for the time then" he patted my leg before getting up off the couch, heading toward his room.

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After the week with Raiden, I felt better. A hell of a lot stupid for not hearing Derek out, but better because I'm going to fix it. If I can. I pulled into their apartment complex and shut off my car. I take a deep breath and prepare myself for some scolding from my girlfriend. I got out of the car and made my way up to the door because someone was leaving the building. I was able to slip in without buzzing up.

*Knock Knock*

I heard footsteps before the door swung open to reveal my beautiful girlfriend. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.

"Declan! Why didn't you say you were coming back?!" she said as she jumped and wrapped herself around me like a koala bear when the door closed behind me.

"Wanted to surprise you" I told her as I wrapped my arms around her lithe body, squeezing her to me gently. "I missed you," I whispered. I really did. Being away for a week was a terrible idea but it was well needed. And as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

"I missed you too" she nuzzled her face into my neck, planting little kisses on my skin. I closed my eyes and just embraced her love. Gosh, I love her dearly. I really do.

"I missed you as well," Derek's deep voice made me snap my eyes open. I looked up to see him leaning against the hallway wall, with his arms crossed over his chest. I gulped and felt Scarlett run her nose against my skin.

"Want me to leave you two alone to talk?" she whispered quietly.

"Probably, if you don't mind?" I whispered back, keeping my eyes on him. His hazel eyes, intensely trained on me. Not gonna lie, he's hot as f**k when he's like this.

"Not at all, I have to shower anyway" she commented before she got down from her koala hug. She cupped my cheek and gave me a soft kiss. "I'm glad you're home", she nibbled on my bottom lip. I reacted with a shudder to the small act of intimacy.

"Me too"

With a final drag of her teeth, she let go and turned to the hallway.

"Be nice" she sternly told Derek and he rolled his eyes.

"Okay, mom" he said sarcastically, and she lightly slapped his shoulder.

"I'm serious"

"He'll be fine", he kissed her cheek and she scampered down the hall to the bedroom. With the click of the door, his eyes were back on me.

"Have fun?" he asked, moving closer to me. Now we were maybe five feet away from each other.

"Erm, sure?" he pursed his lips and nodded.

"Where'd you go?"

"Raiden's" I answered.

"Didn't you say that he had a thing for you at one point?" he questioned.

"Yeah" his expression turned into a scowl and my eyes widened "In the beginning, not now. Well, I don't know if he still does..." his eyes narrowed. Welp, that didn't help "But! We already established I wasn't into him" I blurted out. His expression softened, but his eyes stayed narrowed.

"Why did you leave?" he asked, c*****g his head slightly.

"Because..." I trailed off, pushing my glasses up on my face. Another nervous tick. Even if they are already as high as they can go, I still push them up.

"Because?"

"Because I assumed you were going to say that you don't find me attractive and it made me spiral" I mumbled out, looking down at my navy socks to avoid eye contact. His white Hanes socks came into my view and my head snapped up to be face to face with him. I stepped back but it didn't help because I was against the door and he followed me. Crowding me into the door. My heart rate spiked. It's like deja vu. Why does it feel like I am always against a door with him?

My eyes flickered between the two of his, not able to decide which I wanted to look into. He was so close to me. But his refreshing cologne, wafting into my nose, made me feel at home.

"Can you try that again without mumbling this time?" I shouldn't be getting hard right now, but here I am. Hard as a rock while my younger brother asks me to repeat myself like a toddler.

I licked my lips and his eyes flickered down to follow the movement. Interesting.

"I left because...because I thought you were basically saying that you may still be attracted to me but then realized you didn't because I didn't let you finish what you were saying", I said clearly with my cheeks on fire.

"Will you let me finish now?" he asked and I just nodded in response. It's hard to speak when I have an Adonis of a man in front of me. "I was saying that I didn't want to try and figure it all out too fast because it'd be overwhelming" he said, and I nodded in understanding.

"I get it" I softly said. "I'm sorry for not hearing you out" I apologized as genuinely as I could express.

"I accept your apology" his eyes flickered around my face before landing on my lips. He licked his lips, leaning a little closer. My breath hitched. His eyes shot up to mine in a silent question. Oh my god, is this going to happen?!?! My mind squealed. I glanced down at his lips that were shiny from his tongue running over them before glancing back up.

His right hand came up to my face, his fingers lightly feathering across my cheek to the back of my head. He cupped it gently, pulling my face even closer to his. Now, I could feel his breath fanning across my lips. My heart was pounding erratically in my chest.

My eyes fluttered close at the barest touch of his lips against mine. He teased, lightly grazing his lips against the corners of my lips. I let out an embarrassing whimper after the fifth time, just wanting his lips on mine fully.

My wish was granted as his soft, smooth lips slotted against mine. I softly moaned in satisfaction, but then his lips left mine. I opened my eyes quickly to see him staring at my lips with confusion but also interest. He glanced up at me before diving back in, ravishing my lips. I fisted his white tshirt in my hands, pulling him closer to me. His kiss was hungry, like he couldn't get enough and I sure was not complaining.

His tongue glided along the seam of my lips, asking for entrance. I granted it almost immediately, letting our tongues meet in chaotic tango, fighting for dominance. But who am I kidding, Derek screams dominant.

"Holy f**k, that's hotter than I ever imagined" Scarlett's voice made us jump apart. She was looking at us with lust in her eyes. Her hair was wet and she was wrapped in a big fluffy white towel. "Care to continue that energy?" she seductively asked as she dropped the towel.