Money Can't Buy Everything

Chapter 9 Smoking

---Derek's POV---

I declare exactly what I'm here to do, that coincidentally enough, is the same thing that she is trying to do.. just smoke a joint.. it sounds so simple but for us here, it really is not.. Hence the sneaking around and secrecy.

But this comment alone gets her smiling so widely as my hands leave her arms and she does the same, moving hers from me to my dismay.. But I don't want there to feel like any pressure between us, so I held up the joint I had in my hands, showing it to her, just wanting to light it and make her feel more comfortable around me.

"Well then let me assist you, good sir." She states bringing her lighter out, as I cover the tip once more to be able to light it. She flicks her lighter, getting an instant flame and putting it to the tip as I suck in, lighting the herbal remedy I love.

Our faces are only inches apart because she is trying to help me, and I wish the joint wouldn't light just so she could stay there. I stare at her in such close proximity as she continues to just stare at the joint trying to help me.

But sadly enough, it lights as I take in a huge hit. But before she can light hers, I pass my joint over to her. She grins up at me as she takes it from my grip into her fingertips, making this smoking look so good. She sucks in the hit as some of it slowly makes it out of her mouth but glides across the edge of her face as I stare at her in complete and utter awe.

Who would have imagined we would have something this unheard-of around here in common? I love that I'm not the only one and she doesn't judge it all.. I was wondering how I would tell her about this and it seemed to solve itself. That's a stress reliever.

"You were absolutely magnificent in there." I said to her as I sucked in another hit before passing it back to her. She is staring up at me with surprise as she says softly, "Really? Thank you Derek."

I nod at her, adding on. "It was so mesmerizing to watch you at work that I know for a fact I'm watching this play again." I state taking the joint from her fingers and back to my mouth. "I have always loved aerial dancing and singing.. it's an adrenaline rush for sure." She says softly to me taking the joint back from my fingers as she takes another hit.

"Well, it suits you somehow.. I have never met an aerialist, but you can see in your performance how much time and effort you have put into it.. just stunning.. is this your main job?" I asked her with so much excitement, wanting to know all I can about her because she seems so interesting the more I figure out about her..

She shakes her head. "No, this doesn't make enough to pay the bills.. at least yet.. so I have another job that I have to head to pretty soon actually." She says a little sadly, but who doesn't hate having to go, into work at some point. "You don't have the rest of the day off to celebrate your amazing performance?" I ask in shock as she scoffs at that comment before saying. "My bills don't take a day off so I can't either."

"It's starting to get late though.. do you work at a bar or something?" I asked as I put out the roach of the joint. She hands me her joint and lighter to ignite and take a hit, so I do, just continuing this amazing bonding moment for us.

This is definitely further than I thought I would get with her, because she has been so closed off towards me.. so far. So I'm just enjoying this type of bonding moment with her as much as I can. I surprisingly feel so comfortable already, just talking and smoking as if we have been doing this for years now. She gets a nervous look on her face as she quickly replies. "Let's just go with.. or something.."

I take a huge hit and passing it to her, thinking about what she just said.. curious really.. So I decide to suggest just spending more time with her. "I could give you a ride to your work, if you would like?" Missy vigorously shakes her head, making me a little sad at the instant shut down but I won't make her feel bad. "No.. thank you though.. but no." She obviously doesn't want to talk about her work.. so it's ok I won't push it.

"Ok that's fine.. but just know that there is no judgment here..especially since you know one of my dark secrets." I state lifting the joint, showing her what I was talking about. I watched a smile appear across her face as she bites her lip but nodding.

I reach over, handing the joint to her again, as she takes it but only staring at me for a moment. "Is everything OK Missy?" I inquired from her because I didn't want to make her feel bad at all.. I just hope I didn't do that.

She takes a hit, still staring at me, before she hands me the joint, then letting out her hit and replying. "Just thanks for coming Derek.. I really appreciate it."

I smile and nod at her saying right back, "Anytime.. and I mean that." She stares at me for a comfortable silent moment. That is until we hear a loud moaning coming from around the corner, behind the building that we are hiding off to the side of.

We looked at each other curiously before slowly making our way to the corner to peak around it to try to find what's making those noises. She is in front of me as I lean over from behind her but around the corner and luckily she doesn't look like she minds one bit. I feel her leaning into me as we both see our friends.. Her friend is in Josh's arms straddling, wrapping her legs around his waist, as they have s*x against the wall. Missy takes another step to get a better look, I guess, but trips on something, making noise, bringing their attention to us. They stop and quickly look in our direction.

I set my head back out of the way so they can't see me. But Missy quickly turns around and hiding into my chest as I wrap my arm around her and pulling us back to stay out of sight.

I hold her for a longer than expected moment until we hear their cries of pleasure begin again, showing that they are forgetting about us. We inch back to where we were smoking as I can't help but let our a light chuckle at the situation. She giggles with me as we stand in each other's embrace for a moment.

We smile and stare for another perfect moment.. just ignoring the moaning coming from our friends.. until the guy I didn't want to see at all, shows up around the corner.

"Missy, we need to go over some things with the director before any of us can leave for the rest of the night.. and I can't seem to find Sarah anywhere either." He states then stopping as he sees me and her closer than he ever expected and smoking weed together. Missy and I look back and forth at each other laughing because we know exactly where Sarah is at.. but we won't say anything about it.. just letting our friends enjoy their time together.

"Well Sarah won't be joining any time soon.. just saying.. so they will have to do the meet-up review without her." Missy replies as he is now glaring daggers at me from down the alleyway, not even looking like he is paying any attention to what she is saying right now.

"Ugh.. you actually came to watch the play?.. and now you're smoking out here with her.. Seriously? See Missy like I told you before, he is a bad influence and someone you don't need in your life, unlike myself.. no matter how nice you think he is, I bet it is just a game to get into your pants.. and now this with the weed again? How long have I been trying to get you to quit that?" He lectures her, just causing her eyes to roll, then looking back at me before letting out a deep breath.

"It's not going to work Drake.. I like weed way too much to quit and there is nothing wrong with Derek and I enjoying something together because he is nice to talk to like I told you before.. I'm an independent woman and you know that, so stop acting like I'm your lady that you can control or something.. you can't tell me what I can or cannot do and all that does is just piss me off more when it comes to you, Drake.. So if you don't want a punch to the face then you need to back the f*#k off." She states as she takes another hit before handing me the joint and saying softly so she can still hold her hit in. "Thanks again Derek, this made my night."

I smile at her as she turns around and blowing her hit out at him before walking past. He glares at me as I shrug my shoulders at him, just sending a big smile his way while waving. He flips me off before turning the corner and going after her.

Man, that guy is annoying, but I understand where he is coming from at the same time too.. I would be protective of her as well.. I already am. But hopefully, he will start backing off since she is starting to show some interest in me.. which is amazing for me. I feel so confident, like I could take on the world right now.. So happy I decided to do this.. Well worth it and I'm coming back tomorrow on my next day off for sure.. Maybe this time I'll be able to get her number.