Money Can't Buy Everything

Chapter 14 She Left

---Derek's POV---

It has been a longer than expected day, but luckily for me, my shift is almost done and over with.. I was thinking maybe I could head on over to the theater to see if I could take Missy out for something to eat after if she would allow me too or even had the time. I clock out going to the locker room to grab my things before heading outside. My phone is erupting, vibrations are mostly getting my attention, but so is the music escaping my pocket. I reached in and grabbed it to see it is Josh once again.

"Hey man, perfect timing. I just got out of work.. What's up?" I asked him, casually getting on my motorcycle. "She left." He stated with so much sadness in his voice that I got sad for him. I don't know why Sarah would leave, but he sounds so sad about it. "Ah, I'm sorry man.. I know you liked Sarah a lot.. so why did she leave?" I asked, trying to help console him. "No, not Sarah, Missy. I'm talking about Missy.. Apparently, she went to the show this morning, of course.. and her ex pushed her against the wall, kissing her while grabbing at her aggressively.. So she got livid, pushed him away before slapping him across the face.. which started a whole ordeal with his new lady that we saw wrapped around him the other day.. Things were being thrown around and before she knew it, she saw Missy leaving out the back.. But when she got to her outside in that side alley.. Mr.Beefcake had her against the wall under him and in tears before she pushed him away and ran off.. she said she would be back, so they waited but had to do the play without her.. but as far as I know, she never came back. Sarah is freaking out.. She won't pick up her phone." Josh says to me, causing my heart to beat out of my chest instantly because of that explanation.

"What? I'll call you back." I said to him as I hung up the call and ran back inside the hospital. I rush past everyone getting some looks, but I don't care. I took the elevator to the 4th floor, running down the hallway and to Missy's little brother's room. I swing it open as I see the brother is asleep with Heather rushing me out of the room. "Shhhh.. what is going on?" She whisper yells at me before shutting the door. "Missy has been gone since this morning from her performance.. her friend is really worried about her.. have you seen her today yet?" I inquire from her in a pushy matter, letting her know there is no room for negotiation about her whereabouts.

"Yes she stopped on by, she looked upset and said she would see us later but dropped snacks for Chris before quickly leaving.. she didn't even stop in to see him.. she just asked me to relay the message built to not tell him that she was upset." She explains to me as I nod and pace around. "Ok thanks Heather, but when you see her please let me know just so I know she is ok." I state as she sends a small smile my way before I turn and leave.

I grab my phone out of my pocket before calling Josh. He, of course, picks up pretty quickly. "Hey man, did you find her?" he asks without hesitation as I groan out, giving him my answer without really answering him.. But I knew he would want more of an explanation than that. "No, I went to her brother's room in the hospital to see if she was there and Heather said she had stopped by earlier and looked upset.. she didn't even see her brother, which is unheard of apparently, but she said she would be back. I asked Heather to let me know when she sees her next and, of course, she agreed." I explained to him as he states, as if it should be obvious to me.. "You have her number right? Try to call her."

"Oh.. yeah.. ok.. um.. ok.. I'll call you back if I hear anything." I replied, hanging upon the call as I left my phone screen open. I nervously hit the text messages I have. Her number was the last one I got a message from, so it's on top. I stared at it for a moment, until I was brave enough to open the message and push to call her. It rings multiple times but goes to her voicemail. Was it too much that I called her?.. She never said I could have her number.. but she was the one who messaged me, knowing that there was a big possibility I would save her number into my phone.. I don't know.. I don't want to scare her off, I'm just worried about her.

So, since she didn't pick up the call, I decided to send her a message. 'You weren't at the play?'

I try to make it sound casual even though the inside of my head is going crazy with all the possibilities of what could have happened to her. 'How did you know that? I saw you at the hospital working.' She asks me instantly getting excited that she is responding, showing she is fine. 'Sarah is worried about you so she told Josh and he told me.' I state right back to her.

'I had to get away. Sorry if I worried her.. I'll message her.' She answers pretty quickly but I need her to know Sarah is not the only one worried. 'She is not the only one worried.' I reply before she quickly responds again, which makes me happy. 'Who else?' I laugh at that.. how could she not know? Or maybe she just wants me to say it. 'I have been worried.'

She didn't respond right away like she had been, which worried me.. My nerves get the best of me, so this silence is killing me.. I have to respond. 'I'm sorry if that bothers you at all. I was just worried and wanted to make sure you were ok.' I tried to explain better. '124th road and 5th, if you're that concerned.' She responds as I grab my things and jumping on my motorcycle. She doesn't have to ask me twice to join her. I typed the address into my GPS and I know this park.. It's not too far from here and very discrete.

I get across town, to the park and in no time at all really.. that might have to do with me driving in a haste so I don't miss her.. or anytime I could be spending with her. I parked my bike, I think, next to hers before throwing my leg over to get me off as I took around to hopefully find her. I can't see her so far, so I just continue looking around as I wander the green area. It's a pretty open park but no one is here. "So why were you worried?" I heard from behind me, causing my instinct to take control as I flipped around to see who that comment came from. It was Missy just sitting under the tree shade, almost hiding herself between the trees and bushes, that probably was her main intent.

"You were upset when I saw you last and then I heard that you left upset today.. Why wouldn't I worry about you?" I asked her plainly before just sitting down next to her on the ground whether she wanted me to or not. "You know, that usual crap for me.. When I say no, he thinks I mean yes.. and when I say leave me alone, he thinks I mean, baby take me I'm all yours." She states, giving me an idea that a guy didn't take no for an answer and I know the gist of what happened in the room from Josh, so I won't push for details. "If you need me to say something to any of those guys, I would in a heartbeat.. You name it and I'll do it. No one should ever touch you, if you don't want them to." I said to her. She glances at me before taking in my words. I can see her mind reeling for a moment before she shakes her head. "Ok... Thanks but not necessary, I slapped him.. but.. well.. um.. why are you here?" She asks me softly as I feel my eyebrows scrunch up at her because she was the one that gave me the address to come here. "I just needed to make sure for my own sanity you were fine." I say to her as she shakes her head at me again.

"No, why are you really here? What are you wanting from me in this connection.. or whatever this is between us." she states to me pointing between us before adding in a very accusing tone. "Were you just expecting to come here and try something with me? To take advantage of my vulnerable state?" I shook my head without a moment to lose. "NO.. not at all.. I'm sorry if you ever got that impression from me." I stated to her as she crossed her arms and still staring at me awaiting an answer.

"I'm honestly just concerned about your safety.. You have been so nice to me and it really meant a lot when you talked to me when I was feeling down, making me feel better.. So I wanted to help you the same way.. I won't deny that there is a connection between us as well that I'm very intrigued about.. and would love to see where this goes if you ever would give me the chance.. But I would never force anything on you.. If something ever has to be forced, it won't work out.. I'm so tired of forcing people into my life.. I want someone who genuinely wants me too.. so a relationship of any kind with you will only be up to you.. I won't leave until you tell me to leave." I explained to her as casually as possible, trying I not to put any pressure on the fact that I just practically told her I liked her and wanted to be with her.

I hear a faked laugh besides me getting my attention. "You don't want me, I swear I'm broken and, as everyone has said to me before.. I'm a lot of work.. not worth the work obviously.. hence why I'm single.. so, you might as well get out while you can." She states in a sarcastic tone about her life. I turned to look at her, showing the sincerity in my features before responding. "I don't care about what anyone else has said or done, because I'm not those assholes.. I'm dedicated to things I want in my life and, no matter what I do, I'm in it for the long haul.. I put in 100% every single time.. I'm a doctor, not trying to brag at all, just showing my dedication to something I like.. even love because my whole job is to be dedicated and patient.. I think we could be great together.. I have been trying to find someone I can connect with on an emotional level and you come into my life while I'm having an emotional breakdown and helping me feel better when nothing else could? I believe everything happens for a reason.. So I'm taking this sign and running with it. Once I did, I found out you were not only a sweet individual who helps complete strangers, but that you smoke weed.. which is so hard to come by around, as you probably know.. I also found out how talented and passionate you are.. Not to mention you're absolutely stunning.." I explained completely, making her smile as she looked away shyly.

"But if this is something you don't want or feel with me at all, then just tell me and I'll stop bothering you." I said to her as she looks around. "You're too sweet for me. You deserve better.. I have so many issues with myself that I don't think you could ever look past any of them." She states to me still looking away because she is obviously embarrassed about whatever she was implying. "Shouldn't I be the one to decide what I deserve?" I ask her with a desperation in my voice that I never knew was there.

She locks her gaze with mine before reaching up and cupping my cheek gently. "Well, I know how you will react with my dirty little secret.. and I don't want to see the disappointment on your face when you find out.. That's a look I hope I never have to see." she says softly to me. But before I could even stop myself, I leaned in and pressed my lips to her luscious-looking heart-shaped lips. They press back into mine as I wrap my arms around her, to pull her closer before she puts her hand to my chest but doesn't stop the kiss. Sparks fly between us as she lightly moans into my lips and I love the sound of it. I felt her run her fingertips through my hair and pulling me in to deepen the kiss.

I kissed her for as long as she would let me. She eventually stops the kiss by pushing on my chest and I stop because I will always stick to my word.. I won't force her into anything. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have let this happen.. I'm so sorry.. I can't.. I like you, I do.. But I can't hurt you Derek, I like you so much.. I'm sorry." She states getting up abruptly, then jumping on her bike and leaving the park. I'm left just sitting alone wondering if there was something different I could have done to change the outcome. On the plus side of all this.. That was an amazingly electrifying kiss between us, that I can't imagine what anything else would be like with her.. probably mindblowing.. She has also admitted to having not just feelings, but strong feelings for me. Those words excite me to no end and what makes it better is that she never asked me to stop or leave her alone. She said she wanted this but is afraid of what I will really think of her, so she is just trying to avoid the situation.. but I can't pass this up by pretending like that didn't happen. I have to see where this could go. I pick out my phone and tried to call her but my call was sent straight to the voicemail. I tried again and got the same response. Dammit.. I hope I didn't f*#k this up already.