Good Guys Finish Last - 4. Chapter 4

I was the first one to wake up and I found Derek had taken over most of the bed pushing me to one side. Yawning I neglected to put on any pants and walked down to the kitchen to see if there was any food to fix a small breakfast with.

 

“I knew you’d get him into your bed sometime, but not on the first night he’s here.” Julie announced causing me to hit my head on the refrigerator.

 

“Good lord Julie ever since I gave you that spare key you’ve been a pain in the ass.” I groaned rubbing my head. “How long have you been here?”

 

“About twenty minutes I was preparing to be annoying and wake your ass up when I entered your bedroom, but the sight was just too cute to bother, I did take a picture though so you’ll have that for the rest of your life.” Julie answered.

 

“Bitch.” I rolled my eyes.

 

“What’s for breakfast?” Julie asked getting up out of her chair to walk over and stand by me.

 

“It looks like cereal.” I shrugged scratching my head.

 

“Well shit! I knew better than to come here and expect good meals knowing that your mother isn’t here to fix them.” Julie crossed her arms.

 

“Yeah, go away Julie. It’s too early for your mouth.” I ordered, grabbing a bowl and a spoon from the cupboard.

 

“Come on you can’t feed a man staying at your house cereal. Just wake his ass up and we can all go get some breakfast.” Julie protested.

 

“We? I thought I told you to go away?” I asked smiling.

 

“You know better than that you piece of shit so go get some clothes on. Wake his ass up so we can go already.” Julie ordered, pointing to the stairs leading to my bedroom.

 

“Ok, damn you’re impossible. I feel sorry for the joker that marries you.” I quipped, putting the bowl and spoon back where I got them.

 

“And make sure you shower and put something sexy on.” Julie bellowed from the bottom of the stairs.

 

“Would you mind shutting your big ass mouth for at least five minutes? He probably heard you.” I snapped embarrassed as I poked my head out of my room staring down at her.

 

“Sorry.” Julie shrugged then turned and walked back into the kitchen to wait on us.

 

“Derek wakes up, Julie is here and is dragging us to breakfast.” I ordered, patting Derek’s shoulder lightly.

 

“Ok.” Derek mumbled turning to lie on his back looking up at me. I then didn’t want to seem like I was staring at him so I walked over to my dresser and started gathering up my clothes to go take a shower.

 

“There are two showers you can have my shower and I’ll use the one downstairs since Julie is used to seeing me in my underwear.” I announced standing at the doorway which Derek just lazily waved me on so I left wondering if he’d be up or not when I got out. I then walked passed Julie who slapped me on the ass telling me to hurry my ass up. That she was hungry and I walked into my mom’s bedroom into the master bathroom that was connected and took a longer than expected shower. When I entered the kitchen, I saw Derek laughing and Julie of course in the middle of telling an embarrassing story about me.

 

“So he tripped and fell into a shopping cart and rolled down through the parking lot and into a pole?” Derek asked through laughter.

 

“Yeah he had to get five stitches on his forehead and everything. It was great.” Julie answered.

 

“Well Julie, thanks for embarrassing me and me not even being in the room.” I stated causing them both to jump and look up at me.

 

“You’re welcome I was just telling Derek something to make you look not as boring as you seem.” Julie shrugged standing and grabbing her purse. “Now lets go get some breakfast I’m starving.”

 

We took my car and I was driving with Derek sitting in the back as Julie muscled her way past him to sit in the passenger seat. I couldn’t help but keep looking through my rearview mirror to glance at him wondering if he’s having fun or is bored out of his mind with me or not. It’s something that I normally wouldn’t care about, but with Derek I wanted him to like me and not think I’m just a clumsy, overly nice, boring guy.

 

“Well at least you listened to me and wore something sexy.” Julie whispered after nudging my elbow to get my attention.

 

“It’s just jeans and a T-shirt.” I answered not seeing anything sexy about it.

“A tight T-shirt and we both know you have a body to die for.” Julie countered taking hold of my arm and I saw that Derek was watching me and Julie interact.

 

“So Derek, tell me a little something about yourself.” Julie ordered turning to look back at him.

 

“Like what do you wanna know?” Derek asked her and she shrugged.

 

“Anything.” She answered smiling at him.

 

“Well I don’t really know.” Derek stated and I had wondered what happened to the cocky outgoing guy he was last night.

 

“God you’re about as boring as Charlie.” Julie snapped, “Do you collect anything, what are your hobbies and shit like that?”

 

“No, and I don’t really have any hobbies, I just do shit that there is to do at the time.” Derek answered.

 

“Ok then.” Julie nodded turning back around giving up on getting any information out of Derek who was smiling evilly when I glanced back at him wondering why he wasn’t open with Julie like he was with me. Then we rode in silence still being early for any teenager our age on a summer vacation day Julie was always a bright and morning person another trait that I have learned to hate and love at the same time.

 

“Hey kids in for some breakfast?” Linda asked as we entered the only good restaurant in town.

 

“Yeah since Charlie is too lazy to go to the grocery store.” Julie answered.

 

“Charlie, you know better than to leave Julie unfed. You know how she gets.” Linda joked, ignoring Derek.

 

“Well either way she’s almost unbearable to live with.” I joked earning a slap from Julie and Derek laughed.

 

“Well I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.” Linda stated acknowledging Derek.

 

“I’m new in town, Charlie is nice enough to let me stay with him until we go to college.” Derek explained and Linda looked over at me briefly she was good friends with my mother.

 

“Well what can I get for you guys?” Linda asked stepping in front of a register to take our orders down.

 

“Three breakfast meals.” Julie ordered for us and Linda punched it in and we paid her.

 

“Um Charlie, can I talk to you?” Linda asked stopping me from leaving the counter. Linda then waved Julie and Derek on and I watched as they walked slowly to their table before I turned to Linda.

 

“Do you think it’s a good idea to let a stranger move in with you in your mother’s house?” Linda asked crossing her arms.

 

“Well we met at the hospital and he hasn’t broken anything yet so I don’t see a problem with it.” I protested leaning against the counter.

 

“Just be careful.” Linda stated and I nodded and left the counter wondering why everyone tried looking after me ever since my mother was in the hospital.

 

“Was nosey Linda Plassy looking in on her favorite little lost boy again this morning?” Julie asked then looked past me to smile over at Linda still at the counter.

 

“And you wonder why people hate you.” I ignored her sitting down to wait for the food to be brought to us.

 

“Well still, she has no place to be nosey all the time.” Julie protested, flipping her black hair out of her face to touch up her make-up a little.

 

“Your mother finally let you wear make-up?” I asked curiously.

 

“No I put it on while driving my ass to where I have to go. The prude still thinks it’s showy to put on make-up.” Julie answered.

 

“I thought my parents were old fashioned but damn.” Derek stated out of nowhere.

 

“Try old-fashioned and from another country.” Julie added then satisfied with the way she looked she put the make-up back into her purse and dropped it nonchalantly on the ground.

 

“So where are your parents from?” Derek asked curiously.

 

“They’re from Italy.” Julie answered rolling her eyes and I knew that she was preparing to go on another rant about her family. “I also have like a billion brothers that of course could murder a person and get away with it, but if I even have a hint of blush or some lip gloss still on my face when I come in, I get grounded for a month.”

 

“Ouch.” Derek stated sarcastically, not at all feeling sorry for Julie. “You have strong Italian features though.”

“Oh so you think I have a big ass and black hair?” Julie asked looking over at Derek smiling.

 

“Well no, that’s not what I meant well really um . . . ” Derek trailed off then looked over at me wanting help.

 

“He thinks you’re the most beautiful thing he’s ever set eyes on.” I shrugged causing her to smile.

 

“See one thing Charlie is good at he’s never short on compliments, even if they are lies.” Julie joked, causing Derek to laugh.

 

“You are really pretty though.” Derek stated after the laughter stopped, which caused Julie to blush slightly.

 

“Well I have to go pee. What the hell is taking this food so long?” Julie asked standing and walked off into the direction of the restrooms before we could answer.

 

“So how long have you and Julie been dating?” Derek asked and my jaw dropped surprised by the question.

 

“Me and her aren’t dating.” I answered, trying not to laugh.

 

“Oh it’s just that you two seem really close.” Derek offered.

 

“We are close just a lot of things happened this year that’s made us close, but I’d never date her.” I explained.

 

“So it’s a ‘don’t mess up the friendship’ kind of deal?” Derek asked as I noticed Julie walking back in our direction.

 

“Yeah, something like that.” I answered as watched Julie bypassed our table and walked over to the counter.

 

“Where the hell is our food, we ordered fifteen minutes ago?” Julie asked loud enough for just about everyone in the restaurant to hear.

 

“Well excuse me while I go retrieve Julie before she gets us kicked out by my mother’s best friend.” I announced leaving Derek by himself.

 

“Hello? Anyone back there listening to me? I asked a question.” Julie bellowed again before I was able to reach her.

 

“Julie, what the fuck?” I asked in a low voice.

 

“I’m hungry.” Julie answered preparing to yell again, but Linda walked over to where we were.

 

“The stove lost power for a few minutes, but its working. Just calm down.” Linda announced as Julie crossed her arms sighing.

 

“Ok. Sorry, I’m just hungry.” Julie huffed leaving me to go back to the table. When Linda looked over at me confused, I just shrugged.

 

“She must be pretty hungry this morning.” I offered then left the counter.

 

“So Derek are you seeing anyone?” Julie asked as I sat down and I then kicked Julie underneath the table.

 

“Fucking hell!” Julie screeched then looked around the restaurant. “I uh had a major muscle cramp just then I’m sorry.”

 

“To answer your question, no I’m not seeing anybody.” Derek answered and she smiled then I saw her eyes narrow when she glanced over at me.

 

“Here’s your food kids, sorry.” Linda announced setting the tray down on our table then left us.

 

“About damn time.” Julie muttered under her breath then took a bite finally satisfied. We ate in a relatively silent calm with Julie making noise with her plastic fork being pissed still that she had to wait for her food as long as she had.

 

“Well Julie, I’m sure you have something planned for us after this so what is it?” I asked after we were finished eating.

 

“Well you haven’t come with me to the pool yet this year so why don’t you and Derek come?” Julie asked glancing down at her watch.

 

“Well, the reason for that Julie, is that I have my own pool out back.” I stated which caused her to roll her eyes like I had said something stupid.

 

“The whole point in going to a public pool is to meet people and catch up and we both know you need some catching up with certain people.” Julie countered.

 

“Well for a little bit then I better get back up to see mom.” I caved in when I glanced over at Derek who looked like he wanted to go check it out.

 

“Your mother can wait for a couple of hours at least.” Julie stated nonchalantly.

 

“You’ve become one self-centered little whore Julie.” I countered following her out the door with Derek behind us we had started to ignore him as me and Julie started another friendly sparring match with each other.

 

“So Derek, what do you think so far of this poor excuse for a town?” Julie asked as we all loaded up in my car again this time Derek sitting up front with me.

 

“It seems to be just like the town I just came from.” Derek shrugged glancing back to look at her. “Except we didn’t even have a pool.”

 

“Well it’s nothing grand it doesn’t even have a diving board, but it beats sitting around with dumb ass up there all day.” Julie added and I reached back there pretending to swing my fist at her.

 

Then we got changed relatively quickly Julie had the day all planned out like I suspected and had brought her bathing suit and pool gear with her this morning so we set off for the pool after Derek and I changed into our trunks and we both decided to just go shirtless, it being a hot southern summer. When we got there, it was just filling in with people who had started their day off, so we were able to pick three lounge chairs adjacent from one another.

 

“Which one of you hot studs want to lather me up?” Julie asked shaking the tanning oil in front of her body.

 

“Well not me.” I shook my head sliding on my sunglasses deadening the glare from the sun on my eyes as I scanned the pool for people I needed to talk to.

 

“I think I’ll pass too.” Derek shrugged lying down.

 

“One of you have to do it because I’ll do it unevenly, please?” Julie begged, nudging me with her free hand. “Come on Charlie.”

 

“Damn, alright you’re the most helpless girl in the world.” I caved grabbing the tanning oil and started rubbing it on her already dark toned body. “When you have skin cancer and they shoot you up with lasers, I want to be there to watch it all happen.”

 

“Me too.” Derek piped in causing Julie to laugh.

 

“Where’s your late night snack?” I asked her causing her to elbow me.

 

“He’s working.” Julie snapped as she unfastened her top lying on her stomach.

 

“When do you two go back to work?” Derek asked curiously.

 

“We don’t work tonight.” I answered looking over my shoulder to look at him.

 

“Well I’m going in.” Derek announced in a low voice.

 

“I think the guy is about to die of boredom.” Julie announced.

 

“Yeah he seems like he’s just running on autopilot.” I responded, watching Derek walk off slowly shuffling his feet as he walked.

 

“Well there are ways to spice up ones life.” Julie announced.

 

“Yeah, and right now that’s all out of the picture.” I countered.

 

“You don’t even know what I was going to say.” Julie protested.

 

“You want me to bang him.” I stated and she looked thoughtful for a second.

 

“Well that would certainly do the trick, but I was thinking more along the line of a slumber party.” Julie stated.

 

“I think he’s had all he can take of you for a day.” I countered not liking the idea of spending a night with Julie in my house.

 

“Well fuck you! Go talk to him, you’re finished here But seriously think of something to spice up his stay here, you need all the friends you can find.” Julie ordered, pushing me away from her. I then grew nervous as I looked out and saw him sitting by himself. Strangers never do get a warm welcome in our town since everyone is somewhat connected, it’s hard to make friends if you’re new. I found out when we moved here, but Julie and I become fast friends since her parents scared most of her friends away when they were younger.

 

“Hey.” I greeted from behind him and he turned to look up at me.

 

“Hey.” He replied and I sat down beside him.

 

“You not having fun?” I asked trying to sound like I cared, but not caring strongly.

 

“Well it just seems like I fucked up and I’m not going to get to experience what my friends back home are getting to.” Derek answered.

 

“What do you mean?” I asked growing curious.

 

“Well they all didn’t goof off like I did so they got scholarships to these big name schools and now I’m forced to go here. I mean you have a damn good chance at living the best college years of your life up there at Duke, but you’re not going to go. I guess I’m sort of jealous of your ass.” Derek explained laughing slightly afterwards.

 

“Well I’m sure the college we go to is going to be the same as everything else if you want it to be.” I stated and he looked over at me.

 

“Would you mind if I went with you to see your mom?” Derek asked catching me off guard.

 

“No, I wouldn’t mind, but it’s not the best experience in the world and I know you want to have fun.” I answered.

 

“Well once we get to know one another, then I think we’ll have some good times ahead.” Derek responded nudging me with his shoulder and smiling a bright tooth-filled smile, I noticed dimples forming as he did.

 

“Yeah, if Julie doesn’t annoy you or scare you off.” I joked rolling my eyes.

 

“Hey my other friend had a girlfriend just like her, so I’m used to it.” Derek assured me and I smiled then he splashed me with water catching me off guard. The water was cold to a sun-warmed body and it made me shudder.

 

“Hey look. We match.” I announced as I glanced down noticing we had the same swimming trunks on both orange with red Hawaiian flowers scattered everywhere.

 

“Shit, I hadn’t noticed.” Derek laughed, looking down as well then I looked up and his gaze caught mine and I saw a smile form across his face and I knew that we were going to have some fun.

 

Later that night when we were getting ready to leave for the hospital there was a nervous tension between me and Derek we had made small talk and goofed around with Julie forgetting about us and went on with her tanning she was tired and quiet when we got there and didn’t stay long after we got to my house she left soon after that.

 

“We can get dinner on the way home.” I announced, knowing we hadn’t eaten anything after breakfast this morning.

 

“Ok, I was getting kinda hungry.” Derek responded. “This ok to meet your mom?” He was wearing a black and Columbia blue polo with khaki shorts and flip-flops he looked hot it was a great contrast to his tanned skin and dirty blonde hair that was short, he always had gel in his hair and he had the brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen on anyone.

 

“Yeah that’s fine.” I muttered after studying him for a short while. I felt awkward that I had picked a button up shirt and khaki pants with boots like I was going to church instead to see my mother, but I always wanted to look nice for her.

 

“You’re looking good too.” Derek complimented me and I turned and glanced at my features as well I had a light brown hair color with an ashy blue eye color that made my eyes look soft and inviting people always thought Julie and I would have beautiful kids someday as our features were so different from one another. I looked back at Derek regaining my thoughts and smiled politely then we walked into the kitchen I fed Lucy her dinner that she was whining for and told her that I’d be back later it was a stupid thing that I started after my mother was hospitalized I could tell Lucy missed my mom as she sometimes sniffs around searching for her and I can hear her excitement way before I enter the house when I’m gone long periods of time. The ride to the hospital was a quiet one. I wanted to try and start a thousand conversations, but everything sounded stupid when I over thought them in my mind I was increasingly growing nervous and was about to lose control when we finally reached our destination.

 

“How is she tonight?” I asked Gina who was stationed at her post like usual.

 

“She’s had a rough day today, but you can go in and see her she’s just a little tired and a little under the weather.” Gina answered and I frowned there has been more bad news that good lately on my mothers condition. I sighed as I opened the door and walked in. Mom was watching television, but turned it off when she heard the door open.

 

“Hey Charlie, I’ve been expecting you.” Mom greeted motioning for me to walk over to her she then pulled me down and kissed me on my forehead. “I see you got a little sun today I bet Julie kept you busy today.”

 

“Yeah she did. She dragged me to the public pool.” I answered and she smiled.

 

“I miss her. You tell her to get her butt down here as soon as she can.” Mom ordered and I nodded.

 

“I’ve been getting on her, but you know how she is.” I explained and she laughed weakly knowing.

 

“Well who’s that Charlie?” Mom asked after looking past me.

 

“Oh I’m sorry that’s Derek a friend you haven’t met.” I introduced him and she waved him over.

 

“Hello Derek how are you?” Mom asked smiling and taking his hand to shake it gently.

 

“I’m fine Ms. Williams.” Derek answered politely.

 

“Call me Carol dear.” She reprimanded softly then let her hand fall from his grasp and rested it on the bed beside her I could tell she was drained, but she was trying her best to hide it.

 

“So what did you do today?” I asked her and she rolled her eyes.

 

“Nothing I enjoyed doing I’ll just say that.” She answered and I smiled. She hated hospitals and doctors and she always gave Dr. Wes hell every time she sees him. The three of us talked mom went into details with Derek about my childhood as I paid close attention to the way she told the story of my life with a proud tone in her voice even when she told of the stupid things I did as a child and even recently causing Derek to laugh and turn to look at me. She had guessed that we hadn’t known each other long, because I’d always introduce her to my friends, but she’d never tell them my life story, but everyone that will listen to her long enough I’m sure she’s told them about her life as well as mine it’s something to pass the time.

 

“Um, kids its time to let Carol rest.” Dr. Wes came into the room causing the conversations to stop.

 

“Oh I don’t need any rest doctor. What will I be doing tomorrow that will require rest?” Mom asked a little annoyed.

 

“I’m sorry Carol, but I’m the doctor.” Dr. Wes countered and she sighed.

 

“It’s ok mom. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I stood taking her hand.

 

“Derek can you excuse us for a minute. Take Dr. Wes with you as you leave. It was nice meeting you.” Mom ordered politely. Then Derek walked over and kissed her on the cheek smiling.

 

“You too Carol.” Derek responded waving for Dr. Wes to leave in front of him who closed the door behind him leaving mom and me in the room alone.

 

“Charlie, I want you to know that I love you…” Mom started.

 

“I know you do momma.” I interrupted her rubbing her hand.

 

“Shh, let me finish please.” She ordered lightly. “You may think that all of this is unfair to me, but really I’ve lived a full and the best life I could possibly live. You’re my best accomplishment and I know that no matter how you end up, I know that I had a part in it and look at you. You’ve turned out to be the best son in the world. I mean I hear of sons and daughters that never come to visit their moms and here you come every day. I have no regrets in my life and I am proud to tell everyone of my finest achievement in you and I just wanted you to not be sad I’ve not lived an unfinished life, I’ve lived a damn good one and you made it all possible. I just wanted to say that so that you can love me and remember me and live a complete life like me.” Mom spoke every word with a motherly conviction, even though it was strained and the strength in her voice was failing her, I knew she had to finish so I let her.

 

“I love you too, momma.” I whispered trying not to cry as I leaned down and hugged her kissing her on the cheek then standing. “Goodnight.” I then walked out of the room.

“Goodbye.” Mom whispered alone in the dimly lit room.

 

“Your mom must be the number one mom in the world.” Derek announced as we walked out to my car. “I mean she knows every cut and scar you got and every A that you ever got growing up. I mean I’m lucky if my mom remembers my middle name.”

 

“What is your middle name?” I asked curiously.

 

“It’s just an initialed L.” Derek answered shrugging. “What’s yours?”

 

“Addleigh.” I answered, “It’s my grandpa’s name.”

 

“Ok. So, the same burger joint we last ate at?” Derek asked and I nodded and we headed off to go eat.