Now or Never

couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
    Derrick glanced over at her and shook his head with a smile. “I had a serious relationship once. Thought she was the one, and then she cheated on me with one of my buddies.”
    “Ouch.”
    “Yeah, ouch is right. So, never again.”
    “So, a broken heart led you to become the cold heartless womanizer that you are today?”
    “I guess you could say that,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve never given it much thought.”
    “It looks like we’re the ideal pair of dysfunction.”
    “Seems so,” he grinned and once again she felt like a schoolgirl.

CHAPTER 19

    Grayson’s body tensed when they turned down the road. A red mustang was parked in her mom’s driveway. “Oh shit.” Grayson groaned and banged her head against his back. “This cannot be happening right now.”
    “What’s wrong?” Derrick asked turning slightly.
    “My ex!” Grayson yelled and pointed. “He’s at my mom’s house.”
    Derrick pulled over to the side of the road and cut the engine. “Do you think he’ll cause trouble?”
    Grayson shrugged and looked down at her hands. She felt very exposed under his concerned gaze. “He’s got a temper, and thinks I belong to him.”
    “Is that so?” Derrick gripped the handle bars tighter causing his knuckles to turn white.
    “So I have no idea who we will meet, Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde.”
    “I’m coming in with you.” He said firmly.
    “No, you don’t have to, it’s not your problem. He’s already going to freak out that I’m with a guy.”
    “Well, In that case I’m definitely coming in.”
    “You don’t know him, Derrick. He’s an asshole.” She said softly.
    He smiled and squeezed her thigh. “Hey, I’m a Green Beret. Remember?”
    Grayson nodded her head once, and tried to force a smile. She knew he was trying to lighten the mood, but her stomach was in knots. “Thanks.” As much as she hated to admit it she was glad Derrick was there. Why did Josh have to show up? Couldn’t he just leave her alone and let her get on with her life? Grayson felt like she was going to throw up; it went from the perfect day to the perfect storm in less than half an hour.
    Derrick eased the bike back on the road, and towards Grayson’s mother’s house. Once he pulled onto the side of the road Grayson jumped off the motorcycle and pulled off the helmet. Derrick took it from her and latched it onto the back, and set his helmet on the seat. Adrenaline and fear fueled her every step.
    As they walked forward Josh stepped out of his car. His eyes darted from Grayson to Derrick and his face turned a dark shade of red, almost purple. She knew this was not going to end well, and braced herself for the confrontation.
    “What the fuck Grayson?” Josh glared at her through narrowed eyes, his nostrils flared.
    Ignoring his question, Grayson met his eyes. “I told you not to bother coming here. You wasted your money and time.”
    “Who the fuck is he?” Josh jerked his head towards Derrick. Grayson just rolled her eyes at his question, crossing her arms over her chest.
    “I said who the fuck is he?” Josh practically screamed.
    Derrick stood silently beside her his body relaxed. She felt somewhat comforted by his presence. Josh and Derrick were such a contrast to each other. She would never know what she had seen in Josh.
    Josh’s body was tense, and he looked like he was ready to explode. She should have known he would show up. It was too good to be true that he would just let her go so easily. He was crazy and obsessive, she felt stupid thinking he gave up just like that.
    “I need to talk to you,” Josh said through clenched teeth. “ Alone.”
    Grace shook her head. “Not going to happen. I told you we are done. Whatever you have to say, say it now, and then go.”
    Josh’s fingers sunk into her arm with an iron grip, and he yanked her forward. She nearly stumbled on her face but managed to stay upright.
    “Get your fucking hands off of her,” Derrick said with an edge to his voice that made Grayson turn to look at him. His jaw was clenched and his stance had changed, gone was the relaxed posture, now he looked like he was ready to tear off Josh’s head. His muscles were tense, and his weight had transferred to the balls of his feet. He looked like a wild animal awoken from a lazy nap, ready to pounce. For the first time, she saw the underlying danger Derrick kept quietly concealed.
    Josh dropped his hand and took a step towards