AN: I don't own LWD

#67 Admit

It was the night before what was supposed to be the most romantic and memorable day of her life. But yet here she was, the night before her wedding and she felt sad, almost lonely. She sat outside her Mother and George's house and rocked gently on the new porch swing George somewhat successfully installed, though it hung at a slight crooked angle at one side. Slowly, she swung back and forth, an almost empty beer bottle in hand.

She ran one of her newly manicured hands through her silky brunette hair. Neil was great; he was sweet, kind, and intelligent. And she hated herself for thinking about anyone else, but she was having serious doubts about him. When she saw him, she felt as if she was simply seeing a friend, not the man she was supposed to love and marry.

Casey was suddenly broken out of her thoughts by the sound of someone's footsteps walking up the walkway. She looked up and saw a familiar figure, one who made her heart swell. "Hey Princess." He greeted casually, walking up the front steps. "Hi Der," Casey replied quietly. He sat down next to her on that crooked bench and the two sat in silence for a moment, consumed by their own thoughts and feelings.

Finally Derek shifted in his seat, and clearing his throat awkwardly, he started, "Case, I know this is horrible timing, but I need to tell you something now because if I don't I'll never be able to move on and survive." He started out seriously. Casey gulped, her heart was hammering in her chest like a drum. "Derek?" She asked nervously. Derek took a huge breath, "This is awkward you know because of fff-feelings, but I thought you should know that I'm in love with you. I always have been and may always will be." He admitted fully. Casey was stunned, her heart almost melted into a sappy puddle.

"Neil is a nice guy, even though I constantly want to punch him in the face because he has you and I don't." Derek continued, "And I know that me telling you my ff-feelings the night before your wedding is selfish. I know that, I understand, and I'm sorry, truly. But I needed to tell you while you're still technically single. I have been bursting with this secret for almost seven years now and I just had to tell you." Derek finished, looking at her beautiful face. Casey didn't know what to, and suddenly she was crying, deep, confused tears. Derek's face flashed with concern, "Case please, don't cry. I'm sorry I upset you, I didn't mean to. I just had to tell you because if I didn't I don't think I would ever to be able to get over you. You haven't done anything, Neil doesn't need to know, you don't have to feel guilty. Please just don't cry." He begged softly, rubbing her back soothingly with his hand.

Her tears finally subsided and Derek wiped some of the water on her cheeks off with the pad of his thumb. "I just don't know what to do," She wailed. "What do you mean?" Derek asked. "I don't love Neil, at least not as a husband or significant other. But we're supposed to get married tomorrow! What do I do, just cancel it off now?" She asked anxiously. "Well, yes." Derek replied bluntly. "DER-EK!" She exclaimed frustratedly. "Look, you deserve all the happiness in the world, don't marry Neil just cause you don't want to hurt him. It will just end up hurting him and you more. Do what you want Casey." He encourage gently. She smiled slightly, "You're right." And with that she kissed him tenderly on the cheek and stood up. "I'm going to call off a wedding." She announced, walking down the front steps, but not before turning back to Derek and saying, "But we will continue this later." She said with a smile, before walking off.