Chapter 5: Old Rivalries and New Deals

My dad told Caleb to get out.

His voice left no room for argument. It was the final word, the gavel dropping in the Parker house.

As he was leaving, he ran into Derek Sloan, who had hurried over.

The screen door banged shut behind Caleb just as Derek hustled up the front steps, tie askew and hair a mess from running.

I heard Derek call anxiously, “Mr. Parker, please don’t rush to let Caleb Monroe propose to Natalie. Please consider me!”

He nearly tripped on the welcome mat, breathless and waving a small bouquet of wildflowers he must’ve picked from the backyard.

Caleb’s face darkened and he stopped in his tracks.

You could see the jealousy flicker, just for a second, before he schooled his features again.

Derek is the son of Senator Sloan, the governor’s nephew. We’ve known each other since childhood.

Growing up, he was the kid who shared his lunch when mine got squashed on the bus. His family was as much a fixture in town politics as ours.

He’s got two older brothers and a sister, and his family spoils him.

At every cookout, he was the one sneaking extra dessert to the table, his mom rolling her eyes fondly.

He’s a bit of a troublemaker, but he’s not without talent. This time, he made a bet about the state exams and actually placed thirty-seventh in the second tier.

He wore that number like a badge of honor, bragging about it at the diner as if he’d won the lottery.

Rich kids don’t depend on test scores; he just wanted to prove he wasn’t useless. Afterwards, he went back to his old ways.

For Derek, the exams were just another adventure. He never took anything too seriously—except maybe loyalty.

In my last life, when he came to propose, I’d already agreed to Caleb.

I’d been so focused on duty, I’d missed what was right in front of me.

But when I compared the two, I realized the Sloan family was also a good match: the elders were kind, the siblings close, and Derek was the type who’d take you out for burgers and beers when things were good, and stand in front of you when things got rough.

He was the kind of guy who’d show up on your worst day, six-pack in hand, ready to talk or just listen. A real friend.

And the facts proved it.

After my family’s disaster, he straightened up, got a position for his family, worked hard to help mine, and later found the key evidence to clear my dad’s name.

I’ll never forget the night he knocked on the motel door, holding a worn manila folder—the proof that changed everything.

Such kindness is hard to repay in a lifetime.

Some debts aren’t measured in dollars. Derek’s loyalty was one of them.

My eyes filled with tears.

I blinked fast, not wanting anyone to see. But Derek noticed anyway.

Derek was startled. “Wait, are you scared or happy?”

He stepped closer, concern etched on his face, his usual grin slipping away for a second.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Silly, Caleb’s proposing to Jenny. Why are you so anxious?”

I gave him a playful shove, the tension melting for just a moment.

Derek was stunned again. He glanced at Caleb in disbelief, then finally managed to say, “Man, Caleb really… has unique taste.”

He whistled low, shaking his head. “Guess there’s no accounting for some people, huh?”

Caleb’s face got even darker.

If looks could kill, Derek would’ve dropped right there on the porch.