“Because, I don’t like being lied to.”
Claire held her dad’s dark eyes. He spoke, “I’m going to ask you again, were you alone yesterday?”
“Yes.” She said firmly, not breaking her hard facial expression.
“She told you yes, now leave her alone.” Claire’s mom said.
Her father set his hand on the counter, “I don’t want you near Clay Williams or the Williams’ property. Do you understand me, young lady?”
“You can’t control everything I do for the rest of my life.” Claire snapped.
“I can and I will as long as you’re in this house.” His voice rose.
“Kevin, stop.” Claire’s mom demanded. “She told you the truth, now leave her alone. Can we eat dinner in peace?”
“Fine.” Her father finally said. “But if I find out you are hanging out with him, I will…”
“You’ll what, Dad? Make sure he never works in this town again? Weren’t those your exact words?”
“You have seen him.” Her father’s face turned red.
“Stop overreacting. I spoke to him when he was fixing the fence.”
“Dianne! Control your daughter.” He stormed out of the kitchen.
Claire’s mom sighed, walking up to her, “Honey, why do you have to push him like that?”
“I didn’t do anything.” Claire’s voice strained. “He’s the one who is overbearing.”
“He’s still your father.”
Claire looked at her mom, “And that gives him a right to still treat me like a child?”
“In his eyes, you still are his little girl; just like you are in mine.”
Claire gave up, “I’m sorry. He just makes me mad when he corners me like that.”
“I know, Honey. But, we both love you.”
“I love you both too.”
“Maybe apologize after dinner?” Her mom suggested. “You know he’s in his best mood after he’s had his dessert.”
Claire laughed, “That’s true.”
Chapter Eight
Clay
Thursday around lunch time, Clay was in town collecting supplies that he needed for work. He was going over the list in his head as he walked out of the hardware store when he saw Jason Matthews across the street. He clenched his jaw, remembering how he treated Claire last Friday. He hadn’t seen or spoke to Claire since Sunday, nor did he know if he would again. Maybe she just needed an escape that day, and Clay was an easy outlet. Whatever her reason, he enjoyed his time with her.
Clay put the items he bought in the back of his truck, and went to open the driver side door. Just when he got it slightly open, a hand came over his shoulder, slamming it shut.
“How’s your day going, Mr. Williams?” Claire’s father’s voice came from behind him.
Clay turned, “It’s been just fine. How about yourself?”
Kevin crossed his arms; his stance wide, “Very good. I’m here with Jason; Claire’s fiancé.” He pointed. “He’s right over there. Have you met him?”
“No, Sir. Can’t say that I have.”
“I hear Claire dropped off the check for the fence. Did you get it?”
Clay remained emotionless, “I did.”
“She wasn’t home all afternoon on Sunday, which is when she dropped it off. Do you know where she went after?”
Clay wasn’t known to lie, and he wasn’t about to start now. “I think she went home. Maybe you should ask her?” Stating that she went home after she dropped off the check wasn’t a lie. She did in fact go home after she left their property.
“See I did. She told me she went swimming.” Kevin looked Clay in the eyes. “Which I think is strange for a 21 year old girl to do; swimming alone.”
Jason walked up, saving Clay from telling Kevin that she wasn’t alone that day. “I got caught in that conversation. Sorry it took so long.” Jason said to Kevin, and then looked at Clay. “Hi, I’m Jason Matthews. I don’t think we’ve met.” Jason extended his hand.
Clay shook his hand, “Clay Williams.”
“Clay fixed our fence last week.” Kevin said. “I was just thanking him for the good job that he did.”
“Oh yeah, it looks great. Paint job was flawless.” Jason agreed.
“Hopefully we won’t be seeing Clay around anymore. Things breaking can become quite expensive.” Kevin said. Jason was oblivious to Kevin’s undertone comment.
Clay opened his door again, “I have a job to get to. Good seeing you, Kevin.”
“Nice to meet you, Man.” Jason said, as he and Kevin stepped onto the sidewalk.
Clay drove away, watching Kevin and Jason in his rearview mirror. Kevin is an intelligent man, he was powerful, but that didn’t scare Clay. What scared Clay was what he would do to Claire if he became drunk and pissed off one night. He tightened his grip around his steering wheel.
*
Clay pulled into his driveway, driving past his house, down toward the barn. His father was working on a new project. Clay was happy to see him out doing something other than paperwork and bills. He hopped out of the truck, and grabbed the supplies that he bought from the hardware store. His father looked up at him, then back down at what he was hammering.
Clay couldn’t get his mind off of Jason. “Hey Pop, what do you know about Jason Matthews?”
His father stood from bending over, “Alan Matthews’ kid? Not much. Why?”
“Just wondering.” Clay sat the bag on the workbench.
“You know Alan Matthews is Claire’s father’s partner? They’re a strong law firm.”
“I heard.” Clay started opening the new blades that he bought. “Do you know anything about Kevin Cunningham?”
“Just that he’s one of the best Attorneys around.” His father took a few steps toward him. “Where is this coming from? Is this about Claire?”
“I’m just wondering what kind of people they are. That’s all.” He knew his father wouldn’t know anything about Claire and Jason’s engagement. His father typically kept to himself ever since Clay’s mom disappeared.
His father lingered for a few seconds, and then walked back over to what he was working on, “Claire is a nice girl. You should invite her over for dinner.”
“I’m not doing that.”
His father laughed, “Why not? I saw the way you watched her car leave the other day. I know that look.”
Clay thought about their afternoon in the lake; the way she looked in her lace undergarments; the way his erection felt pressed up against her; her icy blue eyes. “There was no look, Pop.” Clay threw the trash away from the blade. “I ran into Mr. Cunningham in town today.”
“Oh? How is he?”
“Ironically he threatened me to stay away from Claire.”
“Why would he do that?”
Clay finally turned toward his dad, “She’s engaged, Pop; To Jason Matthews. Plus I’m not exactly who he pictures his daughter with.”
Clay’s father put his hands on his hips, “Let me teach you two lessons. First, what Claire’s father wants for her doesn’t matter. It’s what she wants that does.” He scratched his beard. “And second lesson, if she’s meant to be in your life, she will come to you.”
“I don’t know if I want her to come to me.”
His father continued, “I won’t ever judge your decisions about her, because you’re my Son, but I want you to be careful.”
The conversation was starting to take a turn, and Clay didn’t want to talk anymore. He stopped what he was working on, “Ok, I’m done with this conversation. I’m going to meet Brett. See you for breakfast.”
His father laughed to himself, and continued what he was working on.
*
Clay met Brett at Tenpenny's around eight. It was their normal spot to grab a few beers. Brett and Clay had been friends since they were sixteen. Brett had been arrested in high school, earning him a bad reputation. Clay was the strange outsider due to the stories about his Mom. Brett and Clay kind of became friends bonding o
ver how they were both outcasts.
Brett was already half way through his first beer when Clay got to the bar. Clay sat down on the barstool next to him, “Sorry, I’m late.”
Brett shrugged, “Eh, Logan here kept me entertained.” Brett gestured to a guy behind the bar.
Logan walked up, “What can I get you?”
“Same as him.” Clay nodded toward Brett.
“Coming up.” Logan turned, and quickly retrieved a beer, handing it to Clay. He then disappeared to the back.
“How’s the job hunt going?” Clay asked Brett.
“A few leads. Got an interview next week.” Brett took a sip of his beer. “I wish I was good at building things like you and your Pop. You get to make your own schedule.”
Clay laughed, taking a sip, “Brett, I work 6 days a week. You know that.”
“Whatever. You still don’t have to clock in.”
Clay shrugged, “That’s true.”
“I heard you and Nat ended things for good.”
“She told you?”
“Yeah. She came over to my house crying to Gloria about it.” Gloria and Brett had been together for a few years. She refused to marry him until he got a steady job.
“Ah, sorry about that man.”
Brett shook his head, “I don’t know why you won’t date her. She’s hot, and you both get along. You two always fought like a married couple.”
Clay sighed, taking an even bigger sip of his beer, “It just wasn’t there for me.”
“I don’t know if anything will ever be there for you. You’re too picky man.”
“Dating is just not for me.”
“I know someone has the there.” Logan mumbled. Clay and Brett hadn’t realized Logan had quietly returned.
“What did you say?” Brett asked.
Logan put his hand on his hip, “I know someone who has the there for him.”
Brett laughed, “For Clay? Not a chance. He turns every girl down eventually.”
Clay narrowed his eyes on Logan, “What are you talking about?”
“You want me to say it out loud?” Logan cocked his head.
Brett looked between Clay and Logan, “Say what? I’m confused.”
“Don’t.” Clay growled. He didn’t know who Logan was, but he had a feeling that Logan knew Claire.
“Nah, now you have to say it. I don’t see Clay get frustrated very often.” Brett said, leaning forward. “I’ll tip you double if you say whatever it is you two are having a standoff about.”
“I said don’t.” Clay said again, still holding Logan’s eyes.
Logan laughed, “I don’t take orders from you.” He looked at Brett. “Your friend here has a thing with Claire Cunningham.”
Brett laughed, “You got jokes man.” He sat back down, and then looked at Clay, “Wait...he’s serious?”
Clay hadn’t taken his eyes off of Logan. His face had hardened. He stood, and pointed to Logan, “I need to talk to you. In the back now.” Clay demanded.
Logan rolled his eyes, and followed. “Look I don’t take orders in my own bar.” They turned the corner.
Clay ran his hands through his hair, “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Have you lost your damn mind?”
“Actually I haven’t.”
“Are you trying to get her hurt?”
Logan looked at Clay shocked, “I would never. Excuse me for looking out for my friend.”
“Oh, and starting a rumor about Claire and I is you looking out for her? You’re going to cause issues.”
“Listen to me clearly, Clay. I will only say this once, and then I’m taking it to the grave. I do not like Jason Matthews, nor have I ever. I have only ever tolerated that little prick because of Claire. She’s a prize to him. Their love is superficial. But when I saw the way you looked at her last Friday night; that was a whole other ball game. Then I went into the bathroom, and she told me about you. If you think for a second Claire would even dare upset the balance in her life for just anyone, you have bumped your damn head.”
Clay froze taking in what Logan had just spouted off at him. “When you said balance, are you talking about her father?”
Logan waved his hand, “That old drunk? Yes and the whole lot of them. They treat her like she’s a porcelain plate about to break, but the Claire I know is a bad bitch, but she also has the biggest heart. I just want to see her with someone who will take care of that heart.”
“Point taken, but I can’t help with that.”
Logan shot him an annoyed look, “That’s because you’re afraid of a fight.”
“I’m not afraid of a fight; I just care enough about her to not disrupt her life.”
“And allowing her to stay in a loveless relationship is better?”
Clay stared back at Logan, “If we’re supposed to be together, it has to be her choice. I won’t change her life for my selfish desires.”
Logan smirked, “So you admit it. You desire her.”
“Shut up.” Clay walked past him back toward Brett.
When he sat down Brett turned to him, “So, Claire Cunningham huh? That’s where your bar is set?”
“There’s no bar, Brett. It’s just Claire.” He didn’t realize what he had said until Brett replied.
“So, she’s it for you then? Her or nothing?” Brett asked.
Until this point Clay hadn’t allowed himself to fully fall for her. He knew he wanted her on many levels. His attraction to her was stronger than anything he’s ever felt. He thought about her every time he was alone. But it wasn’t until he was arguing with Logan in the hall about what Claire needs in life that he truly wanted her to be his. There were obstacles, but was he willing to tear down her life?
Chapter Nine
Claire
Claire spent most of Friday morning looking at wedding magazines her Mom had laid out for her. She knew if she didn’t her Mom would quiz her on what was on page 32 or what was the theme of spring weddings this year. She sat at her kitchen counter flipping through them. With each page she became more and more wary about the idea of it.
A car door shutting made her look up. She hopped up off of the stool, and walked over to the kitchen window. Jason was in his car about to pull out of the driveway. Ever since Monday she couldn’t shake what Jenny had said. It was too strange.
Claire grabbed her car keys, and waited until Jason had pulled out of the driveway. Once he was a little ways down the road, she ran outside, and quickly turned her Jeep on. She pulled out of her driveway like she was a racecar driver. Jason knew her Jeep well, so she waited until he pulled on the main road to follow him. She stayed as far away as she could, but was able to still see him.
Her heart was beating fast. She had talked to him this morning, but he didn’t say that he had to be anywhere. She kept hoping that he would turn on certain roads. Because, she knew every route to his office, favorite restaurants, his parents' jobs, his best friend’s house. With every road that she knew they passed, she became more and more sad. She was biting the corner of her mouth when they finally pulled out of town.
Thirty minutes later Jason finally pulled onto a side street, and parked at a small restaurant. Claire had never been here before. It was a hole in the wall just on the outside of town. No one Claire knew would come here. The building looked like it hadn’t passed a health inspection in decades, but it was kept open because it ran under the radar.
Claire parked her car a little ways down the street. She could still see the parking lot, but not the entrance. She watched Jason get out of his car, and walk straight to the doors. A ping of annoyance ran through Claire since she couldn’t see who he was meeting. She hopped out of her car, and grabbed her cell phone. She looked down at it for a second, debating on texting him and asking where he was.
When she reached the side of the building, she contemplated how she was going to play this out. Her yellow dress kept blowing in the wind, and she caught it between her hands. She looked around at her surroundings; they
were in the middle of nowhere, and she was sure Jason was hiding something.
The building had large windows at the front. She could poke her head around, but what if he saw her. She tried anyway, but then realized the windows were reflectant; her own reflection just mirrored back at her. She sighed from frustration, and decided to wait. She walked back over to her car, and got back into the driver seat, turning her body backwards, to face the parking lot.
An hour and a half later, Claire had her legs propped up on the back of her seat, while her back leaned on the steering wheel. Then she saw him. Jason walked out of the restaurant toward his car. Someone was with him. His body was blocking her. Claire got up on her knees, trying to make out who it was. That was when it hit her. Jenny.
Claire instantly wanted to throw up. She felt her emotions rising. Maybe it wasn’t what it looked like, maybe they were just having a peace offering lunch? They had been friends at one point, but then all of Claire’s justification for their random lunch meeting was destroyed when Jason reached down, and kissed Jenny on the lips as she slid into a car. Not Jenny’s car. Whose car was that? Then Claire recognized that Jenny had taken her mom’s car. There was thought put behind this lunch date.
Claire watched Jenny pull away, and Jason walk back over toward his car. Claire grabbed her phone, and texted Jason. “Came over to your house. You weren’t home.”
Jason immediately texted back, “Went to lunch with Dad. Be home soon.”
Tears had formed in Claire’s eyes when she read his text message. He was blatantly lying. She was a fool. They had pulled off the scandal of the year. How was she supposed to handle this? Something like this she’s supposed to be able to run to her best friend, and cry her eyes out, but it was her best friend who betrayed her. How long had it been happening?
Then her thoughts went back to Clay’s words again, “There’s more to it than just the surface.” How could he have known? Maybe she wasn’t as perceptive as she thought. Her thoughts stayed on Clay. She had slowly come to realize that she wanted him more and more as each day passed since Sunday. That’s when it hit her, this was her out. She could leave Jason without feeling guilty.
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