Breaking Away

by Toni Aleo

  “I didn’t take Alana from you. She took herself. She chose her dad over me, which is fine, but don’t blame me for her. As for all the accusations you have said, they are all false. I did try to fight for you, to try and get you, but Claire, I was a kid. Maybe I didn’t fight as hard as I could have, but when I did, the courts wouldn’t give me custody, and your mom wasn’t having it. She liked the money I sent more, and I am so sorry for everything you have been through. If I could, I’d find every piece of shit that tried to touch you and make them pay, but I can’t. I’m sorry for that, you have to know that,” he pleaded, looking deep into her eyes, begging her to see how much he loved her. “You have to believe that I am here now, and I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, and you have to let go of all this anger you have against me. I have done everything to make you happy. I have worked hard to give you all the things you need to succeed, and don’t you see that you are?”

  When she didn’t answer him, he continued. “I love you, completely, and I don’t plan on stopping. I am here, and I’m not going anywhere. Just please let go of the past because it will not help us make a future. It will hold you back and you don’t want that, do you? Don’t you want to succeed? Because I want to give you the tools and the love you need to do just that. Let me. Just let go of it all.”

  She shook her head, tears rolling down her cheeks, ruining the makeup he knew she had spent most of the afternoon putting on. “I thought I had, but then you lied to me.”

  He looked down and let his shoulders fall in defeat. “I know but the thing is, Claire, I never expected it to go as far as it did. Things started before you asked me not to get with her, and now I’m stuck.”

  “Stuck?”

  He let out a breath. “I love her.”

  She looked shocked as she ran the back of her hand along her cheek, smearing her makeup. “And she loves you?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. But I do know she loves you, and that she isn’t going anywhere when it comes to you. I can promise you that if things go south between us, which I hope it doesn’t… but if it does, then you will always dance for her. You will always have her in your life. She is dedicated to you, so proud of you, like me, and I truly believe that she won’t go anywhere.”

  Claire looked down at her knees as she whispered, “I never felt at home until I came to live with you. I may have fought you for months and given you a hard time, but that’s because I thought it was only going to be until you got sick of me, but then you proved me wrong. I feel safe now, but I’m still so scared that all these things you do for me and give me are just a dream. That at any time it’s all gonna go away, and I’m going to be starving on the street, alone, and I can’t imagine not having you or Reese. You both have helped me so much, and I’m just so scared to lose you.”

  Reaching out, he brought her into his chest, hugging her tightly as she sobbed. A tear slowly rolled down his cheek, and he reached up to wipe it away so she didn’t see it. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise you that, Claire. You have my heart completely, and I have no intentions of ever letting anything happen to you. I will protect you until my dying breath. I promise you. I love you so much, and I want nothing more than for all your dreams to come true. I want to give you the life that you deserve.”

  “You are,” she whispered against his chest. His heart exploded in his chest, and tears clouded his vision as he nodded. They may have had their issues but as long as she understood how much he loved her and wanted to do what was best for her, then they were going to be all right, because no matter what, they would always have each other.

  “I’m sorry for being such a bitch.”

  He laughed against her hair, kissing the top of her head before saying, “It’s okay. You’re a teenager—it’s expected.”

  She looked up and smiled. “Yeah, you got two more years of this.”

  He cupped her face and almost broke down looking into her eyes. She was so beautiful and reminded him so much of his sister. As much as he hated her for what she had done to Claire, he still loved and missed her and would die before Claire ever lived the way she had when she was with her. Even though he was embarrassed for being found with his hands up Reese’s shorts, trying to get some, he was glad Claire had found them. They needed this. Claire needed the reassurance, and he was glad to give it to her. Were they fixed? Not by a long shot, but at least she would always know that he was there for her, no matter what.

  He loved her, and that was what you did for the people you loved.

  “Nope, I have the rest of my life, and I am completely fine with it.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “Me too.”

  “Good.”

  They hugged for a long time, and he felt so at peace with her in his arms. It had been so long since they had really hugged. It reminded him of when she was a little girl, bright eyed and happy whenever he came to see her. He loved seeing her like that, and to have that moment again was something he would treasure for the rest of his life. He knew he would strive to have more moments like this, and he was excited for their future.

  “And I think I’m okay with you and Reese. You two fit in some weird way.”

  He pulled back to look at her and smiled. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah, I think so. It would be cool for all of us to be together. I wouldn’t have to go to Harper’s. I could just stay with her when you’re gone.”

  “Whoa Claire, slow down. She won’t even admit to dating me, and you’re trying to move in with her.”

  Claire laughed as she shrugged her shoulders. “She will and if she doesn’t, oh well, her loss.”

  He nodded, but knew that was easier said than done. Because, just like Claire, life without Reese was unconceivable and scared the living shit out of him. When his phone went off, he let Claire go to get it out of his pocket before looking down to see it was Reese.

  Y’all okay?

  “Is it Reese?”

  “Yeah,” before typing the same thing.

  Awesome, not trying to rush y’all, but can you bring her back over? Rewards start soon.

  “Rewards are about to start,” he said, typing back that they would be there soon.

  Claire let out a little scream before hopping up. “I gotta fix my makeup.”

  He looked up at her and smiled. She smiled back before leaning down and hugging him tightly around the neck. When she let him go, she threw him a large grin that shot straight through his heart. She looked untroubled, carefree maybe, and that made any worried thoughts that he might have had diminish. This was going to work. They were going to work because all she needed was love, and he had plenty of that.

  Not only for Claire, but for Reese too.

  When Reese spotted Claire and Phillip in the crowd, both with smiles on their faces, relief flooded her. She wasn’t sure if she could believe the text Phillip had sent saying they were fine but seeing them together solidified his claim and eased her concern. Claire had changed into her Reese Allen Company sweats but left her hair up in her bun, removing the flower. Reese’s heart ached for her and hoped like hell that she wasn’t mad at her. She had lied just as Phillip did, but she hoped that it wouldn’t spoil their relationship and if it had, she hoped she could fix it.

  Reese bit into her lip as they reached her, and they all stood awkwardly as tension settle between them. She waited for someone to say something, but instead, Phillip rocked back and forth on his heels as Claire moved her fingers together in a nervous way. Reese hated nervous silence and decided that since neither of them were going to say anything, she would.

  “I’m sorry you had to find out about us the way you did, Claire.”

  Claire shrugged her shoulders. “I think I always knew that something was going on between you two.”

  Phillip looked away as Reese said, “Okay, but I’m sorry for lying. It was wrong of both of us.”

  “It’s okay.”

  Reaching for Claire, Reese hugged he
r tightly and was glad when Claire hugged her back just as tight. Letting her go, she looked down at Claire and said, “I also want you to know that no matter what happens between Phillip and me, I will always be here for you. We are friends, Claire, and nothing will ever change that. This thing between me and him is just fun.”

  Phillip raised an eyebrow as Claire asked, “Fun?”

  “Yeah, nothing to be worried about. It isn’t like we are getting married and popping out babies. Far from it actually… we are just having fun.”

  Claire rolled her eyes. “What does that even mean? I’m so confused. Are you two together or not?”

  That stumped Reese but thankfully, Phillip came to rescue. “We are doing stuff that adults do. Nothing to worry about. Apparently, it’s only sex. Friends with benefits type thing. Just know that we are both here for you, and nothing will ever change that.”

  He seemed angry as he said that, and what he said bothered her. Yeah, everything he said was true, but there was more to it. “I mean, I like him but like I said, no wedding bells or little cousins for you, okay?”

  Claire looked from Phillip to her and then shook her head. “Y’all are weird but whatever, I’m gonna go find Brian.”

  And then she was gone.

  That didn’t go the way she thought it would. She saw it going easier, saw lots more hugging and declaration of love for Claire. Oh well, in a way she was thankful for the easiness. Looking over at Phillip, she saw that he was looking out at the stage, his body tense.

  “You okay?”

  “Fine.”

  She reached out, wrapping her fingers around his wrist. “Wanna come to my room after this? We can talk.”

  “Or have sex,” he said, looking over at her with an annoyed look on his face.

  She bit into her lip, taken aback by his demeanor. “Well, that too, but I’d like to talk, make sure you are okay. It’s been a rough day for both of us.”

  He let out a breath and something changed in his face as he slowly ran his hand through his hair before looking back over at her. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  “Me too,” she said, squeezing his wrist. He moved his hand, lacing his fingers with hers. She smiled as she said, “You’ve done amazing with her. If she would have found us a couple months back, she would have lost her shit.”

  He chuckled. “Oh… she lost it but yeah, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. I think we both played a part in how she is now.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad; I do care for her a lot.”

  “I know, and I thank you for that,” he said. He leaned down, kissing her softly on the lips. When he smiled against her lips, she smiled too, her heart fluttering in her chest as he moved back some to look at her. “It’s nice to do that and not care who the hell is watching.”

  She giggled as she nodded. “I agree,” she whispered before pulling him back down for another quick kiss. When they heard the announcer call all dancers to the stage, Reese pulled away and smiled, her heart seizing in her chest from the desire that was swirling in his shocking blue eyes. Pulling her gaze away from his, she fought for breath as the awards ceremony started.

  Her hand still entwined with his.

  Through the whole thing, Reese was a nervous wreck. Her three duets that performed in the Ruby category, which was basically intermediate, had done well, placing in the top ten, but not at the top, and that made her nervous. She thought those dancers were great. Was it their best performance? Probably not but still, she saw them in the top three, but they finished at the end. Listening and watching as they went through the Diamond category, the advanced one that Claire and Brian were in, Reese was basically shaking from the scores. Everyone was scoring great. They came to Claire and Brian, and the announcer said, “Platinum, with a perfect score, goes to “Use Somebody,” Reese Allen Company.”

  Reese almost screamed, shaking the heck out of Phillip’s arm as he looked around confused. “What?”

  “They got it. They have to. They scored the highest! They got the top title!” she squealed, jumping up and down. Phillip grinned big as the announcer said what Reese already knew.

  “And placing first in the duet Diamond category is Claire Anderson and Brian Forrester of The Reese Allen Company with “Use Somebody”.”

  Reese was almost brought to tears as she watched Claire and Brian go the front of the stage to claim their trophy. Claire looked unbelievably beautiful, while Brian looked dashing as he accepted the trophy and Claire took the mic. Saying that she was proud of the duo was an understatement. She was thoroughly impressed with them and was thankful that they were her dancers because not only were they great kids, but they also blew everyone out of the water.

  “That’s my niece!” Phillip hollered from beside her, causing Claire to blush and Reese to laugh. When he turned to the lady beside him and said, “No really, that’s my niece and she just kicked some major ass.” Reese wanted to die from embarrassment but couldn’t blame him. She was really proud and excited too.

  “Who choreographed your dance?”

  Reese looked up at the stage to see Claire’s eyes bright and her face beaming as she said, “I did, along with our director, Reese Allen.”

  “You did?” the judge asked, shocked.

  She smiled widely. “Yes, but I wouldn’t have been able to without Reese and Brian.”

  God, she was a gem.

  “Well, while I have you up here, let me give you this,” the judge said, handing her another trophy that confused Claire.

  “What’s this?”

  “It’s the best choreography award. You can share it with your director.”

  The hell she would! It was all hers! God, Reese was so proud! Phillip was yelling so loud, both arms in the air, as Claire just beamed at him. Screaming out, “Way to go, guys!” received her a grin from both of them before they took a bow and exited to the left of the stage. Phillip was smiling so hard that Reese found that it was too contagious to not do the same as she walked towards the side of the stage.

  When she saw Kevin watching her from where he was leaning against the wall, talking to some judges, she looked away, hating that he was breathing the same air as her. She had tried to let it all go, doing as Phillip had said, but it was hard. She still couldn’t understand why someone would do the things he had, but maybe she wasn’t supposed too. Maybe he was brought into her life to make her stronger and if that was the case, that was fine, but could she at least let it go and not hold this grudge towards him? What did she need to make that happen? She was happy. Loved her job, loved her life, so what was the problem? Why did she allow him to have so much power?

  When Claire flung herself into Reese’s arms, all thoughts of Kevin were gone as she hugged her tightly. Pulling back, Reese felt her eyes stinging as she looked into Claire’s eyes. She knew with one look that Claire was beyond proud of herself and her confidence shined, leaving Reese dizzy.

  “I’m so freaking proud of you, and that award is all yours! You take that home and put it on the mantel!’

  Claire laughed as tears welled up in her eyes. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Well believe it, girl, cause you are fabulous!”

  “Thank you,” Claire said, pulling out of Reese’s hug to look at her trophy. Watching her, something ached in her chest and she had to know something.

  “Doesn’t this moment make you believe that you can make all your dreams come true?”

  Claire looked up, her eyes swimming with tears. “I know I can as long as I have you and Phillip behind me.”

  Reese smiled before looking over at Phillip. She saw the tears in his eyes and that blew her mind. This big, gorgeous, amazing man, tearing up, because he was proud of his niece? Could he be any dreamier? Nodding her head, she looked back at Claire and said, “I’m not going anywhere.”

  As she moved her nose along Phillip’s jaw, his coarse hair tickling her nose, making her smile as she took in deep breaths, her body slowly coming down from the staggering orgasm tha
t Phillip gave her. Squeezing his shoulders with her fingers, she lifted up on her elbow and looked down at him. He gave her a lazy grin, moving his hand through her hair that fell in a curtain by his flushed face. Talking was the last thing on their minds once he was in her room and his hands were on her. She wished that she had tried a little harder to make sure he was okay. He was always there for her, and she wanted to be there for him, but her body was screaming for his and she thought he felt the same.

  Biting into her lip, she moved her finger along his bottom lip and he nipped at it before grinning up at her.

  Smiling back, she said, “Sorry we didn’t talk first.”

  He laughed. “I don’t mind.”

  She smiled as he brought her down for another kiss and then another before rolling on top of her, pressing his glorious body into hers. Moving her hands up to his face, she positioned him to look at her before she asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?’

  He nodded, moving his hand to cup her breast. “I am now.”

  “I know that,” she laughed, smacking his chest, causing him to laugh as he cuddled her closer to him, pressing his delicious body against hers. But then she became serious. “But what happened with Claire? Did she scream a lot?”

  “Yeah, but it was expected,” he said with a shrug. He looked down and let out a long breath. “What wasn’t expected was learning of the shit she went through.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, letting him go and moving up the bed against the headboard. He lifted himself up on his elbows and played with his fingers without looking at her as his hair fell into his eyes.