Her hopeful eyes stared back at him, “Like a date?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know. I’m super busy.” She tapped her chin with her index finger.
“Ok.” He replied, not arguing. He never wanted to force someone to be around him if they didn’t want to.
She giggled, “I’m kidding. I would love for you to take me out.”
He rolled his eyes, with a small huff, “How about this weekend?”
“Sounds good. What are we going to do?”
“Anything you want.”
“Anything I want? Don’t spoil me, I’ll get used to it.” She hummed while she thought for a few seconds. He smirked as she twisted from side to side, and then she finally spoke. “Take me dancing.”
He hesitated. He didn’t dance, but he didn’t want to disappoint her; he also doesn’t lie. So, he admitted it to her. “I don’t dance.”
“Does anyone who’s not a professional dancer really know how to dance?”
“Claire, you do see me right? I’m not built for dancing.”
She laughed, “Fine. You can watch me dance then.” She said with mischief in her voice. All he wanted to do was pull her into an embrace, and take her lips. It was too public though.
“I like the way you look at me.” He said, trying to force his sensual thoughts away.
It caught her off guard, “How do I look at you?”
“If I tell you, you might stop.”
“The mysterious Clay Williams, I’d never stop looking at you.” She said with a smile. “I do need to get going. I’m supposed to meet my Mom soon.”
“Ok. I’ll see you Friday night.”
“Friday night.” She repeated; confirming, as she started to walk away.
“Hey Claire,” He called after her.
She stopped, “Yes?”
“I’ll tell you one day; the way you look at me. You’re just not ready for it yet.”
He thought he could see her blush, as she broke into a bright smile, “Bye, Clay.”
Clay walked back toward Brett, glancing back once, watching Claire walk away. Brett was watching him as he approached, “Claire Cunningham, man. You are asking for trouble.”
“Shut up.” Clay pulled the door open. He was greeted face to face with Jason’s father; Alan Matthews. Alan glared at him, as he walked toward Clay, causing him to let go of the door. “Can I help you?” Clay asked. Alan Matthews was a stocky man; he had been a local celebrity a few years back after winning a kidnapping gone bad case that got a lot of attention.
“I’ve been watching you, Mr. Williams. You’ve been in trouble a time or two with the law.”
Clay clenched his jaw, “All which were expunged, or dropped.” It was true, Clay used to get in fights when he was in high school, and one when he was twenty.
Alan looked Clay up and down, “How do you know Claire?”
“Excuse me?”
“I saw you speaking to her through the window.”
“It’s a small town.”
“I think it’s in your best interest to stay far away from Claire Cunningham. She doesn’t need to get mixed up in the wrong crowd.”
“What crowd is that, Alan?” Clay used Jason’s father’s first name as an insult, showing him the same respect he was giving Clay.
“I don’t need to explain that to you two.” He looked back and forth between Brett and Clay.
Clay didn’t like someone telling him what to do, or people who acted like they were above everyone else. When it was Claire’s father telling him to stay away, it was different. She’s his daughter. However, this was Jason’s father; Jason, who left Claire in the middle of a bar parking lot close to midnight. “We’re here to eat.” Clay said, trying to end the conversation.
Alan looked over his shoulder as a few customers exited The Shake Shop. He brought his attention back to Clay. “I have eyes everywhere in this city. I know what you’re doing at all times.”
“That’s kind of creepy don’t you think?” Clay shot back.
“Let’s just say that I keep tabs on people of interest.”
“I haven’t done anything. So, you’re wasting your time.”
“Yet. You haven’t done anything yet.”
“Are we finished here?” Clay snapped. He didn’t take kindly to what Alan was insinuating.
Alan put his hat on, “I’m watching you, Clay.” He walked between him and Brett. Clay kept his eyes on him as he walked toward his car. He didn’t like Alan’s tone one bit, but he couldn’t do anything about it.
“Come on. Let’s go inside.” Clay said, and turned to walk through the door. The bell chimed.
Brett slid into a booth, “So, back to what I said earlier; Trouble is what you’re looking for.”
“There’s no trouble.”
Brett eyed him skeptically, “You do know what her father does for a living? And we obviously know Jason’s dad; who clearly doesn't like you. I’m stating the facts.”
Clay set his menu down, “You want to know the facts? As long as I don’t do anything wrong, they can’t do anything to me.”
“You might not do anything wrong in regards to the law, but if you start doing Claire, they will most definitely see that as wrong.” Brett shot back.
“What do you expect me to do? Ignore her?”
“That’s exactly what I think you should do. Look,” Brett leaned forward. “I think she’s pretty just as much as the next guy, but I don’t think she’s worth having the two most powerful people in our town having you on their radar. Stop thinking with your dick, and start thinking with your head.”
Clay stared back at him across the table, as the waitress set two waters down. “What can I get you boys?” She asked.
Brett looked up, “Bacon Cheeseburger and fries.”
“Same.” Clay added. The waitress quickly walked away.
Brett looked back at Clay, “Nat is good for you. She was steady, no drama, never pushed you to date her. She’s in love with you. Forget about Claire…”
“I can’t.” Clay cut him off. “What if I do want a relationship?”
Brett threw his hands up in defeat, “So, now you want a relationship? You’re not some sixteen year old girl. Nat was a relationship.”
Clay picked up a water, “Not like that. Nat was not a relationship. She got comfortable. I was her rebound from the start, and you know it.”
Brett shrugged, “I don’t know. You two have been at it for a year.”
“And now we’re not.”
“What is it that Claire has that has you so wrapped up in her?”
Clay sighed, as he thought about her. He wasn’t quite sure what it was about her that had this power over him. The way she looked at Clay; what he wouldn’t tell her earlier, her eyes took him in for who he was, even the dark parts. It was as if her heart were in her hands, ready to hand it to him. But he kept refusing to take it. She was light, and he was dark. He didn’t want to be the reason to put out her light, but her ember was burning bright enough to blind Clay’s logic.
“She’s different.” Clay responded.
“Different how?”
“I don’t need to explain it to you. You’ll understand when you meet her.”
Brett laughed, “So, she’s meeting your friends now? Next thing I know, you’re going to take her home to meet your Pop.”
Clay looked up at him annoyed.
“Wait...she already has, hasn’t she?” Brett continued to laugh. “There’s no saving you. I’m not even going to try. She’ll get her fix of you, and then run right back to her picture perfect life.”
“Do you want to walk home?” Clay snapped.
Brett’s laugh faded; a smile still on his face, “I’m done. I’m just giving you a hard time.”
“I’m going to rethink bringing you on to my next job.”
“Don’t be so uptight. Someone has to call you on your shit.”
“I’m taking Claire out on Friday night.”
“Where? You can’t be that public about it.”
“Tenpenny’s. It’s a bar, plus her friend Logan works there. No explanation needed as to why both of us would be there at the same time.”
“You know Natasha might be there. She’ll sink her teeth into Claire.”
“Nat has already met Claire, and she knows my feelings toward her.”
Brett stared at Clay, “I’m going to say this again, Natasha is in love with you.”
“I’m going to say this again, I don’t care.”
Brett laughed, “It’s your funeral.”
Chapter Fourteen
Claire
After dinner Tuesday night with her parents, Claire went up to her room. She was a little extra sad today. She missed her best friend. Claire shut her door, and clicked her lamp on, as she sat down on her bed. She found Jenny’s name in her phone, and decided to text her. “Meet me tomorrow at the shake shop for lunch.”
The three dots bubbled up as Jenny started typing. Then they disappeared, and started again. “Ok.” Jenny replied.
She laughed looking down at her phone. That’s all Claire was worth? Just Ok? She wasn’t sure if she could handle more than Ok right now, but she still wanted Jenny to act like she cared.
*
The next day Claire dressed in a simple t-shirt, and jean shorts. She left her house around lunch time to meet Jenny at the Shake Shop. Claire had butterflies in her stomach on her drive there. It was a strange feeling, Jenny knew Claire better than anyone. She wasn’t sure what she was going to say to her, but she knew she wanted it to be public so that neither one of them lost control of their emotions.
Claire walked through the glass door, the bell chimed. She looked around the restaurant, her eyes scanning each person that was seated. They were going to be present to witness the end of her and Jenny’s friendship, and it made her sad. Her eyes landed on Jenny, who had finished half of a shake already. She wasn’t dressed in her normal scrubs either.
Claire’s feet carried her slowly over to their normal booth. Jenny had ordered a large plate of fries, and another strawberry shake for Claire. It made her smile internally, but on the outside Claire’s face was emotionless. She sat down, without greeting Jenny. For a few seconds they looked at each other not speaking.
Claire reached up, and took a sip of the shake. “Why?” Claire finally asked, setting the shake down.
Jenny’s watery eyes looked up at her, “I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Claire, I don’t know why at first. It was a mistake, but after a while I started to care about him.”
Claire was trying to hold her nerves at bay. “When?” She asked calmly.
“Over Christmas break.”
Claire's mouth dropped open, “6 months? You both have been lying to me for 6 months.” She said as more of a statement. Claire leaned back in shock, her eyes traveled out the window, watching the cars drive by.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Jenny said, as a tear fell onto her cheek.
She looked back at Jenny, studying her friend of 16 years. Claire briefly touched Jenny’s hand, “Don’t cry.” She then pulled her hand back.
Jenny wiped her face, “I can’t help it. You’re my best friend, and he’s...I don’t know what he is…”
“Do you love him?”
“Does it matter?” Jenny whispered.
“I needed you, Jenn.” Claire’s eyes started to water now. “The night of the band playing, he left me at the bar, alone, after he tried to…” She paused. “I walked home alone for two hours. I called you, but you were with him, weren’t you? I had no one to turn to.”
Jenny stared back at Claire this time. Claire could see on Jenny’s face that she didn’t know any of that. The Monday after that night, she didn’t tell Jenny about the events that took place; she was embarrassed about how Jason acted. She was embarrassed about how she felt at first, she thought maybe if she did give in to Jason that she wouldn’t have been left alone, but then he would have a part of her that she wasn’t ready to give away yet.
“Claire, I’m sorry.” Jenny said.
Claire picked up a fry, “I know you are. It doesn’t make it hurt less.”
“What’s going to happen to us?”
“There’s no us anymore. I don’t think there can be.”
Jenny closed her eyes, a few tears fell, and then she looked out the window, “I messed everything up.”
“You weren’t alone. It wasn’t just your decision.”
“But you’re still with him, Claire. You didn’t break up. I lost. I lost you and him.”
Claire sighed, thinking about her and Jason’s arrangement. He wanted to go back to Jenny, that’s why he agreed so quickly to Claire’s idea. Jenny didn’t know it yet, but Claire knew he would return to Jenny eventually. Somehow he would find his way back to her bed. In his backward mind he wanted Claire too, but it was the idea of Claire that he wanted, not Claire herself. She couldn’t tell Jenny any of this; Jason would make Claire’s life hell if she did.
“You didn’t answer my question, Jen. Do you love him?”
“I’ve never felt love before, but maybe. If I say yes, does that make me a bad person?”
Claire’s empathy for her friend was growing by the second, she didn’t feel for Jason the way that she could see Jenny did. He would never be with Jenny, never truly. Not the way she would want, or maybe Claire was wrong. Whatever the answer, Claire decided to be kind, “Just because you did a bad thing, doesn’t make you a bad person. I don’t know you’re reasoning behind what you did, but I do know your heart, Jen. You are a good person.”
“We still won’t be friends after this.” Jenny stated.
“No, I don’t think we will.” Claire gave her a sad smile. “I’m going to go before this gets even harder.” She put money on the table for the food, and stood. Jenny stayed seated. Claire walked toward the door, and glanced back at Jenny just before she exited. The bell chimed, and their friendship was over.
When Claire got to her SUV around the corner, she shut the door and turned her music on as loud as it would go. She let herself cry. Only for a few minutes, but she needed it. Every day of Claire’s life she tried to stay calm and collected. It’s the appearance her parents taught her, but some days, some days she couldn’t handle it anymore. She just needed to cry.
*
The rest of the week flew by for Claire; her excitement to go out with Clay Friday night had taken over. She had an idea of what she wanted to wear, but then when it came down to it, she completely changed her mind. She ended up deciding on skinny jeans, an off shoulder red blouse, paired with wedges. She curled her hair and did her makeup. The look was finished off with a statement red lip.
Clay offered to pick Claire up, but she decided to just meet him at his house. She told him she didn’t want her parents asking questions. She thought she was going to be able to make a clean getaway, but just before she walked out the front door, her father stopped her.
“Where are you going dressed like that?” His deep voice commanded from the sitting room.
With her hand on the door handle, she took a deep breath, “I’m going out with Logan.” Which wasn’t a full lie, he would be there, but they didn’t know that.
“I’m not sure about that outfit.” Her father said. “Dianne, come look at what your daughter is wearing.” He called out.
Claire’s mom walked into the sitting room, her eyes quickly scanned what Claire was wearing, and then turned to her father. “I see nothing wrong with it.”
“You don’t?!” Her father snapped.
Her Mom waved her hand, “Kevin she’s twenty one. She can wear what she wants. She’s not half naked.”
“I have worse clothes than this that are more revealing,” Claire pointed with her thumb toward the stairs, “I can go put those on if you want.”
“No.” He snapped. “You look fine. I’m sorry I ever brought it up.” He looked back down at his book.
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Her mom gave her a warm smile, and Claire waved as she rushed out the door, “Bye! Love you both!”
*
When Claire pulled into Clay’s driveway, she suddenly got nervous. His front porch light was on; she imagined him inside waiting on her. She parked her car next to his truck. She adjusted her pants, and did a quick look in the mirror before she walked up the stairs. When she got to the front door, he opened it before she could knock. Her eyes went wide, and she broke into a small laugh, “You scared me.”
He laughed, opening the screen door, “Sorry, I saw your headlights.” His eyes traveled her body. “You look...mature.”
She smirked, “Mature?”
“I mean,” He stepped onto the porch, “You look beautiful. I don’t know where mature came from.” He turned to lock the door.
“It’s ok. I say random words too when I’m nervous.”
He laughed, looking down at her lips, “Is it appropriate to kiss you right now?”
She felt her face flush, but her smile stayed, “You can kiss me whenever you want.”
“Good.” He took her hand, pulling her close to him. He leaned down, and pressed his lips to her’s. She felt her body ignite, her sex clenched. She didn’t even want to go dancing now. She could stay on this porch for the rest of the night wrapped in his arms. The sound of the crickets could be her music.
He then pulled away, leaving her longing for more. “You ready to go?” He asked.
She caught her breath, “Sure.” She smiled awkwardly, praying that her cheeks were a normal color.
They walked to his truck; he opened the door for her. When he shut the door, she looked around his truck. She always thought you could learn a lot about a person from their vehicle. His truck was crystal clean, which meant he cleaned it for tonight, or it was always this way.
“There might be people we know there tonight.” He said, as he turned the truck on.
“That’s ok. It’s a bar in a small town. We’re bound to run into someone.”
He pulled onto the main road, “I’m just making sure you’re comfortable.”
“I’m with you, which is exactly where I want to be.” Claire said with a smile, placing her hand on his arm.
Under the Oak Tree Page 11
