Under the Oak Tree

by Victoria Ashlee

  Both of her parents looked at her in shock. “What are you talking about?” Her father asked.

  “I’ve been thinking about it, and I don’t know if it’s what I want to do anymore.”

  “What the hell would you do instead?!” He yelled.

  Claire was trying to settle her nerves, “I haven’t figured that part out yet.”

  Her father walked over to his bar, and poured another drink. It was eerily quiet; her mother wasn’t speaking either. He took a sip of his drink, and walked up to her, “You come to me, and tell me that you don’t want to continue law school, and you have no plan? You are no better than Jenny Tate. I told you to stop hanging around her.” He said with disgust in his voice.

  Claire’s mom stepped between them, staring her husband in the face, “Claire, honey it’s time for you to go upstairs.”

  “You have no idea what I want.” Claire said with the courage that she mustered up. “You have had my life planned out since I was little, not one of you has ever stopped to ask what I want.”

  He pointed over her mom toward Claire, spilling some of his drink. “You live in my house. You will do as I say, or you will have no money for college.”

  “Kevin, calm down.” Her mom said.

  “So, what you’re telling me is that I don’t get to make any decisions. It’s either what you want or nothing at all?” Claire’s voice was high.

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” He said firmly, and put the drink to his lips. His eyes were bloodshot. She knew this wasn’t his second drink. He was probably on his 3rd or 4th. Even if he was drunk, he meant everything he was saying. She knew he would still feel this way tomorrow when he woke up with a headache. After dealing with Jason telling her what to do, and now her father, she felt more and more like her life was a cage.

  “I’m going to my room.” Claire said, as a tear fell.

  “You will leave when you are excused.” Her father snapped.

  She stopped in her tracks, “What, dad? What more could you possibly take from me?”

  “I haven’t taken anything from you. I’m trying to give you a good life.”

  Claire’s bottom lip was trembling, “I think our definitions of a good life are very different.” She turned to walk upstairs. “Goodnight.” She whispered. Her parents started fighting when she reached the stairs. She didn’t stay to hear what was said. It would be the same fight it always was. Her mom would take his drink away, she would cry, he would eventually pass out, and everyone would pretend nothing happened the next day.

  When she got to her room, she sat down on her bed. She hated Jason at the moment. He got her father riled up about Clay, which is probably why he started drinking. She was thankful that she was able to steer the conversation away from Clay, but she hated that she had to bring up college when he was drinking. Jason’s plan failed, but somehow he was still able to make her life harder.

  She heard her parents yelling downstairs, and didn’t want to be home any longer. She pulled her phone out, and texted Clay; “Meet me under the oak tree.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Claire

  It took some convincing to get Clay to agree to meet Claire under the oak tree. He told her it was too dark for her to walk down there alone, and that he wanted her to come to his house first. But there was something about that place, that swing, that tree; it brought her peace. Maybe Clay was on to something, keeping it a long lost secret from people. It was his place, and now he had shared it with her. It’s where she wanted to be.

  She drove to the main dirt road that led back to Sanderson Field. It was overrun with grass, but Clay had told her about it the last time they were walking the field. She didn’t want to park her car at Clay’s for fear of Jason following her tonight. She had waited until her parents went to sleep, and left in the middle of the night. If he saw her car missing from the driveway, he would know where she disappeared to.

  Her car was parked out of sight. She walked through the overgrown grass, using her phone flashlight to watch where she stepped. The moon was high and bright tonight; she started to realize that she didn’t even need her phone to lead the way. She clicked her phone light off, and listened to her footsteps crunching on random sticks. The sting on her face still remained, but she wasn’t sure if she was imagining it. The flash of disappointment on her father’s face also rushed back to her. The more she thought about it the more she felt discouraged.

  When she reached the clearing, she could see the large oak tree. The moon illuminated the entire field, glistening off of the water. Just seeing the clearing calmed her, knowing that she was walking toward Clay. He wasn’t there yet though. She sat down on the swing, pulling her legs up under her.

  She only waited a few minutes until she heard rustling behind her. Clay was approaching with what looked like a folded blanket. Her heart grew when she saw him. He didn’t say anything when he walked up, he set the blanket down, and stopped the swing from moving. He greeted her with a tender kiss that for some reason made everything that she was upset about disappear. She placed her hand on his, which was cupping her cheek. The same cheek that Jason struck. Remembering how she felt when Jason slapped her, emotions started to fill her chest, and a small tear escaped.

  He rubbed it away with his thumb, “Why are you crying?”

  She looked back at him, trying to find the words to tell him. If she told him about Jason putting his hands on her, he wouldn’t take it lightly. As much as Clay wanted to protect Claire, she wanted to protect him just as much, if not more. She decided talking about her conversation with her dad was a safe topic. “My dad was drunk tonight.”

  He sat down next to her, “Did he hurt you?” She could hear the worry in his tone.

  “Not physically.” Claire laughed sarcastically, as another tear fell. “I told him that I wasn’t sure if I still wanted to be a lawyer. It didn’t end very well.”

  “What did he say?”

  “The nice version is that as long as I live in that house I will continue with law school or I will receive no money for college. He then proceeded to tell me that I was a disappointment.”

  “You know he didn’t mean that.”

  “Do I?” Her voice was shaky. It upset her more than she let people see. When her father would drink, it made it worse.

  “If that’s how he’s going to be, you do it yourself.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Not everyone has someone there to help them like your father. If he wants to hold it over your head, then don’t take it. You don’t need him to do this.”

  She stared at the glistening water, “You make it sound so simple.”

  “Because, it is.”

  She looked back at Clay, “But I love my father. I care about his opinion.”

  “I know you do, but he will hold you back if you let him.”

  She snuggled into the nook of his arm, “I just want to be happy.”

  “Whatever makes you happy, do that.”

  “You make me happy.” She whispered.

  He kissed the top of her head, “You make me happy too.”

  Her tears returned. She couldn’t help, but compare Clay to Jason. The way Clay ran his fingers along the palm of her hand while they talked, the way he would cup her cheeks when their lips touched, his hand on her back so that he didn’t lose her. His touch was loving, all of it sent an overwhelming emotion through her. “Jason hit me.” She whimpered out, hands shaking.

  “What?” Clay’s back straightened, and he turned his body to face her. “What did you just say?”

  Her lips started trembling, “We were fighting, and he…”

  “Where did he hit you at?” Clay brushed her hair out of her face frantically, and lifted her arms, obviously looking for markings.

  Claire touched her right cheek, “Here.”

  He studied her face, and then took her by the chin placing a small kiss on her right cheek. “He won’t do that again.” He pulled her into his arms.

>   She looked up at him, her fear was coming true, “Don’t get involved, please.”

  “You want me to pretend that you didn’t just tell me that he hit you? Not a chance in hell that’s happening.”

  She turned her body to face him again, “Clay, I don’t want anything to happen to you. Please, don’t.”

  “If I see him, I’ll just have a simple conversation. Nothing will happen to me.”

  “Clay,” She started to speak, but he cut her off.

  “We do this together, remember? There’s no you or me, it’s us. This is serious, Claire. Not a damn man in the world is allowed to put his hands on you. Especially not when it’s the girl I...care about.”

  She thought she misheard him for a second, but he corrected himself fast enough that she couldn’t question if he was about to say that he loved her. She took his hand, “I just don’t want to lose you.”

  “You won’t ever lose me. The only way we will end is if you decide to walk away. I would never try to keep you if you wanted to go, but I’ll be here as long as you want me.”

  “Why are you so sweet to me?” She laid her head on his shoulder.

  “Because you wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

  She giggled, wiping the remaining tears away, “I knew what I wanted.”

  “What were you fighting about that he thought he needed to hit you?”

  “I told him his father was a crooked lawyer, and that he was going to be crooked just like him.”

  “What brought that up?”

  She closed her eyes tight knowing he was about to become upset, “He found out about us.”

  He pulled her closer to him, “This is what I didn’t want to happen.”

  She didn’t respond, feeling emotionally exhausted. She closed her eyes listening to his heartbeat. His arms felt safe, and she never wanted to leave this spot. “Clay, I’m falling for you.” She said softly.

  “I’ve already fallen. I’m here.” He said into her hair, and kissed her temple.

  *

  A little while later they walked to Clay’s house. He held her hand tightly the entire way. It was as if she would disappear if he let go. She knew what she told him was bothering him deep down, and that he was probably running it through his mind over and over again.

  When they reached his house, she loved how normal everything felt. It felt as if she were always supposed to be in his life. His house felt like home, and it might just be because he was there. She’s heard the saying that you find your home in the heart of someone, and she thought maybe that was true.

  He took his shirt off, revealing his hard stomach. Her insides flipped, as they always did when she saw him like that. She had never been more attracted to someone. He walked into the bathroom to brush his teeth. She had an idea. Her skin started to hum with nerves from what she was about to do. She removed her clothes, and slipped under his white duvet. She wanted him, and she was going to give him something he couldn’t resist.

  As she waited naked in the middle of his bed, she started to second guess her actions. What if he turned her down again? She wasn’t sure she could deal with rejection a second time.

  He walked out of the bathroom, his eyes landing on her, “Well, you’re cozied up.”

  She sat up, clutching the covers against her bare chest, “Before you say anything, this is what I want. You don’t…”

  “Are you naked?” He asked; his eyes still on her.

  “Yes.”

  He bit his bottom lip, and then clenched his jaw, “What is it that you want, Claire?”

  “You.”

  “What is it exactly that you want me to do to you?” He started walking slowly toward the bed.

  “I want you to,” She paused, becoming shy, and very aware of what was about to happen. “Don’t make me say it. I’m already nervous.”

  He crawled onto the foot of the bed toward her, keeping his eyes locked on hers, “You have to say it.”

  “I can’t.” She whispered, still clutching the covers.

  “Do you want me to say it?” He was now hovering over her. She nodded her head yes. He danced his mouth over hers, “Do you want me to touch you? Fill you? Fuck you?”

  The way he emphasized the word fuck made her insides clench. She needed him desperately. “Yes.”

  He shook his head, “No. That’s not what you want. Not for your first time.” He placed a small kiss on her lips, and pulled away. “If I fucked you, I would rip you in two. My appetite for you is too hungry.” He leaned down near her ear. “What I think you want is for me to take my time; to make that feeling build between your legs with every soft touch. What you need from me is to make love to you. Am I right?”

  “It’s not what I want. It’s what I need.” She closed her eyes, her breathing faltering from his erection against her. “I need you. I don’t know how to explain it.”

  He sucked in air, as if what she said did something to him. “Keep talking like that and I’ll finish before we even start.”

  She giggled, already feeling her cheeks flushed.

  “Can I pull the covers away?” He asked.

  She nodded.

  He pulled the covers back, revealing her bare body. She watched his eyes travel her curves. “Every inch of you is perfect,” He rolled his bottom lip, biting it. She could tell he was trying to control his sensual needs.

  He adjusted himself inside his boxers, “You are going to ruin me.”

  “That is what I want you to do to me.”

  He smirked, his dimple showing, “Something as beautiful as you is not for ruining. But, I’ll let you destroy me any day, my beautiful girl.” He kissed her stomach moving down toward her sex. He ran his fingers along her skin, his eyes locking with hers, as he pushed two fingers inside of her. She gasped; her back arching.

  He laughed, “That will never get old.”

  She covered her face, “It feels good. I can’t help it.”

  “What about this?” He started pumping her harder.

  “Th-that is nice too.” Her back continued to arch.

  He ran his tongue across her clit, causing her to flinch. He smirked, and pulled his fingers out. When he removed his boxers, Claire’s eyes dropped to his length that was rock hard. His size intimidated her. He took himself in his hand, and grabbed a condom from the nightstand. She was mesmerized watching him slide the condom over his head. It was the first time she had ever seen it happen. He laughed when he noticed her fascination. She felt her face flush again. He pumped himself, as he climbed over her. Every fiber in her body was electric with anticipation at that moment.

  He held himself up over her with his arms, “If it hurts tell me.”

  She nodded.

  He reached down, and lined himself up with her. He was gentle when he pushed himself inside of her, slowly filling every inch. Her heart was racing. He didn’t move at first, and leaned down kissing her, distracting her from the small ping of pain that she felt. His hips started moving, pulling himself in and out. The more he moved the more she craved.

  “Clay…” She cried out in pleasure. Her body started to react to his, as she moved to his rhythm.

  He moaned, along with the slow rocking motions, “You’re so tight.” He lifted her legs, going deeper inside.

  Her eyes met his, this was different than anything she had ever felt before. She didn’t know how much longer she could last. She moaned as he found a spot that she liked. It was as if something took over him, and his thrusts became stronger. Each time he slammed into her, she hated when he pulled away. He came back down to her lips, kissing her with desperation, kneading her breast. He grinded his hips, filling her with his full length. She cried out his name as an organism took over her body like she had never felt before. He slammed into her three more times before coming inside of her into the condom. He buried himself deep within her, his body collapsing over hers.

  Her entire body was tingling as she was coming down from her high. She didn’t know that it could feel lik
e that.

  He rolled onto his side, and she tried to hold back her smile.

  “You’re smiling.” He leaned up on his arm.

  “I didn’t know you could make my body feel like that.”

  He laughed, “Real sex is way better than any foreplay.”

  She looked over at him, her heart was exploding with how she felt, “I love you, Clay.” The words fell out of her mouth before she could catch them.

  He didn’t respond at first. She was afraid that she just ruined everything. He leaned over and kissed her, “Come to dinner at my Pop’s this weekend. I’ll cook.”

  “Ok.” She smiled. He didn’t say it back, but maybe he wasn’t there yet. She didn’t want to read too much into it. She was overwhelmed with how she felt towards him now. She had waited her whole life to feel like this, and he was right in front of her the entire time. He always saw her, but she never saw him. She felt like a fool for not seeing him sooner, but for some love stories, timing is everything.

  Chapter Twenty

  Clay

  Clay’s work days felt long now that he had something to look forward to. Before Claire all he had to go home to was an empty house, and dinner with his father. As much as he loved spending time with his pop, now he had Claire, and that was certainly something to look forward to.

  He thought a lot about his relationship with Claire since she came over the other night. He took a part of her that he would never be able to give back, and when she told him that she loved him, his mind went blank. He caught himself from saying it when they sat under the tree, but to him telling someone that you love them wasn’t something he took lightly. This is why he stopped himself. He cared about Claire more than anyone he’s ever cared about, but love was different for him. The only example of love in his life was his parents, and that never really ended, it just disappeared along with his mother.

  What he did know is that he would do anything to protect Claire. There was something about her eyes that captivated him. They told a different story than the one she let you see. There was pain inside of her that she had kept hidden for a long time. He made a promise to himself that he would take her pain away some way or another. There was so much love inside of her that people had taken for granted, but he saw it, and he cherished her for it.