The Unbreakable Trio(12)
She knew the drill, like the last time. Shane had started something, and she’d come on too strong. This was another mistake to add to her list when it came to that man. Taking in a deep gulp of air, she walked back to her bedroom.
Tomorrow she’d wake up and pretend it was all a dream like she did the last time. The tears she couldn’t control, nor the ache in her heart. When would a man be willing to be with her completely? And how many more times would Shane leave her to suffer unsatisfied?
The night had no answers. In truth, Claire was afraid to know the truth.
Chapter Seven
Shane closed his bedroom door and paced. He stopped and stared at his reflection in his mirror, hating himself. Why couldn’t he keep his hands to his fucking self? He wanted to smash the mirror.
His hands should have stayed off her. Never should he touch something so precious. Claire deserved Liam. She hadn’t done anything but be kind to him. She’d kept his secrets and his shame.
For the first time since that night, his mind opened up and replayed the events that had changed their relationship.
His father had come home from the bar, drunk as ever. He’d started on his wife. His fists worked the once-beautiful woman until she crouched in a corner, trying to protect her body from his punches and kicks.
Shane had stood and watched. The day was his birthday. He’d turned eighteen, and the only people who celebrated it with him had been his best friends. Claire and Liam were still seventeen and considered underage, but for a short time, they’d made him forget the shit hole he lived in.
The rage and unfairness swamped him until he marched over and grabbed his dad by the shirt. His dad lashed out and landed one against his cheek. Shane didn’t need any more encouragement. He beat his ass down until he lay on the floor, passed out. His mother got to her feet with a black eye, split lip, and sporting a limp. He hadn’t been able to handle what had happened. For too long he’d hid behind doors and his fear.
Looking at his mother and his unconscious father, he’d had enough. Shane ran out the back door and ignored the shouts of his name.
No way could he stay behind after what he’d done.
He ran and ran, not caring about the cold of the night. Like many times before, he ran until he stood outside Claire’s house.
The windows were all dark. Most of her family were usually in bed, and so far none had checked on her while he’d been there.
Shane walked around the back and began climbing the tree like so many times before. Only this time felt different. Usually, he’d be crying, and sporting more bruises, and knowing he had to go home.
At eighteen, no one was expecting him. He was free to make his own choices.
Her window was closed, and he tapped lightly. No lights came on, but he saw through the window as she rolled over in bed.
He tapped again, and her eyes opened.
Without any hesitation, she got out of bed and opened the window. She wore a small nightshirt and some shorts.
“Shane, are you all right?” she asked and touched his face. He guessed the bruise had started to show where his dad had clocked him.
“It’s been a rough night,” he muttered. Claire hugged him and took his hand to lead him to the bed.
“Sit. I’ll get a towel.” She had a bathroom adjoining her bedroom. Each of the Martin kids had their own room and bathroom.
Her family was wealthy in the small town of Long Mead.
She helped to remove his shirt and then wrapped him in a towel as she started pressing a damp towel to his face. “There’s a lot of blood here, Shane. I think we need to call a doctor.”
“It’s not all my blood.”
Her ministrations had paused as his words sunk in.
“You’re not in trouble. Are you?”
“Shit, Claire. No. I’m not in any kind of trouble.” All the times before she’d never asked questions. He couldn’t believe she’d think so low of him.
“I’m sorry, Shane. You never talk about what happened, and you usually cry or something, and this time’s different. I don’t understand. I just hope you haven’t done anything really stupid.” She pressed the cool towel to his jaw. He winced from the pain.
“No. I’ve haven’t done anything besides stand up for myself.”
“Good,” she said.
The only sounds in the room were their breathing and the movement of the towel.
“I think that’s clean enough.” She left and came back with the spare pillow she kept close by.
From the light shining from the bathroom, he could see the swinging of her full breasts. For months he’d seen his best friend developing in a way he should have been oblivious to. He couldn’t hide the attraction he felt for her. Claire stirred his blood unlike anything else.