Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 134706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
I turn toward her. “Claire—”
“I love you,” she cuts me off. Her eyes are filled with tears, the pain in them unbearable for me to look at. “Whatever you want me to do,” she whispers. “Wherever you want me to live. I’ll do it.”
Her eyes search mine.
“Just don’t leave me again.” She sobs. “I can’t stand it. I can’t do this without you, Tris.” Her chest heaves with tears, and it’s obvious she’s been crying a long time. “Please don’t leave me again,” she begs in a whisper.
“Baby,” I whisper as I pull her close. I’ve never seen her like this. “I’m not. I promise. I love you. We can do it your way.” I hold her tight. “As long as I’m with you, it will be okay. I don’t need papers; it’s okay.”
For a long time, she stays and cries in my arms. I hate seeing her like this. She’s completely broken. She’s usually always so strong. “Come on. Shower.” I lead her into the bathroom and turn the hot water on. I slowly undress her.
She stands before me, weak and fragile. So not like my strong Claire.
My heart constricts at how much weight she’s lost. I walk her in under the water, and her sad eyes hold mine. “Can you get in with me?”
I take my clothes off and step in, and we hold each other under the hot water. Her head is on my chest, my arms wrapped around her small frame.
This isn’t like our normal showers together. This isn’t about sex; it’s about love.
My love . . . for her.
“I love you,” I whisper.
She screws her face up into my neck. “Don’t leave me again.”
“I won’t,” I promise her.
She clings to me. This is going to take a while to get over.
For both of us. But she’s here. My family is here with me.
We will get through this.
We have to.
I lie on my side and watch Claire sleep. She’s utterly exhausted.
It’s all caught up with her—the stress at work, our breakup, and then the boys going missing have her so wound up that she couldn’t stop crying last night. Her body simply gave out. Enough was enough, and in the end, I gave her two sleeping pills so that she could finally relax enough to fall asleep.
I hear an argument from the other room, and I smile. Who knew that the sound of early-morning bickering could sound so good? I get up and go to investigate.
“I don’t care if you didn’t bring any other shorts,” Fletcher snaps to Harry. “You’re not wearing mine. No wonder I couldn’t find any of my things to pack—they’re all in your suitcase.”
“Shh, Mom’s asleep,” I whisper as I walk into the room. “What’s going on?”
“Harry stole all of my clothes,” Fletcher whispers angrily.
“I did not.” He looks to me. “All my shorts don’t fit me anymore.”
“It’s too early for this.” I sigh. “Give Fletcher back his shorts. I’ll buy you new ones today, Harrison.”
“Well, that’s not fair,” Fletcher snaps. “Why does he get new shorts?”
“Can I have new shorts?” Patrick asks from bed. “I’ve been growing lately, and I need all-new clothes.”
Harry rolls his eyes. “Oh, stop it. You have not grown.”
I look among the bickering boys, and a broad smile crosses my face. I’m actually grateful to be hearing them fight . . . who would have ever thought? “I’ll buy you all new clothes today,” I reply.
Their eyes widen.
“But right now, I want you to get dressed, go downstairs to the restaurant, and have breakfast,” I say. “Eat something healthy from the buffet.”
“Are you coming?” Patrick asks.
“I’m going to stay here with Mom. You’ll be fine with Fletcher. Don’t go anywhere else.” I point to the two troublemakers. “You come straight back up to the room when you’re done. I mean it; you two are seriously grounded for life. Nowhere without an adult. Ever.”
Fletcher gives a smug smile to his two brothers. He loves that I class him as an adult.
I make myself a coffee, and they shower and mess around, and about half an hour later they go downstairs for breakfast.
Claire
I hear the front door shut behind the boys, and I call out, “Tris?” I’ve been waiting for them to leave. I knew if I got up before they went, I would have to go to breakfast with them, and I want some time.
He appears at the door. “Hey.” He’s wearing nothing but navy boxer shorts. His beautiful body is on display.
I pull the covers back in an invitation.
He smiles and locks the door and climbs in and pulls me into his arms. “Are you all right?” he whispers.
I close my eyes as I lean against his chest. “God, I’m sorry about last night. I was a basket case.”
“Don’t be. You are so stressed; I’m worried about you.”