Chapter 31 Hard Truths And Big Decisions
HARD TRUTHS AND BIG DECISIONS
DECLAN
I placed my last suitcase by the front door before walking upstairs to take one last look around. Being here for the last two days without Claire was pure torture. Everywhere I looked, there were memories of her.
Us cooking dinner. Us watching terrible Christmas movie marathons. Us looking out over the stars. There was no reprieve.
She brought life to this place and without her, that life was replaced by a cold starkness.
It was too quiet.
I took it all in one last time before heading out to the waiting car. The driver helped me load my bags before I slid into the back seat.
“Can we make a quick stop first?” I asked the driver. He nodded and followed my directions until we pulled up to the massive chalet above the main lodge.
I walked to Paul’s door and rang the bell, shoving my hands into my pockets.
Paul swung the door open, breaking into a smile as he stepped to the side.
“Declan, thanks for coming. Come on in,” he said, gesturing toward the stairs.
I nodded and followed him into the main living area of the house. When we reached the top of the stairs, he grabbed a folder off of the dining room table.
“I know that you’re on your way out of town, so I’ll be quick. The promotion is yours. All of the information is here: salary, report date, housing recommendations. Everything you need to know before the move.”
I eyed the folder in his hand like it was on fire. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure this was what I wanted. I reached out and took the folder.
“Thank you, sir.” My voice was even as I attempted to swallow down my warring emotions.
Part of me was happy that I accomplished exactly what I wanted here, but a different part of me couldn’t help but acknowledge that I had changed since coming here.
For years, I put on a smile and dealt with the shitty people because it meant getting ahead.
I never stood up for myself or wanted anything different.
But that had changed now.
Claire changed me.
“You look concerned,” Paul said, completely unsurprised.
My fingertips trailed over the edge of the folder that held the transition to the next stage of my life.
“I really appreciate this, sir.”
“But?”
“No, but. I am really happy that you have faith that I can be a strong asset to Driscoff and Pugh.”
I turned to leave but hesitated as I got to the stairs. Turning back to Paul, I asked, “Can I let you know if I accept?”
Paul raised a brow and crossed his arms. “I suppose I can give you until the new year.”
“Thank you.”
“And Declan?”
I hazarded a glance back at him.
“Consider what Claire wants in all of this. No matter what you decide, she will always have a job at Driscoff and Pugh.”
I furrowed my brow at him. “You knew?”
He barked out a laugh. “Declan, you’re one of the top performing regions in the country. You think I don’t know who your assistant is?”
My jaw went slack. I didn’t know if I should double down on the lie, or beg for forgiveness.
Paul raised one hand. “It isn’t my business what happened between you two.
I knew who she was from the beginning. The reason you got this job was because of the change I saw in you, not the company you keep.
That woman opened you up and you’re lucky to have found that. I hope you two make it through.”
“Me too, sir. Thank you.”
As I left Paul’s chalet and headed to the train station, it really dawned on me that this whole situation was a fucking waste. He knew the entire fucking time, but I couldn’t bring myself to wish this had never happened.
Then I never would’ve experienced Claire.
Then I never would have found love.
So, maybe it wasn’t all a waste.
When I got settled on the train, I pulled a legal pad and pen out of my briefcase. It was time I held up my end of the bargain and wrote the best recommendation letter of my life.
I pulled up to a modest two story home in an Austin suburb and shifted my car into park. Staring at the front door, I was suddenly so fucking nervous. This could go a lot of different ways and I truly didn’t know what to expect.
I knew Claire wasn’t one to kick and scream, or throw a fit, but I almost wished she would. Her silence was more terrifying than anything.
I’d been calling and texting her for days, but it was forwarded to voicemail or left unanswered. Not knowing what she was thinking was getting to me.
I missed the girl who blurted out every thought before her ungraceful exit.
I took a deep breath and got out of the car, grabbing the box out of the backseat of my sedan.
I walked up the driveway and stopped in front of the door.
As I raised my fist to knock, the door swung open.
A girl stood in front of me who resembled Claire but with darker hair and colder eyes.
She was wearing a United States Air Force hoodie and she was looking at me like she wanted to cut my balls off.
“Warner, I presume?”
She smirked and crossed her arms. “Boss Man.”
The edges of my lips tipped up thinking about the times Claire called me that.
“Is Claire home?”
“No.” She tipped her brow in challenge.
“I swear, I just want to talk to her.”
“I don’t care what you want.”
“Warner,” a familiar voice said from behind her.
Just hearing Claire’s voice had my cock coming to life. My entire being missed her.
Warner looked behind her with concern before moving to the side. Claire stepped into the doorway and placed a hand on her sister’s arm.
“I got this.”
“Call me if you need anything. I can be outside with a knife in seconds. Alec taught me self defense.” Her last words were directly pointed at me before she stalked back into the house.
Claire just shook her head before stepping out onto the porch, closing the door behind her.
She wrapped her arms around herself, a move I was used to seeing before, but not now. Not after what we’ve been to each other.
“How was your flight?” She asked, not looking at me.
“Claire, look at me,” I said firmly. She didn’t, so I hooked two fingers under her chin and forced her head up. A move that had become so natural over the last few weeks. My stubborn girl. Her eyes were glassy like she was fighting back tears.
“How was your flight?” she asked again.
“It was shit. Even a gummy bear didn’t help.”
She laughed but it was weak. Nothing like her normal laugh.
“Baby, talk to me.”
She stepped back. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I saw our deal through. It’s over now.”
“That’s bullshit. It’s not over.”
She started pacing. “What do you think is going to happen? We live happily ever after?”
“Is that so unbelievable?” I asked, frustrated that she thought so little of what we shared.
“Yes, Declan. You heard all of the comments. I’m not like the girls you usually choose. I’m the charity case. I was there for you to use and now there is no reason to pretend anymore.”
“Claire, I was never pretending. You are the most stunning woman who has ever been in my bed. I don’t give a fuck what anyone else’s opinion is. I get to make that choice and I choose you.”
She paused and faced me. Briefly, I really thought my words got to her. But I was wrong.
“I’m sorry, Declan. I can’t uproot my life and follow a man that I don’t trust. You live in one world and I live in another. It’s just facts. I mean, this was all fake, right? Thank you for everything you did for me this month. I won’t ever forget it.”
She swiftly walked to the door. She pushed it open and crossed the threshold before turning to me.
“Also, I quit.”
Then, she slammed the door in my face.
Stunned.
I was fucking stunned.
Of all the ways I thought this would go, I didn’t expect this. I thought she might say she didn’t want to be with me. I thought she might want boundaries at the office, but I didn’t think she’d both reject me and quit her job.
Fuck.
I placed the box on the welcome mat and retreated to my car. Hopefully, what was in that bag would speak for itself. I wasn’t giving up yet. Claire wasn’t ready for me to fight for what I wanted. She thought because she said no that I would give up, but I was an extremely hard worker.
I pulled out my phone and wrote out a text before pulling off toward Austin.
None of it was fake, Bear. There is a package waiting on your front step. Merry Christmas.