Chapter 22
Claire
I was sitting in my office reviewing some numbers when Christian walked in.
“Hey, Christian.” I smiled.
“Do you have a minute?”
“Of course. Sit down.” I gestured. “Shouldn’t you be at the hospital?”
“I have a couple of hours before my next surgery.” He sat down.
“So, what brings you by to see me?”
“I want to apologize.”
“For what?” My brows furrowed.
“I was the one who told Nick about you. I didn’t know you didn’t tell him. I’m sorry, Claire.”
“Don’t be, Christian. I should have told him. That’s on me, not you. I’m the one who ruined things with Nick. I moved out of my apartment. I’m staying with Shaun and Jenni until the house is done.”
“Oh, Claire.” He rubbed his forehead. “Does Nick know?”
“No. He made it very clear he never wanted to see me again. So, I’m making sure he doesn’t.”
“It’s not too late. Just talk to him and explain everything,” Christian said.
“I tried last night. He doesn’t want to hear it and doesn’t believe me. It is what it is, Christian.”
“Fuck.” He sighed. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I softly smiled.
“I’m really sorry, Claire.” He stood from his chair.
“Don’t be.” I walked over and hugged him. “You didn’t know. It’s not your fault.”
“Well, at least you’re on the beach with us now,” he said, breaking our embrace and smiling. “And you’re exactly where you belong. I have to get back to the hospital.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll talk to Nick.”
“Don’t Christian. It’s over and for the best.”
As he left my office, his lips gave way to a sympathetic smile. Sitting behind my desk, I laid my forehead down and sighed.
“Claire, are you okay?” Tessa asked.
“I will be,” I mumbled. “I just need a few minutes.”
“Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”
I held my first staff meeting, went over the company’s projections, and put together a plan for a new shopping center proposal Shaun gave me. I left the office around seven p.m. and headed to Shaun and Jenni’s.
When I walked through the door, the twins were screaming. Shaun and Jenni held them, walked around, and tried their best to soothe them.
“Welcome to our crazy fucking life!” Jenni shouted over the twin’s screams.
I set my purse and briefcase down, walked over to Jenni, and took my niece from her.
“What’s wrong, sweet girl?”
Stella took one look at me and screamed louder.
“What’s wrong with them?” I asked.
“Ear infections.” Shaun shook his head as he tried to soothe Sawyer.
“They’re overtired and won’t go to sleep,” Jenni placed her hand on her forehead.
“I have an idea. Show me to their room,” I said. “Jenni, grab Shaun’s guitar.”
Jenni led me up the stairs and showed me where the nursery was. Laying Stella down in her crib, she screamed. Shaun laid Sawyer down in his, and he cried louder than his sister. Jenni handed me Shaun’s guitar. I stood in the middle of the room while I strummed the chords and sang the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. It took a minute, but the twins finally stopped crying. As I sang to them, their little eyes began to shut. By the time I finished the last verse, they were sound asleep.
The three of us quietly walked out of the nursery and went downstairs.
“You are a Godsend,” Shaun said, hooking his arm around my neck and kissing the side of my head. You have a fantastic voice. I can’t believe my sister is a celebrity.” He grinned.
“I’m not a celebrity.” I laughed.
“You are to me.” Jenni smiled. “Wine?” She held up the bottle.
“Definitely.”
“We’re happy you’re staying with us,” Jenni said as she poured the wine. “But this thing between you and Nick needs to be resolved.”
“Jenni—” Shaun began to speak.
“Quiet, Shaun.” She put her hand up.
“I’ve been where he is,” she said, handing me a glass of wine. “It practically destroyed me when I found out who Shaun really was.”
I glanced at Shaun, and he looked down.
“I found out his true identity before he had the chance to tell us who he was. It broke me. The secrets, lies, and deceit,” she said.
“Jenni, do we really have to—” Shaun started to speak.
“Shush, Shaun. Maybe you used Nick, and maybe you didn’t. But the point is he loves you, and he will come around.” She smiled. “I saw it in his eyes that night at Karaoke.”
“What’s done is done, and there’s no going back.” I brought the glass to my lips. “If he thinks I used him, let him. I don’t really care anymore. I’m over it.”
“I don’t think you are.” Her brows furrowed.
We could hear the twins waking up by the cries they let out.
“Shit,” Jenni said.
“Babe, I’ll be up in a minute,” Shaun said. He took the wine glass from my hand and set it on the table. “Listen, Claire. You need to go. I love my wife to death, but sometimes she can’t and won’t let go of things. As long as you stay here, she’ll be on your ass about Nick, no matter what you say. Besides, I have a feeling the twins will be up all night crying, and that’s not fair to you. Go grab your suitcases from the car and go over to Simon’s. You haven’t had a chance to get to know our other sister yet or our nephew.” He smiled. “I’ll shoot him a text right now.”
“Shaun!” Jenni shouted.
“Go. Go now.” He grabbed my briefcase and purse and pushed me out the front door.
“But—” I turned and looked at him.
“You’ll thank me later. Trust me.” He winked and shut the door.
With a sigh, I opened the trunk of my car, grabbed my two suitcases, and wheeled them next door to Simon’s. The front door opened before I reached the porch, and Simon grabbed one of my suitcases.
“Welcome to Casa Kind, where luxury awaits you.” He smirked.
“Thanks, Simon.”
“You’re welcome here anytime, Claire.”
Grace came running from the kitchen and hugged me.
“I’m so happy you’re here with us. But I’m sorry about what happened with Nick.”
“Does everyone in the family know?” I asked.
“Yep. News in the family travels fast. Get used to it.” Simon smirked as he pointed at me.
Nora ran over to me, and as I stared down at her, her blues stared into mine. I knelt and took hold of her hands.
“Hi, Nora. I’m your big sister, Claire.” I smiled.
“Hi.” She shyly smiled, hugging her soft pink doll.
“Who’s this?” I pointed to her doll.
“Beth.”
“She’s very pretty.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.
“Nora, let’s get you ready for your bath,” Grace said. “Claire, make yourself comfortable. Our home is your home.”
“Thanks, Grace.”
“Beer?” Simon asked as I followed him into the kitchen.
“Yeah. That would be great.” I sat down at the table.
Simon took out two beers from the refrigerator and handed me one.
“How are you?” he asked.
“If you’re referring to Nick, I’m fine.” I twisted off the cap and tipped the bottle to my lips.
“So, you just up and left your apartment? What about your lease?”
“It’s a month-to-month lease. I already emailed the landlord and told him I wasn’t renewing. After what happened, I couldn’t stay there anymore.”
The sliding door opened, and Sam walked in.
“Hey, Claire.” He smiled. “Bro, I texted you a while ago.”
“You did?” Simon pulled his phone from his pocket. “Oh yeah. I guess you did.” A smirk crossed his lips.
“We’re meeting down at the beach for a while. Come on, Claire.” A smile crossed his lips.
“Go on,” Simon said. “I’ll be down there in a minute. I just have to let Grace know.”
I took my beer and walked down to the bonfire with Sam, where my other siblings and cousins sat.