I got home late last night. And I was hoping to have this up after dinner. But I wound up just crashing. Haha. But here it is. Thank you so much for your patience. I appreciate it. Don't forget to READ, REVIEW, and ENJOY!
Clare turned over in the bed, her arm stretching out to only feel sheets. She opened her eyes to remind herself she wasn't at home. She managed to get up after a small cry. Nothing compared to how she was. She got dressed, and not wanting to curl her hair, she just clipped it back.
Once she opened the door she could immediately smell coffee and waffles. She made her way toward the aroma to hear Wanda call out "morning Clare!" as she stood in front of a waffle maker with a big smile on her face, still dressed in her silky pajamas. Jake came into the kitten from the other side and kissed Wanda on the cheek before sitting down. After Wanda giggled, she asked Clare, "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, thank you," Clare said taking a seat across from Jake.
"Sleep well?" Wanda asked as she set the table.
"Fine. Thank you."
Jake took a bite of waffles before mumbling. "You sure?"
"Huh?"
He swallowed. "I'm glad you slept well."
Clare smiled before she continued to eat her breakfast. Looking down, hiding the smile she wasn't able to keep upon her face.
XXX
Clare knocked on Alli and Adam's door, Adam answering with a smile. "Oh hey Clare! What are you doing here?"
"Sense Alli's car is in the shop, I told her I'd drive to pick up her cousin from the airport," answered Clare, making her way inside. She stopped when she noticed the futon still out but the sheets were made. "Where's your brother?"
"Drew? He went out to get himself some breakfast at The Dot. Then I think he was going to find a gym for a work out."
Alli ran out holding a dry cleaned suit and a small bag, handing them too Adam. "Here you go sweetie. See you tomorrow." She pecked a kiss on his lips.
"Where are you going?" Clare asked.
"Oh uh…" Adam hesitated.
"The 24-hour rule. We can't see each other until I walk down the aisle tomorrow," Alli responded.
Clare nodded. "So where are you staying? A nearby motel?"
"Oh uh…" Adam couldn't answer.
"He's going to your place, Clare," Alli answered for him.
"Oh, so you're staying with Eli?" Clare stayed calm, as if Eli was just an old friend or something. As if what happened last night didn't matter.
"Yeah…" Adam looked down, almost ashamed.
"Have fun."
Adam smiled, giving Clare a kiss on the top of her head before giving a romantic goodbye kiss to Alli and was on his way.
"You sure you're okay with this Clare?" Alli asked.
"I'm fine Alli. I don't expect anyone to choose sides or anything." Clare's grin reassured her. "Now, are you ready to pick up Farrah?"
"Yes. Let me just go grab my purse!"
XXX
Jake knocked on the door, before letting himself in. "Eli?"
"Over here Jake!" Adam called out from the living area.
"Oh, Adam. I didn't know you were here," Jake said as he made his way toward the boys playing video games.
"Yeah, Alli wants us to do that 24-hour rule. Lame. But whatever makes her happy."
Jake couldn't help but smirk at Adam's love for Alli. Even if it's just in the slightest rule to follow. "That's sweet. What do you think of that, Eli?"
Eli looked away from the video game for a second. "Whatever. I think it's lame. But at least I get some time with my bud until then."
"I meant Adam doing whatever he can to make Alli happy," Jake said with a tone to imply the pain he has caused to the one he cares about, to make him realize his wrongs.
He grumpily looked away to pay attention to the video game. "It's fine I guess."
"It's fine?" Irritation grew inside Jake, he sounded like he was almost growling. "What's wrong with you? Don't you have a heart?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Seriously? What are you going to pretend that she doesn't exist? Haven't you put her through enough already?"
"Why do you say that? Clare and I are great, never better," Eli responded in a mellow tone.
"Is that so? So then, where were you when she spent all last night crying?" Jake's fist tightened as his voice became hoarse and vulgar.
Eli licked his lips, hiding the pain Jake just threw on his shoulders. Adam eyes were wide, staring at his two best friends filled with so much hate toward one another. He sulked back into the couch, terrified.
Jake continued yelling at Eli. "Do you remember when you would run into her room to comfort her after a bad dream at the old house? Or does that not even matter anymore?"
Eli rose to his feet rapidly, chucking the controller on the floor. "Of course it matters! Do you have any idea how much this is eating away in me inside? I'm the worst person in the fucking world! You don't think I know that about myself! I spent all night considering suicide over this damn woman!" Jake's face dropped at Eli's words. "And you come over unannounced to make me feel like even more shit for what I've done! You're talking me off a fucking ledge here!"
"But y-you were acting like you didn't even care?"
He huffed a gulp of air before talking again, as he stood on the verge of tears. "Of course I care. But how else am I supposed to react. I've crushed the love of my life's heart. And doing that, I've destroyed my own too. Pretending not to care keeps me from doing something crazy. I suck! I'm a shitty guy! There's no way Clare will ever forgive me!"
Adam stood up to give Eli a hug. Eli took a long moment before squeezing him back, letting a couple tears fall. "I'm the worst…"
XXX
Clare, Alli, and Alli's cousin Farrah, climbed out of Betsy in front of Alli's apartment complex. Alli and Farrah walked ahead chatting away, reconnecting after the time spent apart. Clare dug in her purse to make sure her keys went in the right pocket. Suddenly she bumped into someone who was holding the door open for the girls.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Clare stated immediately.
"It's fine...Clare?" She said in shock.
"Do I know you?" Clare asked confused by the girl.
"You don't know who I am?" She was quiet. "I'm…Imogen."
Clare's eyes widened, jaw dropping a bit. "Oh…"
"Yeah…." Imogen bit her lip, avoiding eye contact. "Please don't kill me."
Clare took a moment to breathe and take in the moment of meeting her boyfriend's mistress face to face for the first time. "I wouldn't do that."
"Really?"
Clare worked to keep her from wanting to rip her throat out, before stating, "It falls on Eli's shoulders. It's his fault. Not yours."
Imogen bit her lips together, her eyes quivering for a minute. "Thank…you…"
Clare smiled as she walked into the building. "I'll…uh…see you around Imogen." Imogen nodded as they walked opposite ways from each other.
Clare returned to the apartment to see a man sitting on the couch, watching the television. Attractive, with an athletic form and black hair spiked up with gel. "Uh…Hi."
He stood up to put a hand out to introduce himself. "You must be Clare. I'm Drew Torres. Adam's brother."
"Nice to finally meet you." She shook his hand back. "I wouldn't have even guessed you were Adam's brother. You two look nothing alike."
"Oh, we're step brothers. But we grew up together."
Clare smiled up at the man called Drew. "Well, I've heard so much about you. Being a good guest to Alli I hope?"
"Of course. She's too amazing to leave a mess for her to pick up after."
"That's very chivalrous of you. I'm always picking up after my boyfriend…" She slowed her words, not sure if she still should give Eli the label of her "boyfriend". Was he still worthy of the title?
I know this one is short, but it's a bridge chapter. It'll be worth it when Chapter 5 comes out. What do you think? Please review. They make me happy. Hehe. Well I guess I'll see you Saturday? Maybe Friday if I get bored. Hehe. Love you all! ~Eli :*(^_^)
