Sorry guys life is very very very busy and hectic right now, will remain so until about mid-June. I'll get chapters up as often as I can.
Anyway, enjoy the chapter!
Ch.9 Always Wanting to be with You
(DREW)
"Maybe I should just make a recording of myself telling you these sports stories," I tease upon answering my phone.
When my phone rang at 1AM on Thursday night (well, technically Friday morning) I answered without even looking at it. I knew it could only be one person; Clare. She calls almost every night because she can't sleep, then I tell her stories of me playing sports, and we usually fall asleep together on the phone. It's been a week since the dance, and a week without Luke and Becky at the school, which has been nice. Adam's been very busy this last week between his band, the play (which opens this evening) and his budding relationship with Maya. I've barely seen him and we live together, and I know Clare's only seen him at school. Eli's been consumed with the play, and he's barely been around for Clare or seen her all week. Which in a way has been good for me because it's left me a lot of time to spend with Clare. Of course, I then feel guilty about wanting to spend time with her and call Bianca after. Then again, my girlfriend has been really busy this last week with Bright Sparks, which then has left me more time with Clare.
Clare was spending a lot of extra time at her new co-op, she really enjoyed it and said Caitlin was a fabulous mentor. In entirely different ways than she thought Asher was a good mentor. She gets along really well with Caitlin and was always happy to volunteer for extra work. The fact that Clare so often did co-op after school actually gave the two of us more time to spend together. The station was on the way to The Interpreter and I would often give Clare a ride and then pick her up when we were both down. The drives meant a lot of time together, and I would often drive rather slow, take the long way or find some errands to do on the drives to extend our time together. My crush on Clare was rapidly growing, my feelings for her getting deeper and deeper, though I still love Bianca, I'm certain of that...I think.
"I'm sorry, I called without thinking, did I wake you up?" She asks with a regretful tone.
"I wasn't asleep yet, and I told you to call me when you couldn't sleep. As long as my boring sports stories are helping you sleep then I want you to call me."
"Thanks Drew, but I still feel bad, there's no reason you should be kept awake too," she sighs.
"If it helps you sleep then it's fine, anyway you're not keeping me awake, and I kind of like falling asleep on the phone with you."
"You do?" She asks with this certain tone of hope in her voice and a smile on her lips that I can hear. Just thinking of her smile makes me smile.
"Yeah, I do. Now then, I think we were talking about football last night," I begin.
I tell her a couple football stories, making sure to get into the detail on plays and ref calls, even the coach's speech. I fall asleep talking again, and wake up to Clare's soft voice.
"Morning Drew, you fell asleep putting me to sleep again," she says. Even first thing in the morning, and rough with sleep, her voice sounds beautiful to me. In the back of my mind I picture her in the bed with me, kissing me softly to wake me up.
"It's the best way to fall asleep. I should get up though, I'll see you at school."
"See you at school," she says before hanging up.
Getting up with a yawn and a stretch, I go to the closet to get clothes. I hear Adam leave his room and go into the washroom, so I get dressed and wait until he's out. I'm the last one to the breakfast table, which is typical, and Dad's already left for work. We eat and I drive us to school, arriving just after Clare and Jake, so we all walk in together.
"Everything ready for opening night?" Jake asks Adam.
"Yep, we're all set. We have a final dress rehearsal right after school," Adam replies.
"We'll all be there tonight," Clare smiles.
Once we're inside we split up; Dallas goes to his team, Jake leaves to find Katie, and Clare goes off with my brother. Bianca and I go to our lockers, hanging out near her locker until we walk to class a few minutes before the bell. It's Friday, there's a hockey game tonight, a basketball game and the play opens tonight, so there's a lot of excitement in the school today.
The play opens tonight, runs all weekend, and Thursday and Friday night next week, just before March break. Which means Adam will be very busy, but Eli will also be very busy, so my mind instantly starts thinking of ways I could spend time with Clare.
With all the excitement the day goes by pretty quickly, Adam stays after school and Dallas has his game. Bianca comes home with me and we eat dinner with my parents before going to the play in separate cars. We're some of the first to arrive, we get seats up front, though Bianca and I sit on the opposite side as my parents. While we're sitting there looking at the set, and through the program, Clare comes from the stage door. She must have been back there with Eli.
"Clare, you should sit with us," Bianca smiles waving her over.
"Thanks Bianca, hi Drew," Clare smiles sitting on the other side of me.
Great, I get to sit mostly in the dark between the girl I love (I think) and the girl I have a major crush on, but it's just a crush (I think) this should be fun. We talk for a few minutes, Alli comes in and sits on the other side of Clare which is good, hopefully Clare will talk to her. It doesn't help, of course Alli starts talking, Clare is turned to her, I'm turned toward Bianca, but our backs are touching. I didn't even think about leaning against her, it just happened. As though I just needed to touch her, if Clare minds that I'm leaning against her she doesn't say anything or move. In the back of my mind I'm hoping she wanted to be touching me too.
When the lights go down and the play begins we both turn toward the stage, but our arms are still touching. The play is good, better than I thought it would be, during one of the songs Clare's hand slips down and brushes mine. Without even thinking my hand moves a little, we're not quite holding hands, but we're not-not holding hands either. We stay that way for the rest of the play our hands come apart to clap at the end of scenes. When we're done clapping however, our hands end up together at our sides sort of holding each other again. When the play ends we stand and cheer, Adam never comes on stage as stage manager, but of course Eli takes a big bow at the end.
After a final curtain call Eli, Adam and the rest of the crew come from backstage. Followed by the actors still in costume, and friends and family start congratulating everyone. Clare goes up to Eli and they share a passionate kiss, watching them kiss sends this terrible stabbing through my chest.
"What did you guys think?" Adam asks coming over with his arm around Maya.
"It was good, better than I thought it would be," I grin.
"It was great, you all did a wonderful job," Bianca smiles.
"We're all going to a cast party at Above the Dot, you two are welcome to come," Adam offers.
I'm sure Clare is going, a part of me just really wants to be around her. But, she'll be going with Eli and I do not want to watch them together all night.
"Actually, we're going to grab some dessert and make our own party," I tell my brother. He grins, Maya's cheeks go red and Bianca smiles.
"See you at home," Adam says.
"Come on, I have an idea," I whisper to Bianca.
We turn and walk out, I text Mom that I'm going out with Bianca and will be home by curfew. We drive to The Dot and get chocolate cake and coffee, then we return to the school, around the back and to the soccer field. I grab a blanket from the trunk and we go out to the center of the field lying the blanket down. We share the cake, sip our coffee, feed each other, laugh and kiss, and yet at the back of my mind is Clare. Even when Bianca and I have finished the cake and are just making out Clare is there at the back of my mind. The more I'm making out with my girlfriend and not thinking the more conscious my thoughts of Clare become. Until, despite the fact that my lips, tongue and hands are all about Bianca, my mind is all about Clare. Since I'm kissing my girlfriend, but thinking about Clare, my thoughts quickly turn from innocent thoughts to fantasizing about doing this with Clare. My fantasies get really steamy really fast, I need to stop this and I break the kiss.
"You okay?" Bianca asks.
I move quickly, taking my phone from my pocket, "Just wanted to see the time. Need to get you home by curfew. Which is pretty soon, we should clean up and head back to the car."
I gather the trash and toss it while Bianca folds the blanket. Her car is still at the school, so after putting the blanket in my car I walk her to her car. I kiss her goodnight, walk back to my car and drive home. Dallas is just getting home, Adam is still out, I say goodnight to Dallas and go to my room. I get ready for bed, but I'm still horny and thinking about Clare, I masturbate to fantasies of her before getting to sleep.
(CLARE)
I call Drew without a second thought, but my heart starts pounding a little. My first instinct really should not be to call Drew. I rationalize it to myself with the fact that Eli will be busy with the play, which opened last night, and that Jake needs his truck, even though he's home and asleep right now.
"Hey Clare," Drew yawns.
"Sorry, did I wake you up?"
"It's fine, what's up?"
"Caitlin asked if I could come in today, I was hoping you could give me a ride? I'd ask Eli b…"
"No, I can take you," Drew says before I even finish the sentence. "When do you need to be there?"
"She wants me there in an hour."
"I'll pick you up in half an hour," Drew replies.
"Thanks Drew."
I hang up with Drew and finish getting ready. Mom and Glen are gone running errands, I still text Mom that I'm going into work. I'm waiting outside when Drew picks me up.
"Thanks for doing this Drew, I'm sure this isn't how you wanted to spend a Saturday morning," I comment as I buckle up.
"It's no problem, I still have a lot of work to do on the anniversary project. I called Martin and asked if I could work today to catch up a little. He said that was fine, so I'll get some work done too. You can call me when you're done with work and I'll pick you up," Drew tells me and I smile. "Any plans for March break?" Drew asks after a moment.
"No, but I'm sure I'll hang out with Adam," I comment and Drew grins. I'm not mentioning Eli because I don't want to think about Eli right now. Not when I'm with Drew. Not when he's so close I can smell him, his deodorant, his aftershave, his naturally sweet and spicy scent. "Do you have any plans?"
"No, hanging out with Owen probably," Drew replies. He doesn't mention his girlfriend either, I wait a second but he says nothing about Bianca. I smile and bite my lip, wondering if he didn't mention Bianca for the same reason I didn't mention Eli.
We're silent for the rest of the ride, it doesn't matter I just wanted to steal a few minutes with Drew. When he drops me off I thank him again for the ride, using it as an excuse to place a soft kiss on his cheek. He grins and waves as he drives off.
"Thanks for coming in Clare, this was a last minute story I did last night. Snake says you're the best at English in the whole school," Caitlin comments when I come in.
"I don't know about that, but I am pretty good."
"How about at editing and script writing? I was hoping you could edit the copy and help with writing a script for the promos and introductory segment?"
"I can do that," I smile. I work mostly with Caitlin for the next four hours, the time flies by, I love working with Caitlin.
"You're a life saver Clare, I could not have done all that without you this morning," Caitlin smiles when we're done.
"I loved it, a lot more exciting than fact checking."
"I'll try to get you some more time editing copy, and maybe even helping write segments."
"That would be amazing," I grin excitedly.
"I'm just going to clean up and lock up. Do you have a way home?"
"Yeah, my friend Drew will come get me."
I text Drew that I'm done and he says he'll be here in ten minutes. I use the washroom, say goodbye to Caitlin and wait outside for Drew.
"How'd it go?" Drew asks when I get in the car.
"Really great, Caitlin let me write scripts for promos and the introductory segment with her. She also let me edit the copy. She said she'd try to let me do more of that, I'm so much happier at this internship," I smile. Drew looks at me, sees my smile and smiles back. "How'd work on the anniversary project go?"
"Good, it's a lot quieter on the weekends, of course I was alone the whole time anyway. I did get a lot of work done though. Have you eaten yet? I was thinking about grabbing some lunch," Drew comments.
"I had a granola bar for breakfast, but now that you say that I am pretty hungry."
"There's a really good Indian restaurant up ahead, they have a good buffet," Drew suggests.
"Yeah, that sounds good," I smile.
Drew grins back and drives to the restaurant, I've driven past it a few times, but I've never been here. We always go to Mom's favorite or order from the Indian place down the street from us.
"How's your food?" Drew asks after we've been eating a moment.
"It's really good, you were right about this place," I smile.
"Yeah, it's Dad's favorite restaurant, he always likes to celebrate here when he's closed a case."
I grin to myself getting an image of Audra, Omar, Adam and Drew sitting in one of the booths and celebrating. Drew must have been really hungry because he scarfs down his food. Not wanting to leave or be away from Drew just yet I eat as slowly as I can without it seeming like I'm doing so intentionally.
"Guess I should get you home now," Drew comments when I've swallowed my last bite.
"Yeah, I should get home," I agree. Even though being home right now is the last thing I want to do.
We get back in the car and I spend the entire drive trying to convince myself to say something to Drew. To tell him how I feel, that I like to be with him, that I find excuses to do so. Tell him that I can't sleep without hearing his voice. Confess that there are moments every day when I want nothing more than to be in his arms. Reveal to him that lately my only desire is to feel his lips kissing mine.
"Drew," I begin when he parks at my house and then I lose all my nerve. He looks at me, his head cocked slightly to one side, his eyes gazing at me. All I see in his eyes are Eli and Bianca, and I all lose all my nerve to confess my feelings.
"Yes Clare?" He prods when I've said nothing.
"Uh, thanks…for driving, and taking me to the Indian place."
"No problem, call me if you need a ride again."
"I will," I smile. Drew smiles back, I get out of the car, he waits until I'm inside to drives off. I go up to my room wondering how long I can keep my feelings for Drew locked away?
(BIANCA)
"Hey Beautiful," Drew says when he answers his phone.
"Hey, what are you up to today? I thought I'd come hang out in an hour or so, stay for dinner? Maybe sneak away for some alone time?" I ask cooing my voice.
It's Wednesday, March break is half over and I've barely seen my boyfriend. I want time with him, but I'm also hoping everyone else has plans and I can get Drew alone. I'd barely seen him at all, he said it was because he was busy at work, I wasn't so sure.
"Just playing video games with Dallas, you can come over whenever you want," Drew replies.
"Great, I'll see you in a bit then."
I hang up and go to my closet, it's a bit chilly outside today, but it'll be warm in my car and his house. So, I choose a tight black skirt, and red top with a neckline that plunges farther than it should. It's partially filled in with lace, but you still see a lot of my cleavage. Red heels and my black leather jacket complete my outfit, I keep jewelry simple, just rings, if I manage to get Drew alone jewelry will just get in the way. I keep makeup pretty simple too, with the exception of deep red lipstick, essentially painting a bullseye for Drew's lips.
I lock the apartment when I leave, my auntie is sleeping since she works nights. On the whole drive I'm thinking about what we'll do if we can be alone. I park and my smile grows bigger in anticipation of seeing him. Only, when I come into the basement the only one I see is Dallas. I instantly deflate, my heart sinking into my shiny red heels.
"Mmmm, you look smokin'," Dallas grins ending it with a wolf whistle, "what's the occasion?"
"I was hoping for some time alone with my boyfriend, where is he?"
"He ran out a short time ago, Adam called, something about Clare I think? Anyway, Drew just said he had to go," Dallas shrugs.
I growl in aggravation and get out my phone. I try calling Drew twice and he doesn't answer. I toss my phone onto the sofa with a small frustrated scream.
"Hey, don't shoot the messenger," Dallas says dodging my phone.
"Sorry," I apologize as I sink down on the sofa. "I love Drew, but I think he has feelings for Clare. I'm certain that their feelings for each other go beyond friendship, I don't think Drew loves me anymore, and I don't know what to do."
"You're probably right about Drew and Clare, they have been spending a lot of time together. The best thing for you to do is to move on, be with someone that really cares about you, and will treat you the way you deserve," Dallas remarks.
All of a sudden he's next to me on the sofa and we're kissing. A few weeks ago, when I was still sure that Drew loved me, I would have pushed Dallas away and slapped him hard. I don't do either, in fact I lean back on the sofa, scratch my nails along of the back of his neck and part my lips for him. Dallas grins into the kiss, sliding an arm around my lower back as his tongue begins to fight with mine for dominance. I'm not sure how long we're kissing, long enough that I'm thinking about pulling him back to his bedroom. Before I can do this I hear Drew and Adam coming, now I push Dallas away from me. I sit up, fix my hair and wipe off whatever lipstick remains on my lips.
"…feel like we shouldn't have left h…" Drew is saying, but stops when he comes through the door and sees me on the sofa. "Shit, B I'm sorry I completely forgot. Adam called a…"
"Let's go talk in your room," I insist jumping up and taking his hand. I pull him all the way up to his bedroom, thankfully his parents aren't home or I don't think Audra would have allowed us into the room. "I love you Drew, but I don't think you feel the same way."
"Yes I do, of course I do!" He snaps back defensively.
"I believe you're starting to fall for Clare, or maybe you already have. Don't deny it please, I've seen the way you look at her, the way you smile every time she smiles at you, I don't think you ever did that with me. I'm not mad, I'm not exactly happy, but it's not your fault you fell for someone else. It's not Clare's fault either, it just happened. I was upset when I got here, when you didn't answer your phone. And, then I spent the afternoon making out with Dallas, I liked it, I like him," I confess to Drew.
"Dallas? Really?" It's Drew's only response, no anger, no jealousy, no storming off to hit Dallas. It's really the only confirmation I need that he let me go a long time ago, and I just didn't want to let him go.
"Yeah, Dallas. He's a good guy, he can be cocky, but so can Owen. It won't be weird for you will it? If I start dating Dallas?"
"Maybe a little at first, but if you guys are happy then I'd be happy for you."
"You're a good guy Drew, you should tell Clare how you feel," I advise him. Leaving Drew in his room I go down to the basement again, Adam is still down here, but gets up when he sees me.
"I'm just going to check on Drew," Adam says and practically runs past me.
"Want to go somewhere?" I ask Dallas.
"Definitely," he grins.
He stands up, I link my arms around his neck and crush my lips to his for a salacious kiss.
(ADAM)
"Thanks for coming with me Clare, I never could have found a birthday present for Maya without you," I grin.
I'd called Clare this morning and asked her to come with me downtown to find Maya a birthday present. Maya and I had only been on a few dates, we doubled with Eli and Clare after the dance. She'd been my date to the after party on opening night of the play, although I'm not sure that could be considered a date. We'd doubled with Clare and Eli again last Friday, after the last showing of the play, and the last day of school before March break. Maya and I went out last night alone, really our first date just the two of us. It was Wednesday today, but it's March break so we didn't have to be up for school. Last night over dinner is when Maya mentioned her birthday, it was this coming weekend and she'd be away with her family, but I still wanted to get her something.
"No problem Adam, I'm glad we f…"
"YOU STUPID BITCH," a man yells storming over.
Clare looks at him and freezes, she tenses up, she's terrified but also angry. She finds some courage and I see her take a deep breath to speak. "Asher, what are you doing here?"
I thought he might be Asher, but knowing that he is I get out my phone and start filming. If he tries to hurt her I'll kill him, I'm behind him and I see one of Helen's gardening trowels in the bushes. As long as he's just berating her I'll get it on video and call the cops. Clare may not have any evidence of his past abuse, but this is evidence.
"You pressed charges, I'm being investigated! I was sure the case would be dropped, there is no evidence of anything. No one should believe you," Asher growls.
"Are you angry because I was brave enough to press charges, or because despite my tweets about working with you people do believe me?" Clare questions, her voice is hard and steely, but I see that she's still afraid.
Asher takes a step toward her and I keep filming, but grab the gardening trowel to be safe.
"If you ruin my career over this I will make you regret it for the rest of your life," Asher snarls. He grabs her arm and I turn off the camera while getting between them.
"Let her go, I called the cops," I tell him. Although technically I haven't called the cops yet.
Asher glares at me, back at Clare, he lets go of her arm as he sort of shoves her away. "I'll make you regret ever pressing charges," he whispers to her in a malicious growl. Asher storm back to his car, slams his door and drives off, peeling out so fast that his tires squeal on the pavement.
I put an arm around Clare and we go in her house. She was doing pretty well holding it together, but now that we're in her house she starts to breakdown. I take her to the sofa and sit with her while I call Officer Turner. I tell him about Asher waiting for Clare and ambushing her, and that he threatened her, and grabbed her. I also tell him that I got most of it on video. Officer Turner says he's coming with another officer, and the next person I call is Eli. Only Eli doesn't answer, I leave a message to call me or come to Clare's as soon as he gets the message. Then I call Drew, because I know he'll want to know, and because I know Clare trusts him. He was the one she called after both incidents with Asher, and Drew comforted her after both.
"Hey Adam, what's up?" Drew asks. From his voice and the noises on the phone I can tell he's playing video games and holding the phone to his ear with his shoulder.
"Asher just ambushed Clare outside her house and threatened her."
"What? Are you at her house?"
"Yeah, Officer Turner is on his way."
"Tell Clare I'm coming," Drew says before hanging up.
"Drew's on his way, Officer Turner should be here at any minute," I assure Clare while rubbing her back.
"What about Eli?"
"I don't know; I couldn't get a hold of him. I'm sure he'll be over as soon as he hears my voicemail. Should I call your parents? Or Jake?" I offer. I feel kind of helpless right now; I just want to make my friend feel better.
"Maybe call Glen and tell him there will be cops at the house. Mom will freak out, you can text Jake, let him know in case he comes back. I think he's out with Katie though," Clare says. She's controlling herself enough to get her phone out and give it to me. I find Glen and Jake's numbers and put them in my phone, I call Glen first.
"Hello?"
"It's Adam, I just wanted to let you know that there may be cops here when you get home. Asher was waiting for Clare and accosted her outside your house. He's gone now, I got some of it on video and called the cops."
"Thanks Adam, how's Clare? Do we need to come home?"
"I get the feeling that Helen might not be a very calming presence right now. My brother's on his way," I reply.
"I'm on a job site, but I'll call Helen and ask her to come to me before she goes home. Tell Clare if she needs us we'll both be home right now," Glen replies.
"I will," I respond and hang up. "Glen's going to have your mom come to him before she comes home. He said if you needed them they'd both come home right now."
"Probably better if they don't," Clare remarks just as the doorbell rings.
"That's probably Officer Turner, or maybe Drew, either way I'll get it."
When I get to the door I see it's Officer Turner with another man, looks like a detective. I let them in and show them into the living room. I wait by the door since I know Drew will be here at any minute, leaning on the wall as I text Jake.
Adam: It's Adam. Clare thought you should know there may be cops here when you get home. Asher was waiting for her, he accosted her outside the house. Officer Turner and a detective are here now taking her statement.
I wasn't actually expecting him to reply right away, so I'm somewhat surprised when I get an immediate text back.
Jake: He was waiting for her? He's stalking her now? Is she okay?
Adam: He grabbed her arm, but he didn't hurt her, I don't think. I didn't actually look at her arm. Mostly, he threatened her, which I got on video. She's shaken but physically she's okay. Drew's on his way.
Jake: She probably doesn't want us all there, but tell her if she needs us we'll come over too.
I text back that I will just as Drew parks out front. I slip my phone back into my pocket and open the door to let my brother in. Drew doesn't say anything, just follows me into the living room. Clare smiles when she sees him, and even looks a little calmer. Officer Turner and the detective take Clare's statement; they get pictures of her arm where Asher grabbed her. They take my statement as well, and I send them the video.
"If you want to press charges we can arrest Asher," Officer Turner tells Clare when they're done.
"Yes, I'm pressing charges," she nods.
"We'll get a warrant out; it will take some time to go through the process. If you see Asher again call us right away," Officer Turner tells Clare.
She says she will, Officer Turner says he'll be in touch and they leave. As soon as they're gone Drew sits by Clare and hugs her tightly.
"I wish I had been here; I would have punched him out. I can't do it at work, but I would have had plenty of reason this afternoon," Drew comments.
"I was ready to stab him with the gardening trowel if necessary," I comment and they both smile at me.
"I just hope they arrest him today. Why'd he come after you now? You pressed charges nearly a month ago," Drew comments.
"I think people are starting to believe me, and that they may have found more girls to come forward. I think he was so angry because he was scared he might actually lose," Clare says.
"Yeah, he was definitely scared," I nod just as the doorbell rings. I walk to the door and see Eli standing behind the glass. "Eli's here," I call to them and instantly Drew moves about ten feet from Clare. I open the door to let Eli in, "Hey Eli, she's okay just a little shaken."
Update soon picking up from about here in Clare's pov.