Chapt 2

Claire woke up to the smell of coffee and bacon coming up the stairs, enticing her out of bed. The instant she cracked her eyes open however, her reality came flooding in on her, the pain of it all assaulting her heart. She ran her hands over her face and released a groan full of sorrow, hurt, and pain. She forced herself to throw her feet to the floor and start moving. Shuffling into the bathroom she groaned aloud again as she caught sight of the face staring back at her from the vanity mirror. She had dark, puffy clouds under her eyes, as if they were just waiting for the storm to break lose again. Her face was pale which only accentuated the darkness, and her freckles, making them look ruddy, like red Georgia clay.

Splashing water on her face, then drying it off she dabbed on concealer before turning to walk back into her bedroom. She tossed on old jeans and an old long sleeved t-shirt, slipping her feet into old running shoes. With a heavy sigh she tried to hold her head up and headed down the stairs toward the kitchen, letting the delicious aromas lead her steps. As she entered the kitchen she saw Matt scooping eggs onto the plate, placing the bacon just so, a bowl of oatmeal on the side of it all. He had poured freshly squeezed orange juice and was setting the table. It was in these times Claire was reminded exactly how blessed she was to have a man in her life like Matt.

"You didn't have to do this ya know," she said from the doorway, "but thank you."

He looked up when she spoke and flashed her his bright smile that always seemed to be present. "You wouldn't have fed yourself if I hadn't of cooked this up. Have a seat darling, eat breakfast with me before you have to go."

Before he could sit she walked over to him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you for being here, every time I need you. I can't tell you what it means to me or ever repay you. I absolutely adore you Matt."

"Well lucky for you there's no repayment needed. Now, let's eat. You have to be at the airport in an hour to catch your flight."

That thought cut Claire to the bone and she blinked back the tears that were threatening to spill over. It wouldn't be easy to see Stephen and having to be around him would be a punishment on her heart, but somehow she would make it, that she knew. She had made it through hotter hells in her lifetime and she would extinguish this one too.

Matt allowed his hand to cover hers. "I'm a phone call away babe."

His voice jerked her attention from her thoughts and back to the table. She forced a smile, more for his benefit than anything else, and said, "I know, but that scared little girl in me still wishes that you were coming too. It's just not the same with you not being with the company and packing up to go when I do. The hard times are easier with you along for the ride."

"I'm a phone call away Claire, just like I said. No matter the time, you can call me. I promise I'll answer. Now finish up and I'll drive you to the airport."

Three and a half hours later she was landing in Dallas, slowly unboarding the plane. She walked sluggishly down the long corridor that would lead her to baggage claim, hoping and praying that this would not be the first place that she had to see her former fiancé for the first time since her office encounter with him. As much as she hoped for that she knew logically that it was perfectly possible that this would be a possibility. Her heart tightened and her stomach clenched at the thought of Stephen and their new reality.

She stood with her head down at the baggage carousel, her eyes only high enough to see the luggage as it rode in circles, waiting to be claimed. She felt the moisture in her eyes, and she began to blink fiercely against the tears that threatened. She was feeling raw, open, and wounded. She blinked again and when her eyes opened she saw dirty and scuffed white capped black converse sneakers standing by her. She felt her spirits lift somewhat as she realized that Nic had found her. She raised her eyes up to confirm that it was him and saw his hands in his pockets, him rocking back and forth slightly on his heels. He wore a black, loose fitting beanie to cover his bleached blond curls, his effort to be unrecognizable. Next to Matt this man was her closest and very best friend in the business.

"Hey kiddo, you doin okay?"

Claire shook her head and smiled wider at him. He was forever calling her kiddo even though she was a full five months older than he was. It was term of affection for her she knew and so she said nothing about it. Shaking her head slowly she whispered, "Yeah, I think so."

He raised his eyebrows at her, keeping an eye out all the while for their luggage. "Just remember who it is you're talking to. You don't have to pretend with me Claire."

Again she nodded as he reached to snap her bag off the continuously moving belt. His was not far behind hers and soon enough he had both bags, pulling them with their carry-ons attached toward the car rental desk. She watched him as some fans approached him, asking for photos and autographs. She allowed herself a smile, proud to see how far he had come, of who he had become the last few years in his career. She knew that she had him to thank for the new position she had within the company as well. When they had met he had been coming out of the role of a male cheerleader and was struggling to put down new roots in the business. She knew that he could be so much more than what creative had been doing with him. She pitched for him to become this arrogant, show off, over the top and cocky. Everything that he wasn't in real life. He had been willing to give it a try and she was able to convince those who needed convincing to let him run with it. Today he was one of the top superstars in the business.

When the last fan walked away he grinned down at her. "Ready to go see what car we're getting this time?"

"Oh you assume I'm just gonna ride with a show off like you huh," she said, an eyebrow raise of her own.

"Well," he shrugged, "I'm easy company and I'm a pretty damn good listener. And if that isn't what you need right now, well darling I have one hell of a shoulder for you." His smirk faded into a soft, caring smile. He held his hand out for her to take. "Whatcha say kid, I mean, you know you're my ride or die." He winked at her and smiled as they both took a step at the same time. Claire returned his smile and let him guide her through the mass of people to the rental desks.