Chapt. 19

The next day Claire was walking into Philips Arena in Atlanta Georgia for Raw. This was likely one of her absolute favorite venues for a live show, but one of her least favorites for staff entrance routes which always set her nerves on fire. The old yellow door was rusted in places, located practically beneath the building. There was lighting but not the greatest at all, and many times it was dark and more than a bit creepy as they left out after shows. Security even advised everyone to leave out in pairs or groups, just as a safety precaution. Fans would be out on the opposite side of that old broken down chain link fence pre and post shows, all hoping for a glimpse of their favorite superstar, and if they were lucky they could grab a photo or an autograph. Of course with the lighting and atmosphere it was the perfect setting for one nut to crack and things to get nasty.

Once inside of the arena, Claire's nerves immediately felt more at ease. She took the elevator up to the floor which housed all of the offices, ready to get to work. She wouldn't lie, she was kind of missing Joe. Stepping off of the elevator, she started to walk down the hallway. She noticed that the doors all had names on them so she walked until she found hers. Finding it she turned the handle and opened the door. Her eyes immediately fell on the shadow of what appeared to be a large man. She let out a small cry, laced with fear. Someone was in her office.

"Whoa, whoa it's just me Claire," Nic said, stepping out of the corner, hands up.

"Jesus Christ Nicholas! You gave me a damned heart attack. A text that you were here waiting would've been great." She sat her bag down on the sofa and slumped down beside it, willing her pounding heart to slow its beat.

"You're right, you're right. I'm sorry." Nic was genuinely sorry, she could tell but she wasn't ready to let him off of the hook yet. She shot him a look, oh and if looks could kill he was certain that the flowers would already be covering his coffin. "I swear, I was wrong and I should have let you know that I was here waiting on you. But, in my defense, I did bring you food. The greasiest, yummiest in town…"

Her eyes perked up and she had to fight a grin. He knew that The Varsity was one of her favorite places to eat in this city. Damn him. He knew just how to kill her anger. "Fine. Give me the food. I'm starving."

Nic's laugh filled the room and she had to smile. It was a warm laugh, rich, and real. One that came easy and was contagious. Nic watched her as she ate, his laugh fading off into a soft smile. She was beautiful he thought, just beautiful. He'd come to accept that he was attracted to his best friend. He was more than attracted to her, he was falling for her and unable to stop himself. "So uh, you had a date this weekend huh?"

As she chewed, her lips curved into a smile and his heart flipped. She nodded her head and sat down her hot dog. "I did, yes, with Joe. Oh Nic, he's wonderful. So polite and respectful, just… a real gentleman."

He nodded and turned his head. "So is it serious?"

She laughed then, swatting at his shoulder. "Nic it was one date. I'd hardly call one date serious."

"Good, so that means you can have dinner with me after the show?"

She gazed up at him, a sweet smile on her face. "Nic, no matter how serious it is with anyone, you are my friend, one of the two best I have. I will always have time for dinner with you."

His head lowered and he let out a hefty sigh. Friend. Well hell, he'd rather that than nothing at all. "Okay then, I'll see you later I guess. I need to go start getting ready for tonight." He kissed her forehead and walked out of her office, closing the door lightly behind him.

Claire had been working on a few things for probably about half an hour when there was a knock on her door. Without looking up she called for whoever it was to come on in. "Are ya tryin to make a fool of me then Claire," a strong Irish brogue demanded as soon as the door opened up.

Startled, Claire jumped and looked up from her computer. "Stephen! What are you talking about?"

"Oh come off it would ya? Out traipsing around town with some man like ya haven't just split with me? Do ya know people talk? Say you never loved me if ya done moved on?"

It took a moment for Claire to process exactly what was going on and once it all clicked in her mind she slammed her hands down on her desk and stood up, pushing her chair back hard into the wall. "Hold on one damn minute here. I am making a fool of you because I went on one date with someone?" He shook his head and before he could say a word she held up her hand. "What about you Stephen? YOU and this girlfriend of yours, all over Facebook weeks ago, hell pictures of you two together before you even ended things! Yet I make YOU look like a fool?"

His huge pale hand ran through his hair, the paleness clashing against the bright red. "Damn right ya make me look like a fool woman! I am a man and it is expected, hell I called us off! You think I called it off because I was sitting in a damned apartment alone, wishing we was moving forward? Hell no! I ended it because of her! She carries a whole hell of a lot less baggage and she's ready to actually have a relationship. Here you are out parading yourself around like some whore with all of these guys…"

Tears running down her cheeks, Claire raised her voice. "All of these guys! Are you kidding me! I had ONE date with ONE man. ONE! While I was single at that you lying son of a bitch!" She reached for the stapler sitting on her desk and launched it at his body, not caring where she hit him as long as she connected. She wasn't expecting him to round the desk and grip her wrists in his massive paws. She screamed, her mind flashing back to years ago, a different state, a different man.

"Don't you ever throw something at me again do you hear me? That was pure stupid on your part. What the hell…"

"Get the hell away from her, get your hands off of her and get the fuck away," Nic voice rang out. Claire saw Nic come into the room, around the desk to where she stood, trapped by Stephen's hands. She thought for a minute that he was going to hit Stephen, and she was shocked when instead he simply took her shoulders in his hands, so soft and tender compared to those gripping her wrists. "Let her go Stephen, now."

"Another one of your boys eh Claire?"

That was when Nic let go of her shoulders and in the blink of an eye allowed his clenched fist connect solidly with Stephen's chin. "Stay away from her Stephen. I mean it. And for the record, she was always faithful to you, even when you couldn't be that for her."

Claire looked at Nic quizzically but allowed him to lead her out of her office. They got to catering and he led her to the far back corner. She had tears streaming down her face and she was shaking from head to toe. Nic pulled her close and put her head onto his shoulder, gently brushing her hair with his hand as he rubbed her back with the other.

"Shhh it's going to be okay baby. What happened in there?"

Claire told him the story of Stephen bursting in and all of the mean, nasty things that he had said to her. She sniffled and raised up to look at her friend. "Nic I have never seen him that way before. It was like he had taken all of the things that I had told him about Logan and used it all on me. He has never acted that way."

"He's gotten an attitude around here too. Did he hurt you?"

Claire shook her head. No, no he hadn't physically hurt her, but he had definitely made an impression in her mind, one that hurt her emotionally and mentally, more than any physical hurt ever could.

That night, after dinner at the Sundial, Claire and Nic went back to the hotel. Claire was exhausted from the day she had just spent, and Nic was worried about her. He had never seen that haunted look in her eyes.

"Let me walk you to your room?"

She nodded. "Okay. Hey Nic?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for being there today, to intervene. I uh, well I appreciate it."

"That was nothing, no need for thanks Claire. You're my best friend. I'd never let anyone hurt you."

He walked her into her hotel room and waiting while she got ready for bed before he stood to go. "Keep your door locked and don't let anyone in okay? I'm a phone call and a door away if you need me for anything."

She nodded and smiled up at him sleepily. "Thank you again Nicky. I love you. Goodnight."

He almost let his heart take those words, those three simple words, and make them more than they were. He knew that she loved him, as a friend, but he was starting to question his love and if it was based solely in a friendship these days. He thought he knew that answer and it was an answer he couldn't share with her.

"I love you to kiddo."