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I was growing increasingly uncomfortable about eavesdropping on their private conversation.
“But she lied to you. She told you I was yours when she knew damn well I wasn’t,” Reese entreated, turning towards the door. I shifted, hoping he hadn’t seen me.
Mr. Phillips took a seat next to his son at the table.
“She did lie. But she had suffered enough. When Wes went back to Shelby, it ruined her. She only wanted to do what was best for you, so she married me. I loved you like you were my own. I still do,” he conceded putting his face in his hands. I felt a twinge of guilt, witnessing his pain.
“Hey,Claire.” Brent popped his head into the mud room where I was standing. I turned to look at him noticing he had relaxed and no longer looked angry with me.
Speaking in a low, quiet voice he said, “Five minutes are up, baby. We gotta go.”
“Okay, let me get him.”
I knocked quietly on door even though it was open, announcing my arrival. I stepped into the kitchen. Both men stood, and looked at me with surprise. Brent stepped in just behind me.
Reese started towards me. “Claire, what are you doing here? Are you alright?” he asked, worry pouring out of him.
“Isn’t it obvious? I came to get you.”
Reese put his hands on my arms gently. “You shouldn’t have come. It’s too dangerous,” he said, noticing Brent. He got in Brent’s face, screaming at him. “Dude, how could you bring her here?”
Brent stepped back.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Reese. You need to back off before you do something stupid,” Brent warned.
“Like…bringing Claire here?” Reese said, gesturing to my presence in his house. “Because that was pretty stupid, Brent.”
I moved between the two of them.
“Reese, wait, he didn’t bring me here. I left him at the hotel and he came after me. It’s not Brent’s fault,” I explained, pushing against his chest.
Brent didn’t break Reese’s glare, but addressed me. “We need to go, Claire.”
“I’m not leaving without Reese.”
Mr. Phillips interrupted, slicing through the tension. “So, this is Claire,” he said, extending his hand to shake mine. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Reese has told me so much about you.”
Shaking his hand, my grip was limp fish as ever. I squirmed, feeling my dad’s disappointment as though he was in the room with me.
Reese spoke to his dad, telling him we really did need to get going, and the two of them hugged. They exchanged goodbyes, and agreed to continue the conversation soon. I heard Mr. Phillips tell his son to take good care of me, and not to worry about things. Reese’s dad wanted him to forgive his mother, reassuring Reese he would not tell his mother anything until they spoke again.
Mr. Phillips turned his attention to me. “Claire, can I speak to the boys alone for just a minute, please?”
I hesitated wondering why he needed to speak to the boys alone. Figuring he wanted to offer some fatherly advice I agreed. “Sure, I’ll just wait on the porch.”
Looking at Brent, he appeared to be conflicted with me being alone. I reassured him that for one minute, I would be fine.
Leaving the boys, I went outside to the porch and plopped down in a rocker. My stomach growled, reminding me I had yet to eat today. I remembered having a granola bar in the car that should hold me over for a while. When I opened the door to the Audi, Brent’s phone was ringing. Looking at the display, my heart started to race – Claire. Anxiety took over, and I held my breath. I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I left my phone at the beach house and I knew who had it now. I held my breath anticipating Kace’s disgusting voice when I answered, but I was wrong. Instead, it was the vile hate-filled voice of Logan, booming on the other end.
“You really shouldn’t have picked up the phone, Claire,” Logan sneered, causing every hair on my neck to stand attentively.
“What do you want?” I snapped, finally releasing my breath.
“Simple. I want you to come and see me,” he said, dragging out the words dramatically. He had obviously seen way too many movies.
“I don’t think so.” Just hearing his voice, I was fighting back tears, remembering how he took my aunt from me.
