Claire looked down at her knees as she whispered, “I never felt at home until I came to live with you. I may have fought you for months and given you a hard time, but that’s because I thought it was only going to be until you got sick of me, but then you proved me wrong. I feel safe now, but I’m still so scared that all these things you do for me and give me are just a dream. That at any time it’s all gonna go away, and I’m going to be starving on the street, alone, and I can’t imagine not having you or Reese. You both have helped me so much, and I’m just so scared to lose you.”

Reaching out, he brought her into his chest, hugging her tightly as she sobbed. A tear slowly rolled down his cheek, and he reached up to wipe it away so she didn’t see it. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise you that, Claire. You have my heart completely, and I have no intentions of ever letting anything happen to you. I will protect you until my dying breath. I promise you. I love you so much, and I want nothing more than for all your dreams to come true. I want to give you the life that you deserve.”

“You are,” she whispered against his chest. His heart exploded in his chest, and tears clouded his vision as he nodded. They may have had their issues but as long as she understood how much he loved her and wanted to do what was best for her, then they were going to be all right, because no matter what, they would always have each other.

“I’m sorry for being such a bitch.”

He laughed against her hair, kissing the top of her head before saying, “It’s okay. You’re a teenager—it’s expected.”

She looked up and smiled. “Yeah, you got two more years of this.”

He cupped her face and almost broke down looking into her eyes. She was so beautiful and reminded him so much of his sister. As much as he hated her for what she had done to Claire, he still loved and missed her and would die before Claire ever lived the way she had when she was with her. Even though he was embarrassed for being found with his hands up Reese’s shorts, trying to get some, he was glad Claire had found them. They needed this. Claire needed the reassurance, and he was glad to give it to her. Were they fixed? Not by a long shot, but at least she would always know that he was there for her, no matter what.

He loved her, and that was what you did for the people you loved.

“Nope, I have the rest of my life, and I am completely fine with it.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “Me too.”

“Good.”

They hugged for a long time, and he felt so at peace with her in his arms. It had been so long since they had really hugged. It reminded him of when she was a little girl, bright eyed and happy whenever he came to see her. He loved seeing her like that, and to have that moment again was something he would treasure for the rest of his life. He knew he would strive to have more moments like this, and he was excited for their future.

“And I think I’m okay with you and Reese. You two fit in some weird way.”

He pulled back to look at her and smiled. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, I think so. It would be cool for all of us to be together. I wouldn’t have to go to Harper’s. I could just stay with her when you’re gone.”

“Whoa Claire, slow down. She won’t even admit to dating me, and you’re trying to move in with her.”

Claire laughed as she shrugged her shoulders. “She will and if she doesn’t, oh well, her loss.”

He nodded, but knew that was easier said than done. Because, just like Claire, life without Reese was unconceivable and scared the living shit out of him. When his phone went off, he let Claire go to get it out of his pocket before looking down to see it was Reese.

Y’all okay?

“Is it Reese?”

“Yeah,” before typing the same thing.

Awesome, not trying to rush y’all, but can you bring her back over? Rewards start soon.

“Rewards are about to start,” he said, typing back that they would be there soon.

Claire let out a little scream before hopping up. “I gotta fix my makeup.”

He looked up at her and smiled. She smiled back before leaning down and hugging him tightly around the neck. When she let him go, she threw him a large grin that shot straight through his heart. She looked untroubled, carefree maybe, and that made any worried thoughts that he might have had diminish. This was going to work. They were going to work because all she needed was love, and he had plenty of that.

Not only for Claire, but for Reese too.

When Reese spotted Claire and Phillip in the crowd, both with smiles on their faces, relief flooded her. She wasn’t sure if she could believe the text Phillip had sent saying they were fine but seeing them together solidified his claim and eased her concern. Claire had changed into her Reese Allen Company sweats but left her hair up in her bun, removing the flower. Reese’s heart ached for her and hoped like hell that she wasn’t mad at her. She had lied just as Phillip did, but she hoped that it wouldn’t spoil their relationship and if it had, she hoped she could fix it.

Reese bit into her lip as they reached her, and they all stood awkwardly as tension settle between them. She waited for someone to say something, but instead, Phillip rocked back and forth on his heels as Claire moved her fingers together in a nervous way. Reese hated nervous silence and decided that since neither of them were going to say anything, she would.

“I’m sorry you had to find out about us the way you did, Claire.”