“Come on, let’s get back to the truck before we freeze to death out here.”
They made their way back to his truck and, after starting it and waiting for the warmth to fill the cab, he pulled out of the parking spot and headed to the nearest Waffle House. It was a silent ride, but that was fine. He had no clue what he was going to say to her, but he knew he needed to say something. After ordering two All-Star breakfasts, which included eggs, sausage, hash browns, and, of course, waffles, Phillip looked over at Claire, and his heart sank. She seemed skinnier, and her face was sinking in. She was still beautiful, but where was the sweet girl he left when he was eighteen?
When Phillip left, Claire was five, with light, strawberry blonde hair and the brightest blue eyes, along with a quick smile. She was happy and sweet, and they were inseparable. He loved her so much, still did, and it killed him when he left, but he had to get out while the getting out was good. His mom was downward spiraling and, even though Rochelle was doing okay, he knew he couldn’t depend on her to change his life. He had to do it on his own. Unlike their mother, Rochelle was trying to be a good mom. She worked at Waffle House and tried to stay clean but, like he knew she would, she relapsed and went back to the life she had before Claire came.
Phillip wished he hadn’t left Claire, but what was he supposed to do? Maybe he should have fought harder when he turned twenty-one, but Rochelle wasn’t budging. “Claire is better off with a crackhead mother than some wanna-be hockey player,” she always said. When Claire glanced up at him, nervously ripping a napkin, his heart came into his throat. Her eyes were full of unshed tears, and he prayed they didn’t fall. Or maybe they should… maybe it would help. Hell, he didn’t know. All he knew was that he loved this girl, and he wasn’t letting her end up like her mom and his.
“I love you, Claire,” he said softly.
She shook her head, looking away, and he felt tears stinging his own eyes.
“Whatever.”
“No, it isn’t whatever,” he said, taking her hand in his. She tried to move away, but he wasn’t letting her go. She looked from their locked hands, up to his face, her eyes slit in a glare as her mouth made a straight line. He remembered when all she did was smile, and he wondered when the last time that happened. Her smile could light up a room, it was contagious, and he missed it so much. He missed her.
“You don’t love me. If you did, you would have never sent me to crazy cat lady, or better yet, never left me with my mom.”
Something broke inside him, but thankfully, he kept it together, holding her gaze as he squeezed her hands.
“I had no choice with your mom. She wouldn’t give you to me. You’re right about Alice, but I’m not letting you go now. I’m going to help you.”
“I don’t need help. I need a place to crash until I’m eighteen. Then I’m gone.”
She finally pulled her hands from his, crossing her arms. The food was brought to them, but neither of them touched it once the waitress left. This was going all wrong, and Phillip had no clue how to make it better. So he decided to go with what his heart was telling him to do.
“You do need help, Claire, and I’m going to give it to you. I have never stopped loving you, and I never will. I may not have been there for you before, but I am now, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Claire reached for her fork, cutting a bite and pinning him with a look. He could see the hurt, the defiance, and the general lack of care for her life. She had been hurt, and he played a part in causing that pain. He hoped that between his love and therapy, she would get the help she needed.
She held his gaze for a long time, before she shrugged her shoulders and said, “We’ll see about that.”
Without another word, she plopped the waffle in her mouth. Her eyes said it all.
Get ready for trouble.
Shit.