The pain carved in Claire’s face called out to Keeley. “It’s not as widespread as you think,” she assured her. “I didn’t even know what happened until recently.”
Claire’s look of gratitude humbled her. Clearly, this girl had been through a lot. It showed not only in her expression, but also in the way she dressed. She wore an oversized sweater, baggy jeans and running shoes. The only skin showing was on her hands, neck and face. Like she didn’t want anyone to see her.
“I’ve tried hard to forget what happened and move on with my life.” Claire’s head tilted down so she could stare at the floor. “But something always crops back up and makes its way to the surface. It can be a photo or rumors or running into someone from here.” Her hand trembled as she reached up and brushed the bangs out of her eyes.
It was clear she’d been through a lot. “I’m so sorry,” Keeley whispered. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.”
Tucker padded over to Claire and put his head on her lap. Claire’s face softened and she reached down to pet him. “I used to lie awake at night thinking of what I would do if I ever came face-to-face with JT again. I thought of yelling at him, calling him all sorts of names, punching him in the face and even stealing his stash of Peeps.” She gave Tucker one last scratch behind the ears before straightening. “But the truth is when he came to my house two days ago, I didn’t do any of that.”
Keeley’s stomach clenched. “You saw him?”
“I didn’t want to at first. But I realized I had to if I was ever going to move on for real.”
Why would Talon visit Claire? And why would she come here after that? Keeley’s mind filled with questions.
“We talked. About me, about him, about your brother.” She lifted her gaze. “And about you. I got a lot off my chest. And I realized all those nights I lay awake, I wasn’t looking for a chance to yell at him, but a chance to move on. I was stuck in this loop of hating him and myself, and it never ended. And it wasn’t until I saw him that I realized in order to move on, I needed to forgive.” Her eyes glowed with determination. “And I have. I forgive JT.”
Good for Claire, and good for Talon, but Keeley was still confused. “How do I fit into all of this?”
“JT told me about how he kept you in the dark for most of your relationship.”
“Try all,” Keeley corrected.
“Out of the four hours we talked, two of them were about you. I won’t go into specifics, but he told me how you two met, how he fell for you, your time at Barnett and even about your first date. A little rude considering I’m his ex-girlfriend” — she laughed a little — “but I didn’t mind that much. Especially when I heard about all the times you put him in his place.”
Keeley’s lips twitched. She’d had such a great time messing with him.
“The reason why I came here today was to tell you that JT has changed. He’s not the same guy I knew three years ago.”
Her smile faded. “Did he ask you to come here and say this to me?”
“He doesn’t know I’m here. I’ve made peace with JT. He apologized for what he did and he really is sorry. I believe him.” Claire leaned forward in her chair, her face earnest. “I get why you broke up with him. I would have done the same thing, too, but now that you know the worst about him and all the cards are on the table, can’t you forgive him?”
“But what he did to you and how he used me —”
“I know,” Claire said quietly. Briefly, she glanced at a picture of Zach that was hanging on the wall. “I know all about boys who use you, but JT genuinely cares for you.”
“But he cared about you, too, and look what happened.”
“He made a mistake — a stupid, idiotic, rage-induced mistake. I’m not saying it was okay, but I think he’s learned from it.” She placed a hand over her heart. “I’m telling you as a girl, as someone who’s made plenty of mistakes myself, that JT’s changed.”
Keeley’s mind was spinning. “I have to be honest. You’re not what I expected at all.”
Claire threw her head back and laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Can I ask you a personal question?” Keeley prayed she wouldn’t get too offended.
Her face sobered. “You can ask.”
“Why didn’t you break up with Talon when you started having feelings for my brother?” She’d wondered that for a long time now.
Claire looked out the window. The ends of her mouth turned slightly down. “You know, I ask myself that, too. I could have avoided a lot of pain if I had.” Her hands clenched in her lap. “I told myself I was doing JT a favor by not breaking up with him. He was really upset about moving and his grandpa’s death. I convinced myself breaking up would only hurt him more. But the truth is I stayed because I was insecure.”
“What do you mean?” Keeley asked.
“I was never the girl that guys chased after, especially back then. In middle school, I had these horrible braces and glasses …” She shuddered. “It was awful. But freshman year, I got contacts and my braces came off. Suddenly, I was the one guys looked at, and not just any guy, but JT. He blew everyone else out of the water.”
Keeley’s teeth clenched. Hearing about the two of them together was harder than she thought. But she knew what Claire was saying. How special it feels to be liked by Talon.
“When he asked me to be his girlfriend, I couldn’t believe it. All these girls around him, and he chose me. Everything was fine at first but then the girls started getting more aggressive. They would do all sorts of things to try and attract him.”
Keeley wouldn’t know. They’d spent most of their relationship hiding so Zach wouldn’t find out.
“I felt I needed to do something extreme to keep his interest so I sent those photos.” Claire sighed. “Worst mistake of my life. After I sent them, I felt … dirty. Everyone thinks it will bring you closer together, but it did the opposite. I pulled away and that’s when I met your brother. He was my chance at a fresh start. A way to get away from JT and those awful photos. But being with Zach while staying with JT was selfish.”
Claire ran a hand through her hair, pulling it out from behind her ear and letting it fall around her face. “As much as JT hurt me, I hurt him, too. That’s why I’m here. Trying to make amends for cheating on him.”
Keeley took a deep breath. She didn’t know if what Claire said changed anything, but she appreciated hearing this. It gave her a lot to think about.
Claire put her hands on her knees and stood up. “I should get going. Thanks for hearing me out.”
As Keeley walked her to the door, Claire held out a white envelope with a large bulge in the corner. “Oh, and before I forget, can you give your brother this?”