Page 14 of Signed With Love

Claire’s brows drop, and I swear there’s a flare of possessiveness in her eyes. Damn, if it’s not the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

Like your drink? Rylee signs to Claire. Rather than using the drink sign she points to the drink in Claire’s hand.

“Since when do you know anything about signing?” Chadwick interrupts. I was wondering the same, but I also love that my friends are trying to learn how to communicate with Claire.

Rylee watches Claire instead. She smiles when Claire signs back, Yes, thank you.

Rylee raises her beer and pauses. A long moment. Then she asks, More? Rylee is really unsure of her signing, but Claire just smiles reassuringly to her.

No, thank you.

Chadwick rises and follows Rylee to the kitchen, and Finn leans back in his chair and types on his phone. Claire’s head tilts. She observes Rylee and Chadwick retreating for a moment, then turns to me.

Are they in a relationship?

I shake my head and sigh. He wants her, but she’s heartbroken. I tap my chest right by my heart and make a pained face, unsure of how to really sign “heartbroken,” but Claire gets it. We are figuring this communication out.

They don’t try? she asks.

I shrug. No, she’s smarter than that. I’m not entirely sure Rylee feels the same for Chadwick. He’s a bit of a player and flirt, and he moves on too quickly. He’d break her heart, and I wouldn’t let him do that.

You and her aren’t in a relationship? Claire’s brow lowers, and she worries her lip.

No. Friends, I assure her. Not that I should want more than friendship with Claire, but I want her to know there isn’t a woman in my life.

“How long have they been doing this?” Chadwick asks as he walks back from the kitchen.

I ignore him. I want to make sure Claire understands and knows with certainty. I’m not in a relationship.

“What do you think they are talking about?” Chadwick asks Finn or Rylee. I try even harder to ignore him.

“Don’t be rude.” I’m shocked when Finn responds enough to draw my attention because of his annoyance.

Claire rises from the table, a dark tint of red flaming her cheeks. She sets the beer bottle down and signs to ask where the bathroom is.

I point to the hall and tell her it’s the second door. She disappears.

“He shouldn’t have interrupted.” Rylee smacks Chadwick’s arm as she retakes her seat. “He didn’t offend her, did he?”

“It’s all good.” I smile at my friends. “It’s good.”

Claire cares if I’m single. I take that as a win tonight.

When she returns, we fall back into some Texas Hold’em. I finish my beer and grab the one Claire is nursing and rise. She grabs my arm to pause me. I smile and let her know I’ll be right back.

I toss my empty bottle and pour her warm yet full bottle down the sink with a headshake. She’s so nice but hides who she is. That isn’t something she needs to do around us. I grab two bottles of water and return to the dining room as Finn shuffles the deck.

It’s getting late, and the sun has long since set. I slide her the water and open mine before calling. She glances around, a bit self-conscious. No one says anything, and Finn deals out the next hand. That’s one thing about my friends. No one has to pretend to be something they aren’t around us.

I also want Claire to be completely comfortable in my home. And welcomed. It’s not much, but I want her here. We wind down the rest of the night and let Claire run the cards. We do this for hours until I rise for another drink.

I pause to watch Chadwick type something on her phone. He hands it over. Claire shakes her head, then smirks but types him back anyway.

“You trust what he’s texting to her?” Rylee nudges my arm from where I’m standing next to the kitchen entryway, observing them.

“I’m sure he’s giving her trouble. But that’s Chadwick.” I glance at Rylee. She gives a knowing smile but doesn’t add anything. I hate that someone broke her heart once and makes her sad sometimes, but it landed her up here with us. She’s safe and doesn’t have to worry about that shitty ex of hers bothering her anymore. She doesn’t talk much about her past—very little, to be honest—but she said she just needed to be away from a guy. I’ve had to fill in the blanks from there.

“All right, guys, let’s head out.” Rylee gathers the guys up and gives everyone a hug, Claire included. Claire waves and has a smile on her face. She’s loosened up more as the night has wound down. My friends made her feel welcomed and comfortable, just like I knew they would.

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