Page 83 of Evidence of Deceit

Joe sat back in his seat.For good?No. No. No.

Sam, Marlee, and Mark just stared at him. No one said anything else. Marlee handed him a plate, but he’d lost his appetite. Sighed. Put the plate down.

“Look, I have an appointment I’m late for. I need to leave.” No, he didn’t, but he needed to get away from his friends. He gave Mark a fist bump, nodded to Sam and Marlee, and stomped out to his truck.

Joe drove home honking at cars that got in his way, almost running over a couple who decided to cross when they shouldn’t and going way too fast. How dare Sam surprise him by telling him Claire wasn’t coming back? Would Claire even have called him to tell him? He hoped so, but over the years, he had expected certain things and had been disappointed. He didn’t think Claire would do that to him, though. And just how did Sam know that but he didn’t?

He pulled into his driveway, intending to … he threw his hands up. He didn’t know what he was going to do. His anger dissipated when he saw Mikey running over to him. “Mr. Joe, Mr. Joe, want to play ball?”

“Not now, Mikey. Maybe later.”Much later.

Mikey looked around. “Is Miss Claire here? Can she play?”

“No, little dude.” He sighed. “Miss Claire isn’t here.

“Where is she?”

“She went home.”

“Isn’t this her home?”

Joe looked into the innocent eyes of the boy. He wanted this to be her home. But she was on to better things in New York. He guessed she missed the art scene, the restaurants, the nightlife. She had the money to do what she wanted.

“I don’t know, Mikey.” He shook his head. This was a painful conversation. “Later. Okay?”

Mikey nodded and ran off.

Joe opened the door, walked into his empty kitchen and sat down. He stared at the stove where she had cooked him meals. He looked at the table where he had taken her one night as they both laughed. He could smell her sweet scent everywhere. He placed his hands on his head. His head hurt. His heart hurt even worse. How had life gotten so fucked up for him? He had a woman he loved beyond life and never told her. He let her go twice to find herself. She was finding herself and letting him go. A tear dripped down his cheek. Damn it. He slapped the table. This was her home. She knew it. Now he knew it, and he knew what he had to do.

He went into the bedroom, showered and packed an overnight. Called the airlines, made a reservation for a nonstop flight into Westchester Airport. He had two hours to get to the airport. He raced out and drove like a madman, praying he wouldn’t get pulled over. He managed to park, getin the security line with an hour to spare, then grabbed a water and sat down, waiting to board.

He couldn’t close his eyes on the plane. What if she didn’t want to see him? What could he do to convince her to come back to Florida? What if she were happy? Could he let her go? What if he stayed in New York? What could he do for work? What if… What if… He was driving himself crazy with the what-ifs.

Four hours later, he was driving to Larchmont, New York, in a rental car. The flight had been uneventful except for his thoughts. His body was humming, and butterflies were making a home in his stomach. He wanted to throw up. Almost there. He parked on the street. Stared at the Tudor-style home. The house where Claire was. He sat in the car, rubbing his sweaty palms on his pants. He had never lost his control, ever. Losing it when he was in the service meant getting killed. But now he was on a mission—time to grow a pair.Get control of yourself.

It was now or never. He got out of the car and slowly walked up the path. Rang the doorbell. Heard footsteps. A shadow passed by the peephole. The door was unlocked. Her father stood in the doorway, a fierce look on his face.Was he angry with him?Was he too late?

“It’s about time.” Her father turned and abruptly walked away.

It’s about time? What did that mean? Too late for what? Oh God, had Claire left already? Was he too late again?

Her mother walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Joe, what a surprise. Have you come to see Claire?” She laughed. “Of course, you’ve come to see Claire. She’s upstairs.”

She was still here.Thank God.He took the stairs two at a time and hung a right, then stood in the doorway of her bedroom.

She was folding clothes. Joe thought he’d never seen anyone more beautiful. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail. She had black leggings and an oversize T-shirt on and was barefoot. Her nails were painted a pale pink. A sexy pale pink. He stood there watching her for a few minutes before she realized he was standing behind her. She turned, gave a little squeak. Surprised. “Joe, what are you doing here?”

He stood looking at her. She looked at peace. Beautiful.

“I’ve come home.”

“What? Your home is in Florida.”

He stepped forward, took her hands in his. “No, my home is wherever you are. If you’re staying up here, I am too.”

She tilted her head. “What made you think I’m not coming back?”

Joe shook his head. Damn Sam. She knew. He would get Sam back if it took a lifetime. She knew that Claire was coming back and let him believe she wasn’t.The little minx.No wonder Mark and Marlee were smiling when he left. They both knew too.

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