Chapter 2: Claire

“I can’t believe you’ve never taken me here,” I scold my cousin Indy as we step into the little Mexican restaurant she frequents. 

Indy shrugs. “I usually come to your house.” 

“We need to change that. My parents are driving me insane.” I wrinkle my nose. 

“Still no luck with the job search?” Indy asks, tipping her head in the direction of a table. 

I trail her. “Nothing permanent. Still just freelancing. Although the last job I did should lead to some more work.”

“You’re an amazing graphic designer, Claire. You will find something.”

“Nothing that will let me get out from under my parents’ roof,” I mutter, instantly swelling with chagrin. It’s not that I’m not thankful to Mom and Dad, because I am. It’s just that they still treat me like I’m in high school, and after four years of being away at university, it’s been hard to fall back in line when I’d rather do my own thing. 

Indy shoots me a sympathetic look as we sit down at a table in the back. 

Noah passes out the menus. For a few moments, it’s silent. Stifled. Everyone studies their menu but it’s more than that. No one knows what to say, how to act, now that Easton is here, sitting with us. A lot has changed in the past ninety days. For starters, Noah hooked up with Indy and got her pregnant. Eddie Sims has taken over Easton’s position on the Boston Hawks as the starting left winger. And, I’m still living at home. So I guess nothing major has happened in my life, but for some reason, things between Easton and me feel different now too. 

Gone is the easygoing sibling-like teasing he used to spit my way. Instead, he glares now, calling me “kid” with an edge instead of as an endearment. We’ve barely spoken since he left rehab the first time, a year ago now, and while my torch for him continues to burn, he glowers at me like he doesn’t understand why I’m here. 

I pinch the menu tighter between my fingertips, feeling my shoulders tense as I duck my head. I’ve never been shy around guys. I grew up around way too many of them as Savannah and Austin’s little sister. But Easton Scotch has always caused me to grow tongue-tied and giggly. Another thing I dislike. 

“Hey guys. My name is Shell and I’ll be taking care of you today.” Our server stops at the end of the table and all eyes swing toward her. “Can I get you started with drinks?”

Austin opens his mouth and snaps it closed again. Noah and Indy exchange a look. Easton swears. “For fuck’s sake, get a beer or a margarita or whatever. I’m fine. Really.” 

I sigh. “I’ll take a Diet Coke please. On the rocks, with a twist of lemon.” 

Shell grins but I feel the death glare Easton pierces my cheek with. The rest of the table orders drinks and Noah tacks on a bunch of appetizers to start. As soon as Shell is out of sight, Noah sighs and leans back in his chair. 

Easton glances at his brother. “You okay? Noah, I swear, I’m good.” 

“I know, East. It’s not that. It’s just, well…”

Indy leans forward and Easton’s eyes dart from his brother to Indy and back again. 

“It’s just that with Indy being pregnant, things have changed,” Noah says without saying anything at all. 

Austin bites his lip, trying to stifle his laughter. 

“No shit, man. I’m about to be an uncle.” East laughs. 

Noah works a swallow, glancing at Indy for moral support. “I’m planning on moving in with Indy. Permanently. We’re having a baby and—” 

Easton frowns, holding up his hand. “Of course you’re moving in with Indy. I didn’t expect you not to.”

Relief filters through Noah’s eyes as some of the tension in his shoulders leaks away. “Really?”

“Of course. No offense but I’ve lived on my own before. You know when you and—”

“Right, I know,” Noah cuts him off before Easton can mention Noah’s ex-fiancée Courtney. 

The stifling silence hovers over the table once more. Because Courtney is not the only thing that’s not being mentioned. What no one wants to say is that when East did live on his own, his alcoholism veered from functioning to destructive. 

Austin clears his throat and East’s head swivels toward my brother. Something passes between them and Easton’s head drops, a snort sounding from his nose. “Right. But when Noah lived with Courtney, I fucked up my whole life.” 

“That’s not what I—” Noah starts but Easton shakes his head. 

“It’s fine, Noah. Honestly, I get it. You’re about to become a father. I don’t expect you to miss out on a second of Indy’s pregnancy. I don’t want you to stop living your life so you can hold my hand.” He shoots a sad smile to Indy before turning back to his brother. “I swear, my head is on straight this time. I’m fine.”

“Mom and Dad offered for you to move in with them,” Austin announces as Shell drops off our drinks.  

Say what? My attention snaps to Austin as a wave of panic rolls through my body. My eyes widen in alarm. He wants Easton to live under my parents’ roof? In our family home? With me only two doors down from the guest bedroom? I pick up my Diet Coke and take a large gulp, suddenly wishing it was straight tequila. 

“Or,” Indy says slowly, her eyes darting around the table, “Claire can move in with you.”

I sputter on the Diet Coke. Did I hear that wrong? I must have heard her wrong. 

Because, what the hell is going on? What is everyone thinking? And why didn’t I know any of their thoughts? 

“What?” Noah chuckles. 

“No fucking way,” Easton spits. 

“Why would Claire do that?” Austin asks. 

Once again, Shell has impeccable timing and delivers some appetizers. I stuff a nacho piled with sushi into my mouth, too panicked to fully appreciate the fusion element of this restaurant, and buy myself some time before I murder my cousin in a sea of pico de gallo and sriracha. 

“No, think about it,” Indy continues calmly. “Everyone, maybe even you”—she smiles at Easton—“would feel better if you weren’t living solo. Claire’s desperate to get out of living with Aunt Mary and Uncle Joe. Your place is spacious enough. Your paths won’t cross unless you want them to. But Claire can be an extra support person and y’all would be doing her a massive favor too.” Indy smirks at me, shooting me a wink. 

I choke on my nacho and reach for my Diet Coke again. I need something to do with my hands so I don’t reach for Indy. I need something to do with my mouth so I don’t word vomit really bad words onto the table. 

Noah is silent for a second before he looks at his brother. “It isn’t a bad idea.” 

I take a long gulp.

Austin furrows his brow. “You want out of Mom and Dad’s house that badly?”

I feel Easton’s gaze again but I don’t turn to make eye contact. Is he curious about my response because of how it affects him? Or is he actually interested in my life? 

I clear my throat and nod. “Look, Mom and Dad are the best. But I’m going to be twenty-five, Aus. They’re still trying to saddle me with a curfew and call me whenever I take a Lyft or Uber to make sure I’ve properly identified the driver.” I cut a quick look at Easton. His mouth is thin, his eyes narrowed, his face giving away none of the thoughts I know are turning over in his mind. “I’ve been trying to save. I was going to talk to Torsten about those rentals he owns on the Waterfront. Maybe—”  

“No.” The sound of Easton’s voice, cold and hard and decisive, cuts me off. 

“What?” I ask him.

“You’re not living in fucking Southie, Claire. Not that Joe would ever allow it.” 

“Once again, I’m going to be twenty-five,” I remind him, my tone clipped. My dad can tell me what to do under his roof but not out in the real world where I’m a real adult. 

Austin shakes his head, no doubt against my living on the Waterfront. It’s hardly South Boston anymore, with the way the area has been redeveloped. In fact, I doubt I could afford an apartment in any of the buildings Torsten owns. But my best friend Rielle lives a handful of streets over from the Waterfront and she’s had several interesting encounters. Austin opens his mouth, most likely to echo Easton when East shifts in his chair. “Move in,” he demands harshly, surprising everyone at the table, especially me. 

I look at him, noting the challenge that sparks in his blue eyes. Is he serious right now? 

“Two birds, one stone,” Indy adds like her plan is the most brilliant idea ever. 

“I’ll talk to Mom and Dad,” Austin offers. “I’m sure they’ll have some reservations but honestly, Claire, I’d feel a hell of a lot better if you were in Beacon Hill with East than living solo on the Waterfront.” 

“Rielle lives in Southie and she’s fine.” 

Austin’s expression tightens. “Dad’s not going to buy that.”

I sigh, knowing he’s right, and look at Noah. Then Easton. “I can pay you rent.”

Noah waves his hand. “No way. You can look out for my brother and save your money.” 

“Are you sure?” I ask. 

“He’s sure,” Easton tacks on. His expression is fierce when it meets mine. A tight jaw, a slight curl to his upper lip, but his eyes, gah, they pierce my soul. Hot and angry, intense and pleading. “But just because we’re going to be roommates doesn’t mean I need you all up in my business. In my life. I don’t need a babysitter.” 

I hold up my hands, settling back in my seat. “Got it. Same goes for you. I have my own life.” I smile sweetly. 

Easton’s eyes narrow further as he glares at me. I have no clue what he hopes to find, but dissatisfied, he finally turns away. 

I kick Indy under the table and she grins, truly believing that she made the romantic match of the century. Jeez, nothing could be further from the truth. 

I may still get giddy and tongue-tied around Easton and his deep blue eyes, full mouth, and body like a freaking underwear model, but that doesn’t mean I want to babysit him either. 

I don’t want to see the women he brings home late at night. Or the ones who walk out of his bedroom door with their perky breasts and perfect morning hair. I don’t want to be mesmerized by the ink that crawls up his ribcage or spans his shoulder blades. And I certainly don’t want to lie in bed at night thinking of him, naked, just down the hall. 

But my body doesn’t care about logic or self-preservation. A thrill shimmies down my spine at the thought of being so close to him. My heart beats faster at the realization that it will just be the two of us. Alone. 

I can pretend all I want but living with Easton Scotch is far from a hardship. Will we become friends again? Will he talk to me about real things the way he used to? 

I hide my smile by biting into a chip. At the very least, rent-free living away from Mom and Dad is a total win.