Only You (Greyson #1)

Something Real

Chapter 74

Claire

I was still frazzled from Nina's death. But it was time to go home to Tristan. Even though I miss my parents and I was glad my dad was getting the best health possible I couldn't run away from my problems. I didn't want to run away from them. Tristan called me every night and I know he wanted the blame to be solely on him but I just couldn't. I was the one who gave Tristan a free pass. I was the one who told him to do it. I could have saved Nina but I chose not to. I chose to let Tristan do whatever he wanted to her. And now Nina was dead.

"Boo", A child said exploding out of his seat. He was adorable with his curly hair and a mouthful of drool biting on a cookie. I was currently waiting to deboard the plane. And it was going to be a long wait judging by how packed the plane was.

I played along and faked surprise until the child's parents pulled him away ready to deboard. There was warmth in my heart again. I wonder what Tristan and I's children will look like.

Would they be killers like Tristan?

I stood up and collected my bag pushing that thought away. I knew Tristan was picking me up. It was late and the best flight I could get was to fly into Houston. I did bored in the plane and headed in the baggage collection area knowing that's where I would find Tristan. With my suitcase being dragged behind me I got onto the escalator and started my slow descent into the baggage claim area. It took nothing for me to find Tristan. As soon as our eyes met I began to smile. He was dressed nicely in khaki pants and a red Polo. I liked how Tristans face lit up at just the sight of me.

I crossed the room to Tristan as he held a bouquet of water lilies.

"Wow, I'm starting to think you missed me", I said a stress and took my bag and handed me the flowers.

"Only the best for you", Tristan said briefly kissing me. He pulled away and spoke softly so only the two of us could hear,"I need to show you something".

"What is it?"

"Not here", Tristan stated taking my hand and ending the conversation. We walked in silence to the car garage. Tristan opened the passenger door of his black Audi R8 Coupe and and I slid in. Dressed and quickly through my bag in the trunk and slid into the driver side. He hit the push to start button and the car purred to life.

"Here?" I asked.

"No. Do you mind if we stay at the apartment for the night?" He questioned backing out of the parking spot.

"No", I said feeling like my heart was in my throat. I don't think I could handle another Red Room video. Once we were successfully out of the parking garage we drove in silence on the highway until I couldn't stand it anymore,"Is it a hobby thing?"

"No", I felt stress melt out of my body like warm butter.

"It's just something you should be aware of", I didn't like his ominous tone. Now, I had a hundred million more questions. Anxiously I rubbed the flower petals wishing they could give me some relief.

"Something good or bad?"

"Neutral", he answered.

We arrived at the apartment complex in silence. As I stepped into the familiar cold space I stood awkwardly in the living room. "So we're good to talk here?"

"Yes", Tristan said shutting the front door and dragging my suitcase into the master bedroom. I quickly follow behind him.

"So tell me what's so important?"

"I honestly don't know how to tell you what I found. But, just..." Tristan motioned me to sit on the bed. I don't think I could handle another hobby mishap. I sat down with my heart in knots. Tristan walked over to the nightstand and pulled out a silver laptop I had never seen before. He sat down next to me and handled me the computer. "This is a dumby computer of Nina's laptop. Everything on this laptop was hers. I haven't altered or added anyting".

"Okay?"

"The password is Clairebear", Tristan stated.

"Thank you?" I said with a sad smile. Nina gave me that nickname years ago. Was this a weird sort of memento Tristan was giving me.

"You need to look at a file folder called thesis the pin is 2016", Tristan explained.

"What am I going to see in that folder?" I asked as Tristan laced his fingers with mine.

What was Nina hiding?

I pulled my hand away Tristan and opened the laptop typing in the password. I found the folder and typed in the pin. I slowly scrolled through the folder with my brain not fully understanding what I was seeing. There had to be hundreds of pictures... of me.

Me in kindergarten with pigtails and a panda painted on my cheek.

My grade school year book photos.

My cringe high school selfies.

And...

I had to tilt my head to the side unsure of what I was seeing,"I never took these".

I kept scrolling,"I know".

My brain stutters for a moment and my eyes take in more light than I expected, every part of me goes on pause while my thoughts catch up. There were hundreds of pictures of me sleeping in just my underwear, just my bra or fully naked. I felt bruised on the inside.  "Claire, I think Jordan took these pictures and Nina was paying for them. I read some text messages---".

"Stop", I said shutting the laptop. He did. "Why are you showing me this?"

"Because you have a bad habit of letting bad people into your life. I know you feel bad about Nina's death. But you shouldn't. She doesn't deserve your compassion or love. To Nina you were nothing more than a warm cum rag. She and Jordan both knew what they were doing. And they didn't care about how it affected you. Never took into consideration your feelings. It's a terrible world out there and I just want to make sure your world is safe and just. I don't want to see you taken advantage of".

I turned to face Tristan with heavy tears in my eyes. I didn't want to cry but it sound like my world was falling apart. Everyone I  seem to trust tries to use me or lie to me. "Are you going to always do right by me?"

"Alway".

I could feel Tristan sincerity. I knew he meant what he was saying. "I will too".

I don't know many people that would stand up for me other than my parents. But Tristan has been since before I even knew he existed. Yes he had his flaws. But I didn't care. And yes it was selfish for me not to care about his Hobby. But I truly didn't. Tristan was my person and I knew he would do anything for me. He wouldn't hurt me, only love me. And if he could do that, I could accept his Hobby.

I climbed onto Tristan's lamp straddling his way as I wrap my arms around his neck. "Show me how much you missed me".

A smile crept across Tristan's face as we fell back onto the bed. Morality be damned. I had something real and I wasn't going to let it go no matter the cost.