My Stepbrother secret obsession

Three In The Morning

LEIGH

"Who was that?" I asked Claire. She had been talking on the phone since we got off the minivan.

"My mom, she said my father came over, and he wants to talk with me." She quietly said while we were around the pedestrian promenade, walking side by side behind dad, Susan, and an enthusiastic Julian, snapping pictures with his phone.

"There's a phone these days. He can call." I point out.

"That's what I say."

Over the past year, I have learned a lot about Claire, just as she does me. Last year Thanksgiving, I spent with her family, just like she followed me here this summer. That man who wanted to talk now had been nothing but a drunk; he walked out on his family when his situation only became worst, it was rough at first, but eventually, things shifted after he departed. His younger brother married Claire's mother and provided them with the affection his brother failed to.

"So?"

I heard her respire loudly. When I looked over at her, she was already looking at me.
"She insisted, I should hear him out."

In her eyes, there was uncertainty, but I couldn't ignore the whiff of air around us that hinted at her wanting to see him; he is her father anyway.

"So when are you leaving?" I let it slid and put on a small smile to soften her contorted expression.

"Tomorrow maybe." She replied and looked away.

If she thinks I will judge her for wanting to see her father, she is mistaken. I, of all people, know what is offensive and what is not. I know wanting Ava, when damn well I am conscious of the wreckage coming with it, is highly offensive to my family, but Claire missing her father? It's nothing violating. If anything, it's a human tendency. At some point, we are all inclined to miss something that made us. Something we are connected to no matter how much we thought we could fight it.

When I didn't say anything, she looked up, and her attempt to smile failed. I put my arm over her shoulder and pulled her to my side.

"We are supposed to celebrate the fourth of July,"
I spoke after some while of awkward muteness.

"Hike and stuff." She playfully remarked.

"Yes, Hike and stuff." I chuckled just as we began walking up the flight of stairs that guide to the launch tower parallel to each other. "Probably, next time."

"Yes." She agrees. "And I am taking Julian with me."

"Claire?" I stop and move to the side to grant others enough passage.

"No! He is not staying." She glances over my shoulder at where he was standing. "I am not leaving you with him."

"Stop behaving like I am some addict-" I stopped mid-sentence when my eyes locked on an older couple with a revulsive expression at my utterance. We quietly waited until they walked away. I anxiously observed around the surrounding, with my thumbs in my pockets. I bet I look suspicious.

When there is no one coming, I lean in and continue, this time my voice a little cautious. "An addict who can't take care of myself."

"That's the point. I am taking him from you so that you can take care of yourself." She protests at equal voice volume.

My brows pulled together.
"What does that mean?"

"You don't get it. Do you?" She scoffs and shakes her head. "It's been a couple of days, but Leigh, if there's anything I've learned, it is that everyone around here has hope in you. Your father? Your people, Ava? What happened to going professional and making her legally yours?" The urge to drop my eyes from her accusing ones was overpowering. I clenched my jaw at her reminder.
"Letting Julian pills manipulate you, how will you achieve all those things?" She asked. I can feel her intense gaze confusedly darted at me.