Brothers Sean and Norman are closer than close, have eachothers back on everything, Happily married Sean has it all, perfect home, perfect wife, perfect life, Sean is a soldier in the US Army and when he gets called to fight in Iraq he leaves behind...
It was 3am, Norman and Claire were lying in bed naked staring at the ceiling. Each knew the other was awake but both feeling too awkward to look at eachother. Rolling over Claire lifted the photo she had faced down of Sean, staring at the photo she thought back to how much she missed him fixing her problems and how this one he couldnt fix for her. She had to do it alone.
Waking up as morning came she noticed Norman was not there, going downstairs she realised he had just upped and left, albeit pleased she didnt have to face him she wanted to talk to him. Sending him a text she typed I think we should stop seeing eachother for a while...xx C
Arriving at work she shot Lucy a look to come over and talk to her in her room "Luce, i done it again...i couldnt help it" she confessed as Lucy listened intently "do you think its because you dont want to be alone? Like at night?" Lucy asked sipping her coffee, Claire shrugged "i think so, i sent him a text saying we should stay away from eachother for a while" she responded "probably for the best, baby your head is all messed up, you are not thinking straight" Lucy replied. Claire liked her advice, her head is all messed up, but she couldnt help spending the rest of the day thinking about Norman. Was it just pure lust? Or more?
--
The next several weeks Claire spent working, seeing friends and re decorating the house, a new start made her feel better, she placed all of Sean's stuff in the attic she didnt want reminding but she didnt want to completely erase him, she kept the photo of their wedding day in her room, sometimes she would talk to it at night before sleep. She hadnt seen or spoken to Norman since she sent that text, she couldnt deny that it didnt bother but it was for the best. But for now Claire was applying bronzer to her body, curling her hair and picking out on outfit for tonight. Claire and Lucy were having a night out, few wines, girl time just what Claire needed. Opting on a black playsuit and tan wedges she got dressed and made her way out the door to meet Lucy.
"Urgh, its quiet in here isnt it?" Claire sighed as her and Lucy sat at a table, Chardonnay's in hand. "Mmm so it is, well at least we got a table. Feels like i havent seen you in ages outside of work" Lucy said sipping her wine, "ive just re decorated the house, its all ive been doing when i get home from work..its actually really helped. And now its complete its like a fresh lease on life..you know" Claire explained. Smiling at her friend Lucy teased "and now you need some new dick to make it all the more better" Claire gasped laughing at her friend "maybe you are right...4 weeks of painting and nothing else..feel like my virginity has grown back" Claire joked "thats the spirit! Sean would want you to be happy he wouldnt want you to be alone" Lucy tried to reassure her friend who was playing with her wedding ring "you are right. God i hate you when you are right!" Claire tutted and let out a smile.
A few more wines later the barmaid came over with two glasses of wine "these are from the gents at the bar" she explained placing them down as Lucy and Claire scanned to see who it was, two tall and dark hair men waved over at them "they are cute" Lucy whisperer nudging her friend "what do we do?" Claire asked looking at Lucy who was practically dribbling at this stage before waving them over "oh my god Luce..we dont know them!" She yell whispered at her, fake smiling at the men. "Hi..im Jack and this is my friend Connor" Jack said introducing himself to Claire by kissing her hand and shaking Lucy's "you girls from round here?" Connor asked as he shifted closer to Lucy "yup, few blocks away. You guys?" She replied practically eyeing Connor up and down like he was meat. Claire couldnt help but smirk at her friend she was way too confident sometimes.
The boys joined the girls and Claire spoke with Jack most of the night while they chuckled at Connor and Lucy playing tonsil tennis. "Sorry about my friend" Claire joked rolling her eyes "and mine!" Jack joked. Nudging Lucy's foot from under the table Claire eyed her to join her in the ladies room. "What the hell are you doing?" Claire yell whispered, Lucy reapplied some lipgloss as Claire scolded her "we dont even know these guys and there you are--" Clare carried on but Lucy interrupted her " Claire...who cares!! One night..it will sort you out and boom! Back to your boring life of painting" Lucy raised her eyebrow at her friend "there is no law saying you cant have a one night stand..get yours..but take that off first" she added pointing to her ring while fluffing her hair and leaving Claire in the ladies. Looking at herself in the mirror she gave herself a pep talk "you can do this girl" "one night" she repeated as she guilty removed her wedding ring and placed it around her chain. Leaving the ladies room she could see Lucy and the guys standing outside lighting up, following them outside Jack told them they had ordered cabs back to his and Connor's apartments, they lived above eachother so would do after drinks at Jack's "cool" Claire said a little bit forced.
"You get in this one guys we will meet you with the next one" Jack said waving Lucy and Connor off in a cab leaving Claire and Jack alone outside. They stood in silence for a while giving eachother nervous smiles "you know what..ill probably just go home im real tired" Claire put on trying to abruptly leave "nah come on it will be fun" Jack tried to encourage her but to no avail. "No really its--" Claire started before Jack cut her off passionately kissing her and forcing his tongue down her throat, pushing him off her after many attempts Claire screamed "what is wrong with you!" Looking disheveled Jack wiped his mouth "me? Whats wrong with you you are way too frigid! Whats with you!" He snapped at her. Exhaling sarcastically Claire snapped "whatever" before attempting to walk away, he grabbed her arm and yanked her back "what you think you are just going to leave?" He seethed in her face. "Yea she is!" A loud voice called over, it was Norman, a feeling relief waved over Claire as Jack let go of her arm "fuck off and leave her alone" Norman threatened in Jack's face before he relented and walked off
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"You okay?" Norman whispered huskily as Claire straightened out her outfit "yea..i guess" she muttered taking off her wedges making her really short at Norman's 5"11 frame. "Lucy tried to get me to 'lighten up' " Claire sighed using air quotes "come on lets get you home" he smiled placing a friendly arm around her neck "what you doing in this part of the neighbourhood?" She asked as they walked while she swung her wedges, playfully turning her head to look at the other side of the road he teased "er hello..my garage is right there" "duh" she joked "was working late on a few cars and them i saw you leading that guy on" he joked "shutup i was not leading him on" she laughed hitting him with her bag. They spoke about what they had been up to, rather awkward. The walk home was pretty long, it was longer than they both anticipated but it was nice "ive missed you ,you know" Norman confessed awkwardly, Claire could tell he regretted saying it "i have too" she replied giving him a arm squeeze and a smile. "You know..i keep thinking about you...a lot" he added, this time quietly but Claire heard every word.
