Mine // Sam Wilkinson

Part // LVI

Claire's POV

"I don't get how you could be hurting me so damn bad yet you're still the greatest fucking thing to happen to me," I let the words fly out. Although they weren't the words I intended to say, Sam knew I would let it slip eventually.

"Claire... Babe," his head dropped, looking speechless, "I never meant to become Tyler." He threw his head in his hands.

I hugged my knees closer to my chest, letting the tears stream without constriction. Just his name would throw me into the worst state of mind.

Sam scooted closer to me, still managing to keep his distance.

"Claire, speak to me."

I couldn't look up; I couldn't get words out. The lump in my throat was swelling larger by the second. My head was starting to spin and I couldn't focus on any certain thought in my head.

I never meant to become Tyler.

This sentence was running through my head faster than a hunting cheetah.

"Claire Rachel," his voice cracked with worry, "Claire..."

He moved to surround my shaking body. When his hands touched my back, I felt safe again; as if nothing could hurt me ever again. I felt as if I was finally going to be okay. I felt as if I needed him to embrace me fuller. This made the tears come faster now, more violent than before.

I tried to open up to give him the okay to hold me but my body wouldn't give in. No matter how hard I tried, or thought I tried, my body wouldn't move a centimeter. The only movement going on was the shaking coming all the way within my bones and the little breaths I was able to steal during my violent cries.

I didn't really know why I was crying. Was it from Sammy telling me he cheated? Was it the violent memories from Tyler flooding back all over again? Or was it the fact I might be losing everything I ever needed?

I kept on crying until I felt as if nothing would come out. I kept on crying and crying, until not one tear fell and not one scream would escape my lips. Not once did he let go until I stopped. He finally realized how bad I needed him, and I realized how bad I wanted him to stay with me.

"Once a cheater, always a cheater" was a phrase my mom and aunt always told me growing up. Sammy was always a player; just the type of guy to date a girl for a hook up then leave her. He had proven to me that that was not what he wanted from me. It took him a year to get a 'hook up.' But wait... a hook up then leave her.

Is that why he waited to tell me that he cheated on me so long ago, because he knew how I would react?