Payton nods.
“Well, where is your mom, and I’ll deliver this coffee to her before we get started?”
Payton points toward the kitchen before ducking up the stairs.
It only takes just over an hour to play Tetris and get everything all packed up between my truck and her vehicle. I don’t know if Payton had already packed everything or maybe just never got around to unpacking. Either way, it made for a smooth morning.
I’m just bringing the tailgate of my truck down when Payton finally gets out of her car. She had pulled right in beside me in the driveway but hesitated to get out. I don’t know if she was once again doubting this or giving herself a pep talk. Either way, I didn’t push.
“Wow, this is beautiful.” Payton pauses on the pathway, looking up at my house as if it’s a castle.
“Thank you,” I reply as I open the front door and set the box down in the hallway. It’s nothing special, really—but it’s mine. It was my first major purchase.
“I can’t believe I’ve never been here,” she says, setting the box down beside mine.
I had bought it while she was away at college, and when she came home to visit, I guess there wasn’t really a reason for her to come by.
“Well, you’re here now. Come on, I’ll give you a tour.”
To our left is the living room, and the dining room is to the right.
“How long have you lived here?”
“A few years.”
Payton hums in response, and I have to smother down my chuckle as I take her in. I would bet my life that she wants to make a comment about the lack of décor in the house. It’s something that Ollie basically comments oneverytime he’s over. But like I’ve said before, it’s just a house, and I’m never home, so I never felt the need to fill it with extra shit.
But as I walk Pay around, visions play out in my head. I can see Gabby’s toys strewn out all over the floor, and maybe even stepping on a Barbie shoe or two. I can recall stepping on a fewof Payton’s when we were younger, and they hurt like a fucking bitch. But if it meant that this house was more of a home, I would walk on a path of Barbie shoes.
You can reach the kitchen by the front hallway or through the dining room. I don’t think I can even count on one hand the number of times I’ve eaten in the dining room. With it being just me or the guys coming over, we usually just sit around the island eating or out back on the patio. I’m slowly working on updating the kitchen. It’s still technically a work in progress to being my dream kitchen, but I’m not in a rush.
We finally make our way upstairs, which houses my room, a full bath in the hall, and the guest room, which will now become Payton and Gabby’s room. Payton takes in the room, and I’m thankful it wasn’t too messy when I came home the other night after offering this room to her. I just had to move a few things into the garage and my closet.
“You can paint or redecorate however you want. The walls have been this gray color since I bought it.”
“No, it’s perfect.” I can’t help but smile that she likes it. I leave her for a moment and run down to grab the first round of boxes that we had left at the front door.
“How about you unpack,” I say, setting the boxes down just in the doorway, “and I’ll keep bringing them up. That way, we’re constantly working together.”
“I can’t ask you to be the only one to unload.”
“You’re not asking. I’m volunteering. I think it will go the fastest. Then your mom can bring Gabby over sooner. I’m sure she misses her mommy.”
I smile at her as she nods, and that smile never leaves my face the rest of the morning.
“Where do you want this box?” I ask, entering the room with my fourth box. Music plays from her phone, which is perched on the bed.
“Right over there is fine.” She nods next to the closet.
After dropping the box to the ground, I shove my hands into my pockets and look around the room. It already looks like a different room. Clearly, I was right that this was a faster way because the other boxes are already empty and broken down.
“So, I’ve got a few more boxes, but then I’m ready to bring Gabby’s crib in.”
“Oh, I can help with that. It’s solid wood and a little heavy.”
“Where do you want to put it?”
She pauses from hanging clothes on a hanger—who knew one could own so much clothing—and looks around the room. “What do you think about moving that dresser over to this wall, and we can set it up there? That way, if the hall light is on and the door is open, it won’t shine directly at her.”
