“I really think this is a great opportunity to exercise honesty and courage by allowing her family to know where you guys are going.”
“She’s an adult. I don’t need permission to take her anywhere.”
Davis nods in understanding, “You’re right. But you’re still building up trust with them, and you’re about to flip them on their heads this evening. Don’t wreck what you’ve worked so hard to build.”
He’s right. I know he is. It’s why he’s quickly become my closest confidant. His advice is solid, and he’s on my side without being a ‘yes man’. “You’re right. Will you come with me while I go back out there?”
He smirks at me, “So you admit it? I might be right from time to time?”
Laughing I playfully push his shoulder, “Oh, fuck off.”
“No, this is a big step. The absolute asshole I met months ago realizes that he actually needs me.” He’s biting back his laugh, making me roll my eyes.
“Come on before I change my mind and sneak her out of here.” Moving to the door, I hear his footsteps behind me. He may still be a douche, but he’s dedicated to making sure I don’t fuck my life up again, and for that I can never thank him enough.
* * *
Pulling away from the driveway in my Jeep, Lee has pressed her head to the side of the door while she watches the trees pass on the side of the road. When I convinced her to come with me after talking to her family, she agreed, but only if Ipromised she could stay with me tonight. That was the easiest promise I’ve ever made. Reaching over, I grab her hand and rest our intertwined fingers on her thigh.
“I’m sorry tonight didn’t go as planned, baby.” I offer her a sullen grin as she squeezes my hand.
“It’s okay. We just know now that we have to keep them separated. I’m sorry I pushed for it and messed up our birthday.”
She pulls my hand completely in her lap and begins playing with my fingers. It’s such a Lee thing to do. Always trying to fidget with something. I turn off the road my family lives on, and where I would typically turn left to go back into the city, I turn right to go further into the small town of Corey Heights. Dieter’s shop is over here. His and Jakob’s houses are also out here. Turning down the little side street beside Fischer’s Auto, I take us down a few more streets before pulling into an empty driveway.
“Where are we? Is this where Davis lives or something?” I smile and hold onto the surprise a little longer.
“No, Davis lives on the next street over, though.”
“Who lives here then?” She stares out at the window.
“We do, Beautiful. If you want to.” Her eyes whip to mine, disbelief taking over every feature.
“What? How?”
“Well, a lot of help from my brothers and Davis. We gutted the inside and, with Annie’s help, made it exactly how you’ve always wanted it.” Tears spring to her eyes as she takes in the house, struggling to process what she’s seeing as well as what I’m saying.
The yellow bungalow sits in the center of our plot of land. White trim, gutters, steps, and porch make the yellow popeven more than it already does. Ceiling fans are installed on each side of the porch so even when the heat is stifling we can move the air around. There’s two porch lights that look like old school lanterns hanging on each side of the door frame. The door is a sage green color; I know I was skeptical too. But everyone swore it’d look good, and it actually does. Two rocking chairs sit on the long side of the porch, and on the short side, a wooden porch swing. A detached garage the same color as the house sits in front of my Jeep. I’ve worked my ass off to get this ready for today, and all I can do now is hope she loves it.
“Can we- I mean, is it okay if we go inside?” She looks so unsure, like this isn’t her house.
It makes sense. I bought this house a week before I left for the cabin. I’ve had months to adjust to this, she hasn’t. It went up for sale, and I knew with the right work it’d be the perfect house. I figured I’d fix it up eventually, then decide what to do with it.
When I got home from detox, I realized that I was going to have a lot of time on my hands. Especially because not much is going on with work right now. That’s a good thing. It means no one is currently coming after us. At the same time, it gives me even more time to not be busy, so I decided to gut the house and make it into mine and Lee’s dream house.
“Yeah, sweetheart. Let’s go check it out.” I get out and round the front to grab her door before she can open it. Helping her down, the smile she gives me knocks the air out of my lungs.
We walk up the sidewalk and climb the steps to our home.Our home. It has a nice ring to it.Quickly unlocking the door, I push it open, and in the next minute I have her cradled in my arms, bridal style. She yelps as she quickly wraps her armsaround my neck.
“Quill! What are you doing?” She laughs loudly.
“I’m carrying you over the threshold of our house. Now hush, woman.”
She glares at me as she digs her thumb into the space between my collarbone and neck, causing me to flinch and laugh at her.Fiery little sprite.“Okay, okay, I’m sorry!” She grins triumphantly and settles into my arms as I carry her over the threshold, then gently place her feet on the floor and step back so she can take in what I hope is everything she ever wanted in a house. She takes in the medium shade wooden floors, the stairs that are slightly to the right of where we are, the white walls, and the fireplace on the long back wall. Much like the house I grew up in, this one is also open concept.
Directly to the right of the stairs is the dining room, which is complete with an eight person table. If you move into the little hall through the dining room is a bathroom to your left, then the kitchen. It’s open and according to Annie, has just enough counter space not to drive her sister crazy. It’s also equipped with top of the line appliances. She made sure to point out that the large island is exactly what Lee has always loved about her parents’ kitchen.
From the kitchen, you’re staring directly into the living room. Fully decked out with a huge sectional that Lee and I have been talking about wanting. The TV mounted over the fireplace is bigger than necessary, but a guy’s gotta have one thing. It’s just waiting for Lee to add her touch to it.
