“For listening. For offering me words of comfort. For being…you.”
My cheeks heat a little, but I don’t look away. His words spoken and even the ones neither of us speak hang heavy between us. The moment is broken when the sound of heavy footfalls echoes up the stairs.
“I hope you’re not naked!”
Collin closes his eyes briefly and shakes his head.
When Cade reaches the top, he stops in the doorway and glances between the two of us. We’re still standing close, but nothing that would be considered scandalous. He flashes me a charming grin and adds, “Well, unless it was you, Lizzie. You can be naked anytime I come over.”
I bark out a little laugh and state, “You wish.”
Collin’s eyes widen moments before he bursts into a fit of laughter. “Guess she told you.”
Cade gapes at me, as if I just told him I saw Bigfoot, and covers his heart with his hand. “You wound me.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Something tells me you’ll get over it.”
“Never. I’ll carry this pain for the rest of my life.” There’s no real emotion behind his words, and I know he’s just clowning around, probably to get a rise out of his brother.
“Are you done being a goof and ready to help?” Collin asks, stepping away from me and moving to the entryway.
“If I must. Used and left alone. It hurts, Lizzie. Really, it hurts.” Then he flashes me a megawatt grin and claps his hands together. “Lucky for you, I get over pain pretty quickly, so let’s do it.” But then he looks my way and gives me a lopsided grin. “Not literally, my lady. That ship has sailed. You had your chance. I’m nothing more than muscle to you. Unless you really do want to do it, then I’m in.”
I can’t stop the giggle as Collin rolls his eyes hard and pushes his brother through the doorway. “Let’s go, Romeo.”
“You’ve always been a cockblocker,” Cade states to his twin before moving down the stairs.
I follow behind, ready to show them what needs brought up. I still feel bad they’re both here on a weeknight, moving furniture, but Collin wasn’t taking no for an answer. And at the end of the day, I told them it wasn’t necessary today, so the fact they’re doing it right now was their decision. Or it was Collin’s decision.
It doesn’t take them long to bring the rest of my living room furniture up the stairs, and when they get that into place, they set their sights on my dresser and nightstands. My old place had decent-sized closets, so I was able to hang a lot of my clothes. Unfortunately, the closets in this apartment are pretty small, with only a single bar for some hangers. I’m going to have to use the tiny closet in the second bedroom to hold some of my things. Maybe I can rotate my wardrobe based on the season. Like, in the summer, keep my heavier, winter wear in the other closet and then switch it in the fall.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” Collin asks, startling me, since I didn’t realize he had approached and was standing beside me. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You’re fine. I was just trying to think of where I’m going to put all my clothes,” I reply with a little chuckle. “I’m kind of a clothes whore.”
He runs his fingers through his hair and pins me with a look of concern. “Uhh, do you have hidden closets up there somewhere?”
I snort and shake my head.
“Well, then, I suppose you found a use for that smaller bedroom.” His blue eyes are dancing with humor as he adds, “A walk-in closet.”
“What the hell? It’s not break time!” Cade hollers from the truck, hands on his hips like a disciplining father.
“Zip it!” Collin retorts.
“You know, that’s not a bad idea,” I reply, though I really had hopes of creating my private library/sewing room. However, it just might not be in the cards for this apartment. Maybe, someday down the road, I’ll be able to afford a place big enough for walk-in closetsanda library/sewing space.
“Don’t give up on your dream space just yet,” he states, as if reading my mind. “You might be able to create some extra closet space and still be able to have your other area.”
I nod, wondering if that’s true. The second bedroom is pretty small and would have fit my bookshelves and sewing supplies easily, but some sort of extra wardrobe or extended closet for my clothes? I’m not so sure about that.
I carry a few smaller boxes up, placing them in the second bedroom, even though that room has a long way to go before it’s set up. For now, it’ll be a good spot to keep the things I need to sort and put away so I can get the moving vehicle back sooner rather than later.
“What else?” Cade asks, glancing around the truck, which is now well on its way to being empty.
“I think that’s all for tonight. This was a huge help, thank you.”
“Are you sure? Besides the kitchen table, you really only have boxes left,” Collin states, glancing around.
