“Am I meeting someone important today? Now that I’m your fiancé?” I give him a grin.
“Say it again.” Benjamin rolls his eyes.
“I’m yourfiancé.” I groan.
“One more.”
“If I keep saying it—it’ll lose its charm.” He says, clicking his tongue at me.
“That could literally never happen. But you’re off the hook—we’re here.”
We get out of the truck and when Benjamin comes around to my side I take his hand. He’s trembling a bit which tells me he’s nervous to meet whoever he thinks he’s meeting. I walk us to the front gate—pausing before I open it. Benjamin stumbles.
“You okay?” He asks, staring at me with his big hazel eyes.
“What do you think?” I nod toward the house—watching as he turns and examines it with a blank expression. My skin is crawling with nerves.
“It’s nice.” He grins—turning back to look at me. “Actually—this house looks just like one of those houses in the magazines my mom had. I used to flip through them and think—wow, a happy family must live there. You know—the American Dream and all that.” Bingo.
Benjamin doesn’t seem fazed by my responding smile—he’s used to me looking at him like this is the best day of my life. I start walking us toward the front. Benjamin knocks, wiping his palms on his shorts.
“I’m nervous.” He whispers. I watch his face—the darting eyes and lip-biting. After a few seconds, I hand him a key. “Motherfucker!” He’s glaring daggers at me as he unlocks the door. “We were house-sitting this whole time? Why’d you let me be all nervous? You’re such a— what?”
He walks into the house, peering around the corner on the left into the living room. The completely unfurnished living room.
“Hm?” I ask. “I’m a what?”
“A dick.” He mumbles—but he’s not really paying me any attention. He heads to the right and peeks into the guest room. As each second passes he is more confused. He’s so unused to being treated to things that it hasn’t even crossed his mind that this could be ours.
Benjamin walks further down the hall—walks into the master bedroom and walks back out. He’s staring into the kitchen when he speaks again.
“Ah—Aaron. I think we might get axe-murdered. Who the fuck are we house-sitting for? A gang leader?” I can’t help but chuckle which makes him turn to look at me still leaning in the doorway of the front door. “You are way too calm right now.”
“That’s because it’ssupposedto be empty.” He scrunches his nose, walking toward me.
“What? Is it new?”
“Yep—they just finished building it this January, no one’s ever lived here.” Benjamin looks around him again, slipping his index finger into my front pocket.
“Oh, that makes sense. Why are we watching a brand-new house? Who’s moving in here?” He looks back up at me—oblivious and content to just be here with me—house-sitting the empty house. I cup his jaw, watching him lean into me without even thinking about it. So beautiful.
“We are.”
“Ah, well— what?!” He gives himself whiplash looking back up at me. “Sorry? Like a long-term house-sitting arrangement or?” I shake my head, smiling down at him.
“No. I rented this house. To live in.” Benjamin takes a step back—looking around him again.
“I… I really don’t understand, Aaron. Like—yeah, I know what renting a house means. But… you want me to move in with you here? Why did you rent a house? You don’t like your apartment anymore?” As he stares back up at me, I realize the meaning behind this place is flying right over his head.
“Benjamin. This house isn’tmyhouse. It’sours.” His eyes widen. “You lived almost your entire life not having a home that’s genuinely just for you. Somewhere to call a home. So—I got us one. You are the first person to ever live here, the first resident to walk the floors. This is as much your home as it is mine.” He doesn’t move—doesn’t breathe.
“Uh…” I give him a moment—when he doesn’t say anything I continue.
“Once we’re married, I will be your family. This will be our home. And the end goal is to—while renting this house—buy a plot of land wherever you want and build our own home. A forever home.” I wonder if he’s actually breathing or not. “Button?” He blinks.
“I think I died on the bridge.” He is completely serious.
“What?!”
