“Speaking.” I try so hard to keep the anxiety contained, but I genuinely don’t know what I’m going to do if she says the offer wasn’t accepted.
She clears her throat, each second she doesn’t say something causes my stomach to churn more and more. “They’ve accepted your offer, and would like me to send over the paperwork straight away. There are a few things about the property that we should go over but otherwise everything should be easy.”
“Yes” I yell, pumping my fist into the air. “Thank you so much, I’ll sign everything right now.”
“Don’t you want to know the issues with the house?” She asks, clearly confused.
I smile, knowing that my plans are to rip that place down and start from scratch anyway. “I’m okay, I didn’t care when putting the offer in and I don’t care now.”
That place could burn down tonight and I would barely blink. The pain that comes with that house is nothing but a burden for Claire, I refuse to let it stand when I have the opportunity to build something so much better.
“Very well then,” she sighs, “it was a pleasure doing business with you. Please don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns.”
I hang up and dance around the apartment, unable to contain my excitement. Everything is going to beperfect.
After I got signed to a team in Vancouver, I told Claire I didn’t expect her to follow me. I knew what this place meant to her, how broken it made her feel, so I didn’t want her to have to re-live the past.
She didn’t hesitate, she wanted to come with me and build new memories in a place that made her feel like she was nothing. She wanted to replace the bad memories with good ones.
We’ve been living in an apartment downtown for the last year, she hasn’t been too focused on finding a house, so I’ve spent the last couple weeks secretly looking. When I heard her father was selling her childhood home I knew I wanted to buy it.
Not because the house itself was nice, but because of the land it’s built on. That forest behind her house where she found refuge for so many years, is technically part of the property, I couldn’t let him give that away.
It’s important to her.
The salary I got when I joined the NHL is more than enough to pay for it, and enough leftover to completely tear down that god forsaken house and build a new one.
I want a life with her, I want a family… I just hope I’m making the right decision.
The sound of our front door opening echos against the apartment walls, Claire walks in with her phone pressed to her ear. She’s deep in conversation, and doesn’t even notice me come up behind her.
My arms wrap around her waist, my lips press to her neck while she sighs in content, completely forgetting about whatever it is that she’s talking about.
“I’m going to have to go, but we can sort this out tomorrow when I come in” she says quickly. She pulls the phone away from her ear and throws it on the counter before fully melting into my touch. “A girl could get used to being greeted like this.”
I continue pressing soft kisses against her neck and shoulder, forever grateful that she’s mine. “Well get used to it baby, cause this is how it’s always going to be.”
Her soft laugh fills the air around me, “what’s got you in such a good mood?”
“Just happy” I shrug. Maybe that’s a bit cryptic, but I’m not ready to tell her my plans just yet. I need to get rid of that fucking house first.
* * *
My fingers rub against my temple, massaging it in hopes to ease the headache that’s been plaguing me for the last couple months.
All this stress will be worth it in the end though.
Today is the day I tell her, the house isn’t ready yet but she’s starting to get suspicious. All the secretive calls and outings are taking a toll on her, I can see it.
She’s not sleeping as much, she’s always on edge, her shoulders slump when I walk into another room to take a call. I feel fucking awful about keeping this secret, but I had to if I wanted this to work.
Bringing her to her trauma filled childhood home was not going to elicit the desired reaction. She needs to see the new house being built for it to properly sink in.
“Baby?” I say, walking into our bedroom. She’s laying on the bed, staring at the wall and playing with her hair. My heart breaks at the sight of her, “I have some errands to run.”
She deflates even more at my words, and starts to play with her hair faster, “okay” she whispers.
I take a seat on the bed next to her and grab her hands lightly, “I want you to come with me.” Claire’s head snaps towards me, her eyes wide with hope before she nods her head and smiles.
