“Blake, Bear?” Truly sits up from the couch, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. “You’re home.” The way her whole face lights up when she sees me hits me hard. I make my way quickly over to her and pull her into my arms, sitting down so that she’s straddling me.
"You called me Bear." It's been so long since she has.
"Did I?" She lays her head on my shoulder, nuzzling close. "I haven't been saying it, have I?"
"Not really."
Truly lifts her head, sleep fading from her eyes. "I guess it takes me back to being a girl. That it's a silly name." She tries to shrug it off, but I know it's shyness.
When you grow up in a family that cares so much about what the rest of the world believes, that can linger. I hate it for her, but I can’t go back in time to change it. All I can do is make sure she’s free to be and say whatever the hell she wants going forward.
"It's not silly to me," I reassure her. "And anyone else who has an opinion on it can go get fucked." Truly snorts a laugh. I run my hands up and down her back. "Tell me about your day."
"Not much to tell. I organized a few things and played on my computer."
"Have you thought about searching for homes? It might take time to find a home you'll want." Truly notices the details when it comes to those things. She loves anything that's full of history with a story behind it. I'd searched long and hard for her wedding ring, knowing how important it would be to her.
“Shouldn’t we wait until things settle down?” I know without her saying that she’s talking about the situation with our parents. I hate that we have that still lingering over our heads. I know my girl's mind won’t be at ease until that issue is dealt with.
“We’ve waited long enough, Truly. It’s our time to live.” She nods but doesn’t say more. Shit, I’m not sure how to handle this now. I was going to tell her that things might take longer than I initially thought.
"But do we know where we'll be looking?"
"Anywhere."
"Anywhere?" Her brows rise.
"No harm searching." I should reach out to a realtor.
I'm sure Lauren will know a good one. One that will keep their mouths shut. I don't need word getting out that I'm moving, but people might believe it's only another house we'readding to our portfolio. I'm already making too many moves. I don't want to draw extra unneeded attention.
"I don't want to get my hopes up." Truly fidgets, buttoning and unbuttoning a button on my shirt.
"Get your hopes up because it's happening at some point."
"Some point," she repeats under her breath.
"Do you not want to move?" There is a shift in her mood, but maybe she's tired.
"I do." She pats the button once she gets it done again, sitting up straighter. "I'm in a funky mood is all."
"Then let me get you out of it." I cup the back of her neck with my hand and pull her in for a long, hard kiss. When I release her mouth, Truly's cheeks are flushed, and that softness in her features returns, making me relax more. "I'm going to feed you, soak you in a bath, and fuck the hell out of you," I tell her, making her laugh.
"I'm glad you're home early." It's seven; I wouldn't call that early, but for me, I suppose it is early.
"Can only stay away from you for so long."
"Maybe I'll bring you lunch tomorrow, and then you won't have to miss me so much."
"Don't worry about it. I'm working through them to get everything handled." Her shoulders drop a fraction. I don't want her to see the madness that has become my office. Truly is worried enough about her parents. I'm not going to lay everything else on her, not if I can get it all handled myself, but I also don't want her to think she's unwanted there. "If you want, you can. I just don't want you worrying over it."
"I want to fuss over my husband."
I want that too. I want to take care of my wife and all her needs, and I'll do whatever I have to so that all her dreams come true.
Chapter Seventeen
TRULY
