Page 35 of Slow Burn
“Levi? What...what is this?” I back her towards the bed and go down on my knees; I laugh when her eyes go wide.
“Oh honey...I promise when I ask you to be my wife, I will not be dirty and covered in soot and you will not be covered in paint. Although, I like you dirty, baby. I want you to know you have a home here, now.” Brynn takes the box and opens to find the keys, her eyes flashing.
“Uh....what do...I mean.... what?” I take the keyring out and close her fingers around it.
“Move in with me. Make every room in this house yours. Ours. Don't go back to Boston. Ever.”
I expect the fear that flashes in her eyes. The hesitation. Brynn is holding on tight to Boston to protect herself. And, to protect Amelia and me from getting hurt again. It's another reason I love her; she put us first. So, I expect asking her to move in with us might scare her a little.
What I do not expect is rage.
“Move in with you? Why?” I'm sick at the tone of her question, the storming anger in her eyes.
“Uh....because I want you to live with us. Want you to call my home your home. I mean...I thought you wanted that too?” Brynn shoves to her feet and I stumble back, still on my knees.
“Levi, I do. I mean...I think I do. Levi...I don't...how can I? I don't even live in Chicago; Boston is my home.” Bitter anger floods me and I shoot to my feet, unable to rein it in.
“Bullshit, Brynn. I am your home. Amelia is your home. Your family is your home. You keep half your shit at Lola's place and half here, just to hold on to that bullshit escape clause. I want you here, with us. I want us to make a fucking life together. I thought...all this, I thought you wanted the same things.” My arms sweep out to indicate the entire house that she has changed in the last two weeks.
“All this....” Brynn looks around and I feel the air change between us.
“You painted every room, took down every picture, changed every single piece of furniture. Piece by piece. Like I asked you to give me brick by brick. I thought you....” I rub at my jaw as pain slices through me.
I thought Brynn wanted the same things. Now, I'm afraid we were just a temporary fix for her. To replace a family she gave up. I don't fault her for her choice. But suddenly, I wonder if that choice was too easy for her. Is she ready to give us up too?
