Page 51 of Stevie
“Never been more sure of anything in my life.” I take the paper back, pay the woman, and Leah and I leave the office. It’s been two months since I was arrested, and while Stevie and I have our good days and days where we are ready to go at each other like cats and dogs, but we always sleep in each other’s arms every night. And that’s something I don’t want to lose, ever.
At first, I thought about proposing. I went ring shopping at least three times, but each time, I would stare at the rings, and all I could see was the look of panic on her sweet face. She would’ve felt trapped again under a man’s rule. I don’t ever want her to feel that way with me. I fear it’s starting to happen, though. Vincent is no longer an issue since he was found to be “falsifying police reports,” and several women in his home state are coming forward about the sexual, physical, and financial abuse they endured while apprenticing for him, so he’s been pretty busy elsewhere. With the threat gone, Stevie has been busy starting up a cupcake business with my sister, Tyler. I’ve noticed she’s been trying to find ways to become more independent. I caught her looking at apartments two weeks ago.
It gutted me, though I pretended not to be fazed. I get it, even before she told me it’s not because she doesn’t love me. She just needs a place that can’t be taken from her again. It’s hard to handle hearing that, but I also realize that Stevie is someone who needs to see action, not just be told. So, this is me showing action.
* * *
After dropping Leah off at her apartment, I drive home and frown at the rental car in my driveway. Getting out of my Jeep, I cautiously walk into my unlocked house —god damn it, Stevie—and look around. I see Stevie’s turquoise hair in the backyard and head out the door.
“Stevie?” I call out, causing her to jump.
“Hey, sweetheart!” She waves, motioning for me to come over.
“Whose rental is in the– Holy shit,” I look at the massive potted plant sitting next to someone. “Oh my god, Rory?”
The silver-haired woman looks at me and grins brightly. “Jesus, Brooks, look at this place!” She leans in and hugs me. “You’ve kept everybody alive and thriving. Stevie here got you quite a gift.” She gestures to the plant – a philodendron ‘Jose Buono’. It’s the same plant I’ve been trying to obtain for a while now. I watch the plant’s leaves shimmer like a mosaic of emerald and cream in the sunlight. The variegated leaves temporarily hold my gaze. They’re massive, larger than my forearm.
“How…” I look at Stevie, who shrugs.
“What? Like you’re the only one with a special set of skills.” Rory chuckles at us as we head inside to talk. She tells me about her life on a ranch in Montana with her husband and their kids and that she started an online plant business there and ships all over, but when Stevie reached out and told her who she was buying the plant for, Rory made a special trip out here to hand deliver it.
We spent the day catching up, talking about plants, and discovering that Frank is Rory’s uncle - small world. She left me with some instructions on the new plant and her info for her site, along with an invitation for us to visit anytime before we said our goodbyes.
I look at the beaming Stevie and kiss her. “You’re so amazing.” I smile.
“I know, and you better not kill it or any of these plants because you get all mopey when I move out.”
“You could save my plants and me by just staying here,” I suggest and watch her face fall.
“Brooks, I need–”
“I know, but what if you could get that here?” She furrows her brows.
“How? You own the house. You can quite literally hold this roof over my head.”
I grab the envelope off the counter and hand it to her.
“What’s this?” She asks, and when she opens it, a sob of surprise escapes her. “Brooks!” Her voice cracks as she looks at me, her eyes filling with tears. “You can’t.”
“I did,” I say softly. “I wantyou, Stevie. I want to wake up to you every morning and sleep with you every night. Nothing in this world means more to me than you and your happiness, including this house. So, it’s yours. The deed is yours. Nowyouhave the roof, the security, and the power.”
She’s barely able to stand due to her sobs as she shakes her head in shock. “I am not worth this!”
“No,” I state simply. “You’re worth so much more. This is only a small gesture, something I thought would help you see that I don’t want any power over you. I want to bewithyou. And, if you let me stay here, in your house, in your world, I promise I will spend all of my days making you see that you are worth everything to me. That there is no one above you. You own my heart and soul, baby… and now my home.”
She gives me a strangled laugh before hugging me tightly. “Yes,” she whispers, pressing her lips to mine. “You can be my roommate.”
Stevie
EPILOGUE
“3, 2, 1… done!” I say over Brooks’ overdramatic cries of pain as Sadie and I tag team his nipple piercings.
“My fucking christ! Ow! Stop it!” Brooks cries as he bats away Sadie.
“Stop being a baby and let her do her job.” Once Sadie is done, Brooks goes and looks in the mirror.
“I can’t believe I let you do this to me.” He groans as he looks over his new piercings.
