John hesitates for a second before nodding. “Sure. Yeah, we can do that.”
“Hell yeah. I’m so excited!” I’m happy this house willhopefully be a little less creepy soon, and it’ll feel more like home, but even more than that, I love that this is a family project and I’m included. Practically speaking, yes, this is my house, and I am literally paying them to be here, but still, it feels like bonding time. Legally speaking, they are my brothers-in-law, even if they don’t know that.
I try to channel my excitement and focus on what they need from me. “Oh! I also want some fancy modern light fixtures and a farmhouse sink. This is going to look amazing!”
“You can pick those out whenever you’re ready. We’ll start with the demo. Last thing we have to go over today is the fireplace,” James says, and we walk into the living room next to look at the wood-burning fireplace with brick as trim and a wood mantel.
“I think it needs to be modernized. It’s kind of ugly,” I point out just as Jack and Jenny come tramping into the living room from outside and bray. I laugh. “See, even the donkeys agree with me!”
Drew bends down to pet them. “I still can’t believe you have donkeys that live in your house, man, that’s so fun.”
“They really are just like dogs,” Mark adds.
“Right! I am so happy they needed homes. And even though they’ll have to go live at the farm for a little bit during the construction, I’m glad they’ve had some time here with me so we could bond. Isn’t that right babies?” I coo as I pet them both. “Also I do trust them, but we should add some type of fire safety cage thing to the front of this so they don’t accidentally get too close. And for the design, I’m thinking marble from floor to ceiling to brighten up all the wood in here.”
“Floor-to-ceiling marble?” James checks. “You know that’s going to be expensive, right?”
“Okay. But I think it’ll look nice. What do you think, John?”
He shrugs. “If that’s what you want to spend your money on, Princess. Go for it.”
“Princess?” Drew repeats as a question, sounding delighted by my nickname as he eyes John suspiciously.
“Shut up,” John basically growls, and his brothers all look surprisingly giddy with that. He must’ve unintentionally let the nickname slip; he hasn’t called me that around anyone since we started our arrangement. I still loved it just as much though.
“Do you still want to get the fireplace working in your house?” I ask John.
“It would be nice, but we aren’t all made of money. Listen, I’m going to head out. I need to go to the Morris’s house, so if this was all, I’ll see you guys later.” I’m not sure if he’s looking to escape because of the Princess comment or what, but before anyone says anything, he turns and leaves.
When I’ve heard him pull away, I turn to his brothers and clap. “So, how do you guys feel about breaking into your brother’s house for a secret project?”
“You want us to do what now?” James asks.
“John doesn’t want us at his place,” Mark dismisses, echoing James’ concern. “He’s been very insistent that he’ll fix it up on his own.”
I’m not surprised, but it makes me sad that he’s missing out on the support I think they’d be willing to offer him. Maybe if we ask for forgiveness instead of permission, he’ll see how great it is to open up and let other people into his life, and he’ll be more open to accepting their help in the future.
“Well, how long would it take you to fix his old fireplace? He’s got it boarded up right now, so I’m not sure what condition it’s in, but I know he wants it.”
Mark eyes the others before shrugging. “Uhh, a couple days I’d guess, depending on what’s wrong with it.”
Shit, how can I possibly occupy John for a few days? Oh, or maybe I can get them to do it when John’s already out of his house at his camping trip with Liam!
“How do you feel about doing it on a weekend while he’saway on a trip?” I ask, not afraid to beg but hoping I can sweeten the deal with my adorable-as-fuck donkeys. “I’ll pay for the whole thing, the extra time for you to be there as late as it takes,andyou can hang out with Jack and Jenny whenever you want.”
“Why would you do that for him?” Drew pushes, ignoring my question completely.
I know I can’t give away any more than I already have, so I try to sound casual. “John’s been a really great friend to me since I moved here. I want to do something nice for him.”
“He has?” James sounds shocked, but I ignore his doubt and nod innocently.
The three brothers exchange glances while I give them my very best “please help me” smile.
“Yeah, okay. We can try our best, but no promises,” Mark finally agrees. “When is this trip?”
“This weekend…” I answer, letting the words hang there.
“Fuck it, let’s break into our brother’s house and try.” Drew laughs.
