AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A half hour later, I feel her body go limp, and I wiggle over to see that she’s asleep. Not wanting to leave her, I stay there until my door buzzer rings. I slide out of bed, turning down the volume so it doesn’t wake her up.
Damon stands on the other side of the door.
“What’s wrong?” He doesn’t look like he has good news.
“Hey man, can I come in?”
I glance inside my apartment. Damon is notorious for being loud. “Mind if we talk out here. Elle is sleeping, and today was a hard day. She lost a patient.”
He frowns. “Oh shit, I’m sorry. Yeah, of course. I mean, I’d tell you later, but time is of the essence with this.”
“Okay. Let me just grab my coat or something.” I rush inside, grabbing my coat and coming right back. “What’s up?”
“Remember how I announced that we were looking at houses?” He shuffles his feet. “Well, we got the one we wanted, and we had to do a fast closing to get it. I’ll totally pay you for the rest of my lease, but for Clover’s sake, we’re moving sooner rather than later.”
Man, it feels like the end of an era. Damon’s lived here almost as long as I have.
“It won’t be the same without you.”
He nods a few times, appearing somber about the whole change himself. “Crazy, I thought I might live here forever since I never planned any of this.” He looks in the direction of his apartment. “But we’ve discussed wanting to have another kid. We’re not sure Clover is the type of kid who can wait to have to share our attention with a sibling. I love her so much, but she’s defiant.”
“You’ve spoiled her,” I say, not that I can’t see myself doing the same thing. My eyes stray to the inside of the apartment to where my future lies tucked in bed.
“Yeah, lesson learned.” He chuckles because we both know he probably won’t change.
“And no worries about the rent, you aren’t paying if you aren’t living here. I’m sure I can find someone. I’m happy for you and your family.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets. “It’ll be weird not living with you and another teammate. I mean, we have our own places, but fuck, it’s time to grow up I guess, huh?”
I laugh. “You act like we’re not going to see one another. We play for the same team, and our wi… well, your wife and my girlfriend, along with Miles’s wife, are all friends. They’ll be making plans for all of us.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, they will.”
“You won’t miss me that much.” I squeeze his shoulder.
“I will miss your cheap rent. If I told you how much we’re paying for this mortgage.” He shakes his head.
“You really want me to feel sorry for you? You have plenty of money.”
He runs his hand over his head and pulls at his neck. “Yeah, we’re fortunate, but still, I don’t know how people do it who don’t make what we do.” He shakes his head. “Since when did we start grumbling about mortgage payments and how expensive stuff is? What the hell is happening to me?”
“You started it.”
“We’re getting old. You better catch up.”
I don’t say anything because Elle doesn’t work like that, and although I’d have us married tomorrow, I’m trying like hell to take this slow for her.
“Go and be with her. I’ll let you know a specific date, but we’ll be out soon.”
“Great. Thanks.”
We shake hands, and he heads back to his place. This day just got shittier, although I understand why Damon and Adeline need to find a place in the city big enough for Clover and however many other kids they end up having. Something tells me it might be a lot.
I shut the door of my apartment and find Ellery still asleep on my bed, looking peaceful. Stopping in the doorway, I take my time to soak in her beauty. I don’t deserve her, but damn if I’m ever going to give her up. I just have to convince myself that it’s okay not to rush her to accept my ring and my last name. I thought that if we ever got together, things would be perfect. I never thought I’d struggle as much as I have these weeks that we’ve been together. But it’s only because I love her so much.
Chapter 25
Ellery
