41. Elton

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Elton

Knox has too much stuff.

Even though his living room is bare, and most of the furniture we’re just giving away, it’s his room that’s full of a random assortment of items. Packing up all his clothes, knick-knacks, and books has taken the better part of a day. Truthfully, we could have started this at any point in the month that’s passed, but we’ve been so busy at the club. That’s led to us frantically trying to get everything ready for the movers tomorrow.

As I tape up another box, this one filled with horror movie paraphernalia, I wonder where it’ll all go. We discussed the possibility of making one room in the penthouse a man cave for him. I don’t want to be that boyfriend who doesn’t let his partner express himself in his own home and while I love him and his interests, I don’t particularly want little horror figurines in the living room.

“For the third time, I’ll get rid of them.”

I look up from the box and frown at him. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to,” he jokes, pushing off the doorway to sit beside me. “You were thinking very loudly, sweetheart.”

I smile because he just gets me. Pecking his lips, I stop momentarily to dart my tongue against his piercing, before gesturing at the box. “You really don’t mind? We can totally put it in our room.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not attached to that stuff. We’re starting a new life together; we should get new things we both like.”

“If you’re sure,” I mumble, but I do like the sound of that. “We’ll tell the movers tomorrow to donate it?”

“That works for me.” He kisses my forehead, groaning as he stands. “I’m going to finish up in the kitchen. Did you need anything?”

“Nope, don’t mind me. Just going to go through your underwear drawer. See if I can find any secret goodies in there.”

He chuckles. “If you do, let me know so we can fuck around before Rhys and Everest get here to help us.” He goes to leave, but stops, turning halfway through the door. “I love you.”

Could my heart-eyes get any bigger? I never pictured Knox to be the type of person to express his feelings so often, but ever since we confessed how we felt, he hasn’t stopped. It’s like every other sentence from him is a declaration of love, and I’m so here for it. It makes me feel better about being so intense all the time. Maybe some people would get tired of it, but I’ll never scoff at hearing him say those three little words.

“I love you too,” I whisper, tearing up because I’m too damn sensitive, and packing up his things for our big move has me all in my feelings. “Let me know if you need any help.”

His smile is just as love-struck as mine as he leaves. When he does, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I repeat to myself that this is enough for now, this is great as it is, and that I should spend some time enjoying this honeymoon stage we’re in.

But the black engagement ring that’s burning a hole in my pocket is too loud to ignore.

I haven’t planned the proposal yet, but he has to know it’s coming. Maybe he doesn’t expect it this soon because, let’s face it, it’s soon, but that didn’t stop me from going out to buy a ring the day after he told me he loved me. It was surreal to actually have been in a ring store, shopping for the moment I’ve always hoped would come. In the past, I had been so dead set on forcing true love, but I just had to let it come to me. While it came as a surprise with the person I least expected, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

He can still be growly and get annoyed with me, but it’s with tenderness and love now. He’s gone beyond what I ever thought I could want to make me happy, but he also lets me know when my mind starts running at full speed. He balances me out, complements me so perfectly, and challenges me each day we’re together. With every passing hour, I know the adventures we’ll have together will last a lifetime.

And that’s what I want. To spend the rest of my life with Knox will be an honor. So, when I ask him to marry me is irrelevant. Time be damned, I want to be ready when the perfect moment comes along, and like him, it’ll probably be when I least expect it.

His phone rings on the nightstand, and he calls out to me from the other room. “Will you pick that up, sweetheart?”

“Yeah!” I shout back. I reach for his phone, ready to answer it, but it nearly falls to the floor when I see the Caller ID.

Babe.

I bite down hard on my bottom lip. This… It can’t be the same babe I’m thinking of. I don’t immediately think that Knox is cheating on me, because I know how much he loves me, and rationally, when would he have the time? Still, my gut sours at the name and at the reasoning behind why babe is calling him. I’m even a little annoyed that he didn’t delete the fucker’s contact, or at least change the name back after I became his sweetheart.

I know I should just put the phone down and tell him who’s calling. I have no business or right to answer it, even though he told me to. He’s entitled to his privacy, and I have to trust that he’ll share with me what this person wants.

But I’m only human, and in the end, curiosity wins out.

I answer the call, press the phone against my ear, and?—

“Hey! Before you say anything, I know we’re late, but Rhys kept dragging his feet. We should be there in about an hour. Is that okay?”

I gasp. No…

No, no, no, no.

I drop the phone, tears already welling in my eyes, only able to faintly hear the person on the other end ask if everything is okay.

No, not any person… Everest. My little brother.

And with that single realization?—

My heart breaks.