Chapter 25
CHAD
“So you think it’s better to spend the time sanding the current hardwoods than replacing them throughout the whole house?” I confirm.
“Yep, it’ll be cheaper too.” Mark nods. “There’s hardwood under all the upstairs carpet; we already checked.”
“Then let’s do that,” I agree easily.
“We have some samples for your kitchen, if you want to head in there next,” Drew suggests, and we all walk into the kitchen, including John who insisted on being here “for work purposes” even though I’m pretty sure he’s using that as an excuse to spend more time with me.
The kitchen as it stands right now has pale yellow cabinets and a weird silver ceiling. I hate it, and it still feels very much like I assume it did in 1886 when the house was built.
“Based on the things you’ve told us you like, I picked out tile options for the backsplash, these for the floor, and these are some cabinet colors,” Drew explains, pointing to the three piles of options they’d put together.
“Ohhh,” I say as I ogle the materials. The first pile has black-and-white checkered tile, black cabinets, gold knobs, with an off-white backsplash. Very classic. The middle option has sage green cabinets with brick and hardwood. “Would you just keep the hardwood with this option?” I ask.
“Yes, that’s what we were thinking,” Mark confirms.
I nod, looking at the third option, which is gray-and-white checkered floor tile, wood cabinets, and square off-white tile.
“John, what do you think? I love all the options. I can’t decide.”
“You sure you don’t want to save the original cabinets?” he asks me, but they have a lot of wear and tear on them, and I really want to make this place my own.
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“What about the black-and-white floor tile with the green cabinets instead of black? It’ll keep it bright in here,” John suggests.
“Oh, I love that!” I say, moving the samples around. “Can we do that with the gold handles?”
“Sure, we can do anything you want. Those were just starting points.” Mark nods, taking some notes.
“I think we should do a marble countertop too, really tie in the Victorian era,” I add, attempting to sound like I know what I’m talking about and not like someone who’s just learned what any of this meant through Google searches.
Google has truly become my most visited website lately between house inspiration, learning about kink stuff, and the donkeys.
I’ve really grown a lot as a person since leaving the city.
“We’ll get some samples in,” Drew confirms.
“So, John, I know you’re only supposed to be working on the electric here, but you’re doing everything at your place, right? Will you teach me how to do any of this? Maybe the backsplash? Or whatever is a good learning point.”
John hesitates for a second before nodding. “Sure. Yeah, we can do that.”
“Hell yeah. I’m so excited!” I’m happy this house will hopefully 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’s away 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, and you 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.
“Yes! Thank you, thank you!” I could cry, I’m so happy.
This idea might’ve only just popped into my head, but I’m already extremely invested in it.
My hope is that John loves the fireplace and it helps him realize how great it can be to let people in.
Not just for my own benefit either, although I would love for it to bring us closer, but also for him to realize he should open up more with his brothers, too.
I really feel like we’re headed in the right direction.
The last few days have been filled with sex and sleepovers.
John’s basically abandoned all his rules after the motorcycle incident.
I wish I felt bad, but I don’t. Not when he’s been tying me up and covering me with his marks every chance he gets.
We haven’t explored any new kinks yet, except John did add a cock ring last night while he had me handcuffed to the bed post and fucked me. He said it would help me “be a good boy and resist coming for even longer.” It was great.
Leaving John’s brothers to keep working on my house, I decide it’s probably time to take Jack and Jenny to the farm so that they’re safe and away from the construction zone.
Blake and Liam are obviously cool with it, but they’re pretty focused on their new puppy, so Wyatt has also assured me that he will give them extra attention and allow them to sleep in his house.
I think he misses Lucky staying with him now that Blake and Liam are back from their honeymoon.
I call Blake before I head over to see what he knows about this annual camping trip I wasn’t invited on.
“Hey, man!” Blake says through the phone.
“Hey, are you with Liam?”
“He’s around here somewhere. I’m just hanging out, filming content with the new puppy and chickens.” Of course he’s with those beady-eyed birds.
“Well, don’t go find him. I’m coming over now with Jack and Jenny, and we’re making a plan.”
“What kind of plan?” he asks, confusion lacing his tone.
“I’ll tell you when I get there. This is a secret-best-friend-plan, so don’t move. I’ll see you in a minute,” I warn him before hanging up.
I’d tell him on the phone, but I can’t trust that Liam isn’t going to be popping up around him any second. It’s not that I don’t want Liam to know, per se, it’s just that I think it’d be more fun if Blake and I crash their camping trip unannounced. As long as Blake’s on board, that is.