Page 14 of Take My Heart
He eyes me. ‘Do you work in real estate?’
‘No, I’m just really into those home shows. I couldn’t wait to get my own house that I could design however I wanted, but now—’ I stop, not wanting to talk about, or think about, the future I’ll no longer have now that I’m not with Cam.
‘You can still get a house,’ Brody says. ‘You don’t need to be married to buy a house.’
‘You do in Chicago. Do you know how much houses cost there? I have a good job, but I don’t make enough to afford a house on my own.’
‘What do you do?’
‘Financial planning for small businesses.’
‘Sounds boring.’
I stare at him, shocked that he said that. That’s something people might think, but wouldn’t say. But I’m finding Brody isn’t like other people, at least not people I know.
‘Sorry,’ he says, smiling at what I’m guessing is a look of annoyance on my face. ‘It just doesn’t sound all that interesting, but I’m sure it is if you’re into that sort of thing.’
‘Honestly, it’s not that interesting, but it pays well and has good benefits.’
‘I’m gonna go find something to eat,’ Brody says. ‘You want anything?’
‘No. I think I’m going to take a shower. I need to get out of this dress and warm up.’
‘Bathroom’s across from my room. There’s only one so we’ll have to share.’
‘I don’t have any hair stuff or a toothbrush. Is there a drugstore nearby?’
‘There’s one a couple blocks from here, but it’s closed because of the storm.’
‘There’s nothing else? A grocery store?’
‘We’d have to drive to one and I’m not going back out in the storm. I’m not going to risk crashing my truck. It’s how I make money.’
‘Then what am I going to do?’
‘I have shampoo. Just use mine. Same for soap. If you want a toothbrush, I have some under the sink. Just take one.’
‘What about towels?’
‘I’ll show you.’
I follow him to the bathroom. It’s small and needs a lot of work. The floor tiles are cracked. The medicine cabinet is old and dated. And the blue-and-white striped wallpaper is peeling and needs to be taken down.
‘Towels are here,’ Brody says, opening the linen closet across from the toilet. The shelves are wood and starting to rot from the moisture in the bathroom. There are only four towels, each a different color. Brody’s one of those guys who sees home stuff as just something to use, not caring about its appearance. It’s kind of refreshing after being with someone like Cam. He only used white towels, very expensive ones, and they had to be folded a certain way.
‘If you need anything else,’ Brody says, ‘just look around.’ He points to the plastic bins in the linen closet. ‘There’s probably stuff in there you could use. Take whatever you need.’
‘Thanks.’ I smile at him. ‘It’s really nice of you to let me stay here.’
He shrugs. ‘I didn’t really have a choice. I couldn’t leave you stranded in the snow.’ He walks out to the hall. ‘Oh, don’t take too long in the shower. The hot water runs out fast. I need to get a new water heater.’
‘Okay, I’ll be quick.’
He leaves and I shut the door. I go over to the shower and open the curtain. The wall tiles are cracked and the tub has rust stains.
Cam wouldn’t step foot in here. He’s a germaphobe. When we used to go on trips, we could only stay at five-star hotels and when we got there he’d clean the room with antibacterial wipes. I’m just now realizing how high maintenance he was, and yet for years I told myself I liked his cleanliness and obsession with having everything neat and orderly. Was I just telling myself that to convince myself I loved him?
I don’t love him. I’m not sure I ever did. So why did I agree to marry him?
