ZANDER
My house is a comfortable two-story standalone with a brick front in a neighborhood where the houses are separated with space and tress. It’s not that expensive, but it’s private.
I chose it for the privacy. It’s close enough that we could enjoy each other’s company at either house, while having our own spaces.
Damon suggested space, given how quickly things have developed and how their sessions have been carrying on. Space is good. There are times when I won’t be there for her and she should know to behave in my absence. She should be strong in solitude, if for no other reason than it would please me for her to do so.
So tonight, she’ll sleep without me. Silas has already been informed to be more vigilant than normal. I keep reminding myself that this is best. That she will benefit from this.
And if not, she has my number and she will tell me. That is the only item on her list while I’m good. To keep her phone on her and use it if necessary.
The sound of heavy footsteps on the back deck, draws my attention.
Damon comes in through my back door, rubbing his hands together. “Damn. Cold out there tonight. And you have me out in it for a card game.” He takes a moment to look around before saying, “Nice place.”
“It’s not even snowing.” I pull open the fridge and hand him a beer as soon as he’s got his coat off. “How’s Ella?”
“Already miss her?” he teases with a grin.
“Fuck off. How is she?”
“You can’t always be there for everything, Zander. She needs to be okay without you, you know?”
“I assume that means she’s doing just fine.”
“Last I checked, she told me she was zoning out with a box of chocolates and some new show Kelly told her she needed to binge.”
I nod first and then thank him. “I appreciate it,” I tell him before patting the threshold and showing him around the new place.
“It’s minimal,” he comments.
“I like a modern style with clean lines.” Glancing around, I can count on both hands the number of purchases I made for the dining room and living room combined. There’s functionality in the gray suede modular sofa. The set of modern chairs with leather backing and black coffee table were on display in the furniture store, as was the abstract black and white with dark blue faded six-by-six canvas. The dining room is even more bare, with simple clear chairs and a dark walnut table that boasts a knot of a single chunk of wood on the surface.
“Downstairs is where it’s at,” I tell him, avoiding the hallway and in it, my master bedroom, along with the playroom for Ella.
The dungeon is tucked away in the back half of the basement, and I second-guess whether or not I closed the doors as Damon follows behind me on the newly finished stairs.
“This place is nice. You’re renting?” he questions.
“Maybe buying,” I half answer, more focused on the closed door than his question.
The first thing Damon says is, “Nice,” running his hand down the newly felted poker table. “Dartboard in the back.”
“No bar yet, but I’m planning one,” I tell him. It’s a typical game room although all I have in here at the moment is the table and the hung dartboard. “There’s still a number of things I’m looking to add.” My gaze wanders to the dungeon but I’m quick to correct it.
Before Damon can say any more, his phone goes off. As he checks his phone, I check mine and a text comes in.
Ella: Do you have Silas spying on me?
I text her back, I’m always spying on you my little rulebreaker.
Ella: I miss you.
Damon commentsthat Silas just updated him. Ella’s doing well. He must have just checked on her, prompting her to message me.
Ella: It’s quiet in this house without you.
Zander: If you feel empty, I have ways to fix that