Page 231 of What We Brave
The idea I've been carrying around all day, the thing Tony made sound so simple — Blake's already thought it through. Of course he has. He's been solving this problem in his head the same way he solves every problem: quietly, practically, without telling anyone until he has a plan.
"The bathroom needs work," he says. "Tile's old. Fixtures are original. But it's functional for now."
"Blake." Laine's voice is strange. Thick. "You've been planning this."
"I've been thinking about it."
"That's planning. For you, that's basically blueprints."
The corner of his mouth twitches. Almost.
"Would it work?" he asks. "For both of you?"
I look at Laine. She looks at me.
"Yeah," I say. "That would work."
"Really work?" Blake's eyes move between us. "Because I don't want to?—"
"Blake." I put my hand on his shoulder. "One bed. All three of us. No more counting. That's what we all want. Right?"
Laine nods. Her eyes are bright.
Blake lets out a breath. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay."
"But what about you guys? I would love a room of my own, just to—well, sometimes, you guys are a lot. Not in a bad way, but honestly,what does it matter if Lorenzo kicks a basket? I just want to curl up and read my book in peace."
Blake's eyebrows wing up. "Lorenzo kicks a basket? Laine?—"
She waves a hand at him. "Whatever. It doesn't matter. But when you get away you go to the workshop. What's Reid's space?"
"I'm good," I say.
"You don't want?—"
"I've got the couch, the kitchen, and the entire outdoors." I shrug. "I don't need a room with a door. I just need to know where my people are."
Laine shakes her head, but she's smiling. "Do you promise that if that changes, you'll tell us?"
"Promise Lovebug." I'm testing out pet names. This is my current favorite. I like the way she rolls her eyes when I use it.
"Okay," Blake says again. "So. Bed."
"Bed."
We end up on the couch. Laptop balanced on Laine's knees. Mattress shopping.
"California king," Blake says.
"Bigger."
"There's not much bigger than a California king."
"There's an Alaskan king. Look." I reach over, type it in. "A hundred and eight inches. That's nine feet."
