“Something like that.” I smile and keep going up the long, tree-lined driveway for around three miles.
“This is all your land?” Christopher asks as he looks around the rolling green hills—it’s picture perfect.
I smile proudly. “Yep.”
“Wow, impressive.”
“That’s me, fucking impressive.”
He chuckles and we drive around the lake and arrive at the house. The real estate agent is parked and she gets out of her car. I give her a wave and pull up.
Christopher peers through the windshield at the old sandstone house. “Yep. She’s fucking haunted, alright. It’s even got a moat.”
“It’s a lake, dickhead,” I whisper as I get out of the car.
“Elliot.” Brianna smiles, shakes my hand. “Welcome to your new home.”
“Thank you.” I feel Christopher walk up behind us. “This is my brother Christopher.” I introduce him. “This is Brianna.”
“Hello.” She smiles shyly, her eyes lingering on his face, and I have to try and stop my eyes from rolling. How this woman sells any houses with the amount of flirting she does is beyond me, although it does explain the amount of listings she has.
“Welcome to your new home.” She hands the keys over; a red bow is tied onto the keyring. “When do your things arrive?” she asks.
A vehicle sounds in the distance and we all turn to see the moving truck slowly coming up the driveway. “That’ll be them.”
“There is an envelope in the top drawer in the kitchen with all the instructions for everything.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll leave you to it then. Congratulations, I’m sure you’re going to be very happy here.”
I shake her hand. “Thank you.”
“And remember, if there is anything I can do. Anything,” she accentuates. “You have my number.”
I fake a smile. “I do, thank you. You’ve been very helpful.”
She smiles as if waiting for me to say something more.
I look over to Christopher and he raises his eyebrows. I have zero attraction to this woman.
Awkward.
“Okay, bye.” I march up to the front door and with a sad wave she gets into her car.
I put a key into the lock, it doesn’t turn.
“Did you fuck her?” Christopher asks as he watches her car drive away.
“No.” I wince as I struggle with another key. “As if.”
“She’s very—”
“Weird.” I cut him off as I try another key.
“Yeah, anyway. Open the door.”
“What do you think I’m trying to do here?” I jiggle the lock.
The truck pulls up and four movers all get out. “Hey there.”
“Hello,” I call. “Won’t be a moment.” I struggle with yet another key. “Fuck it,” I whisper. “Why didn’t she tell me what damn key it was?”
“Maybe you’re supposed to just walk right through the door?”
I inhale deeply. “Christopher, so help me fucking God.” The key finally turns and the door pushes open with a deep, long creak.
Christopher and I peer in and then look at each other, and then go back to peering in.