Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
“What do you suggest I do?”
“Live your life. I’m not going to tell you to stop seeing her because I can see by the look on your face that you’ll tell me to go fuck myself.”
“Maybe not in those exact words.”
“Until your contract is solid, just don’t flaunt who you’re dating in the media and under Florence’s nose. That’s all.”
“Thanks for the heads-up.”
I stand to leave.
“Ike.”
I turn back to him. “Yeah?”
“Don’t worry about this, but don’t blow it off, either. That’s the bottom line.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
I walk out, but I hear him mutter under his breath, “Bunch of bullshit.”
He’s right, it is a bunch of bullshit. But I’ve seen what Florence can do when she’s mad at a player. She has a god complex, and she can be mean.
But I won’t stop seeing Sophie just because Florence has a grudge and a mean streak. Not in this or any other lifetime.
“You know, I never thought I’d see the day when Seattle’s star player came into my shelter to help out with the animals.”
I glance up to see Rhonda standing in the doorway of the cat room, leaning her shoulder against the doorjamb.
“I like animals,” I reply.
“But you won’t let us put you in our advertising or the media. You just come in here, clean up literal crap, and then go home.”
I shrug and pet little Maggie the calico before I close her pen door and move on to the next one to clean the litter and tidy the kennel. I like animals, and I enjoy spending time here, helping out every week. Sometimes these cats and dogs go a long while without being loved on, and that makes me feel bad.
“I don’t need the recognition to do this,” I reply softly. “And if I could adopt them all, I would.”
“I know. Me, too. Have you been over to see Buster yet?”
“Not yet. I’m taking him on a walk when I’m finished in here.”
Rhonda nods and licks her lips. “This will be your last walk with Buster, Ike. He’s been adopted.”
I feel my stomach drop. Not because I don’t want the sweet Great Dane to have a permanent home, but because I wish that I could be the one to take him.
It just wouldn’t be fair to an animal. I’m gone too much during the season, and I’m single. I can’t just leave them.
“Wow. Well, good for him.”
“I know you have a soft spot for that horse of a dog, and I wanted to let you know.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I nod and offer her a tight smile before she leaves the room, and I turn back to the cat kennels.
Well, damn.
I always save my time with Buster for last so I can take him on a nice, long walk and play with him, tucker him out a bit. He’s a big boy at only two years old, and he has so much energy. Way too much for the little attention he gets in this place.
But now, he’ll go home with someone, and hopefully get all the attention in the world with a big yard to run around in. That’s awesome for him.
And I’m a selfish ass for feeling sorry for myself.
After some kitten cuddles, I finish in the cat room and make my way over to the dogs. I purposely start on the opposite end of the room from Buster and take my time cleaning out each cage, sitting and petting each dog. One little pug was surrendered when her human passed away, and she’s been especially sad, so I hold her and give her plenty of lap time before I move on to the next cage.
Finally, I stop at Buster’s kennel and grin at him. When he’s on all fours, he hits me right at the hip. And when he jumps up to kiss me, he’s taller than my six-foot-five.
“Hey, you massive baby.” With his whole body wiggling in excitement, Buster rushes over to greet me and almost takes me to the ground. “Yeah, I missed you, too. I hear you get to go home to a family later today. Are you excited? You should be.”
I rub his dark face, kiss his head, and get to work cleaning out his pen before I clip a leash to his harness and take him out for our walk.
Buster’s great on the leash and is excellent at not pulling me around. At some point in his young life, someone took the time to train him well. I take my time with him today, enjoying each moment with him.
“Be good,” I tell him and grin when he cocks his head to the side, listening. “You’re getting out of this joint and going to a whole new life. You be a good boy in your new home, you hear?”
He licks my whole face in one big swoop, making me laugh.