Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Yep.”
“No.”
I frown, but then he says, “I need to do this on my own, Frankie. I’ll be okay. I promise.”
I nod, even though I don’t really like it. He’s right, though. He’s a grown man. The last thing I ever want is for him to feel stifled by our friendship. “Okay.”
I leave him alone, so he can finish getting ready. Once I’m back in my room, I call my buddy Donovan to see if he wants to hang out tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve chilled with him, because most of my nights are spent with Evan or the Metropolis crew.
He answers the phone with, “Hello? Who is this?”
“Ha fucking ha,” I reply, knowing he’s giving me shit about being scarce.
“I’m kidding. What’s up, man? How have you been?”
We chat for a few minutes before Donovan says, “I’m heading to the Eagle tonight. My ex just moved back and is bartending, and I told him I’d stop by for a while. I probably won’t stay long. It’s PupStravaganza night and that’s not really my scene, but I told him I’d come in for a beer. You wanna come with me and then we can hit up Flirt or something afterward?”
“Sure. Sounds good.”
We get off the phone, and I jump in the shower. I’m drying off, towel around my waist when Evan pops in to tell me he’s leaving. He has a backpack in his hand, which gives me pause. Is he planning on being out all night with whomever this mystery date is?
“Be safe. Use protection and if he’s too big, poppers are your friend,” I tease and earn myself a smile.
“You’re crazy.” He shakes his head.
“Thank you.”
Evan turns to walk away, but then stops and with his back to me says, “Thanks, Frankie. You make things easier.”
The statement warms my chest. “You do the same for me. That’s what friends are for.”
He nods and then that easily, Evan is gone. I have the strange urge to go after him, to again make sure he’s okay, but I force myself to leave it alone. Evan knows he can come to me if he needs me. This is his night, and the last thing he needs is me swooping in like I’m saving him from getting some dick, which I happen to think he needs.
It’s an hour later when my Uber is dropping me off in front of the Eagle. Donovan leans against the building, waiting for me. He pushes off it before rubbing a hand over his buzzed head, looking fierce in the tight, white tee he’s wearing which is sexy as hell against his dark skin.
“Hey, man. How’s it going?” I give him a hug.
“Not too bad. Looking good.” He squeezes my biceps.
“Don’t I always?”
Donovan laughs. “I see you took the nose ring out.” I’d had my nose pierced for a while but let it close up. It wasn’t really my thing. “You and that damn beanie, though.”
“I happen to look good in this beanie.” I looked up the dress code for PupStravaganza before heading in. On most themed nights at the Eagle, there’s at least some leather, and I wouldn’t have minded throwing on a harness if I’d needed to, but according to the Eagle’s website, tonight is pretty lax. Not that there won’t be some jocks and leather being worn around, but it’s not a requirement.
I’ve never been for a pup event though, and I have to admit, I’m a little curious what it will be like to see human pups crawling around.
We chat while we wait to get through the line to get inside. Once there, we find a spot at the bar. Donovan’s ex gives him a hug and they talk for a minute while I look around the bar. There are men in varying degrees of puppy attire—some just in masks, some in masks, jocks, tails, and knee pads, while others are in full suits. Of course some aren’t dressed as pups at all.
It’s…different. I’ve heard of the puppy thing and know it’s grown in popularity recently, but I’d be lying if I pretended to know much about it.
“Interesting, isn’t it?” Donovan says, and I give him my attention again.
“It is. You know much about it?”
“A little bit. Like I said on the phone, it’s not really my thing, but I’m not one to ever shit on anyone else’s kink. It’s very much about care though…about shedding inhibitions, breaking yourself down I guess and…well the freedom that comes with it.”
I nod before taking a sip of my beer. “Makes sense.”
Men wag their tails. Some puppies are playing with others in a caged off, padded area. Most of the pups here are hanging together, in the same general location while the rest of the bar looks like every other night. You can tell by watching the pups how free they feel…how happy they are.