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)
“Yeah, I’m good. Just tired.” And thinking about Evan.
“How’s your boyfriend?” Travis asks. He gives us shit more than anyone else. I think it was to be a dick at first because he wasn’t real sure about Evan, but now it’s friendly and playful. He and Evan connected on the day Travis proposed to Gary, and things have been different since then.
“He’s fine, but I’m sure you know that. You’re just trying to be an ass.”
“Who? Me?” Travis asks.
“Derek says there’s been something a little different about him lately. That he seems more confident.” Jackson grins. “Thinks he found himself a good daddy. I told him you’re not old enough for that.”
I shake my head. “He doesn’t want a daddy, Papa Bear, but remember, ‘daddy’ is a mindset, not an age. We don’t all have to be old men like you.”
Everyone laughs, but instead of joining them, I risk a glance at Donovan and I hope it clues him in that I don’t want him to mention that night at the Eagle. It would come with way too many questions that I know Evan wouldn’t want answered. Plus, there’s something about this that I still want to protect…to keep safe and to only belong to us.
“I only get better with age.” Jackson winks before Cody cuts him off.
“That’s funny, though…Hayden mentioned the same thing. That he’s seemed a little different lately…a little more confident. Like he’s more comfortable in who he is or something. They’ve taken responsibility for him like a bunch of mother hens.”
“He’s fine. He’s taken care of,” jumps out of my mouth. When four sets of eyes whip in my direction, I realize how that sounds. “I mean he can take care of himself, jackasses. Not that I’m doing it for him.” Though I would. I’m not sure if there’s anything I wouldn’t do for Evan. I enjoy being there for him, spending time with him. Even just yesterday, I’d been feeling like shit but the second I’d seen Pup Runt running toward me, it all sort of started to slip away. The more I played with him, the better I felt. He doesn’t need me, though.
We hang out for a little bit longer before continuing with our run. I can tell Travis really is trying to make sure he’s in the best shape as possible for his wedding even though he’s already fucking gorgeous. He’s happy, excited to move forward in his life in a way I’ve never experienced. I haven’t ever really done the serious relationship thing. Not that I was ever necessarily opposed. I just never found anyone that held my interest outside of hanging out some, or a few blowjobs and hookups. I’ve had a lot of sex but none of it really with someone I was close to, not even like a friends-with-benefits thing.
Once we’re done, I head back to Metropolis with everyone except Donovan, where we each head our separate ways.
Last night is still in my head in an obsessive way. I think about how Evan just…automatically went into puppy space when he was trying to help me feel better. The way he sat, looking at me where he knew I could reach out and pet him as though he knew it somehow helped me as much as it did him.
He’s felt more and more comfortable in puppy space. It’s not perfect, and I can tell he often pulls himself out of it because he can’t turn his brain off, but there’s a huge difference in Pup Runt now than there was when we first started.
It’s that thought that has me heading to Otterly. That same thought in my head as I purchase a couple of jocks that match his hood, then head to the tails and pull one down.
He’s not ready yet; I know he’s not, but he’s definitely curious. He made that obvious when we went to the leather store together. I think he will be soon, and I want to have it ready for him when he is. Before I head to the register, I take a peek at the stuffed animals. They have this floppy-eared dog that looks cuddly, which of course reminds me of Evan. Who the hell knows if he’ll want it, but I grab the damn thing anyway.
Just as I get the supplies put away in my closet, my phone rings. Mom’s name pops up on the screen, so I fall back to my bed and answer. “Hello?”
“Hey, mijo. How are you?” she asks.
“I’m good, Ma,” I reply, knowing she’s referring to yesterday.
“That’s good. I’m glad. You’re off on Saturday? You’ll be able to make it?”
I nod as though she can see me, a strange thought setting root in my brain. Once it’s there, I can’t seem to ignore it. Suddenly, I’m opening my mouth and saying, “I might bring Evan, if you don’t mind. Is that weird? It might be weird.”