“Are these all rescues?” I exclaim.
“Nah, these are the boarders,” Everett explains. “Dad’s side business. They sleep in the kennels. Our rescues get the red-carpet treatment. They’re in the house.”
When we step inside, I smell pancakes and air freshener. Plus the teeniest hint of wet dog, but it’s not too bad. The interior is cluttered but not messy. Family photos cover the walls, and some of the furniture is scratched up, no doubt from the dogs.
Speaking of the dogs, they’re everywhere. Big, small, and every size in between.
The first dog that rushes up to me is a shaggy German shepherd mix with one ear flopped over. His tail wags so hard it looks like it might take off in flight. Everett tells me his name is Max, and from the way he leans into me as soon as I pet him, I can tell he’s a sweetheart.
Then a scrappy little terrier zips past, his short legs moving so fast he’s practically a blur. “That’s Rocket,” Everett says with a grin. “He’s got more energy than sense.”
In the corner, a large, older golden retriever lies sprawled on a dog bed, her fur graying around her face. “That’s Bella,” Everett supplies, his voice softening. “She’s been with us the longest. A rescue from when Dad first opened the shelter.”
There are a couple of other dogs—a stocky bulldog mix named Duke, who grumbles affectionately when I scratch hisback, and a sleek black Lab named Shadow, who watches everything with calm, intelligent eyes. The dogs clearly rule this place, with blankets and toys scattered across the living room floor and water bowls tucked in every corner.
In the kitchen, we find JP flipping pancakes at the stove. His face brightens when we walk in. “Well, hey there, Ryan!”
I smile awkwardly, still a little unsure of how to act around Everett’s dad, especially after the strange tension between him and my aunt. But he’s so friendly, it’s hard not to reciprocate. “Hey. Thanks for having me.”
JP waves it off, setting a plate of pancakes on the table. “You’re always welcome here. And now that I know you love dogs, I’m happy you’re getting to meet the crew.”
Before I can respond, a scruffy mutt with big brown eyes comes bounding over and nudges my leg. I crouch down to pet him, and JP chuckles.
“That’s Steve. He’s a happy boy.”
“I can tell,” I say, scratching behind Steve’s ears as his tail thumps against the floor.
Everett sits across from me, grabbing a pancake and pouring on the syrup.
Just as I start to relax, the mood shifts. Nikki strides in wearing a tiny skirt and an even tinier top, a denim jacket slung over the purse that hangs off her shoulder.
Her face twists in an annoyed scowl as soon as she sees me. “Seriously? We now have Ev’s girlfriends over before seven in the morning? At least Sofia had the decency to not show up till eight.” She plops down at the table and picks up a fork. Her nails are bloodred, as usual.
I feel a flush creep up my neck.
JP shoots her a warning look. “Be nice.”
She glares at her dad. “Whatever.”
“Don’t mind her, Ryan,” he says. “She’s just cranky because her math teacher is making her come to school an hour early all week for tutoring.”
“Goddamn Mr.Rueben,” Nikki mumbles.
I force a small smile, but the tension from Nikki’s snarky comment lingers. I feel out of place, even though Everett and JP both make an effort to include me. Steve nudges my hand again, and I absentmindedly pet him, trying to focus on the dogs instead of Nikki’s sulky attitude.
As we finish breakfast, JP leans back in his chair, looking at me hopefully. “I know I threw out the offer yesterday about you volunteering at the shelter, but if you’re interested, I’ve got a part-time paying spot open. Just a few hours a week, nothing too demanding.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. Think about it. You’d be great.”
Everett winks at me. “Do it. Make the dogs happy.”
Nikki snorts from across the table. “God, could you be any more obvious, Ev? Spoiler alert, Shipley: He wants in your pants.”
“Shut up, Nikki,” he snaps, for once losing his laid-back Everett cool.
JP frowns. “All right, that’s enough. Nikki, if you can’t be polite, you don’t need to be here right now.”
