“Well, that explains that.”
She follows me into the kitchen while I plot my payback.
24
PLAY ALONG
SAWYER
All things considered, that wasn’t so bad last night. Telling Chloe was strangely sort of…freeing. Not sure what to make of that. Or the fact that seeing her in the audience—after I got over the initial shock—made me feel like I was ten feet tall.
Probably because she looked like she was having the time of her life. That’s always good to see when you’re onstage.
But as I park, then walk along Main Street to Dog Tails, I vow to put last night behind me.
So she knows.
So what?
She said she’ll keep my secret identity a secret, and that’s all I want. No way do I want the people whose checks I sign to know about Sam Silversmith. I’ve worked hard to cultivate an image of respect here as the boss. That means boundaries. That means keeping my private life private.
My phone buzzes as I near the door of Dog Tails, but I ignore it. Don’t want to set a bad example and have my head bent over my device as I walk into work. I tug down the sleeves of my blue-checked shirt, making sure the cuffs are buttoned.
All good. My temporary ink is nowhere to be seen.
I pull open the door and stride inside where four sets of eyes are on me. Zuri’s. Hazel’s. Levi’s. Nisha’s.
And they’re smirking.
What. The. Hell.
Chloe told them after all? My fists clench, and a fire roars inside me.
Levi taps his foot, his red-and-white Gazelle going up and down at Mach speed. “When were you going to tell us?”
I gulp but hold my head up high. “Good morning to you too,” I say. Was that masterful evading? Don’t know, but a man has to start somewhere.
“Seriously. That iswild,” Hazel says with wide eyes.
“I can’t believe it,” Zuri says, shaking her head, her black braids swinging, her smile too amused.
I look away, pinning my gaze on the pups as I work out what to say next. The main pack’s already here. Some newbies too. Like a Husky, who’s singing. Even the dogs are having fun with this. I scan for Chloe next, peering into her training room. She’s not there, but her bag is. She was obviously here though, blabbing. Another reason you should never get involved with someone you work with. They spill your beans.
I should have seen this coming. A secret never stays secret forlong. I just can’t believe Chloe ran at the mouth when she swore she wouldn’t.
But the less I make of my after-hours persona, the less my employees will. “Believe it,” I say, offhand as I return my focus fully to the four humans at the counter.
Nisha holds her hands out wide, then looks at her co-workers. “There. I told you it was no big deal,” she says. “Let’s leave the boss alone about it.”
Thank fuck for Nisha.
“Leave him alone? Are you kidding me? I want in,” Levi says.
“I’m not sure about that,” I say to Levi, moving behind the counter, like everything’s business as usual as I try to downplay my hobby.
“Oh, but I am sure about it. I’ve always wanted to try it,” Zuri says with her standard managerial confidence. A woman in charge.
“Me too. It sounds so cool,” Hazel says, upbeat and eager, like she is with every dog she grooms.
