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“I don’t think your dad would like it too much if your mom helped me.”
Rowan stared at me. “And you cover this shit up with humor.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Besides, I have Trigger,” I bit out through clenched teeth, hating that Rowan had me figured out. Even though I had known him for quite a while, it didn’t mean that I liked him knowing my business. I had spent years keeping what happened, locked up tight. No one knew what I had been through or what I had done to survive and make it to where I was today.
“Right,” Rowan said, drawing out the word.
“Either way. It doesn’t matter.” Sure, I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder but when it came to the things I had done and the people who were after me, it would be this way for awhile. Maybe, forever. And there wasn’t much I could do about it either. Even when I got the answers I was looking for.
“It does matter but you just don’t see it yet.” Rowan sat back in his chair, his light eyes burning into mine.
I grunted, gave myself a shake, and started making my way to the door. “Keep in touch.”
“Always.” He paused. “Take care of yourself, Tanner.”
I nodded, leaving the room. “He’s an odd one, Trigger.”
Trigger snuffed.
“I’m glad you agree with me.” When we left the bookstore, I stopped.
Trigger sat, his ears perking up.
Something was off tonight. He had felt it earlier. I knew he had because he wouldn’t let me leave the apartment without him.
“Alright, old man. Let’s go home.”
Tanner
WE STARTED WALKING TOWARDour apartment. Nothing was out of the ordinary but something odd was definitely in the air this evening. It was still early. A few cars drove past us every now and again. No people were out though. Not like earlier.
Businesses in the area were starting to close. We didn’t live in a busy part of the city. There were a few bars, but it was mostly locals in the area that frequented them. The only place that was open all night, was a local deli. They used to close at a decent time until they became so busy, they had to stay open to accommodate their customers.
Trigger headed in the direction of the deli, but I gently tugged him back.
“Not tonight, buddy. We have to head home.” I went to cross the street when Trigger barked and tried walking in the direction of the deli again. “What’s with you tonight? We have to go home. You need rest.”
He looked back at me and gave a shake of his head as if he were saying,Fuck off. I’m fine.
As much as I could go for one of the deli’s famous sandwiches, something was telling me not to. That familiar ache in the pit of my gut was warning me against it. I just wanted to go home, get some rest, and get back to figuring out what the hell was going on in the morning. But Trigger was having none of it.
“Trig, my man.” I crouched in front of him, running my fingers through the fur beneath his ears. “What’s wrong?”
He lowered his head.
I leaned my forehead against his. A sense of calm washed over me. It had always amazed me how animals could make me feel better. Even though they couldn’t speak, I knew what he was thinking. He also had a different bark for when he was hungry, wanted to go out, or just wanted to chill and do fuck all. He spoke to me in his own way. I would forever be thankful to the person who didn’t want him because he was mine. And I promised that I would give him the best life possible while he was still around.
“Alright, if you want a sandwich, I’ll get you one.” I could go for a meatball sub anyway.
Trigger did a little jump, his tail wagging back and forth.
I chuckled, grabbed hold of his leash, and headed across the street to Mama’s Deli.
Once we reached the diner, I tied Trigger’s leash to a nearby lamppost. Bending over, I scratched behind his ears. “Now don’t go talking to any strangers, alright?”
He licked my face.
“I love you, boy,” I murmured, kissing his forehead.
