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“Sure! Who is he with again? I don’t think I saw a name beside him when I looked earlier.”
“Right. I actually was hoping to try him with Hades, but I might need some of the guys to move out for a bit to see if Hades is up for it. Is that okay?”
The decision to have Hades pose with Maddox wasn’t an easy one to make, but it made the most sense. Hades is doing much better, but I don’t know if he’ll do well with the other guys. Hell, I don’t even know if he’ll do well with Dox, but I feel less stressed at the idea of Dox being able to be with him in case anything were to go wrong.
Hades needs a family, and this calendar might be the best way to ensure that happens. I don’t want him to be excluded.
“For sure. I can get them all to take a quick break while you get them all ready,” Diamond says.
“Thank you,” I breathe, relieved at her easy acceptance.
She gives me another smile before starting to usher the guys out of the room, her orders clear and precise. They don’t put up much of a fight, choosing to start flirting with the poor woman instead.
A tall body wraps around me from behind, and the spicy scent of Maddox’s cologne gives him away. He kisses the crown of my head.
“If you wanted to get me alone, you could have just said that,” he teases into my hair, body shaking with a silent laugh.
“If I told you that you were with Hades today, would you agree?” I ask, ignoring his flirting.
At my worried tone, he holds my hips and spins me around, brows furrowed. “I trust your judgement, Braxton. Whatever you think is best works for me.”
“Okay. I’m going to get him and bring him in here. Just go sit where Colt was and let him come to you,” I ramble.
He nods, face still twisted with concern. “Okay. Breathe, sweetheart. It’ll be fine.”
“Breathe,” I echo. “Right. Okay. I’ll be right back.”
Spinning on my heel, I head out of the open door and toward the small room usually used for dressing changes but today has been transformed into a doggie daycare. I find Hades lying in his crate, on top of the fluffy VW blanket I stole from Maddox’s house and brought with us, hoping that the early scent introduction would help. From how cozy he looks snuggled up on it, it looks like he doesn’t mind his scent.
Smart dog.
My heart aches at the lack of playing he’s doing, but I know he isn’t ready to be let loose on his own with the other dogs yet.
I pick his leash and collar up off the ground beside his crate and open the door, quickly slipping them both on as he stands and stretches.
“It’s your time to shine, baby. I need you to really work with me here, okay? Maddox is a good guy. I promise,” I tell him.
He licks my cheek before I stand, encouraging him to walk out before shutting the crate door. While a bit tense, he doesn’t look afraid, and that’s a great sign.
When we get back to the main room, my nerves come racing back. Hades is more relaxed than I am now, even when he sees Maddox sitting on the floor, legs outstretched and arms back, keeping himself upright.
“Hey, buddy,” Dox says softly, keeping still, his warm green eyes flicking between me and Hades.
Hades slows his walk slightly as we approach him, moving a bit closer to me. I’m holding my breath when he stops right in front of Maddox and stares at him.
“Put your hand out in front of you but not too close to him. Just give him the option to come sniff you,” I say.
He does exactly that, and Hades creeps closer, butting Maddox’s hand with his nose. I blow out a breath and crouch at Maddox’s side, stroking Hades’ back.
“Good boy,” I praise before sitting beside Maddox with my legs tucked beneath me, leaning into his side. “You can pet him now. Right where I am.”
His fingers brush mine as he pets his back. “Does this mean he doesn’t hate me?”
“Yeah, I think he might actually like you. That’s a really good sign.”
“I think he likes us together. He didn’t seem to be a fan of me the first time we met.”
“He’s made so much progress since then. Plus, it wasn’t like any of us had a good energy that day. It wasn’t a happy meeting,” I say.
