AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mine, that arm says.
Mine.
People aren’t possessions, though. Paigelynn isn’t a trophy. Something burns in her, and her head isn’t relaxing. This is all for show, and as my gut tightens, Butter looks up at me, his eyebrows raised high, as if he feels it, too.
Everything is off.
Rudy especially.
For the next twenty-five minutes, we go through the motions, following basic commands, learning techniques I’ve already seen on YouTube but have never been able to master. I can’t concentrate, and Butter knows it, straining at the leash to go sniff the other dogs.
I can’t take my eyes off Paigelynn.
And she can’t stop looking at me.
I’m a grown man. I’ve been with plenty of women. I’ve been dumped and been the dumper. I’ve had one-night stands and months-long relationships. Never lived with anyone, but that’s because I’ll never let anyone get too close.
And my space is my space. After growing up the way I did as a kid, I can’t handle having someone invade the only safety I’ve carved out.
But this woman before me throws every rule out the window. It’s chemical, it’s physical, it’s fate -- it’s crazy. How can a complete stranger I met a half hour ago do this to me?
She’s magic.
She is divine.
She is enchanting.
God help me, she is so fuckable.
And now, that asshat Rudy is touching her again. Every part of his skin that connects with her deserves to be flayed.
Butter whines, breaking me out of my fury, and I realize I’m twisting the leash in my hand, jaw clenched so tight I’ve nearly broken a tooth. I’m not hurting my dog, but he’s confused.
Because I don’t act like this.
Ever.
“Hey, Butter,” I say, dropping to one knee, giving him lots of love. Warm brown eyes meet mine and he licks my face, the sweet wetness making me laugh. That’s the thing about dogs. How can you be a miserable SOB around one?
By being Rudy. That’s how.
I can see how Winnie cowers when he goes to touch her. He’s putting on a show here, but some things can’t be faked.
Animals know people. They sense us. It’s a special ability we humans will never understand. We can see the tip of the iceberg. My mom always said to follow the animals. If they didn’t like someone, watch out.
Too bad she didn’t follow her own advice.
If she had, my sister would still be alive.
And my parents wouldn’t be in jail.
Butter tucks his nose under my chin in the dog version of a hug, as if he reads my mind. No, he can’t, but he can read my feelings.
And that’s close enough.
“You okay?” Paigelynn asks, suddenly next to me on the ground, Winnie’s face next to Butter’s.
“That’s right. Let them get to know each other,” the teacher says approvingly. “Butter and Winnie are doing well.”
