AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You should worry about yourself, August. Aboutyourlife.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I’m releasing you of any obligation you have to care about me, okay? I’m not your family. I’m not your boyfriend. I’m nothing to you.”
Her eyes welled but there was no sadness in her face, only fiery anger. “You’renotnothing to me, Keaton. And if you think I only care out of a sense of obligation, then I guess you don’t know me very well after all.”
“Maybe that’s your problem,” he said. “Since we’re being honest. Maybe you care too much.”
Her mouth popped open and she pressed a palm to her cheek as if he’d slapped her. “How do I care too much?”
“You spend all your time helping other people and getting involved in their problems to the point that you’ve neglected your own needs. I don’t buy for a second that the reason you’re single is because there are no good men out there who match your desires.”
“And what do you think the real reason is?” She folded her arms across her chest.
“Because you’re hanging on to the past.”
“I went to a freaking matchmaker, okay? Those things are expensive. I’mtryingto have the life I want.”
“And you really think someone else can tell you who your perfect match is? That a computer can spit out some code and know better than you?” He made a sound of disbelief. “You don’t trust your own instincts.”
“Why would I? They constantly lead me to the wrong people.”
Oof.
But, in fairness, he totally deserved that jab.
“Have you tried going out with friends to a bar and just talking to people?” he asked. When she didn’t respond, he knew he’d hit a nerve. “No, because you’re a workaholic like me. You want to be efficient, because you don’t want to waste time getting out and meeting people organically.”
Her gaze swept over him, hurt brimming and lip quivering slightly. He’d landed a blow and he hated himself for it.
She nodded slowly, taking a step away from him. “You’d better get going, then. Don’t want to get stuck in rush hour.”
At that moment Molly got out of her bed and padded over to them, disappointment radiating from her like toxic fumes. Her head swung from him to August and back again, her markings making it look like her face was set into a deep frown.
You are ridiculous humans, both of you.
He had to agree. But that was human nature, wasn’t it? They were prideful, egotistical creatures who would do anything for self-preservation, often to their own detriment.
“Are you taking Molly or leaving her behind?” August asked. “Since it looks like the competition is over for us, I guess she doesn’t need to stay. I can get a ride back with Scout and Lane, or Isla and Theo. There’s plenty of room.”
“Maybe we should let her decide,” he said, knowing full well she would choose August. After all, he and Molly barely tolerated one another’s presence and that was a stepupfrom how it had been ever since Leah brought her home.
They both crouched and extended their hands out toward the dog. She sniffed the air, put one paw forward and hesitated. Then, to his shock, she trotted over to Keaton, tail swishing and tongue darting out to swipe at his hand.
“You saved her, Keaton. She won’t forget that anytime soon.” August smiled, but the expression was heavy and sad. “I knew you could win her trust. Great job.”
A lump formed in the back of his throat as he ruffled the dog’s fur. There were no words left to say. It felt like he’d been wrung dry, squeezed out and was now a damp thing swaying in the wind.
He had nothing left to give.
“I’m going to head over and watch the final part of the contest,” she said, tears making her voice wobbly. “Have a safe drive back, okay?”
She threw a sweatshirt over her T-shirt and stuffed her feet into her sneakers. Then she was gone. The sound of the door closing behind her felt like a book being snapped shut. Whatever he shared with August, it was now officially over.
22
Despite August’s somber mood, the final day of the competition was a fun affair. After they got down to the last five animals—which didn’t include Molly, on account of her early departure—Isla presented a multitude of awards to the participants, including Biggest Personality for Molly, which August would pass on to Leah when she got home.
When the final winner was announced—the adorable Hungarian sheepdog named Swish, who looked like a giant mop head—there were cheers and commiserations in the audience. The camera crew went around the room, getting final words from contestants and following the Paws in the City team for a little longer, until everyone bundled off to the main hall to get coffee and sweets before packing up to hit the road.
The fun was over.
