AllFreeNovel
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There are always hooks and barbed wire and concrete shoes and fuckingangst.
My mom taught me. Olivia—
Well, she could have taught my mom more than a few things.
Luckily, I learned that fun little tidbit about her in time. And just like with hockey, I fix shit and never repeat my mistakes.
Never.
Olivia’s gone.
My mom lives on the opposite coast—thus, is relegated to occasional phone calls and surprise visits.
So, my friends can enjoy their delusions of grandeur when it comes to happily ever afters and fidelity and relationships that last longer than a viral TikTok.
I’ll enjoy my peace—
“Woof!”
However much of it I can carve out, anyway. I glare at the tiny demon, but instead of growling at me or attempting to gnaw off my ankle for a second time, he just sniffs at my foot and licks my sock.
Apparently, the key to the tiny demon’s heart is food.
He’s still ugly.
And an asshole.
I grab the rest of the dishes, help her load them into the dishwasher and then stand there awkwardly as she dries her hands on a paper towel. “Do you have a leash?” I ask when she flicks her eyes to mine and away for the fourth time.
Her brows draw together. “Why?” she asks suspiciously.
“The demon has to go out and do dog stuff before bed, doesn’t he?”
Her expression clears. “Oh,” she whispers. “Right. It’s—” She moves to a duffle that’s full of toys and extracts a leash and harness, clipping both on Steve with no small amount of effort. Apparently, the little asshole likes his walks.
“If you go through the garage,” I tell her, “there’s a side door that has a covered pathway where he can do his business.”
She frowns up at me.
“What?” I ask shortly.
“You’re being nice again,” she mutters, “and I don’t like it.”
Wow.
“You’ve known me all of a couple of hours.”
“Yeah,” she says. “And I think that’s told me enough.”
Jesus Christ.
“Just walk the dog or don’t,” I growl. “But I’m not cleaning it up if the demon shits or pisses in my house.”
Her deep green eyes on mine. “That’s more like the Lake I know.” She scoops up the end of Steve’s leash, turns away. “Come on, baby,” she croons.
And she walks out the door.
Swear to God, the tiny demon sticks his tongue out at me as he prances through the door behind her.
