Chapter 21 #2
“I’m off, Boss,” Manuel announces from behind me. “Want me to lock the back door?”
I turn my head, but Tessa is already slipping from my arms.
“If you wouldn’t mind,” I let him know. “And I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Bye, Manuel,” Tessa pipes up, as he heads to the back.
I grab her hand and pull her toward the stairs.
“Hold on,” she stops me. “I talked to Linc earlier, he wants his own bed tonight, and said he’d come home after practice. I can’t stay.”
I try not to let my disappointment show. I’d hoped to introduce her to my new roommate, who has been confined to the apartment upstairs for now.
“But I was kinda hoping you’d come over to my place, I’m just gonna order pizza tonight.”
I guess I could grab a quick shower and head over, but I don’t want to leave my new girl alone tonight. Unless, of course, I bring her. Guess there’s no better time than the present to find out if I made a colossal mistake in taking her on.
“Is it okay if I bring a guest?”
“This is Mouse.”
I wish I had a camera to capture the expression on Tessa’s face when she opens the door. Granted, the so-called Dalmatian Buck pawned off on me has little in common with the breed, other than the fact she’s white with black spots. Unless there is a sumo version of Dalmatians I don’t know about.
Mouse is not dainty or lean or pretty. She looks more like a bulldog cross, with her broad head and chest, but taller on her legs, and her face looks like it’s been through a meat grinder. According to Buck, the result of a poorly repaired harelip.
My first reaction had been recoil, but that lasted only two seconds.
Because Mouse has a long tail, which clumsily sways from side to side anytime I look at her, a crooked smile she shares liberally, and a loving nature that exudes from every single one of her pores, despite those shiny, soulful brown eyes that hold a lifetime of pain.
Buck was right, even though I hate to admit it. I have had Mouse for less than twenty-four hours, and it’s like she’s always been in my life.
It takes Tessa less than two seconds to drop down on her haunches and take Mouse’s head between her hands.
“Well, hello, Mouse. Aren’t you an absolute sweetheart?”
Of course the dog’s tail starts wagging furiously, alternately smacking the doorpost and my leg as she tries to reach Tessa’s face with her tongue.
“Dog. Cool,” Linc comments as he comes down the stairs.
Mouse doesn’t hesitate and, almost knocking Tessa on her ass as she pushes past her, makes a beeline for the kid.
I help a grinning Tessa to her feet.
“I hate to break it to you,” she says in a stage whisper, “but that’s not a Dalmatian.”
I grunt in response and, while the dog is keeping her son occupied, take the opportunity to drop a hard kiss on her lips. Then I close the front door and follow her into the house.
“When’s dinner?” Linc asks, as Tessa hands me a beer.
“Pizza should be here any—”
She doesn’t even get the chance to finish her sentence when the doorbell rings.
“I’ve got it,” I announce, as I set down my bottle and head for the door.
I recognize the kid at the door toting three boxes as one of the Silvari boys.
“It’s already paid!” Tessa calls from behind me when I pull out my wallet.
I take the boxes from the kid and hand him a twenty, which he pockets with a grin before loping down the steps as I shut the door.
“You ordered a lot of pizza,” I note, setting the boxes down on the counter.
“I always do,” she shares, pulling plates down from the cupboard. “The boys and I have different tastes, and we usually have leftovers for lunch the next day.”
I’ve been known to have cold, leftover pizza for breakfast myself.
Mouse is sprawled out on the rug in the living room, making herself at home like she belongs here, while we hang out in the kitchen eating a very casual dinner.
“She doesn’t beg,” Linc observes.
“Well, I fed her earlier and, aside from that, I don’t think she’s had the kind of life where she was ever treated to any table scraps,” I offer by way of explanation.
Tessa grabs her cell phone off the charger when a ping announces an incoming text.
“Sorry, I’ve been waiting for this,” she announces, opening the message.
“So this is your last year, right?” I ask Linc as I grab another slice. “Any plans for after?”
“College, playing football.”
I chuckle, because it’s such a typical jock answer. Never mind education, as long as there are sports.
I was never much of a jock myself; although I did enjoy playing different sports, it was nothing more than a fun activity. The only thing I ever aspired to was to become a mechanic, like my dad. I didn’t go to college at all, opting to go straight into the workforce as a mechanic’s apprentice.
Some might tout the value of getting a proper education, but in my humble opinion, it’s just as important to follow a passion if that passion is strong enough.
“Are you that good?” I ask the boy, who straightens his shoulders instantly.
“You bet I am,” he states confidently.
“Guess I should come and watch you play some time.”
“Playing Colville next week. Our biggest rivals,” he informs me with his mouth full of pizza.
“Linc, manners,” Tessa reminds him distractedly.
“I’ll be there,” I tell the boy.
His eyes flash my way for a brief moment, as if he’s making sure I’m serious. Then he shrugs his shoulders and declares, “Cool.”
His mother seems frustrated as she grunts and drops her phone to the counter.
“Bad news?” I inquire.
“No. It’s just…I’ve been staring at this video clip and I’m convinced I know this guy from somewhere, but I can’t seem to place him.”
“Let me see,” Linc pipes up, grabbing her phone and hitting play on the video.
He seems surprised.
“Why do you have a video of Mr. B?”
Tessa’s face instantly lights up as she slaps her forehead.
“Of course!”
Clearly mother and son have been enlightened, but I’m still in the dark.
Who the fuck is Mr. B?