Chapter 8
Luke
Plunk.
It’s the fifth text my agent has sent since Gen, and I began training Bogey to walk on a loose leash. If you’ve ever had a Husky, then you know this feels like an absolute hopeless cause. Watching my dog trainer struggle to work her magic has me even more discouraged.
“Do you need to get that?” Genevieve asks, not lifting her head to glance in my direction as she continues focusing on the sled dog next to her.
“No. J.B. knows I’m out with you.” When I realize how what I said sounds, I quickly add to it. “Dog training.”
Wiping my hands down the side of my shorts, I huff out a heavy breath. I know exactly why J.B. keeps texting.
Plunk.
He wants to know if I asked Genevieve to go to the fundraiser with me.
I swear I’m going to kill that agent of mine. I told him I’d think about it, and that was the last time I brought it up. Apparently, he won’t let it go.
Plunk.
“Go ahead and see what he wants. Bogey is giving me a run for my money, and this might take a bit to figure out. I can’t show you what to do until he cooperates.
” Her brow is furrowed with concentration, and I feel my lip quirk.
Watching her work has been something I’ve come to enjoy over the past few weeks.
Plunk.
The sound of another text snaps me out of admiring the woman beside me. Pulling my phone out of my pocket. Not J.B.’s.
Cole
So tell me about the girl who put the smile on your face in this photo!
Is it true that it’s Beau’s wife, Kit’s, sister?
Continuing to put distance between Gen and Bogey, I shake my head and chuckle. My cousin has always teased me about my permanent scowl.
Cole
Mike said he was on the phone with his cousin when Kit shoved the photos in his face.
And how come you haven’t told me about her?!
I’d say the dog is definitely doing wonders for your anxiety.
Don’t tell Mike I said anything, but Beau is a bit irked with how enamored his wife is of you.
Luke
Enamored of me? I doubt that!
Have you seen the tree trunks that Beau calls appendages?
I hope Mike’s exaggerating.
I’ve seen him up close, and I’d hate to have him as an adversary.
Golfers have nothing on rugby players when it comes to physique. Beau is the epitome of a rugby player and might be even bigger than the original Incredible Hulk, Lou Ferrigno.
Luke
Was there anything else you wanted?
I’m out with Genevieve now and don’t want to get in trouble.
Cole
Genevieve, huh?
The corner of my mouth ticks up the same time I roll my eyes. I swear that Cole hasn’t changed since we were boys.
Cole
If the smile I saw on your face means anything, I’d say you’re already in trouble.
Turning to look over my shoulder, I watch as the woman we’re talking about smiles at my dog as he gives her the exact behavior she wants. His tail wags, and I’m sure she just praised him in that warm voice of hers. The one I’m dying to have her use when she talks to me.
My gut tightens, and a sense of longing grips me.
I am in so much trouble. But I’m not sure that I care anymore.
Luke
Gotta go.
Talk later.
Another ‘Plunk’ comes through, but this time it’s not from Cole.
J.B.
Did you ask her yet?
Dropping my head back, I groan. I knew I couldn’t keep avoiding Jett; in fact, I’m surprised he let me go a full day without following up even once. Very un-Jett-like.
Luke
The timing hasn’t been right.
J.B.
Have I ever told you that you come up with the lamest excuses whenever I tell you to do something good for you?
Just ask the girl already! I know you’re out with her today.
Shaking my head, I suck in a deep breath and swallow hard. Yeah, I may have glimpsed a bit of hope the other day, but I’m ninety-nine percent positive there’s no way she’ll agree to being my date.
J.B.
You don’t know that.
My agent sends a follow-up text in that creepy way he has. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he has some sort of magical power that allows him to read my mind.
It’s truly creepy.
“Luke!” Gen yells, and I turn to see her waving me over. “It’s your turn.”
Luke
This might be the worst thing you’ve ever made me do.
J.B.
Nah. There’s been so many other things much, much worse than this.
Re-reading his message, I wonder what he’s talking about. Jett has never asked me to do anything that would be considered bad, per se. Uncomfortable, sure. But the truth is, the majority of his suggestions have actually helped me and my career.
I’m not saying I’ve enjoyed them or considered them fun, but he’s never had me do anything this insane before.
“LUKE!” Gen calls, her voice more insistent, growing impatient.
“Coming,” I shout back. Slipping the phone into my pocket, I pull my cap off and rake a hand through my hair before shoving it back on and pulling the bill down to cover my eyes.
Keeping my emotions from Genevieve when I ask her this question will be best for both of us. I’m not sure I’ll be able to hide my disappointment when she turns me down, and I definitely don’t want her to say ‘yes’ out of pity.
“Here.” Genevieve shoves Bogey’s leash in my hand when I finally close the distance between us. “I’ll talk you through how to get this husky to walk beside you.”
And just like that, my ex is bossing me around. Relief floods me at the knowledge that I’ll get a bit of a reprieve before the big rejection.
I’m not disappointed in the least because, honestly, seeing this side of her is kind of sexy. I like Gen telling me what to do.
The corner of my eyes crinkle and I let them, knowing she can’t see. I’m pretty sure she’d take it as me making fun of her rather than enjoying her company.
When we finally reach the parking lot, I’m exhausted from all the work I had to do to get what should be a simple ‘heel’ to happen. But the feeling of satisfaction coursing through me is similar to that of finishing up eighteen holes on the course and being under par.
“That was amazing.” I lean down and get eye level with my perfect ‘heeling’ husky. “You’re the smartest, Bogs.”
‘Awoooowoooo’ Bogey agrees, before his tongue lolls out the side of his mouth.
“You did great, too.” Gen’s praise washes over me, causing warmth to move throughout my body. “This is possibly one of the hardest things to teach a sled dog. You should be proud.”
Looking up at her, I find her watching the two of us, the soft smile I was craving just a short bit ago, and before I know what I’m doing, I’m asking her to be my date for the fundraiser.
“Fur-Ever Homes is having a fundraiser in two weeks. Would you?” I clear my throat and ask again. “Would you be willing to go with me?”
Her brows shoot up, and her mouth forms the most adorable ‘O’.
“It would be strictly professional,” I push out, pouring some water in my dog’s pop-up bowl before getting to my feet so I’m above her, any emotion showing in my eyes hidden. “I just need someone to protect me from the more…um…enthusiastic supporters who like to bid on all the athletes.”
“Wait.” Her eyes sparkle, and my throat works. “You’re going to be auctioned off?”
Heat flushes my face, and the cool breeze suddenly feels hot as it moves over me. In the silence, Bogey’s soft lapping at his water sounds super loud. “Not just me but some of the other athletes too.”
Her hand slaps over her mouth, but her eyes light up with humor.
“I know, it’s goofy, but the ‘Hunks for Howls’.” Gen snorts, and I cringe before finishing my sentence. “Is where Fur-Ever Homes gets the majority of its funds for the upcoming year.”
“‘Hunks for Howls?’” Her gaze runs down my body, and I feel my shoulders pull back, while I restrain the urge to flex my biceps.
I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep a smile from breaking free at her obvious appraisal.
When her eyes land back on mine, she crosses her arms over her chest and knits her brows together. “Are you pulling my leg?”
“Do you think I’d be clever enough to come up with something that ridiculous on my own?”
Bogey huffs as if in agreement, and Gen’s gaze falls to the dog by my side before lifting a shoulder to her ear and snickering. “No. I guess you wouldn’t be. The Luke I remember was way too serious for that type of entertaining activity.”
My forehead furrows as a tightness pulls at my gut.
Genevieve continues to stare at me, skepticism filling her expression. My pulse pounds in my ears, and I begin to wait for the ‘no’ that’s bound to follow. Just at that moment, Bogey pushes his snout against my hand, and I let myself find comfort in his soft fur.
“I would need you to pretend to like me enough to bid on me.” Her eyes widen, and my throat tightens. “But other than that, it would be for appearances' sake only.”
My heart rams against my sternum the longer she stares at me.
Uncomfortable, I start to babble. “I’ll give you the money.
You won’t have to spend anything. The rescue would get the funds it would need, and you would save me from becoming the possible subject of an art class at Evergreen Whisper Hall. ”
Gen’s face is unreadable. Her eyes are narrowed, and my stomach sinks.
I told him she’d say no.