Chapter 10
Luke
“Uff!” Heavy panting followed by a sloppy tongue across my face has me wondering if I’m crazy for trying this without supervision.
Gen didn’t tell me to begin bikejoring; she just gave me a list of what I needed for it. Silly me, thinking a bit of research on the internet would be enough to get started successfully.
The information I gathered didn’t account for the complexity of what seems like a simple task or the passion my sled dog would have for the activity.
It’s been a painful and slightly humbling experience. I know how to ride a bike, but having Bogey dictating our direction and pulling me off balance whenever he changes his mind introduces a whole new learning curve.
“I appreciate you checking in on me, Bogs.” I turn my face away from the drool that’s dripping from his mouth. “But could you maybe not pull so hard?”
Throwing his head up and back, an enthusiastic ‘AwoooooooOOOOoooo’ rings out.
A chuckle escapes, followed by a reluctant grin. Bogey’s hovering over me, an unmistakable canine smile on his face telling me he’s loving every minute of this. “If you could try not to slobber on me, that would be great too.”
Slowly pushing off the ground, a sharp pain shoots through my back.
“Ouch,” I grumble, causing my furry caretaker to run up to me and lick my face furiously.
“Sorry, Bogs, but I think I’ll need to see Dr. Rich to fix this problem.
” I rub the top of his head, a good rub, which reminds me I’ll need to schedule a full-body massage.
“How are your back and muscles feeling? Need a massage too?”
A loud ‘Awoooowoooo’ is his response, accompanied by a little hop.
“Well, I’m glad you’re not injured.” Wiping dirt from my scraped knee, I tenderly reach for the bike, grateful the frame isn’t bent after that wipe-out.
Bogey’s smile widens, and he starts high-stepping when he sees what I’m doing.
“Sorry, bud, but we’re done for the day.
Looks like my plan to impress our dog trainer is a bust.”
Walking down the trail, bike in one hand with dog still attached, my phone buzzes in my pocket. My stomach drops when I see my cousin's name.
“Hey.” I groan as I gingerly rest the bike on the side of the bench before sitting down, Bogey sitting in front of me watching. “Twice in one week. Did I win the Cole Nichols lottery?”
“Why do you sound sixty instead of thirty?” A hint of amusement tinges his voice.
Heat rushes to my face, and my hand pulls at the back of my neck, embarrassment filling me. “I’m trying out a new sport.”
“Oh? Giving up golf?” He snickers. “I’m not sure how Uncle Theo will feel about that.”
Snorting, I imagine my dad’s reaction to me quitting golf. The lecture he’d give me would be one for the books.
“Not giving up golf, just trying something new that Genevieve suggested.” Now that I’m sitting I can feel my neck stiffening up, so I roll it back and forth a few times. “Have you ever heard of bikejoring?”
“Bike what?”
“That’s exactly what I said a day ago.” I chuckle. “It’s a dog sport, like sledding but on dry land.”
“Okay. I’m not sure if I’m more freaked out that you’re laughing or that you’re strapping your dog to a bike and letting him pull you.”
When he puts it that way, it does sound a tad crazy, especially since I don’t have any clue how this all works except for the dog-and-bike part.
“Are you doing this to impress the new woman in your life?”
Groaning, Bogey rests his head in my lap, and I shrug only to have pain shoot through my shoulder. Gen isn’t new, and she’s not mine.
Even though I want her to be.
“No,” I snap. “You know how I am when it comes to new things. I like to be prepared.”
“Oh, you have it bad!”
My husky nudges my elbow, and I look down to see his intent gaze watching my every move. It’s a bit eerie how well this dog can read my moods. Comforting, but strange. It feels like I’m transparent for the first time in my life.
I love and hate it.
“Don’t even try to deny it,” Cole snorts. “You never smile like you were in those pictures, and you’re way too proud to attempt learning something new without having a lesson first.”
“She’s—”
“Something, or you wouldn’t be doing this.”
“Do you remember Claire’s college roommate? The one I was seeing before I went pro?” I scrub my hands up and down my face. “I reached out to her to help me with Bogey.”
“So you’re telling me the girl you were crazy about is Bogey’s dog trainer?” I give a stiff nod and immediately regret it as another sharp pain erupts down my back, making me cringe. “Oh, this is even better than I thought.”
Cole was one of the few people I talked to about Gen and how I left things. After what happened with him and Noelle when he got drafted to the Rays, I knew he’d get it.
Especially when you have an overcontrolling father micromanaging your career.
“Is that why you named your dog ‘Bogey’? You thought you’d strike out?”
Shaking my head slowly, I grind my teeth. Of course, that’s where his mind would go. Cole is always looking to connect the dots. “I thought it would be ironic, considering I rarely get bogeys anymore.”
Cole’s laughter bursts across the phone, and my head drops against my chest as I realize how arrogant that sounds, even though what I said is not untrue.
“You know that’s the perfect way to jinx yourself, right?”
“Pfft,” I scoff. “We both know that’s a load of nonsense.”
“Is it?” Cole asks, a hint of humor lacing his tone. “Mindset is everything.”
Exhaling deeply, I close my eyes and rub them, just as I softly say, “Yes. That’s why I fired my father.”
I can hear Cole’s heavy sigh through the phone. “Luke, I didn’t mean anything—”
“I know you didn’t.” Bogey starts to nudge my elbow insistently, and without glancing down, my hand automatically finds him. The tightness in my ribcage immediately loosens, and my breathing returns to normal.
“I’m not sure if I told you this, but I think firing your dad was the best thing you could’ve done. J.B. has been the right person for the job. And I don’t just mean your career, but for your mental health too. Speaking of…any panic attacks recently?”
Bogey snuggles his head deeper in my lap, knowing exactly what I need. Discussing this has always been challenging.
Professional athletes never let anyone see their weaknesses.
“Actually, no. Jett was right about the dog.” Dropping my gaze to Bogs, I run my fingers through his soft fur and notice his eyes watching my every move through his lashes. “Apparently, this four-legger knows me better than I know myself.”
“Good. Your mom was really worried about you for a bit. We all were. However, I have to be honest. I’m surprised you went the dog route, with your career and all.”
Raking a hand through my hair, I huff out a breath, and Cole pounces.
“WAIT! Your ex is why you chose a dog?” This time, Cole is cackling, and I have to pull the phone away to keep my eardrum from being permanently damaged. “Sneaky little cousin. So how did she respond?”
“She didn’t answer any of my texts and only called after Claire talked to her. She’s also charging me triple her normal rate.”
He whistles. “Smart cookie. So when are you going to ask her out for real?”
“I kind of did the other day.” I chew on my bottom lip and spit out. “I asked her to be my date for Fur-Ever Homes, Bogey’s rescues fundraiser, to prevent me from being the next victim of the seniors at Evergreen Whisper Hall.”
“Let’s hope she actually likes you enough to win you, otherwise you’re going to end up in the library, too.”
“Maybe overbidding and spending my money will be enough payback for her?”
By the sound of Cole’s maniacal laughter, he’s not so sure it will be.
Neither am I. My picture might be on full display in Evergreen Whisper Hall next.