CHANNING
Max rolled his eyes.
‘How about my Daddy friends?’ Max grunted.
‘Hmph. You’d better believe that,’ Max growled. ‘There’s no way this can make me feel like I do in a real car…’
But Max very quickly changed his mind over the Tesla, rapidly realizing that when it came to acceleration, electric cars were no slouches.
‘Holy shit, that was insane,’ Max laughed, pulling the Tesla up as they drove into the Bark Buddies parking lot. ‘Now, about that surprise.’
Channing had a feeling he knew what was coming.
The closer they had gotten to the general direction of Bark Buddies, the stronger the feeling had grown.
Channing didn’t know precisely what Max had in store, but he could have taken a guess at this point.
‘Hmmmm. Anything you want to tell me?’ Channing said, smiling as the pair of them got out of the Tesla and made their way inside Bark Buddies.
Max chuckled and put his arm around Channing.
‘Well you know that money I won for the drag race?’ Max said, his voice full of pride.
‘Yeah?’
‘Well, it’s no longer my money,’ Max said, beaming with pride. ‘It’s Bark Buddies’s money now.’
‘Wow! Are you serious, Daddy?’ Channing said, taken aback. ‘I was expecting a donation and a dog adoption. But this…’
‘You don’t think it’s sensible, right?’ Max said.
‘Well… yeah… I mean… actually, no. I love it!’ Channing said, his heart pounding in his chest. ‘You’re an incredible person, Daddy. I didn’t know if you’d change, but deep down you’ve always been this wonderful, kindhearted Daddy. Don’t ever change! Ever-ever-ever!’
‘I promise you that this is forever,’ Max said, sincerity in his every word.
The pair of them embraced and with the sound of excited dogs barking from the playroom, Max even gave Channing’s butt a quick spank.
But it wasn’t the time or the place to get too frisky.
It was time to have some fun with the dogs!
As Channing played catch and hide with a young spaniel called Rossy, he paused and took a moment to consider how lucky he was that Max walked back into his life when he did.
Max was a one-of-a-kind Daddy.
Not only was he donating the race winnings, but Max had also told Channing that he was beginning work at Bark Buddies as an official employee starting on Monday.
Channing loved how Max had found his happy place.
Together, the pair of them were both in a brilliant place in their lives. Maybe it was timing that had finally aligned perfectly, but as far as Channing could see, there was no reason why him and Max wouldn’t be together forever.
The pair of them had both grown and changed, while at the same time stayed true to what made them such special individuals too.
Channing knew this was a moment to be cherished.
The sight of Max romping around the playroom with a pack of Golden-Doodles chasing after him was pretty much one of the most wholesome things Channing had ever seen in his life.
And the best thing of all was that from now on, this would be Max’s life every day.
Channing felt happy for Max.
It had been a long journey for him to reach this point, but now he was here it was clear that Max would have no reason to look elsewhere in life for thrills and excitement.
Max had it all, and Channing was proud to be a big part of that package.
But if Channing thought that Max was done with the surprises for the day, then it was time to think again…
‘Hey, baby boy, come over here,’ Max said, beckoning Channing over toward him. ‘We’ve got something to say to you.’
‘We?’ Channing replied, suddenly seeing the adorably chunky Tracker padding over toward Max.
‘Yep. Here’s the thing,’ Max said. ‘You know how I don’t do impulsive stuff anymore?’
‘Uh-huh…’
‘Well, not quite,’ Max laughed. ‘Tracker asked really nicely if he could come to live with us on a trial basis. He even promised not to slobber over your plant-based cookbooks! So?’
Channing giggled and squealed with delight.
Max had changed but he still clearly had his impulsive side working underneath the surface too. And Channing was okay with that. In fact, as far as the idea of giving Tracker a trial run at the apartment was concerned, Channing was delighted!
‘Well it looks like I’m cooking dinner for three tonight!’ Channing laughed, playfully cuddling Tracker. ‘And I couldn’t be happier about it. I think you’re going to love it with us, Tracker. I think we all are.’
* * *
When it came to the evening, it was very much time to celebrate. After all, it’s not very often you declare your true love, get a major promotion, and adopt a dog all on the same day.
For Channing, it had been a momentous day in his life.
Suddenly everything felt like it was truly coming together for him in a way that hadn’t always seemed possible. His professional life was on track, his love life was soaring, and he had just welcomed a wonderful dog into his family too.
Speaking of wonderful dogs…
‘Tracker! Leave Tommy alone!’ Channing laughed, the sight of Tracker excitedly demanding to play with Tommy making everyone chuckle.
The whole gang was at Frisco Frolics, a cocktail bar on the beach front that happily catered to dogs, healthy snack lovers, and those who wanted a drink with a little more kick too.
Channing could see that Tommy and Rick were having a fun time talking to Harrison and Michael, and he couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them. Whatever happened in the romantic lives of his close friends though, Channing was safe and secure in his own relationship with Max.
‘Hey, what do you think?’ Channing said, taking a drink from Max and motioning over toward the flirty antics of Tommy, Rick, Harrison and Michael. ‘Could be something there…’
‘Maybe,’ Max laughed. ‘But that’s their business! Let’s focus on us. It’s been quite a ride, but we got there in the end, kid.’
‘I know. You’ve made me so happy,’ Channing said, staring into Max’s soulful eyes. ‘I heard the police caught up with Judd and arrested him?’
‘Yup,’ Max said, a serious look on his face.
‘Judd is going to be going away for quite some time. I hope he uses it wisely too. It’s not too late for him to turn his life around, but he has to want to change.
That’s something that I’ve learned recently.
Change doesn’t just happen, you have to make it happen. Right?’
Channing nodded in agreement.
It felt so good to see Max comfortable and at ease with himself.
Max was still a fun loving and outgoing Daddy, but Channing sensed on a deep level that Max had an inner belief in himself now that meant his wild days of ups and downs were behind him.
‘Hey, I think Tracker might be trying to tell us something?’ Channing giggled, the sight of Tracker nudging his big, handsome face into the middle of their cuddle making both Channing and Max laugh.
‘I think it might be time for an evening walk on the beach,’ Max said, taking Channing’s hand in his.
As the three of them stepped out of the Frisco Frolics outdoor area and onto the sand together, there was a feeling of perfect harmony.
Everything had worked out as it should, and their lives had been enhanced in the most perfect way.
Channing had fought for his dream job and found true love and his Forever Daddy in Max.
Max had realized that it was time to change up for good and settle down with his one true baby boy too.
And not forgetting Tracker of course, the big dog with a heart of gold – and now the proud owner of two doting human parents!
As the sun began to set on Los Frisco, Channing realized that while his life was complete in so many ways, the good times were only just beginning.