Chapter 15 #2
“The vet clinic I work at has a mandatory five hours a month volunteer time at one of the local animal shelters.”
“Is that even legal?” Austin cocks a brow.
“I honestly don’t know." I shrug. “But it doesn’t matter. I haven’t had a chance to put my hours in this month because I’ve been using up any free time to take paid shifts. So, to earn those hours, I’m volunteering at this big event that's happening next weekend.”
“And what’s the event?” he eyes me suspiciously.
“It’s like this big adoption event. They make it a community event in hopes of getting the pets adopted. There are games, food, stuff like that. But it’s all centered around making the animals the focal point.”
“And what does this have to do with me?”
“You're going to help me.” I grin widely.
His eyes widen. “The hell I am.”
“Austin,” I whine.
“Nope.” He shakes his head. “Cats, I can do. But dogs are a big no-no for me.”
“What?” I gape at him. “But dogs are amazing!”
“They are loud and drooly and needy as fuck.”
“You said you liked needy.” I glare at him.
“Yeah. That’s when it’s a sexy guy needy for my cock.” He deadpans.
My cheeks heat. I mean, I am needy for his cock. Just haven’t had the chance to have it again. Although we have been making out a lot within the past few days.
Living together is going to be a lot of fun. Full of spontaneous makeout sessions.
“Please.” I pout. “They need more people to help out. Just think about all the sad little dogs and cats who are sitting in cages, just wanting someone to bring them home.” I pick up Snicklefritz, who’s sitting on the table watching the two of us, and bring him up next to my face.
“Just think about all the kitties like Snicklefritz looking for someone to love them.”
“You play dirty, Mr. Darwood!” he narrows his eyes, pointing an accusing finger at me. “Emotional blackmail? Really? I never thought I’d get that from you. You're so nice and sweet.”
I bite my lip. “I can be mean sometimes.”
His scowl turns into a heated smile. “Yeah?” he asks, walking over to me until he’s right in front of me. I let the cat go, my heart racing as he looms over me. “Just how mean can you get, Levi?”
“Agree to help out and I’ll show you,” I whisper, voice cracking. This man can play my body like an instrument without even touching me. When he does touch me, it's a fucking symphony.
“Oh, you really do play dirty,” he growls, wrapping his arms around my waist. His hands grip my ass, pulling me flush to him.
My cock thickens, pressing against the outline of his. I whimper, biting the inside of my cheek. “So is that a yes?” I breathe out.
“For you?” his eyes flick between mine. “Anything.”
And it's when he says things like that, that I believe we could be something more.
That he likes me more than just a friend. That his flirty ways are more than just an act.
***
Seeing Austin being so damn cute with all the cats is a lot hotter than it should be.
“Keep looking at him like that, and I’m going to have to worry about you giving the whole event a show.” Abby laughs as she steps up to my side.
I’m standing back, watching Austin sitting in the cat enclosure they built outside so the people could come and interact with the cats. He’s sitting on the ground, two cats in his lap sleeping soundly, one around his neck like a scarf and another in his arms that he’s baby-talking to.
I may have taken a photo, or twenty. But god, it’s so damn cute!
“Stop it.” I laugh.
“I don’t blame you,” she sighs dreamily. “He looks so damn good right now.”
“He really does.”
“You think he’s gonna take one of those cats home with him?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Maybe?” I don’t think he will. But I do expect him to want to come to the shelter more. It would make it easier to get my hours in if he came along.
Today has been an amazing day so far. Tons of people came out, and as far as I know, twenty cats and ten dogs got adopted. I’m hoping we double the numbers by the end of the day.
Austin didn’t just agree to help today; he somehow managed to get the whole rugby team to come too.
When he showed up, my brother and Cole included, I nearly burst into tears. He just gave me a big smile, kissed me hard, and asked me where I wanted them.
I watch Austin for a few more minutes before he gets up and switches out with another volunteer.
“Hey.” He smiles as he approaches me.
My heart flutters. “Hey.”
He wraps his arms around me and kisses my forehead like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and butterflies erupt in my belly. “I’m starving. Let’s go eat?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
He intertwines his fingers with mine, and I can’t help the dopey grin on my face as he pulls me towards the food trucks. “What are you feeling like?”
“Ummm.” I look around at the trucks, then pull Austin over to one owned by one of my favorite restaurants. “I’m thinking poutine.”
“Mhhhm.” He grins. “Fuck yes. With extra cheese and gravy.”
“Only way to eat it.” I laugh.
We order our food, and Austin insists on paying for it. I let him, knowing there’s no point in arguing with him.
Finding a spot on the grass, we sit and eat, watching the rest of the festivities going on around us.
“Thanks for helping out today,” I tell him. “It really means a lot. I don’t think it would have gone as well as it had if we didn’t have the extra hands. How did you end up getting the whole team to come?”
“I have my ways.” He winks. “Mostly guilted them into it by telling them about the sad, lonely animals in need of homes like you did with me.”
“Nice.” I laugh.
He spits out a piece of cat hair. “Ew.” he looks down at himself. “Ugh, I’m covered in cat hair. Good thing they are too cute to be mad at.”
“You're going to have to change before we go home.” I grin. “Don’t want Snicklefritz to be jealous.”
“As if I’d choose any other cat over my baby,” he huffs. “He has nothing to worry about.”
His baby. Ugh. Does he know what he’s doing to me?
Once we’re done, we put everything in the trash. “Hey. I wanna check on something.” I tell Austin.
“Okay.” He follows me over to where the dogs are. Some are in cages, some are out on leashes, depending on their temperament and what they’re comfortable with.
“Hey, Abby. Is he still here?” I ask her, praying she says no.
She gives me a sad look, and my heart sinks. “Yeah,” she says. “No one’s even looked his way. I don’t get it. He’s the best boy ever. I’m honestly trying not to cry right now.”
She looks over to the tiny gray Chihuahua curled up in the dog bed at her feet. He’s lying in the sun, snoozing away.
Tears spring to my eyes, and Austin looks at me with concern. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I laugh, rubbing at my eyes, hating how emotional I’m getting. “I just feel so damn bad for Peanut.”
“Who’s Peanut?” Austin asks, looking around.
Bending down, I carefully pick up Peanut. “Austin, meet Peanut.”
Austin blinks down at the old chihuahua. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Nothing!” I gasp. “There’s nothing wrong with Peanut.”
Peanut stares up at Austin, his little tongue hanging out because he has no teeth.
“Is that a dog?” he questions, squinting at it. “Why is it so ugly?”
“That’s it. We’re breaking up.” I huff, covering Peanut’s ears. “Don’t listen to the mean man. You’re very handsome.”
“Whoa, now! Let’s not be hasty.” Austin holds up his hand. “Okay, fine. He’s kind of cute. If I close my eyes.”
“Austin.” I groan.
“Sorry.” He chuckles.
“Stop being mean to Peanut. He’s the best dog ever.”
“What’s his story?”
“His old family moved and left him behind. But because he has only three legs, he’s not really a dog people want to adopt.
” I hold Peanut up to show him. “So, he’s kind of been the shelter's resident dog. But as he got older, he has gotten more depressed. And because the shelter is so crowded lately, he hasn’t been getting the attention he deserves.
” I sigh heavily. “I’d have taken him home myself, but my apartment doesn’t accept dogs, only cats. ”
Peanut licks my face, and I nearly cry again. “How old is he?”
I close my eyes and cuddle Peanut, getting more kisses.
“We’re not sure exactly how old, but we know he’s a senior dog.
I just want this poor guy to find a good home so he can live out the rest of his life being loved, not in a cage, you know?
He really is the best dog. He listens well, is really chill, loves to cuddle, and doesn’t bark like most chihuahuas.
” I look down at him longingly. “I really wish I could bring him home. I hate that I’ve been so busy and haven’t been by to see him more. ”
Austin doesn’t say anything, just reaches over and pets Peanut. Peanut nudges Austin’s hand and then licks it, and my heart clenches. “Okay, so I guess he’s kind of cute. And I could see why you would love him.”
“See. He’s not so bad. I think I’m gonna kidnap you for the day. Maybe it will help get people to see you more.” I tell Peanut, giving him a kiss. He lets out the smallest raspy bark in argument, making Austin chuckle.
“Okay, that was cute.”
Peanut is with us for the rest of the day. And while people loved petting him and taking photos with him, no one wanted to adopt him.
By the end of the night, most of the animals had gone to new homes. I call it a win. Sadly, a lot of our disabled or elderly pets remain.
“It’s okay,” Abby says as we pack up. “Now that we have more room, we will have more time for these guys.” She takes Peanut and puts him in a carrier. “They will still get all the love and cuddles from the shelter.”
As we walk away, I feel my heart break. I love animals. And I love helping them. But one of the hardest parts about working at a vet clinic is dealing with the ones who don’t make it. It hurts every time. And seeing animals so sad and alone in tiny little cages hurts too.
If I could have my dream come true, I’d move out to the country, get a big plot of land, and be the crazy cat and dog man. Hell, I’d even throw in some donkeys and pigs, too.
The ride home, I’m quiet.
“Hey,” Austin says, parking the car when we get to the apartment. “I don’t like seeing you sad.”
“Sorry.” I force a smile. “It’s just sad.”
“I know.” He leans in and kisses my temple. “How about we go upstairs, order in, and watch a movie?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “I’d like that.”
It seems to be my thing now, falling asleep in Austin’s arms and waking up in my own bed. Sadly, always alone. But it warms my heart to know Austin makes sure I get tucked into bed.
I might not like change, but this kind of change, I could get used to.