Chapter 16
Austin
I can’t believe I’m doing this. I must have hit my head hard in rugby practice. That has to be it. There’s no other way I can explain why the hell I’m at the shelter with a little rat dog in my arms who is licking my face like it’s a damn popsicle.
“I think he likes you.” Abby, someone who works with Levi and whom I met at the adoption event last week, smiles.
“He better,” I grumble, frowning. “I’m the reason he’s getting out of here.”
“And we really appreciate it.” Abby looks like she’s trying hard not to laugh at me. I don’t blame her. I look like a total sap right now.
But I can’t help it. Seeing the look of devastation on Levi’s face when we had to leave Peanut at the end of the event broke my damn heart. Knowing how much he adores this little shithead, I couldn’t just let the old fart die in this place.
After debating with myself for a few days, I gave in to the inevitable and checked with my building manager about the pet policy. I knew we were allowed cats because a few of my neighbors have some. But I wasn’t sure about dogs.
Turns out, as long as they aren't loud and weigh under five pounds, we’re allowed to have dogs.
Guess it’s Peanut’s lucky day since he’s so light he could probably blow away if he’s not strapped down.
“Are you sure you don’t want anything for him?” I ask, frowning.
“Nope. He’s free. He’s been here so long, we just want him to get a good home. And knowing he’s going to be Levi’s, he will be well loved and cared for.”
No one knows Levi lives with me. We decided to just keep it to ourselves for now. Cole and Charlie think Levi is just rooming with someone he found on the internet in a basement suite.
But seeing how I have no experience with animals, and I needed references, I had to come clean about who this dog was for and where it was going to live.
Abby’s face lit right up, and she wasted no time handing over the adoption papers for me to sign.
“Here. At least take this. Consider it a donation to the center.” I pull out a few hundred-dollar bills.
“Thank you.” Abby smiles warmly. “We could use it.”
“Everything good?”
“Yup. You're good to go.” Abby nods. “If you need anything, let us know. And because Levi works at the clinic, any basic check-ups are free.”
“Awesome.” I nod.
“He’s really lucky to have you.” She smiles wider. “You must love him a lot.”
My heart warms at the thought of Levi and how happy he’s going to be when I show up with Peanut. “Yeah,” I whisper, staring at the dog who stares back. “I do.” More than I think is healthy. But that's a problem for another day. Or not.
With the dog in my arms, I head out to my car and place him in the passenger seat. “You better not shit on my leather,” I warn him.
He blinks up at me, little tongue hanging out, and lets out the smallest bark. Ugh. How can anyone say no to that?! He really is so ugly he’s cute.
Peanut sleeps the whole time on the drive back .
It’s Levi’s day off, and I know he’s home studying. I slipped out of the house, telling him I was going to grab some groceries.
“Come on, little guy.” I scoop up his sleeping body into my arms. “Let’s go meet your new daddy. I hope Snicklefritz likes you. He’s the real one you have to win over.”
As I get to my floor, nerves start to kick in. What if he didn’t mean what he said, and he didn’t actually want the dog? What if he thinks I’m crazy for showing up with him?
I mean, who just goes out and gets a pet just because the guy he’s seeing shows interest?
Crazy people. That's who.
Taking a deep breath, I unlock my door and head inside.
“Austin?” Levi calls out. “Is that you?”
“Yup!”
“You need any help bringing things in?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
“Are you sure? I can—” He meets me at the front door, eyes going wide, mouth parting in shock when he sees what I’m holding.
“Why is Peanut in your arms?” He blinks, pointing at the dog.
“Because he only has three legs, and it would take days to walk up here?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Why is he here?”
“Because this is his new home?” I rub the back of my head awkwardly. “Surprise?”
He blinks. And blinks again. I think I broke him.
“W-what?”
“I bought you a dog. Let’s call him your housewarming gift.” I’m stupid, okay?
“You bought me a dog,” he says slowly, walking towards us.
“I did,” I say, holding Peanut out. “Here.”
He takes the dog, laughing when Peanut’s little tail starts wagging, and he kisses Levi’s cheek. “Not just any dog. You got me Peanut.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because.” I shrug.
“Austin.” He looks up at me with glassy eyes and a smile that controls my heart. Why? Because I’d do anything to see this man happy. That's why.
“Because he deserves a good home. Not to live out his life there.”
“But you’re not a dog person.”
“I’m not.” I sigh. “But, I could be a Peanut person."
He laughs, and I join him. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“It’s not that big of a deal.”
“It is. It really is.” Levi steps up to me, his big hazel eyes shining bright. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
“You're amazing. You know that?”
“I try.” I wink.
Levi grabs the back of my head and pulls me down for a kiss. A growl vibrates in my chest as I tangle my fingers into his hair, kissing him harder, loving the way his lips feel against mine. The taste of his tongue.
Things start to grow heated when we’re reminded of the little dude in Levi’s arms with a tiny raspy bark.
“Cock blocked already,” I growl against Levi’s lips, and he chuckles.
“We need to go shopping,” Levi says.
“Why?”
“Because I’m going to guess you didn’t get anything for him?” he asks with a knowing smile.
“Good point.”
We take a few blankets and put them down on the floor in the bathroom for the dog. He doesn’t seem to care we’re locking him in there while we’re gone because he just curls up into a ball and goes to sleep.
Guess that's a good thing about older pets, they sleep a lot.