John
Chapter 1
"Ricky, I'm going to take the trash out." I yell out to my boss across the bar, pulling out the bag of trash from the can that sits behind the bar.
I make my way toward the back door, opening it up the light in the alley burns my eyes. The bar is always so dark that anytime I come out of it, the light always hurts my eyes some. But after working here for two years I'm mostly use to the burn.
When the dumpster comes into view, I throw the heavy bag over and it lands beautifully inside it.
I stop right in my tracks when a whining sound comes from behind the dumpster pulling my curiosity.
Turning back toward it I look around it, searching for where the sound is coming from.
Before I can get to the back of it, a black fur ball tumbles toward me, and into my legs, knocking me down on my ass.
The dog licks his slobbery tongue on me, making me cringe. "Eww...gross. I don't know where your tongue has been."
But the little fur ball doesn't seem to care, he continues to wash my face with his tongue. I try to push him away but little to no success. I'm finally able to get my bearings and can stand up while the little demon is jumping at me. "Come on leave me alone," I yell at it.
But my words don't deter it at all, moving around it I hope to get rid of him by making my escape back into the bar. Unfortunately, I'm not lucky because the moment I open the door that same little demon runs in front of me into the bar.
"No. Bad dog. Come back." I yell trying to chase after it. But the dog doesn't listen he makes a beeline right for the bar, running straight into Ricky.
"What the hell?" Ricky yells when the dog starts nipping at his ankles. They start doing this weird dance thing, trying to avoid him, and it takes everything in me to keep from laughing.
"John, you need to get this thing out of here. How did it get in here?" he yells still trying to avoid the dog.
"I don't know I found him outside. Here let me try toget it, and I'll take it to the shelter." I tell him walking toward thebar where they are at. When I reach for the fur ball, I try to scoop him up, but he avoids my attempt, running circles around Ricky and me.
"Oh come on dog." I say trying one more time to grab him.
This time I'm luckier than the dog, because I'm able to grab him by the collar.
Once I've got him, I wrap him in my arms, trying to keep him standing up.
Thankfully it only takes me one attempt to stand up, that's when Ihear giggling from behind me, making me spin around.
Ricky's girlfriend Ashley is standing with her sister Hazel laughing at me. "What do you guys have their?"
"A demon," I say straight faced.
Ashley moves to me, putting her hand out to pet the dog, "But it's a cute little demon. Is this your dog John?"
"It better not be," Ricky shouts from the other side of the bar.
Shaking my head I answer Ashley's question, "No. I found him outside in the alley."
"Aww...poor baby," Ashley says turning toward Hazel before she says to her, "See this is why we need to have the auction."
"What auction?" I ask absentmindly petting the dog too.
"The town came up with the Rose Valley Bachelor Auction to help fundraise money for the animal shelter," Hazel answers.
When she mentions bachelor auction my ears perk up. I like the idea of a woman bidding on me. It seems like the perfect way to meet someone, and have a little bit of fun, without any need to have a relationship.
"When is this auction?" I ask the both of them.
"We don't know yet. We're meeting with the planner tomorrow," Ashley says as she plays with the dog.
"Well I would love to help out. I could be one of your bachelors." I volunteer.
Ashley gives me a grin, "I bet it wouldn't be a hardship."
I don't answer her though because we both know that I'm the town player, in more ways than more. Stepping away from the girls I re adjust the dog in my arms, "We'll let me take this guy to the shelter. I don't want to leave him outside."
"Aww..." Ashley says looking toward Ricky but before she can even ask, he's shaking his head. "Nope. We already have too many dogs."
"Okay fine." she says putting her hand on her hips.
I ignore them because it's just going to end up with them making out. Grabbing my keys from next to the register, before saying,"I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"See ya. And leave the dog at home." Ricky grumbles out before reaching for Ashley.
I skew my face up, because eww gross. Turning my back on what's to be a disgusting sight of a public display of affection, I make my way toward the back door to get in my truck. Opening the door, I shove the dog into the truck before I drive to the shelter.
Thankfully since we live in such a small town, we reach the animal shelter in like ten minutes. When I pull in there is no one in the parking lot, except for one car. "Man maybe they do need some money, "I mutter under my breath.
The crazy fur ball is jumping at my window trying to get out I assume but instead is leaving snot marks all over my window. Rolling my eyes at him I pick him up and head into the shelter.
No one is at the desk but there is a bell. I ring it onceand wait. The dog is trying to jump out of my arms keeping me distracted, so I don't hear when the person behind the desk comes back. "Can I help you?" a feminine voice calls to me.
"Yeah, I found this guy," I say trying to contain the dog, as I look up at the woman standing in front of me.
I try to speak but it seems as if all the words in my brain have left.
But it doesn't seem like the woman across from me has the same problem when she says, "Hi John. I didn't know you lived here."
Finally, the words come to me but all I can get out is, "What are you doing here Layla?"