Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“Oh my god, this is better than sex,” she moans, and I pout.
“Maybe you need a reminder of how great our sex is.”
She gives me a hard look which just makes my dick twitch.
“I’m not going to have sex with you just because you brought me pizza.”
“I didn’t come here to ask for sex,” I huff. Did she not listen to the music? To my singing? Damn woman. “But you mentioned sex and I got distracted.”
“Fine,” she sighs, around mouthfuls of her third slice. Damn she can put it away! That’s hot. “What do you want?”
“I—”
“Oh my god! What the hell is that?” Elsie screeches, pointing to my chest. I like the girl, but I’ve never wanted to kill someone so much in all my life.
“Way to spoil the surprise, rug muncher.” I shoot daggers at her and she hastily gulps and begins to rummage for the veggie pizza.
“Is it a Pygmy Puff?” Amelie asks, her eyes alight with equal parts dread and excitement.
“What the fuck is a Pygmy Puff?”
“It’s a mythical creature from Harry Potter. How do you not know that?”
“You like Harry Potter?”
“Yep.”
“How did I not know that?”
“Anyway...is it a Pygmy Puff?”
“One, you just said it was a mythical creature, so how the hell can it be? Two, if you want a mythical creature, wouldn’t a dragon or something be much cooler?” I frown, wrinkling up my nose.
“Yeah, but harder to look after, wouldn’t you say?”
“We’re getting off track, sis,” I say, shaking my head. She always derails me. Not today, Satan, not today.
“This,” I proudly declare, lifting the fluffball from its holster and placing it gently into her arms, “is a puppy. And it’s for you.”
I watch as every female in the room melts and goes ‘awww’. Except, she doesn’t. Amelie doesn’t fucking melt or swoon or anything. She’s staring down at the goddamn mutt like I’ve just dropped a live grenade into her lap. Shit shit shit. I bite my lip, wondering what the fuck I should do now.
“Puppies...and pizza…” I say, trailing off and pointing lamely to each item, eyes wide. Oh my god. Was she joking when she said that to Elsie? What if she hates dogs? My palms start to sweat and my heart races.
There’s a beat of silence as everyone in the room stares at us, and for the first time ever, I hate the attention. I should have done this differently, I should have done it in private, I should have…
“Gotcha!” Amelie crows, pointing at my face and cackling like a crazy person.
“Wh-what?” I stammer. Elsie starts to laugh too.
“You should see your face!” Amelie cries, wiping away tears. “You thought I hate dogs.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yeah, you did. It was written all over your face. I bet your palms are sweating.”
I surreptitiously wipe them on my baggy basketball shorts.
“That was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. Cocksure Kalen, freaking out and feeling insecure.”
“Shut up.” I huff.
“Oh, don’t be soft. Grab some pizza and sit before it’s cold.”
I fall into the seat beside her in a sulk, and she passes me the pizza box to help myself. I start to perk up though as her and Elsie begin to coo and fuss over the puppy. That’s more like it.
“What’s with the outfit?” Amelie asks, shooting me a sideways glance as she snuggles the pup.
“I’m channelling my inner 90s kid.”
“Why?”
I stare at her like she’s crazy. Has she never seen ‘Pretty Woman’?! I feel like my genius apology has been wasted. Granted, the dude in that film showed up in a limo with a boombox, and he was wearing a suit, but this just felt more ‘me’.
“What are you going to call...it?” Elsie asks.
“I dunno. What is it?” Amelie asks me.
“A puppy.” I stare at her like she’s crazy.
“What flavour?”
I snigger. “It’s a pomsky. A Pomeranian husky cross. Teacup size,” I say proudly, like I know what the fuck I’m talking about it.
“Kalen!” She groans. “What goddamn sex is it?”
“Oh. He’s a stud. Can’t you tell?” I look down at the least manly puppy I’ve ever seen and snort. I can just imagine Sawyer and Onyx’s faces having to walk it.
“Well, he’s lovely, Kalen. But I’m pretty sure if we’re not technically allowed phones on campus, a puppy will definitely be a no-no.”
“Don’t worry about that. I sorted everything,” I tell her with a grin. She doesn’t see the fingers crossed behind my back. I don’t want to lie to her – ever – if I can help it. And I’ve mostly managed to sort things. Sort of.
I watch with a happy smile on my face as Amelie snuggles the tiny white ball of fluff in her arms and Elsie leans over to stroke him too.
They flip him onto his back so that he’s laid in her lap, and play with his paws.
He looks like a tiny polar bear cub if you ask me.
I’m glad she likes him. I hope it puts me back in her good books, though I’m not stupid enough to think she’ll completely forgive me.
“So what do you think you’ll call him?” I ask, perching on the edge of the table to tickle his tummy too. He has the softest fur I’ve ever felt and I can’t help but keep stroking and touching him.
“I don’t know. Els, any suggestions?”
“Snowflake. Cotton. Puff?”
Amelie pulls a face.
“What about Lucifer?” I suggest.
“I’m not naming my puppy after the devil!” she replies, outraged.
“What about Lucy-fur?” I think it’s pretty clever.
“I love that, but he’s not a she.”
“Ghost?” I try again.
“Too Game of Thrones.” She shakes her head.
“Hmmm what about Marshmallow?” Elsie adds.
“I love that!” She beams, looking down at the puppy. His eyes are already drooping, the excitement of being adored all too much for him. “What do you think? Marshmallow Lucy-Fur the First.”
“That’s pretentious,” I point out.
“Good.”
“I thought you said Lucy was a girl’s name.”
“It is. But it’s fine for a middle name.”
“Well, I love it!” Elsie beams.
“Me too.” Amelie smiles back.
“Fine.” I sigh. “It’s a bit of a mouthful though.” It’s not like it matters if she calls it a sappy name like Marshmallow if it’s not going to grow into a ferocious beast anyway.
“I love him, Kalen. We’ll call him Mo-Mo for short...I always wanted a dog, but we could never have one back home. Thank you.” The look she gives me is so earnest that I feel warm inside. Fuck, now who’s the sap?
“Why did you get her a puppy anyway? Is it a Valentine’s gift?” Elsie asks.
“Yes. No. Kinda. You said to Elsie it would take pizza and puppies for you to forgive me. So that’s what I got. Plus, didn’t you hear me sing?” I open my mouth to repeat my mashup, but Amelie’s hand flies out to cover my lips.
“Please don’t!” She laughs before letting her hand drop, her face turning serious. “So you’ve been spying on me?”
“Hardly,” I scoff, trying to hide my racing heart. “I just asked around a little on what might make you happy. I had a little help from Elsie.”
It’s a little white lie, but hopefully she won’t realise. I’m praying on her falling in love with this puppy and forgiving me. If she finds out that we listen in on her most private moments, she’ll kill us. We’ll never be forgiven. And I couldn’t live with that.