Chapter 35
Dean
Dean leaned back onto his hands as he sat on the blanket in the grass.
He dropped his head back to allow the sun to warm his face as he inhaled the salty air of the bay.
Aside from the rooftop terrace, Bayfront Park was their favorite outdoor space.
The park was convenient, literally a few steps from the loft, and with perfect weather like today, it would be an actual crime to not enjoy a picnic in the park.
Colton stood next to the blanket, teaching Aiden how to throw a perfect spiral.
They playfully tossed the ball back and forth, and Aiden was getting really good at it.
Dean watched their interaction, sipped his beer, and nibbled on bread and cheese.
Colton looked relaxed and comfortable with Aiden, skillfully explaining the mechanics while playfully tousling his hair.
And, judging from the huge smile on his face, Aiden was clearly enjoying his time with Colton.
Dean sighed and smiled at the two of them. This felt perfect.
Their playful energy was hypnotic. Dean’s mind wandered into dirty territory…he found Colton super sexy like this, being all fatherly, teaching Aiden about football.
Dean’s cock took notice as well. He turned his gaze toward the food and casually adjusted himself. As endearing as it was to watch them, he couldn’t sport a hardon in front of Aiden.
But keeping his body in check was harder than it seemed, because parent-Colton was hot as fuck.
As Dean continued to try and avoid arousal at the sight of Colton being parental, a loud commotion off to the left caught his attention.
In the distance, a woman waved her hands frantically above her head. “Help!” she screamed and pointed toward Dean. “Stop her!”
Dean looked at the ground in front of where she pointed. A floppy-eared, brown ball of fur scampered toward them at breakneck speed.
Dean hopped to his knees on the blanket and the puppy jumped into his arms, frantically wagging her tail and bathing Dean with her tongue. Aiden dropped next to Dean with a huge smile and began scratching behind her ears. “She’s so cute! Her ears are bigger than her entire body.”
“Oh God, I’m so sorry!” The flustered young woman rushed over, winded, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. “She got away from me. Thank you for catching her.”
“It’s no problem at all.” Dean chuckled, the fluffy brown pup still wiggled excitedly and licking Dean’s chin. “She’s adorable.”
“She is.” The young lady cracked a huge smile. “And it looks like she’s made a new friend.”
“Yes, she has.” Dean giggled and nuzzled her nose. “I, uh, guess I should give you your dog back.”
The woman’s smile grew even bigger. “Oh, she’s not mine.
I’m with the SPCA. We’re having an adoption event here in the park today.
” She gestured back in the direction from which she had come.
“And this little lady needs a home.” She smiled at Dean and the playful pup happily sitting in his lap, tongue lolling out of her mouth.
“Is that so? Are you looking for a home, sweetie?” he cooed and nudged her nose.
The pup responded with a single yip and licked Dean’s nose. Dean looked to Colton, pouting his bottom lip, his eyes glistening.
Dean knew it was over. There was no fighting, arguing, or denying it…this dog was going home with them. Today.
He scratched the little pup behind her ear. “Would you like to live in that building?” Dean pointed to Harris Entertainment, and the pup wagged her tail with another yip.
Dean gently cradled the puppy in his arms as he stood. He looked down at the puppy, then to the lady from the SPCA. “Yeah. She’s got me.” He sighed. “What do you need from me?”
The SPCA lady squeaked and bounced on her toes. “Oh my God! Yay!” She motioned for Dean to follow. “It’s just a little paperwork.”
“No way, for real?” Aiden fell in step with Dean. “You’re gonna adopt her?”
Dean smiled. “I can’t help it. She’s too cute.
” He noticed a slight glint of sadness in Aiden’s eyes.
Did Aiden think he wasn’t worthy of adoption, like this cute little puppy?
Soon enough, Dean planned to change that.
He just needed a little more time. He nudged Aiden’s shoulder.
“But I think I’ll need your help. Can you help take care of her? ”
Aiden’s eyes widened and a huge grin split his face. “Hell yes!”
***