Chapter 9
Wes
Not that I was planning on sleeping anyway, but after what Bailey pulled in the window there’s no way I’ll be able to now.
The temptation to go over there and make her show me how she touches herself right there on her bed is so strong.
I stop myself, just barely. I bet she would let me, but that’s not how I want her again.
The longer I stay here the harder it’ll be to fight the temptation to not go over there, and bang on her door.
So I grab my keys and leave. Not even trying to keep my car quiet as I drive down the street.
I hope it pisses her off because I would love nothing more than to get even more of a rise out of her.
The small gym in town is open twenty-four hours, so I head there first, needing to push my body to the point of exhaustion. I need the burn, the sweat—anything to distract me and take the edge off the erection that’s been tormenting me ever since I saw her pull her shirt off.
Though the image is still playing on repeat in my mind—especially when she slipped her fingers out of view—touching herself just barely. I know it’s not enough for her. She needs it rougher, harder.
And I can give it to her, if only she would let me.
When I’m done at the gym, I drive around aimlessly for hours. The roads are quiet and the sun is starting to appear. I feel like I may be able to fall asleep, but head to Jameson’s instead to help out with the morning chores before going home and attempting to sleep.
My muscles ache from being overworked at the gym, but I like the pain as I feed the horses. I’m standing up in the hay loft, dropping flakes down in the stalls when my name is called. I look over to see Jameson’s mom, Emily, standing at the entrance of the barn.
“What’re you doing here so early?”
“Just wanted to help out, couldn’t sleep. Like usual,” I answer, dropping down the last flakes of hay into Juniper’s stall.
“That’s not good for you, you know?” Emily scolds, and I can’t help but smirk at her motherly tone. I know she's not my mom, but since I haven’t had mine around in a long time it’s kind of nice.
I climb down, and see she has her arms folded while looking at me with a raised eyebrow. “I know, but I’ve tried basically everything else and nothing seems to help.”
“Hm,” she hums. “Well, if coming here to do farm chores helps, then I won’t tell you no. Though, I’m sure Jameson has argued with you about it.”
“Eh, he can get over it.”
She chuckles. “He will. I appreciate your help, if there’s anything we can do for you please let me know.”
“No need for anything, I’m happy to help.”
“You’re a good man, Wes.”
I don’t always feel that way, but I’m not about to argue with her about it, or spill all the not so good thoughts that run rampant in my mind every waking moment. The same ones that keep me awake at night.
I give her a small smile, and nod. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Now go home and get some sleep. I could use the bags under your eyes as suitcases.”
That makes me chuckle lightly, shaking my head. “Thanks, Mrs. Turner.”
“Go,” she encourages.
I’m not about to argue with the woman, so I head home. When I get there, I somehow manage to fall asleep within only a couple of minutes after my head hits my pillow and my eyes fall shut.
Bruno perks up his head as I approach his kennel with a leash. “Ready to go on another walk with me?” I ask quietly, opening the door.
His tail wags once as he approaches me slowly.
I slip the leash on him and let him lead the way.
It’s completely obvious that he’s taking the exact same trail we did the last time.
It’s almost like his paws are taking the same steps he took before.
His head stays low, but he seems more sure in his movements, or maybe he’s just more sure of me.
And that feels pretty good.
We walk for a while, because just like before I don’t want to bring him back to that cage. I push it off as long as I can, but when he’s panting and clearly needing water, I know I can’t put it off any longer.
He sulks back into the kennel and immediately starts drinking the water, but I don’t want to leave him just yet.
“He seems to like you,” the woman, who I learned is named Gloria, says as she approaches.
“Has anyone been interested in him?”
She shakes her head. “Not unless you’re wanting to take him home.”
I sigh, looking back at Bruno who’s now curling up once again in the same spot he seems to always be.
“I don’t think I would be good enough for him.”
She’s quiet for a second. “Dogs don’t need us to be perfect. They just want to feel safe and loved.”
As much as I wish I could do that for him, it’s unfair to give him a life he’s going to continue to be sad in. Because how can I give him something I don’t even have myself?
“It’s just not a good idea,” I tell her.
“What about fostering him?”
“What does that mean?”
She brightens. “You’d take him home and care for him while he waits for his forever home in a place that’s more comfortable.”
“How can anyone meet him if he’s living at my house?”
“We still let people know about adoptable dogs that are being fostered. If they’re interested you’d bring him here to meet them.”
I’m still not sure. It seems like so many things could still go wrong. I’ve never had a dog, and I don’t know what to do with one. What if I make his life worse than it already is? What if I fail him?
But when I look over at the brown and black dog curled up, trying to be as small as possible, I know I can’t keep leaving him here like this.
“What do I need to do?”
Bruno won’t have to spend another night alone in that kennel because he’s now in my home. He was nervous when we went to the pet store to get him the supplies he needed. Gloria offered to send me home with some, but he deserves new things that I’ll make sure goes with him whenever he gets adopted.
I’m not sure if a dog needs a memory foam bed, but that’s what I got for him. It’s actually pretty comfortable. I know because I’m sitting on it. Even as my leg protests the pressure, I keep it stretched out in front of me trying to ease the ache. It doesn’t do much, but I stay there anyway.
Bruno is looking at me, still unsure and nervous.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I do think this bed is pretty comfortable,” I tell him, patting the mattress.
He steps forward slowly, then sits next to me. I pat his head, and he leans into me, just barely.
“We can go visit a friend tomorrow and maybe get some advice so you can be comfortable while you’re here.” I swear I feel his tail wag. It’s small and subtle, but I’ll take it as a good sign.
The next morning, I’m surprised to find that I actually got a couple of hours of sleep.
When I go into the kitchen, Bruno perks up from his spot on his new bed.
He already seems more relaxed here, and it makes me feel better about my somewhat impulsive decision.
But today, we’re going to see Sutton, because she’ll know what I need to do with him.
He gets into my car easily, the passenger seat already coated in his fur from when I brought him home yesterday, but it doesn’t bother me like I thought it would.
Because she can’t ever seem to escape me, Bailey is pulling into her driveway, and immediately furrows her brow when she sees me as she steps out of her car.
I don’t say anything, just look at her, waiting to see if she’ll try to pick a fight with me. I hope she does. I’m dying to put her over my knee and give us both what we’re wanting. But her eyes move past me, and she looks surprised.
“Did you get a dog?”
“Not exactly.”
She looks at Bruno, then back to me, and narrows her eyes. “Who is that, then? A family member?”
“Yeah, my brother.”
“Makes sense. Always thought you were a dog.”
I almost laugh, but I just smirk. “Just give in, Angel, it’ll be easier for both of us.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Your show the other night says differently.”
Her jaw drops, but she shuts it quickly and storms away. I climb into my car, and Bruno looks at me like he has so many thoughts. Like he knows so much more than he can let on.
“Don’t worry, she likes it. It’s only a matter of time before she admits it.” I make sure to be extra loud as I take off, driving the short distance it takes to get to the dog grooming salon, Barkin’ Pups.
Bruno is nervous once again as we walk in. I regret bringing him to another new place, but this is somewhere dogs go, so it would make sense, I think.
“Hi bitch!”
I rear back, wondering who would greet someone like that before I come face to face with a white bird who starts barking at me and I quickly realize it was him.
“Jerry Lee, you’re fired,” Sutton says right before she appears. “Wes, hey. What are you doing here?”
“I have a new…” I pause, he’s not my dog so it’s not fair to claim he is. “I’m fostering a dog.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet.” Sutton drops down, and stretches her hand toward Bruno. “You’re so cute, what’s your name?”
“Bruno,” I answer because he clearly won’t.
He sniffs her hand, and then steps closer allowing her to pet him.
“What a sweet boy,” she coos.
“Do you want to adopt him?” I offer.
She chuckles lightly. “I would adopt every single dog if I could. Why don’t you?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing with him, which is actually why I’m here.”
“Oh.” She stands up again. “Do you need help with something? Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’s okay I think. I know he needs to be walked and fed and I got him a bed, but what else does he need?”
She bites back a smile, and shakes her head. “There isn’t some big secret handbook on taking care of a dog. Just give them attention, love, food, and a safe place to stay.”
It really can’t be that simple, can it? That’s kind of what Gloria said too and I don’t believe it.
“What about bringing him here for…this.”
Again, I see her stifle a smile. “You should talk to Jameson about your lack of dog grooming knowledge. You two can bond over it.”
“Hot guy, Jameson!” the bird squawks.
“Do you like your feathers, Jerry Lee? Because I’ll start plucking!” she threatens.
“So he doesn’t need to come here?” I clarify.
“He can get a bath, maybe deshedding, and his nails trimmed every six to eight weeks.”
“Deshedding? Like you shave him?”
Now she really laughs. “No, definitely not. It just helps get his undercoat out.”
“Will that help him not coat my car in his fur?”
She nods.
I look down at him, and he still seems so nervous. “Maybe we should do that, but I just brought him home yesterday. I could bring him back in a couple days, though.”
“Whenever you want, just let me know.”
“I’m sure whoever ends up adopting him will like him to be clean and all that too.”
“Mhm.”
“Should he play with other dogs or anything?”
“If he’s friendly, sure. Bennet and Duke get along with everyone if you ever want to try.”
“Maybe.”
“Just let Jameson or me know, and he can come with you to the ranch if you’d like.”
I nod, and we start to head out, I tell her I’ll bring him back in a couple days. The bird screams out, “Shut up, Vern!” as I leave, and I hear more threats from Sutton, wondering what kind of a mad house that place is.
When I get back home, Bailey’s car is gone again, and I can’t help but be a little disappointed. At least now I have Bruno to fill my days while he’s living with me.