Chapter 4 #2
“I dropped the leash, sorry, man. This is, uh, not ideal,” he says, one hand letting go of my arm to try to bend sideways and catch the rolling puppy that’s now behind him with Enzo.
He can’t reach without us rubbing dicks again.
He sighs in resignation as he straightens up without fulfilling the task.
“Oh my God, do not move. This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
My head snaps up, eyes wide, as the blonde woman Tucker arrived with holds up her phone, clearly taking photos, while McKenna rushes over to do the same.
“Cami, don't you dare,” Tucker growls, the sound vibrating through my chest as he puts a protective arm up to shield me from her photos. He’s doing this for me? I look at his hand, then back at his face, and start laughing at the absurdity of this whole situation.
“Come on, Tuck, you guys look so cute. How often does a real-life meet-cute happen, and I get to capture it?” She continues to ignore him and moves around us as she snorts with glee at our situation.
“This is for sure going up on our socials. Our followers will eat this up. They love it when a puppy brings people together.”
I pat his chest and smooth my hand over to lower his arm.
“Might as well give in. They’re going to take the photos regardless, and this is funny as hell,” I say, shaking my head.
He looks at me with confusion before I finally see the perturbed set of his mouth soften and a slight smile lift the corner.
He’s not giving in, but I can tell my acceptance of the situation has made him feel better about it.
The women take photos while I try not to rub anything too private on Tucker, a near-impossible task when I can feel every part of the front of his body pressed against mine.
He’s surprisingly firm. Not that I expected him to be flabby, only that he’s built solidly and seems more of the thick dad-bod type, rather than a lean athlete.
I probably have three inches on his height, but he’s the one supporting me.
I can feel definition in his chest and arms as he easily holds me up.
On the flip side, it’s kind of nice to be held, even if this is awkward as hell.
Wait.
What the hell am I even thinking? Why am I noticing his definition or body and enjoying being held by a man?
Just enjoy it.
Fuck, again? Seriously, Eliana, why now?
Tucker grabs my attention again with his deep voice and slight drawl, forcing my eyes to snap up to his like he knows there’s a phantom voice telling me to enjoy him.
“I’m so sorry about my sister. She’s a total menace.”
I smile crookedly to cover any lingering weirdness, grateful for his attempt to normalize this conversation despite the predicament we’re currently in and the incredibly fucked up headspace I seem to have lapsed into.
“No worries, man. I have a mom just like her, always hovering and inserting herself into my life. I totally get it.”
Tucker tugs his lower lip with his teeth as he digests my words.
My eyes track the movement, clocking the slight sheen of moisture when he releases it.
He has nice lips. They fit his face. Set under a short beard that shapes his jaw and highlights his deep-set blue eyes.
He’s a good-looking dude, and I’m man enough to admit it.
If I had to be wrapped up with anyone, it could have been worse.
He smells good, too. Clean and like some kind of product.
Maybe soap or cologne? I like it, maybe more than I should, but it’s probably just because I want to try it for myself.
His attention is stolen by his sister taking a step toward us and putting her phone close to our faces. His gaze drops from mine as he grows impatient and pushes her phone away from us.
“I’m really sorry for what I’m about to do. It can’t be helped since no one else seems to want to assist with this,” he says, rolling his eyes as his cheeks grow red again.
With a resigned sigh, he bends, sliding down my body as a shiver follows everywhere he touches, where he fumbles for the end of the leash and begins untangling.
Leaning into me, shoulder tucked into my stomach, head against my hip, his arms wrap around me in a warm bear hug of sorts.
He’s a bit close to my dick and I will myself to stay still and not have any kind of reaction to the nearness of him, just from friction and biology.
He passes the leash around my back to his other hand, making a few adjustments, and passes it around again until we’re finally free of our entrapment and I can step away from his searing heat.
We both laugh uncomfortably, and I run my hands through my hair before dropping to my knees.
I look at Enzo, who’s completely unfazed by everything that transpired between his dad and the dog trainer whom he trapped in a compromising position with his antics.
“Hey buddy, had enough fun with the puppy?”
“No, I want to play some more,” he whines, turning his shoulders away and giving me his back. No such thing as an easy out. Of course, my kid wouldn't want to leave the dog and help me save whatever’s left of my dignity with a quick exit.
“Hey, Monty, you gonna use those moves on the ice next? I bet we can keep some defensemen occupied and score a few goals if you wrap ‘em up with your stick and bear hug ‘em,” Nico says as he and Rook walk over.
Oh, here we go. Just what I wanted to avoid. I stand and face the teasing that’s coming.
“Where’s my hug, Cap? Or do you save those for the guys who bring puppies around?” Westy asks with a laugh as he kneels next to Enzo and gives the puppy belly rubs.
“Enough of that, Dumont,” I warn, careful of my tone and language around my son and the kids nearby.
“You boys don't know what you’re missing,” Ryder says, wrapping his arms around his husband and putting his chin on Knox’s shoulder.
The radiant smile Knox gives Ryder lets us all know they’re still very much in their honeymoon phase and are going to be sickeningly sweet for the foreseeable future.
“Baby, can we get a puppy?” Ryder asks Knox with a pleading tone.
“A puppy? Come on, Reckless, think about it. How are we going to take care of a dog when we’re both traveling with our teams most of the year?
It’s not like your goldfish that just needs an automatic feeder.
A dog is way more work and needs more attention, and that wouldn’t be fair to it,” Knox says, shaking his head at Ryder’s request, but keeping his tone light.
Apparently, this isn't the first time Ryder’s asked for something completely out of the question that Knox talked him down from.
“Glad to see y’all are logical about pet ownership,” Tucker says.
I turn back to him as he appraises us. I move so that the circle opens to include him in the conversation. “Why do you say that?”
He shrugs and looks at the puppy between us.
“Well, you’re obviously well-paid athletes who aren’t told no often.
” He raises an eyebrow playfully. This gets a raucous laugh from the group as heads nod.
“You can get whatever you want, and have staff to take care of a pet even if you’re out of town, so the whole not being around to walk it or feed it argument only goes so far.
But getting a dog is more than just bringing a pet home.
They become part of your family and need to bond with you.
It’s not fair to them if you’re gone most of their lives.
If that’s the case, you might as well not even get a dog, in my opinion. ”
“I thought you were just bringing the team dog, not the wisdom of pet ownership,” I joke.
I look at Tucker curiously. There’s more to him than he lets on, and I’d love to know his background.
Has he always been a dog trainer? Where did the initial rigidness I noticed come from?
He carries himself with a unique bearing and holds a posture that is telling of some kind of training, maybe military service, possibly.
It would make sense that he works with veterans now if that’s the case.
“Y’all can do whatever you want, just sharing my two cents,” he says, waving off my comment as he looks down at Rook and Westy, who are lying on the floor with the puppy now as McKenna snaps photos.
It’s not just the kids who turn into happy piles of mush around little animals, it seems. Those guys are two peas in a pod, and share a love of dogs as well. I catch Tucker’s eye when he looks up.
“No, you’re right. We should think about it like that. This joker down here has a dog, but his twin brother lives with him and stays with the dog when we travel, so there’s someone to take care of it,” I say, motioning at Rook, who sits up, clutching the puppy to his chest.
“Indiana Bones lives like a queen. She’s not missing anything, and she’s very happy. I make sure she’s extra loved on when I’m home,” Rook says, a little defensively, if you ask me. He puts the puppy down and stands with a pout.
“It’s true. He’s super good to that dog. He treats her better than some people I know,” Westy says, looking across the room at Campbell with a grin. It’s no secret that Rook would push Campbell into traffic, but his dog can do no wrong in his eyes.
Tucker holds up his hands and smiles. “I don't doubt that.” He turns back to me. “Your kid really seems to like the dog. If he wants more puppy time, you’re always welcome to bring him out to the Combat Companions facility. We have seven more puppies and ten dogs, with a pond and agility course, and ten fenced-in acres of woods around my property. He could run himself ragged with the dogs in any number of ways anytime.”
My smile grows as I look from his open face down to my son, who is still enamored with the little dog that has crawled back onto his lap and looks to be falling asleep under his gentle pets.
“That’s so nice of you to offer, man, thank you. I know he’d love that. We’ll have to come check it out sometime. Now, I’ve got to figure out how to pull him away from the little guy.”
“I think I can help,” he says with a smile before squatting down.
“Hey, buddy, you did such a good job getting this little baby all worn out so he can take a nap. Thank you so much for your help! It will be way easier to carry him out to the car now that you’ve got him to sleep.
Do you want to give him a kiss before we go? ”
Enzo nods excitedly before he places a soft kiss on the puppy’s head. He’s been so good, incredibly gentle for a four-year-old, and despite wrapping me up in the leash, he’s behaved himself.
“Daddy, he’s so small and cute. I wish we could have a dog just like him,” Enzo says, standing and grabbing my outstretched hand.
I smile down at him. “I know, kiddo. But you have Mutt for now, and the puppy will be back for more hockey events, so you’ll see him again.
” I purposely leave out Tucker’s invitation to his facility.
If Enzo knew there were a bunch of dogs and puppies out in the woods somewhere and he had an open invitation to see them whenever he wanted, I’d never hear the end of it.
“I’ll give you Tucker’s number so you can reach out whenever you want to come by,” Cami says. I pull my phone out when she walks up to me, despite Tucker giving her a quick look of rebuke. She ignores him. “Our last name is Covington.” She spells it out for me as I create the contact.
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” I tell her as she rattles off the number and I type it into Tucker’s new contact that I definitely didn't save under his actual name. It’s not like I’ll be calling him regularly, so remembering he’s the guy with the Hydras’ puppy is enough information.
“You can find us on socials, too. Everything is under Combat Companions, and I run them, but I can get a message to Tucker if needed. He responds to emails, though, so if you hit the website and use the contact form or email directly, that would also get him.” She’s still talking, undeterred by Tucker grabbing her shoulders and physically pulling her away.
Maybe he thinks she’s hitting on me and doesn’t like it?
“That’s enough, Cami. Good God, leave the man alone,” he says under his breath.
“Nice to meet you, Sebastian.” He bends to scoop up the puppy, presses a hand to his sister’s back, and leaves the room like he can’t get out of there fast enough.
I run a hand through my hair as I watch them go and let out a chuckle.
“Cool dude,” Ryder says, coming up beside me while hauling Knox along with him as Tucker’s flannel shirt disappears out the door.
“He was a hot country boy,” Knox adds appreciatively.
Ryder turns and pokes Knox in the chest. “You don’t get a pass to check out dudes in front of me, even the ones with cute dogs,” he growls. “Take it back or I’ll tear you up and show you who that ass belongs to.”
I choke on the spit in my mouth and slap my hands over Enzo’s ears. These two! “Seriously, guys. My kid,” I say, nodding down at Enzo.
Knox laughs. “You possessive monster. I’m allowed to look and make observations.
I know who I’m going home with. And he’s probably straight anyway.
Now, relax.” He kisses Ryder and smooths a hand over his bearded cheek.
“Besides, if he’s gay, he’d probably have a thing for Monty after getting wrapped up in that leash with him.
You can’t be pressed against all this muscle and not think about it.
” He gestures at my chest and raises his eyebrows salaciously as my cheeks heat.
Holy shit, they don’t stop. I don't even know what to say about any of this. My face is so warm from being discussed like I’m not here, and thinking about being pressed against Tucker for longer than was comfortable, while feeling a bit too much of him.
The country boy was packing in his Wranglers, and the fact that I’m thinking about it now that Knox has brought up that he might have found me attractive if he was gay is sort of throwing me for a loop.
What the actual fuck is happening in my head right now?
“Knox, you’re just making it worse,” Ryder says. “I need to take you home and fix this sudden urge to comment on random guys in public by reintroducing you to my dick.”
“Dude, little ears,” I hiss, pressing my hands harder against Enzo’s head to muffle anything they say. “You know what, we’re leaving.”
I let Ryder and Knox argue about hot guys as I leave the event with Enzo, shaking my head and still thinking about Knox’s comment a little too much.