Chapter 5
CHAPTER
FIVE
Logan
The next morning
I pad to the kitchen to make coffee, palming the back of my head because frankly, this is a first.
Not me making coffee. Me having a woman sleep over.
Usually, we get done and then I take off. I’ve never brought a woman up to my place because one thing I don’t do is pick up chicks in my bar. Nor do I bring chicks home.
I rub my eyes, unsure what came over me last night.
I don’t blame the shots because I don’t drink to excess; my father cured me of the need to ever get drunk.
Not that I become violent or anything like that, but I inherited his temper.
Fueled with alcohol? Well, I never wanna be compared to that asshole.
I didn’t even ask Payden how she takes her coffee, but I have creamer, everyone likes creamer. I set about making two cups with my coffee machine, checking my phone real quick in between.
There’s a message from Luna. I frown.
Luna
Hey Logan, we had your name down for fostering a while back and we’ve got a situation. I’m wondering if you can help?
I scratch my beard, reaching for the pitcher of water in the fridge as I down half of it.
Luna
Call me when you get this
I yawn, glancing at the time. It’s six-thirty.
I usually wake up early, head to the gym, then start on the errands for the bar which takes me until mid-afternoon.
We close in a week for renovations, plus, next door will need to be fully gutted so I have no clue when the newest part of the restaurant will be up and running.
What I do need is to be here to supervise.
I’ve worked in construction for most of my life, so I know what to do, and I’m gonna be lending a hand.
No way do I trust anyone to fuck around in my bar.
My brothers suggested I take this time to have a vacation, but I know I won’t be able to rest knowing I’ve got workmen downstairs doing god knows what.
Where am I gonna go? Acapulco by myself? I don’t fucking think so.
I shoot Luna back a text.
Me
I’ll do what I can. A little tied up at the moment. I’ll call you later. Text me the details.
I’m not a texter, nor do I chat, but Luna runs a pet rescue called NOLA Faux Paws.
Brew adopted a couple of cats in the last year, and Haze has rabbits: Munch and Crunch—I’m not even kidding.
I guess you could say animals were part of our upbringing because after my dad left, I got a pitbull called Deuce who acted as protector for the family when I had to go out.
That’s how much I trusted people. He was the best damn dog I’ve ever had and lived until he was twelve.
I miss him. Since then, I’ve fostered here and there, but it makes it hard in an apartment with no yard.
Dogs need room to run. Unless I get a lap dog—which I’m not inclined to do—so I’ve put my name down for any medium to large sized dog.
One look at West and Audrina’s little chihuahua Tilbury was enough to convince me I don’t need a rat as a pet.
It’s a cute little thing, but I’d never admit it.
Plus, chihuahuas are savage. Loyal to a fault, but only to their people.
I place the second cup under the spout when Luna texts me back.
Luna
Ok! Just don’t say no
I frown. Great. This is starting off really fucking well.
Me
Okay, now you’ve got my interest
Luna
You know how you said you only wanted a big dog?
Me
Uh, huh
Luna
Well, this guy isn’t what you’d call a big dog, but what he lacks in height, he makes up for in personality
Me
What are you not telling me?
Luna
Nothing! I swear. Okay, well maybe one little detail, but it does not detract from his temperament. He’s smart. Cute. Cuddly. He does this thing where he rolls onto his back for pets and won’t move until he gets what he wants.
I let out a breath. I can read between the lines.
Me
So what’s wrong with him?
Luna
There’s nothing wrong with him, he just has… well, he only has 3 legs
Okay, well I was not expecting that.
Me
Okay. So he just hops around?
Luna
No! He’s well adjusted–the leg was amputated a few months ago
Me
So he has birth defects?
I’m wondering how much damn money this is gonna cost me. Faux Paws tries to cover as much as they can, they’re a not for profit association, and it’s mainly funded by Tag’s millions. He was a very successful NFL player back in the day.
Luna
No, aside from the leg. He only lost that due to neglect
I swallow hard. Poor little guy.
Luna
Everyone keeps overlooking him because of the leg situation. It’s so sad
Now she’s pulling on my heartstrings.
Me
Fine. I can take him for now
Luna
OMG really?
Me
Said so, didn't I? Now let a man wake up
Luna
Ok! I’ll text you his details and a pic
Then I remember she didn’t tell me what kind of dog he was.
Me
What breed is he?
The gray bubble appears, then disappears, then appears again.
It’s almost as if I can read between the non-existent lines.
Luna
Well, does it really matter? You already said you’d take him
Me
Spit it out
Luna
He’s a frenchie
I shake my head. A fucking ankle nipper?
Me
That isn’t a medium to large dog
Luna
I know that, but his heart is medium to large Will you still foster, until I can find something more suitable for him?
I sigh. I’m really not cut out for a small dog, much less one with three legs. How is that gonna go when I’m downstairs all day? Then again, I do have time off coming up, so I guess I could make it work.
Me
Short term only
Luna
You’re a life saver. I’ll be at FP all day
Me
Ok. CU later
A few seconds later, a shot of a tiny frenchie comes through wearing a little onesie. I don’t know if that cute pic was for my benefit exactly, but even my stone cold heart can admit he has a sweet little face.
I tap out another message
Me
His name?
Luna
Dozer—his favorite pastime is sleeping
Jesus Christ. I pinch the bridge of my nose.
It looks like I’m going to be a Daddy after all.
“Holy shit, no way!” Payden says when I tell her about Dozer.
She’s dressed by the time I get back with the coffee, but instead of wearing her blouse, she has my t-shirt tucked into her skirt.
“I’m a sucker, what can I say? I’ll go pick him up later.”
I don’t know why I feel disappointed she’s not sticking around for breakfast. Maybe if I asked if she’s hungry? Then again, that’s not something I’m used to, other than the sandwich last night, so it’s probably best to keep my mouth shut.
“That’s awfully sweet of you,” she goes on. “Do you have all of the stuff a dog needs?”
I shrug. “I guess I’ll have to do some shopping later. The dog beds and toys I have from previous foster animals were a while back, and they’d be far too big.”
“Wait, what kind of dog is it?”
I puff out my cheeks. “It’s a Frenchie.”
She snorts. “You’re shitting me?”
“What’s wrong with a Frenchie?” I already feel defensive of him.
“Um, nothing. It’s just, I pictured you more like Bronco with his scary mutt.”
“He’s called Titan,” I reply. “And he’s far from scary when you know him. Good guard dog though.”
She coughs/laughs into her fist. “I can see you with a three-legged dog.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, sometimes people can overlook the sweetest of natures because of a gruff exterior.”
I side eye her. “You talkin’ about me or the dog?”
“Well, I haven’t seen a picture of him yet, so I guess that would be you.”
I roll my eyes, then hold the screen toward her and she shrieks.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me. Oh, my god he’s just the sweetest little thing! Is that Batman on his onesie?” she says excitedly.
“He likes to sleep a lot,” I tell her. “According to Luna.”
I don’t know what she meant by that sweet nature comment, but I’m sure she’s poking fun..
“See, you were destined to be a daddy after all.” She winks.
I narrow my eyes. “It’s not permanent.”
There’s a second where we stare at one another, silence filling the room and I realize now neither of us know if I’m talking about us or the damn dog.
I clear my throat. “The dog is a foster, he’ll be leavin’ as soon as they find a suitable home.”
She nods. “It’s a great cause. I’ve helped out there a lot over the years. You know how Luna is about her animals.”
“Yes, we all do. She convinced Willow and Stella to go vego, and some of the guys, too.”
Stella is the first female patched member, and Harlem’s daughter. He’s the club’s Enforcer and one scary motherfucker when he wants to be.
“Well, there’s nothing wrong with a little less red meat in your diet,” she says. “I do like to sneak a burger every now and again when Luna isn’t around.”
“Jesus,” I mutter.
She takes another sip of coffee, tugging on one shoe, then the other. “Well, this is me. I’d better be heading off.” She thumbs behind her somewhere.
“Where’s your car?”
“In the lot.”
I give her a chin lift. “I can walk you out.” The second the words leave my mouth I regret them. This isn’t a date, for pity’s sake.
“I think I’ve got it. I’m sure you have enough to do today.”
“I’m headed down anyway,” I say casually. I’m not, because I need to make a protein shake before I head to the gym.
She hands me the cup and I set it on the counter. “Thanks for a, um, great night. I’m sure I’ll be feeling it for days.”
I splutter my coffee, choking on the warm liquid as I wipe my mouth and chin. “Days?” I throw back. “I’ll have to up my game.”
She gives me a sly smile. “Look, I’m not looking for anything long term, but if you wanna hook up again, I’m down for it.”
I swallow hard. Why does that sound like the most appealing thing in the universe?
Something is going on here. I feel it deep in my bones.
I give her a chin lift. “Sure.” I take a hard swallow, unsure if I’m venturing into unknown territory voluntarily. It’s like I have no control over my actions or emotions when I’m around her, but I know I want to see her again. “Can I get your number?”
Ridiculously, those words have also never come out of my mouth. I guess we’re doing a lot of firsts here.
She reels it off as I punch it into my phone. Then I send her the picture of Dozer and she turns to me and smiles when she gets to the bottom step. “There’s no obligation,” she says. “But I had fun, Logan. And I can safely say you know exactly what you’re doing.”
What do I say to something like that? Thanks?
“I’ll see you around.”
No shit, that’s what comes out of my mouth.
Payden isn’t the kind of woman to act offended though, and it isn’t as if I’m kicking her out; she has to get ready for work anyway.
“I’ll return the shirt next time.” With that, she finger waves and I let her out the back door.
I have a full view of the parking lot, so I can see that she gets to her car safely.
Next time?
Strangely, I like the idea of there being a next time, and soon.
Payden Benedict might just be the kind of woman I could slowly get addicted to, and I don’t seem to mind that idea one little bit.