17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
Zahir
I mani and Malaya charmed both Andre and me. Although my pup was nervous, his sisters worked hard to put him at ease and, as the lunch carried on, he did relax.
Demetrius being there helped as well.
In the end, everyone agreed to a larger family reunion with Malaya’s husband and two boys. Along with Imani’s girlfriend.
That apparently came as a bit of a shock to Demetrius, but he immediately moved into accepting mode along with protective big brother. I loved seeing him offer his sister unconditional love.
Just as he offered that to Andre as well.
I returned home with an energized pup who needed a good hour of play before he even began to flag. Eventually, though, he curled into my arms for scritches. “You’re amazing.”
He snuggled closer. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You could have, Solo. I have every confidence in you. ”
After a long moment, he tipped his face up so he could meet my gaze. “I don’t think I like that name anymore. I mean, maybe I can’t stay—”
“You can.”
“And maybe you’ll get tired of me—”
“I won’t.”
He bit his lower lip. “Just…I don’t want to be Solo anymore. I’m part of a family. Even without you. Although, to be clear, I want it to be with you.”
“You’ve got me. And I love the idea of giving you a new puppy name. Do you have something in mind?”
He shook his head.
“Okay, well where should we start? Do you want a common doggie name?”
He scrunched his nose in obvious contemplation.
“Well, how about I check the most popular names? Maybe something will click? And if that doesn’t work, we can try for something unique. Unique for a special pup.”
A moment passed before he settled again.
I shifted so I could pull my phone out of my back pocket. I scrolled until I found what I was looking for. “I’m going to assume girl names are out? Because it’s okay if they’re not—”
He shook his head.
“Fair enough.” I started to scroll. “Charlie, Max, Milo, Cooper, Teddy, Bear, Rocky—”
“Rocky.” He said the name with absolute surety.
I tried it out in my mind. “Well, Rocky was the champion.”
He met my gaze again.
“The movie?”
His nose twitched .
Oh, to be that young.
Then he nodded. “Oh, the boxer guy. The champion.”
“I have a friend whose German shepherd is named Champ. Lovely dog. Agility trained. Good friends with Daphne.” I smiled. “Also a rescue.”
“I wish I had rescued a dog.”
After a moment, I stroked his cheek. “You weren’t in a position to rescue a dog. Or even a cat. And if you had, it might’ve been too difficult to pick up and visit Mission City.” I tweaked his nose. “Rocky, it is.”
He nodded. “Thank you.” Again he bit his lower lip. “I have a thought. An idea. Like…a request.”
“Whatever you want, pup. I mean, within reason of course. But I don’t see you asking for the moon.”
“No.” He chuckled, but the sound came out strained. Like his throat was tight. “I just…I want to move to Mission City. I know that’s sort of crazy, but with all these wonderful family members? And I know they’ve got busy lives and can’t drop everything to spend time with me—”
“They would do their best.” Of that, I had no doubt.
Everyone had welcomed Andre with open arms. No guarantee things would always be so easy—but that chance existed.
Still, Andre’s siblings were three of the nicest people I’d ever met.
Even if they’d been on their best behavior, they were still lovely individuals.
As a family, they came across as cohesive and inclusive. “So, Mission City…?”
“Yeah.”
“Would you stay with me? Because I’m inviting you. Whether as a friend, my pup, my lover—or some combination—you’re welcome to stay as long as you want.” Forever would be nice.
“You’ll get tired of me.” A bit of a pout .
“Nope. I can say that with certainty. I always thought, with Marty shining so brightly, that he’d tire of me. But we were compatible in a way that just worked for us. You and me? We have a similar way about us. Just…two peas in a pod. We fit. Or at least that’s how I see us.”
“Me too. But I worry it’s too soon.”
“Then we take things slow—”
“I don’t want to take things slow.” On a pout again.
I laughed. “Then we take things at our own pace. We’ve got each other, and that’s all that really matters. The rest is just logistics.”
“In what way?”
“I assume we need to arrange to bring your things from Toronto?”
Slowly, he shook his head. “There isn’t anything in the storage locker. I brought my photos and mementos of Mom. I mean, I have clothes—”
“I can buy you new clothes.” I didn’t want to put myself in the position of being a savior…but providing a few things shouldn’t be overwhelming. “Is there anything you want to go back for?”
He shook his head.
“Would you want to donate your belongings to a good charity? I can help you find somewhere.”
He nodded. “I would really like that. It’s old stuff, but it’s sturdy.”
“Then it’s settled. You donate your things, and you consider your move to Mission City as permanent.”
“I need to find a job.”
Again, my instinct was to tell him that he needn’t worry about that. Rushing wasn’t important. I also understood, though, that independence was important to him. “Sure…when you’re settled. Have you thought where? Or would you like to go back to school?”
He shook his head. “School’s not really my thing.
I’ll do my continuing education to keep up with my certification, though.
” He scratched his nose. “I saw the rec center is hiring trainers. It’s a city job, so it comes with benefits and a pension.
Those are things I’ve never had. And I can take on personal clients as well. ”
“All that sounds wonderful. You love what you do and that’s so important.” I held his gaze. “So you’ll stay here? No pressure.”
“Yes.” His smile was a little shy. “Yes to puppy, yes to partner, and yes to friends. I’ll take everything you’re offering.”
A thought occurred. “You know—” Think carefully about this.
“You know…?”
“Well, the newspaper editor runs a feature each week of a pet in need of rescuing. We have the Hearts and Paws animal shelter.”
Andre sat bolt upright. “Really?”
“Yeah, really. I’ve been wanting to get a companion for Daphne.
She’s loved every dog she’s ever met. I do worry about jealousy, though.
I’ve even gone as far as speaking with Torah Dixon, a local dog trainer, and she’s given me advice on how to integrate another dog into our home properly.
I’d likely hire her again to help train the new dog, Daphne, and me. ”
“And me?” Andre vibrated with excitement. “Oh, could we? This is me asking as Andre. The man who will take responsibility.”
I smiled. “It will be nice to be able to go away for work and not have to rely on Quinton for Daphne’s care—not that he minds at all. Still…knowing everyone was safe here with you would be a relief. Mind, I don’t travel often—just every other month or so.”
“I’ll miss you and wish you back but I’ll have Daphne and potentially a new dog to keep me company.” His eyes went wide. “Is there a website?”
I squinted.
“For Hearts and Paws. ”
“Oh, I’m sure there is.” I snagged my phone and opened the browser. “I can either check the shelter website or the newspaper to see which pet was featured.”
Andre’s smile was heartbreaking. “Can I really do this?”
“Of course you can.” I swallowed. “I worry I’m too old for you. That you’re tying yourself to me at a time when you should be spreading your wings.”
He shook his head. “Far from it.” He ducked his head. “I’ve found home. That means…everything.”
That might mean everything for now…but is it enough going forward? I wanted him to make the decision with a clear mind. I scratched his scalp. “Will you consider doing something? For me, partly, but also for yourself?”
He frowned. “Yeah. You look really serious.”
“Because this is important. I know a counseling center. I want you to consider—just consider—going there for a session or two. So you have an unbiased opinion on whether you’re moving too quickly.” I hope the therapist doesn’t say that, but I’ll be respectful if they do .
“I’m certain I’m not moving too quickly.” He scratched my jaw, and I laughed. “But if it would make you feel better then yeah, I suppose I can go.”
“That’s great. The center is called Healing Horses Ranch, and I know it’s LGBTQ friendly. Several of the therapists are gay.”
He pursed his lips. “I feel like this is important. Not just for you, but for me as well.”
“Because you going is important. We’ll call tomorrow and set something up.”
“Sure. But can we look at rescue dogs now?” He offered an impish grin.
“Yes, pup, we can look.” As I did so often, I caressed his cheek .
He leaned into the touch. So clearly, he needed touch.
If I had to guess, aside from his mother, he’d rarely received affection.
He might not even know the benefits of touch.
Well, I could show him every day—hell, multiple times a day—just how important contact was.
I could show him how much I cared in deeds as well as words.
I drew in a deep breath. “I think I could fall in love with you.” Oh my God, you did not just say that.
After a moment, he wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled me close.
He pressed our lips together for a long, lingering kiss.
When he pulled back, he met my gaze. “That’s really good news because I already love you.
” He caressed my cheek—a mirror of my previous action.
“Don’t say it’s too soon or that I don’t know my own heart.
Jai and Demetrius knew. Imani said she met her girlfriend and propositioned her right away—but that was because she saw her future. ”
I chuckled. “They do make a good pair. And you’re right, Demetrius and Jai are very happy together. Although I have to admit—I’m not entirely clear how they met. Just…sometime before summer camp last year when they reconnected.”