Thirty-Two
Blaine
“Please remember we will be filming, so use respectful language at all times.” Colleen gives us a pointed stare.
I hold up my hand in a Vulcan salute. “I promise.”
“I don’t think that means that.” Zach chuckles.
“I dunno, dude. I’ve never watched Star Trek.”
Ethan gives me a disgusted look. “What planet have you been living on that you’ve never seen Star Trek?”
“What?” I shrug. “I was a Star Wars prequel kid, not Star Trek. Plus, I only cared about hockey and making sure I beat my brother to calling shotgun in the car.”
“That’s true.” Elliot nods in agreement. “He used to win every time as well.”
“Probably because you were too distracted raiding the fridge for snacks.”
“Also a valid point.” Elliot lifts a shoulder in a shrug.
We’re en route to the dog shelter to pick our new team mascot—the best thing about winning the escape room challenge aside from bragging rights—and I’m so fucking excited. I’ve wanted a dog my entire life, and the day I retire from hockey, I’m going to adopt as many dogs as Alex will let me.
Wow, look at me, planning the future.
“Are we allowed to name the dog?” Mitch asks Colleen from the back of the minivan.
Colleen turns in her seat. “If the dog doesn’t already have a name or is young enough that we can change their name without them getting confused, then I’ll take name suggestions. But I can’t make any promises since they’re going to be put on a poll on social media pages for fans to choose...”
Elliot huffs. “But I wanted Bruce.”
Colleen scrunches up her nose. “I don’t think it’ll be Bruce, sweetie.”
Elliot’s head hits the headrest of his seat dramatically, and when we pull up in front of Paw-Loved Adoption Center, he stomps inside, mumbling how he’ll create multiple accounts to vote for Bruce in the poll.
“Hey!” A guy with a bright smile steps around the counter to shake our hands. “Welcome to Paw-loved Adoption Center. I’m Brent, and I’ll be helping you find your furry companion today.”
We exchange handshakes, then he leads us through into the kennel area. The sound of dogs crying, barking, and howling makes my heart heavy because who the fuck abandons their dogs?
But this place is really nice. The kennels are clean with plenty of room for the dogs to move around, and there’s a dog flap at the far end for them to go outside whenever they need.
I really hope they all find their forever home. I wish I could take them all myself.
I lean into one of the kennels and stroke the soft fur of a gorgeous husky puppy. His two different-colored eyes gaze up at me happily as I scratch behind his ears.
“You see a lot of puppies here now because, after Christmas, most people realize they don’t have the means to take care of a dog. Also January is the month when most couples separate, and usually that leads to putting their dog up for adoption.” Brent says.
Well, fuck. “That must be so hard on them.” I frown.
He nods solemnly. “It is. There’s a lot of confusion, especially when they’ve been in the same home for quite some time, but we have a great team here that ensures the dogs don’t feel abandoned. If a particular dog is finding it harder than normal, we’ll take them home with us.”
“I’m glad they have some good people in their corner.” I smile.
The rest of the guys are petting various dogs; Ethan’s crouching in front of a Great Dane, Zach’s giving smooches to the husky I spotted earlier, and I stop in front of a golden retriever.
The name on the whiteboard says “Boomer, fourteen weeks old,” and I can’t help but grin. He’s jumping up at the gate, his tail wagging like crazy.
“Hey there, little guy.” I crouch down, putting my hand through so he can sniff it. He licks it, then starts to chew excitedly on my fingers.
“Would you like to meet Boomer properly?” Brent asks.
“Hell yeah.” I stand up so Brent can open the gate, and I step inside the kennel, kneeling down.
Boomer climbs into my lap instantly, his paws resting on my shoulders as he licks my neck and under my chin.
My fingers sink into his super-soft golden fur, and I stroke his body as his tail wags excitedly.
“You are so freakin’ cute,” I say in that baby voice everyone makes when talking to a dog.
His tiny teeth feel like needles as he nibbles my chin, and I burst out laughing. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I take several selfies before filming Boomer trying to eat my chin and tugging on my t-shirt collar with his tiny teeth.
“Alex, if I survive the puppy onslaught, I’ve decided we’re going to have a house full of dogs when I retire.” I say to the camera, and when I blow Alex a kiss, Boomer shoves his wet nose into my mouth.
“Omigod!” I hear my brother shriek, then erupt into a fit of giggles.
Picking Boomer up in my arms, I stand up and carry him out of his kennel to find Elliot two kennels down.
He’s on the floor, currently being tongue-attacked by five Dalmatian puppies, climbing all over his chest and licking his face.
Mitch laughs, filming the entire thing on his phone as he stands to the side.
“This,” he giggles, “is the best,” another shriek, “day of,” another burst of giggles, “my life!” Elliot says.
I take my phone out again and take a video to send to my parents, and when Elliot’s finally able to sit up, all five puppies climb into his lap and bounce to keep kissing his face.
“Colleen, I want all of them! Every single one!” He demands, taking turns to kiss each puppy on the nose.
“I’m afraid we can’t have them all; we can only have one team mascot.” She chuckles from behind the phone she’s holding up.
Yep, this is going to be a big hit on socials.
Elliot pouts. “Damnit, I need to find a way to have all of them.”
I feel that right in my soul. I look down at Boomer, his wide brown eyes looking up at me with so much love that my heart squeezes.
“Colleen,” I say, shifting Boomer in my arms so he’s facing her. “Can we keep him?”
She walks over to me, stroking his soft fur and smiling as he wraps his front paws around her arm. “He would be the perfect mascot; Boomer kinda goes with Thunder too.”
I grin. “Boys, what do you think? Boomer for Thunder’s mascot?”
I hold him up in the air, Simba-style.
Ethan walks over, taking the puppy out of my arms and cradling him close to his chest. “I think he’d fit in great.”
As the guys take turns with the golden floof and agree, my heart expands in my chest.
Colleen fills in all the paperwork while we’re left in a room with Boomer, sitting on the floor, passing a ball between us for him to chase, and when we’re back at the practice facility, Coach Harris greets us holding a mini jersey with “Boomer” on the back.
“Wow, you work fast.” Ethan shares a rare grin.
Coach chuckles. “As soon as Colleen gave me the heads up that a decision was made, I got the team on it.” He kneels down in front of a bouncing Boomer and puts the miniature Thunder jersey on the puppy.
“Welcome to the team, Boomer; I’m sure you’re going to cause less trouble than these knuckleheads. ”
Boomer responds by smothering Coach’s face with excited kisses.
* * *
Blaine
sends photos and videos from the adoption center
Blaine
I want them all so bad.
Blaine
I wish I could bring them all home and love them so hard.
Alex
That’s so fucking adorable!
Alex
LOL at Elliot!
Blaine
He was living his best life :D
Alex
It sucks your schedule is so grueling.
Blaine
Would you like to adopt them all with me when I retire?
Alex
That sounds like an amazing plan 3
“Hey, bud. You got a sec?” Ethan's voice startles me.
I look up from my phone and nod. “Yeah, what's up?”
We introduced Boomer to the rest of the team, and now he’s flat out asleep on the couch in Coach’s office, worn out from all the excitement, and I’m lazing on the couch in the team lounge after finishing up a session with Joe.
“I thought we could have a chat with Colleen about your idea for the bakery.”
“Oh, okay, sounds good,” I say, following Ethan up the stairs to where the offices are located.
“Hey Colleen, are you free for a quick chat?” he asks.
“Of course, come on in!” she says cheerfully.
Following Ethan into her office, I take a seat in one of the black leather chairs in front of her desk and twist my hands in my lap.
Why am I nervous?
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” She smiles.
Ethan gets straight down to business. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Blaine has been dating Alex for some time now, and unfortunately, he’s having a rough time… financially. You know how it sometimes goes for new start-up businesses…”
Colleen goes to open her mouth, but Ethan holds his hand up to stop her. “And before you ask, no, I don’t believe Alex is only dating Blaine for his money, because he’s declined Blaine’s offer to help multiple times.”
Colleen looks over to me, her smile laced with sadness.
“So, Blaine came to me, asking whether there was something we could do to help. I know you’re always trying to come up with new, fun video ideas and thought maybe this could be a good opportunity to inadvertently help Alex and his brother out while making content for the team.”
“They have a bakery in Lincoln Park. I thought maybe we could do something involving baking for the team’s channel?” I suggest.
Ethan reaches into his pocket and retrieves his phone, tapping away on the screen before handing it over to Colleen. “This is it. It’s pretty small, so it would probably only hold maybe six of us, seven at most, but it’s possible.”
Her eyes light up as she takes his phone for a closer look, and then, after a beat, she claps her hands with an excitable squeal. She finds a pen and begins writing frantically in her notebook.
“We could do a Thunder bake off.” She taps her pen on her pad, gnawing on the side of her nail. “You know, this is kinda spooky, as I’ve been binge watching The Great British Baking Show and wondered if we could do something similar.”
I laugh. “I wouldn’t have the first clue on where to start.”
“That’s the whole point!” Colleen throws her hands out. “But no actual baking. I think that might just be asking for disaster to happen, but decorating is safe. I can’t imagine you being delicate with those big mits, so it’d still provide endless entertainment.”
“Great. Will you see this through?” Ethan asks.
Colleen nods. “Of course, leave it with me. I’ll pay them a visit, but don’t mention it to Alex or his brother until I’ve gotten the green light from the powers above. I’d hate to get his hopes up for nothing.”
I nod, unable to stop the wide grin from appearing on my face. “No worries; thanks for your help, both of you.” I look at Ethan. “It really means a lot.”