39. Olivia #3
“I guess today is the day you’re getting puppy-napped,” I murmur, petting the top of his head and trying to distract myself from the awful thing brewing in the sky.
His tongue lolls out from the side of his mouth as he happily trots beside me, not looking the least bit concerned that I’m taking him home with me.
“We’re going to have to work out a ransom and everything.
Maybe even a custody agreement,” I quip to him as we approach the main doors of the building.
“Or… Shit! I don’t have dog food, Waffles.
You’ll have to go home sometime.” I wrinkle my nose at the thought of sending Waffles home to those three idiots when he could lie in bed with me and spend the night.
But I can’t starve my dog because I’m selfish.
Waffles chuffs at me, nudging my hand again as I linger outside the main doors in contemplation.
“Fine,” I huff with a sly grin, peeking around one last time before I go inside the main doors, guiding Waffles through with me.
He stays right by my side when we walk through the foyer and hit the first floor of the dorms. “Be a good boy and stay close.” I give him my firmest look, and he seems to comply as he shifts closer to me and away from the other students loudly loitering in the halls and stairwell.
Some talk in low voices to one another, not paying us any attention.
Thank God. The last thing I need is to try to sneak this dog into my room and get tattled on by one of their friends.
I can hear Mack’s nagging now. Ugh.
Loud screams echo from the basement rec room, along with Ping-Pong balls hitting the table and other games being played.
But I don’t mind them as I make my way up the staircase to the second floor without incident.
No one stops Waffles from walking beside me.
They simply steer clear, sending me looks of concern before I unlock my dorm’s front door, and I usher him inside.
I let out a breath when the door closes behind us, and I lean against it with a thudding in my chest. Alone at last.
“Looks like it’s you and me, buddy,” I say, flicking my gaze to the empty dorm.
It’s odd not to see Simon sitting on the couch, his phone in hand and the TV on for background noise. He’s still off with Daniel, having the time of their lives. I don’t blame Simon for wanting to get away for a few days, even if it’s in the middle of the week.
And Wade. The poor guy won’t be able to leave the hospital until tomorrow.
We’ve been texting back and forth in a group chat, and he’s gotten really lonely there.
But I haven’t been back to see him since Simon, and I went.
I would, but hospitals creep me out too much to make another appearance.
Besides, Wade told me not to worry about it and that he’d see me tomorrow.
I sigh when I unlock my bedroom door, and Waffles bursts in without an invitation, going straight to my bed and hopping on it.
He turns several circles, sniffing my comforter, and then plops down in a heap.
Heavy sighs pour from his mouth, and he smacks his lips a few times before his eyes half-close, and he relaxes completely.
“Make yourself at home, Waffles,” I joke, groaning at the tension beneath my binder. If I could have gone without it and worn a sports bra beneath this T-shirt to spar, I would have been okay. But I had to wear everything to conceal my identity.
Thank God, it’s time to take it off, and no one else is here.
Being able to walk around as myself in sleep shorts, no bra, and my hair a mess has been the best thing since I got to this godforsaken town.
Always having to hide my identity, especially in my own room, is exhausting.
In other cases, I at least got a break for a few hours a day. Here? Yeah, that isn’t happening.
I sigh as I slowly take my shirt off and bump my nose. A slight pain ricochets through my face. Ugh. Right. I almost forgot that Wilder somehow punched me square in the nose and knocked me unconscious.
Fuck. I lost a fight.
I’m going to have to spar with Wilder again and give him the same treatment.
I throw my shirt on the ground, gently peel my binder off my chest, and suck in a breath of relief, tossing it aside. My ribs scream hallelujah, and my tits rejoice in the freedom of fresh air. Once I’m completely naked and gather clothes to change into, I hold up a finger to Waffles.
“Be a good boy and stay right there, okay? Then we’ll watch Lost from the very beginning.
” I grin when Waffles tilts his head as he’s listening to me, and then he lays it on his paws with a yawn.
“Good boy. Go to sleep,” I murmur, leaning forward and patting his head.
“And hopefully your daddies don’t miss you too much. ”
Doubtful.
I’m sure whoever led him over here is frantically searching for him high and low. I wonder if the other students in this building will tell on me for having Waffles in my room. Ugh. I can hear it now, probably Mack, banging on my door and begging for his damn dog back.
Well, he’s my dog now, asshole. Maybe he’ll like me better and come back to the bunker with me.
Waffles will forget about all you assholes, like you forgot about me.