Since it doesn’t seem right to deny a living being the relief it needs, I decide to take matters into my own hands. "I’m going with him. Now."
Cole curses loudly, then rubs his hands over his face. "You’renotgoing out there alone with him, dammit."
"But he has to pee!" I snap.
He looks at his watch and groans. "Fuck… Okay. You’re both coming with me. But hurry up."
Ten minutes later, Cole parks in front of a remote warehouse at the edge of the forest. It’s already getting dark, but a bright lamp hangs above the building’s entrance, illuminating the lawn in front of it, where surprisingly many vehicles are parked. It’s strange. The place looks abandoned, yet a lot of people seem to be here.
Frowning, I scan the area. "What is this place?"
"That’s none of your business," Cole replies curtly. "I have to go in now."
"What about Buster?" I turn to the dog standing on the back seat, looking outside.
"Goddamn…"
Cole is clearly angry, but I don’t know why, and honestly, I couldn’t care less. Buster’s needs come first.
"Here’s the key. Don’t walk away from the truck, and don’t take him off the leash. He can do his business right here. When he’s done, you get back inside and lock the doors." He holds the car key out to me and looks at me urgently.
I take the key and watch Cole getting out of the pickup. "So you want me to wait here?"
"Yes."
"For how long?"
His left hand is on the open driver’s door while he rests his right on the roof of the pickup and looks away briefly before returning my gaze. "Half an hour. Maybe a little more."
"What are you doing in there?"
"It’s none of your business, Sophie. Just wait here."
Because I can tell he’sreallystarting to get angry and I don’t want to keep Buster waiting any longer, I nod and give in. "Okay. I’ll stay here."
Before I’ve even unbuckled, Cole has already slammed his door and is walking toward the large building.
I take the key and the leash in one hand and then look around. It’s a little eerie, but I can’t spot a soul, so I turn in my seat and attach the leash to Buster’s collar. He immediately jumps forward and lands somewhat awkwardly on my lap before hopping out with another leap as soon as I open the passenger door.
Once outside, he merely lifts his leg once, but that’s all that happens. After I walk him around the pickup five times, he just drops to the ground next to the front wheel with a loud sigh, resting his head on his paws.
"That’s it?"
The only answer I get is an innocent look out of his brown eyes.
Since I still want to give Buster the opportunity to relieve himself again, I get back into the pickup but leave the door open and sit sideways on the passenger seat so my legs are dangling in the air.
Unintentionally, my gaze wanders to the large building again. After Cole went inside, nothing moved. Again, I wonder what he’s doing in there and why there are so many cars here.
When it eventually gets too cold, I call for Buster, who immediately jumps up and looks at me expectantly. I slide off the seat and open the rear door to tap the back seat with my hand. Buster jumps into the footwell and then onto the seat, only to curl up on it and let out another audible gasp, as if he had the hardest life imaginable. I close the door and walk to the passenger door, but pause as my gaze slides to the building again.
Indecisively, I stand there, wondering whether I should really dare to do it. Cole will surely get angry, but I’m tired of stumbling around in the dark and constantly being told what to do.
In the end, my curiosity wins.
"You stay here."
Buster lifts his head and looks at me as if to sayThat’s a bad idea.
