Go ice-skating
Have a photo shoot with friends
Go skinny-dipping
Take a road trip with Dad
Leave my mark on Frost Lake High
Chapter Twenty-four
Vaughn
“When you asked if I wanted to hang out after practice, this isn’t what I had in mind.”
“How can you say that? Look at how cute he is.” Lacey’s smile couldn’t possibly get any brighter as a four-year-old chihuahua named Pip climbs all over her lap and tries to adorn her with kisses.
“I thought I’d be the one getting to lick your face.” I pet Pip’s back, and I swear the dog bares his teeth at me before going back to lavishing Lacey with attention.
She blushes and hugs the dog to keep him from putting his tongue in her mouth. “I don’t think you’re going to want to after this.”
The animal rescue smells like a mixture of wet dog and urine. Not the most romantic setting but somehow not a deterrent at all. I can’t get enough of Lacey. Which should be obvious by the fact I’m still here.
I’ve never had a pet. Dad always said we were gone too much. Late nights at the school, away games, and even during the offseason there’s club soccer that is just as demanding.
I lean forward and take her chin between my thumb and pointer finger, turning her face to the side Pip didn’t lick, and drag my tongue along her cheek.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe you just did that.” She turns a darker shade of pink.
“You’re right.” I scrunch up my face. “I think I just made out with Pip.”
Her laughter makes my gut tighten. She’s so fucking adorable. Every little thing.
“Here,” she says, holding out the tiny dog. “Take him. I’m going to make sure he has fresh water and then we can get out of here.”
She places him in my outstretched arms where I hold him away from my body while Lacey gets up and goes into his cage. It’s a pretty big space for such a little dog with a cot, some toys, and a water dish.
Lacey has her back to me and when she bends down to get the water dish, Pip lets out a low growl.
“What, like you wouldn’t have looked,” I say to the dog who just caught me checking out Lacey’s ass.
I stare into Pip’s beady brown eyes. He looks back at me with distrust. He’s pretty cute. Light tan fur with big ears that stick up on top of his small head. He’s mostly short-haired, but the hair around his face and tail are a little longer. He looks a little like a tiny lion.
“I know. I like her better than you too, so we’re even,” I tell the little beast who clearly doesn’t like me.
“What’s that?” Lacey asks, looking over her shoulder at me.
“Nothing. Just guy stuff.”
She laughs but doesn’t press for me to explain. She sets his freshly filled dish down and brushes her hands off. “Okay. I think that’s it.”
I stand with Pip and set him down in his cage. He trots right to Lacey and stands on his back legs.
“Aww, look. He’s sad we’re leaving,” she croons at him in a sweet voice.
I’m sure he’s sadshe’sleaving but not me.
She scratches behind one of his ears. “I’m sorry. I wish I could take you home, but I promise I’ll come back and see you.”
