OHHHH. Regurgitation.
@vet_evan
Yes, it’s not vomit. It’s a way of showing affection, a courtship behavior.
I stare at the screen. What is happening?
@cleoclaws
Congrats! He’s into you.
@snugglepaw7
How adorable!
@callum&fergie
Are you sure?
@vet_evan: As long as he's alert, flying, and behaving normally, regurgitation isn’t a medical concern. Just a way to bond with someone or something. Butdon’t reinforce the behavior, because it can lead to hormonal imbalances or aggressive behavior. If he does it again, don’t overreact. Just distract him or gently redirect his attention with a toy.
I blink as a mixture of relief and… horror washes over me. Fergie is into me? Like, it just got real?
@callum&fergie
Okay. Wow. I did bond with him, but I didn’t know it could become unhealthy.
@vet_evan
It’s okay. And it’s definitely not your fault. It means you’re doing a great job with him, so keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t stop the cuddles or play time. Just react calmly if he regurgitates again.
@callum&fergie
Got it. Thank you, everyone. Sorry for the freakout.
Except I’m still freaking out a little. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he’s fine and that he loves me so much, but I’m going to have to be careful and make sure I don’t encourage this unhealthy behaviour. Sitting back, I let out a sigh of relief, but then my freakout comes back in full swing. Because I realise I’ll have to tell Callum.
Chapter 18
Callum
I use our time on the road to read some of the headlines my agent sent me, and I must say, I could get used to this. Nothing about how I should be kicked off the team, or some ridiculous narrative about how the player I tackled last night and I have a tormented relationship where I’m obviously the bad guy. Instead, they either don’t say anything about me, or they comment on my performance alone. One even referred to me as a “reformed bad boy.” I mean, sure, I’ll take it.
Drunk on positivity, I even check out my social media comments. Fergie is still the star there—especially since I posted his rendition of “Shake It Off,” but some talk about me as well. There are a few nasty comments, but I’m surprised by the number of genuinely nice ones. Some fans even praise me as though their lives depend on it. Now I get why Archie is so obsessed with social media.
By the time the bus pulls up to the training centre, I’ve read way more comments than I’ll ever admit out loud. We head inside for lunch, embracing the usual shuffle of post-match fatigue and chatter.
“Callum!” Millie’s voice rings out the moment I step into the lobby.
She’s standing near the doors, wringing her hands, her brow tight with concern. Dark circles sag under her eyes, and her smile is nowhere in sight.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, walking up to her.
She straightens. “Um. Why do you say that?”
“You look…” I study her face. “Worried?”
She winces. “Yeah. A bit. It’s not a huge deal, but… something happened with Fergie last night. He’s fine—totally fine—the vet said so.”
