The problem?
As soon as we got to the park, all my thoughts kept drifting back to Colter. Weird shit like what he would say about the walking paths, like asking if he was someone who liked camping when we passed the grounds or if the military cured him of wanting to sleep in unusual places.
Eventually, there were even thoughts about sneaking off the paths and into the trees, of him backing me up against it and kissing me until I felt it in my toes.
“Well, if we don’t turn back soon, we’re going to be taking turns carrying her,” Syn said when he looked down at Sugar, whose tongue was hanging out.
We hadn’t really come to a decision on what to do with her when we left. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to be in the hotel room alone. But we were all concerned that something on the grounds at night might startle her and make her let out a whine or woof. We debated the car since it was temperate out, but were worried if some passerby saw her, they might take her or call the cops.
It was feeling like the hotel was the best bet for her. She would be beat from all the exercise. I could put on a fish tank playlist to watch. She’d have her toys and the run of both bedrooms. She would be fine.
But I might consider asking Colter and Saint if we could leave one in the room to keep an eye on her while we were gone. For my peace of mind.
“Yeah, we need to get some dinner before we head out too,” I agreed as we made our way back to Saint and Syn’s car.
By the time we got back to the hotel, Sugar had to almost be dragged out of the car.
She barely had the energy to hop herself up onto the bed before she passed out hard.
“Good walk?” Colter asked, coming in through the connecting door.
“I wanted her good and tired. I think we should leave her here. She’s good alone. My neighbor assured me she never barked when I had to leave. She should be good.”
“I figured that was going to be the decision. So I got you this,” he said, going back into his room to grab a bag. He came back and handed me a box. A camera. “To keep an eye on her while we’re gone. You can talk to her through it. And even distribute treats to her. Which I also picked up,” he said, pulling them out of the bag. “And, of course, a burner to put the app for the camera on.”
He thought of everything.
“Thank you,” I said, surprised by how my eyes stung with tears I absolutely could not let flow. I blinked hard a few times. “Did you get everything you needed?”
“Yeah. We lucked out. Got everything set up so it’s ready to go.”
“Good. What time are you thinking of heading out?”
“It’s about half an hour from here, so we figured we’d leave at eight. It should be good and dark by the time we get close.”
“Are we all just observing, or do we have jobs?”
“Saint and Syn are on the cameras. I want you watching the club since you’re good at remembering shit. I’ll be taking pictures as much as possible. You just mentally clock shit.”
“I can do that,” I agreed.
“And obviously, if anything looks different about the clubhouse or grounds, note that too. We will do a purge on the way back to the hotel while everything is fresh. Get it down in a note so we can reference back and clue in Slash.”
“Alright. Sounds good.”
“We figured we would order some food, feed Sugar when she gets up, take her for one more walk, then head out.”
We did just that.
By the time we stuck the privacy hanger on our doors saying not to disturb, Sugar had already tired of her fish tank and gone back to sleep.
With that, we were off.
We took our bikes, wanting the option of taking off in different directions if the shit hit the fan. They also gave the advantage of weaving in and out of traffic or even through backyards if a chase got really bad.
We were all decked out in black when we took off, with me in the lead since I knew where we would be pulling off and parking so we wouldn’t be heard or seen.
Nerves built mile by mile until I was feeling a little shaky and unstable when I climbed off my bike.
