Nope.
Nope, Summer Adams.You don’t.
I don’t.
Fuck, I really do.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Reid
The sun has finallyset, and in the deep ebony night sky, the moon shines bright from my bedroom window.Today has been the longest day in history and it isn’t even over yet.
I run my fingers through the thick fur of my new canine companion.After hearing what the other dogs have gone through, it made me feel bad that it didn’t work out better with Jack, Whiskey and Brandy.No matter how much I tried, they didn’t obey or fit in.They wandered so much, wasn’t friendly to the guests at the bed and breakfast, and each of them had a vendetta against the damn duck.It wasn’t until I found them the last time, after they had been gone for three days, that I finally called it.Despite what others think, I hadn’t made the decision lightly.
Jax won the argument we had been having for weeks over the damn dogs.He didn’t think I had been serious about them and said I wasn’t ready for the responsibility.He thought it was impulsive, reckless and selfish.He was only half wrong about the impulsive remark.My decision hadn’t been impulsive.I had thought on it.It was the idea I built in my head about what it would be like to have them that had been impulsive, or naïve.Either way, I had been quick to think everything would be easy.Having them had been like holding my niece, Rose, for the first time.I had no idea what the fuck I was doing.
Mum had been right too.She said I didn’t have the dedication to pay them constant attention.I didn’t.And my brothers, the other halves of me, didn’t bother to try and feel sorry for me.
This though—Hunter lays his head on me—feels different.It feels right, like he’s the dog I was always meant to have.Even Summer agreed that we make a good pair.
Speaking of...I put down the pencil I had been using to draw in my sketch pad and pick up my phone.I shoot off a text message to Summer.Despite my attempts to get her alone, it didn’t happen, and she drove out of the car park at the bed and breakfast so fucking easily.Not even a wave goodbye.Nothing.Nada.
REID: What are you wearing?
She must have been scrolling on her phone because two blue ticks appear on the bottom of the screen straight away.
SUMMER: How the fuck do you have my number, Reid?
I chuckle.She’s so fucking feisty when she’s annoyed.I can actually picture her pouting her lips.
REID: How did you know it was me?
SUMMER: Your ugly mug is your profile picture, dumbass.How did you get my number?
REID: When you went to the bog earlier.I was being productive with my time.
