Hayes lets out an unfiltered, triumphant laugh asthe dog lopes straight toward him, tail wagging like crazy.
“Guess he made his choice,” he says, dropping to his knees with a cocky grin. The dog plops down in front of him and starts licking his hands affectionately like they’re old friends.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” I mutter in disbelief. I’d been so sure the dog was going to pick me. I couldfeelit in my bones.
And then… I hear it.
A sharp crunching sound. Almost like wet chewing.
“Hey, wait a second?—”
I run over and lunge for Hayes’s hand. He tries to pull away, but I flip his palm over to find it coated in golden crumbs and dog slobber.
“You lousy cheater!”
Something hot and restless coils in my gut. Maybe it’s the sting of this morning’s humiliation and loss. Maybe it’s just that I’m so goddamn tired of losing—roles, people, control.
Even if it’s just a dog. Even if it’s to my best friend. I don’t want to lose again.
A sudden rush of power surges through me, a burst of energy rising from somewhere I didn’t even know existed. I square my shoulders and shout, my voice bursting forth like a lightning strike.
“Come here.NOW!”
The dog jerks away from Hayes like a string’s been yanked. In a blink, he’s racing back to me. Then he’s pressed into my legs, head bowed and tail sweepingside to side. His nose finds my palm and stays there. Solid. Certain.
“Holy shit,” Hayes breathes, looking stunned.
I grin, slow and victorious.
“Guess he’s mine now.”
“This really isn’t a good idea?—”
But I’m already coaxing the dog into the backseat of my car and slamming the door behind him.
“Al, wait. Come on,” he says, more urgent now, a panicked look on his face. “You don’t know anything about him. What if he?—”
“Later!” I shout through the window. “Gotta go convince my mom about a dog.”
I slide into the driver’s seat and reach back, my fingers brushing soft fur. The dog lets out a low, contented huff and melts into my touch. I can’t stop the grin spreading across my face—wide, real, unstoppable.
But as I drive away, I catch one last glimpse of Hayes in the rearview mirror, still watching, still worried.
I hesitate, just for a second. The look on his face tugs at something deep in my gut… and I can’t help but wonder if I’m making a huge mistake.
Afew days later, I pull out of the LHU Rec Center parking lot, blasting Sleep Token from my car speakers. My face is flushed, sweat dripping down my neck, my messy hair in tangled strands. The gym shorts and sports bra I’ve got on cling to me, drenched from the brutal workout I just finished. I probably look like I’ve just crawled out of a sewer drain, but I don’t care. I feel invincible.
Boxing gives me life.
I get a thrill from every punch, every dodge. Blood pounding in my ears as I spar. Imagining my sister’s face on every opponent.
I suppose today’s instructor didn’t hurt either—a seriously cute LHU junior with abs of steel and exceptional taste in music. He blasted old bangers like The Darkness and Mötley Crüe while I fantasized about landing a right hook straight at Amber’s perfect little button nose.
Total win-win.
A happy sigh escapes me as I roll down the windows and crank the AC, letting the cool air wash over my skin. If only dealing with my sister in real life were that easy.
I’ve been dodging Amber all week.
