Fritz and the volunteer leave, while I dump the basket of toys and gently roll a few balls for the puppies to chase. They bark and run, and I get up on my hands and knees to play with them.
“Oh my gosh, you’re so strong!” I gasp dramatically, falling onto my back.
The puppies victoriously climb up my body, though Daisy the border collie keeps sliding down.
“You can do it, Daisy. Come on!” I say, pushing her gently up.
Magic Nugget licks my chin and then curls up on my neck to fall asleep, limiting my ability to play. I still manage, I just have to make sure she doesn’t fall off.
I hear someone come in, and see they have a camera out of the corner of my eye. I ignore them to continue playing, laughing as Trudy tries to fight with herself with a rope. I pick up the other end so she has some tension on the other side, and she gets even more excited as she fake growls.
“Get it, Trudy,” I encourage her, chuckling.
Glancing at the camera person, I frown as I realize it’s not the right one.
“Can I help you?” I drawl.
“Not at all,” the man says with a wide smile. He has blue hair, ripped knees at his jeans, and a sweatshirt. I have this odd feeling he’s a rag photographer. “I got what I needed.”
“Get out, or you’ll have issues,” I warn.
“You’re covered in puppies,” he smirks. “What are you going to do?”
“Sky is going to have fun beating the shit out of you,” I say with a shrug, pulling out my phone and texting him. “It’ll totally be worth the fine from the league, too.”
The man goes paler than I thought was possible, cursing under his breath as he yanks the door open and runs out.
“Don’t try that shit with anyone else!” I call after him. “Fucking paps.”
“Rhodes?” Edna’s head pops in with the actual photographer and I blow out a breath.
“How did a pap find me today?” I ask. “And how did they get in?”
“I don’t know but I’ll find out those answers and lock this place down,” Edna says, her eyes sharpening.
I’m new to the team, but I very much doubt she’d be responsible for this. Her job is to manage the chaos, not makemoreof it.
“Thanks, Edna. So you’re my real photographer. I didn’t bother to look until it was too late when the other person came in, and that was my fault,” I explain. “He had blue hair if you’re checking to make sure the guy is gone, Edna.”
“I’m on it,” she replies, walking out the door again.
She wore sneakers instead of her usual heels, so she’s super fast today.
“Pretend I’m not here,” the photographer says. Ah, fuck. What’s his name?
Tony. I think that’s it. I knew I’d be seeing puppies today, and kind of ignored everything else.
“Sounds good,” I reply.
Trudy yips at me, and I pick up a ball and bounce it at her. The puppies are still all young, and I don’t think any of them are older than four months old.
“I’m so sorry,” I snort, stealing the ball back. Trudy is properly scandalized, and I continue to bounce the ball to her.
Magic Nugget yawns as she wakes up from her nap, and slides down my body to join in on our game. Daisy follows, allowing me to sit up so I can properly play.
I know my grin is wide and happy as I roll balls toward them, and I’m having a really good time. I don’t even notice when Tony leaves, and I pout as Fritz comes back into the room.
“Ugh, I want them all. They’re so cute,” I groan.
