“It’s more like, you don’t live with me, so why would you adopt a puppy and mess up the house you are temporarily staying in?” Marcus tried to defend.
Gavin let out a huff and gave his puppy friends one last pat on the head. “Sorry, guys, Daddy doesn’t like happiness and rainbows. I’m sure you will find the perfect forever home filled with love and joy and non-growly daddies.”
Marcus rolled his eyes, then looked down at the woman. “I just met this kid the other day. I’m not the horrible monster this drama queen is making me out to be.”
The woman gave him a stare.
“Look. I even took the twerp shopping. All on me!” Marcus argued, holding up his and Gavin’s bags he had abandoned when he spotted the basket filled with four-legged joy and happiness.
“Whatever you say, Mr. Grump,” Gavin said, getting up from his knees and giving the puppies one last wave of his fingers.
“Just get your ass back on the bike. I’m too old for this shit,” Marcus huffed, turning and walking back toward his ride.
Gavin gave the woman a wink. “He’s so much fun to tease.”
The woman gave him a smile. “He’s not too bad on the eyes either.”
9
MARCUS
By the time they got home, Marcus ordered some takeout, which they wolfed down in front of the TV, drinking sodas and beer.
Gavin sat on the floor with his back against the sofa, while Marcus lounged on the couch, shirtless, in just a pair of joggers.
“Pass the spring rolls,” Marcus ordered, balancing his plate on his stomach as Gavin passed him the box over his head without looking up from his phone.
Marcus grabbed a roll and then pushed the box back toward the boy.
“What’s got your attention all wrapped up?” Marcus asked, biting into the spring roll, then placing the other half down on his plate.
“Huh?” he asked, turning his head slightly in Marcus’s direction.
“The phone. What’s so interesting?”
“Oh. Nothing. Just checking how my posts are trending.”
“Trending?” Marcus asked, taking another bite of his spring roll.
It had been Gavin’s idea to order Chinese food. Marcus wasn’t a huge fan, but he was really liking these spring roll thingies.
Gavin turned so his elbow was propped up on the sofa, touching the side of Marcus’s ribs, while he held his phone so Marcus could see.
“See these numbers down here?” Gavin asked, pointing to the numbers listed on each photo. “That is the number of people who viewed my posts. The more people who view, comment, and like my posts, the more engagement I get. The bigger my following, the more money I make from brand partnerships and sponsored content.”
“You make money by posting pictures online?” Marcus asked, his eyebrows scrunching together.
“Well, yes. Kind of. I’m what you would call a social media influencer.”
Marcus couldn’t help but chuckle.
“A social media what?”
“Influencer. Don’t laugh. It’s a real job. Right now, I have one point eight million followers on social media. I’m pulling in a good ten to fifteen thousand dollars a month by being an influencer. It all depends on which products and brands I’m posting about.”
Marcus began to choke on his food.
Sitting up, he placed his plate down on the coffee table and continued coughing until the killer pea cleared his throat.
