“I know it’s a bit of a hike. I can get you guys a hotel room close to the arena so you don’t have to drive back late.”
She chewed on her lip. “I have Otis, and I can’t leave him for that long, but thank you.”
My phone started ringing. “Nope,” I said under my breath as I rejected the call from Omar.
“Do you need to get that?” She pulled away from me.
I shook my head. “It’s just my coach. He knows I am going to be in late. He’s just trying to bust my balls some more.”
She held out her hand. “Gimme.”
I put my phone in her hand, she dialed a number, and then her phone started vibrating on the nightstand next to her.
“Now we have each other’s numbers.” Otis started whimpering on the other side of the closed bedroom door. “Gah.” Olive trudged over, letting her dog into the room.
The giant pup hopped into the bed, lying down right in the middle next to me. He stared at me as I sat there, not knowing what to do. “Does this mean he likes me?”
Liv pulled a pair of jeans out of her drawer then looked over her shoulder. “He’s making sure he is between us. He gets possessive when there is a guy close to me that he doesn’t know. He would have wedged himself between us all night if I had let him in here.”
“Gotcha.” I stretched and then grabbed my pants from the floor. “I guess I should head out and let you start your day.”
She bounced over to me, wrapping her arms around me. “Is it bad that I don’t want to let you leave?”
“Not in the slightest, because I am dreading riding away from you.” I rested my head on hers as she pressed her ear against my chest.
“At least I will see you tomorrow.”
“Exactly.”
Chapter 13
Olive
Early morning lightwas peeking through the open garage door. Otis was chomping on a rawhide bone next to me. It was my favorite time of the day to work, the world just seemed so peaceful in those fleeting waking hours. As I started to take a shot alternator out of a Silverado, Shaw made his way down the stairs into the shop.
“So?” He leaned against the truck, yawning as I cursed at the stubborn bolts. “How’d it go with Griffin?”
I grabbed the rag next to me, wiping my hands. I couldn’t help the wide grin that took over my entire face. “It went.” I pulled my lips together as I tried to leave it at that.
“No, no, no, missy.” He waggled his finger at me. “I need all the details.”
My stomach started to growl. “How about we head over to Pete’s for breakfast and I’ll fill you in on all the glorious details.”
“Perfect. I’m starving too and a milkshake sounds devine.”
We walked out the garage door. Pulling it down, I looked over at Otis, who was lying next to the Mach 1, looking at me. “Be a good boy. We’ll bring you back something tasty.”
“You know he’s a dog and cannot understand you,” Shaw teased, following me over to my car.
“You take that back. Otis totally understands me.” I barked back at him.
We took seats in a corner booth and ordered our coffee, milkshakes, bacon, and eggs right away. Our server brought us our coffee and I could have kissed her.
“Little hungover there, Liv?” Shaw asked as he watched me breath in the steam floating up from the mug.
“Whiskey gets me every time,” I complain before taking a nice, long sip of the dark java.
“I’m waiting.” He tapped his index finger on the table.
