Chapter 13
“What the hell do you mean we’re getting a dog?”
Luka’s arms are crossed so tightly that the fingertips on his right hand are turning white. He’s staring at Stefan as if he’s lost his mind, but Stefan isn’t backing down.
Truthfully, I’m also uncomfortable with this sudden new development. Stefan came up with a list of social engagements for me and Luka in an attempt to shed a positive light on Danica Rose while drawing some of the media attention away from Konstantin’s trial, but privately, everyone is stressing about the case. Luka won’t admit anything to me, but I can tell how it’s eating away at him. I wish he’d let me be there for him. Instead, all he’s done is close himself off even more. He’s not sleeping, and I’ve seen him up at all hours of the night, just staring out the living room windows at the city below.
He barely speaks to me, either—I mean, even less than usual. It’s as if he’s ceased to exist outside of his rote schedule of going to work, doing his job, and coming home.
I don’t know if Stefan is doing much better. The lines on his face suggest that he’s not.
I glance at the printed list in my hand. We have a new event each day for the next two weeks. None of them sound horrible, and I’m pleased to see that many will have a much broader impact than simply keeping the DRM image above water. I’m happy to support the community.
We’re going to teach a craft workshop at a foster care facility on the South Side, play bingo at a senior center, and help deliver meals to the elderly via a mobile kitchen. But for our first assignment? Stefan is convinced we need to adopt a shelter pet. With the media invited.
“Maybe we can adopt one for a few weeks, and find it another home?” I suggest.
“Absolutely not,” Luka interjects, crushing my hopeful solution.
Luka is not a pet person. He made that very clear from the beginning. He didn’t want the mess, the noise, or the responsibility. I’ve always been open to the idea, theoretically, but never felt like the timing was right. I’m home a lot more now, though, working only a few hours a week when I have a modeling gig. If there was ever a good time to be available for an animal in need, this is it.
“What about a cat?” I ask. “They’re a lot more low maintenance.”
“Nope. Not gonna cut it.” Stefan is firm. “Everyone trusts a man with a dog.”
“Then you and Tori get a dog!” Luka says.
His brother smiles and leans back against the kitchen counter. “It’s not a good time for us right now. We’ve…got some things going on. Besides, we’re not the ones who need to earn the public’s favor. Ergo, you’re about to become puppy parents.”
Luka turns his eyes to me as if I had something to do with this. I shrug and shake my head. I don’t know what he expects me to say. I’ve got nothing.
Stefan looks down to check his watch. “Looks like you two better get going. I made an appointment for you at the Twin Lakes Animal Shelter for ten. Big smiles for the news crews.”
Luka looks at me again, his lips pulled into a hard line.
“I’ll go change,” I say hurriedly, eager for any excuse to get away from the tension.
When I go back to the kitchen, the brothers are in their same spots. Stefan appears to be giving Luka a soft lecture.
“Remember, your wife has the final say.”
“Right,” Luka says. “Knowing her, she’ll pick out a horse just to spite me.”
I roll my eyes. What would I legit do with a horse? Though…if it meant spiting him…
“Seriously,” Stefan pushes. “The media doesn’t want to seeyouchoose the dog. They want to see Brooklyn do it. So back off and let her take the reins on this.”
“I think Iwillget a small horse.” I grin as I walk by them to fill my to-go coffee container from the pot on the counter. Stefan smiles back. Luka scowls. Oh, this is going to be fun.
He says nothing as we drive to the shelter. I’m tempted to try making small talk, but he’s got so much on his mind with his father’s trial that I decide to leave him be. I glance at his hand resting on his thigh and have the strongest urge to take it in mine. I want to be there for him right now. But I have no idea how to get him to let me in.
His eyes meet mine briefly and my heart flips. Sometimes, I swear he knows what I’m thinking. He starts to speak, but then our attention is drawn to the reporters and camera crews waiting for us as we pull into the shelter parking lot. Stefan invited the local news and tipped off the celebrity outlets to let them know we’d be here today. Most of them probably work for online sources, so I’m sure our pictures will be all over Insta as soon as I have a puppy in my arms.
We exit the vehicle and are met by Amy Lee, the shelter director, who greets us with a grin and quickly ushers us inside. The absolute noise of barking dogs makes Luka’s whole body tense, but like a champ, he puts on a warm smile and steers me inside.
“Welcome!” Amy nearly shouts. “How would you like to do this? We usually ask a few questions to get a sense of what you’re looking for and then take a tour of the whole place while we introduce some of the pups, but I see you’ve got quite an entourage today.”
I make a half turn to see all the media people have followed us inside and the small reception area is now packed. I hope Stefan informed the shelter ahead of time that this was going to happen.
