Page 36 of Must Love Dogs… and Hockey

I carry beers into the living room and set them on the table. “Make yourself at home, gentlemen. I have to take this dude outside, but I’ll be right back.”

I haven’t noticed any puddles on the floor, so hopefully I can get him outside before that happens.

After a quick trip to the grassy boulevard, we head back in. “Good boy, Otis.” I hold him in the elevator. He’s getting better about riding the elevator but is still anxious. “You’re really learning, aren’t you?”

I’m proud of him.

Jesus.

Whatever.

Back in my apartment, I grab the beer waiting for me and sit in an armchair. Otis jumps up on the sofa to annoy Russ. He’s pretty good about it, actually, rubbing his head. When Otis brings his rope toy to Cookie, he takes it and has a little game of tug o’ war.

“Where’s Hannah tonight?” Cookie asks Russ about his girlfriend.

“We, uh, had a fight.” Russ’s face scrunches up.

“Uh-oh.” I grimace too.

Russ leans forward. “Can I ask you guys something?”

Cookie and I glance at each other and nod.

“Sure.” I hitch one shoulder and lean back in my chair.

“Hannah told me the other day that she’s going off the pill.”

My eyes widen. “Ohhhh.”

“She wants to get pregnant?” Cookie asks.

“No.” Russ shakes his head. “She wants me to use condoms now. I was totally blindsided.” He rubs his face. “We, uh, kind of got into an argument over it.”

I blink. “Huh.”

“Ugh,” Cookie says sympathetically. “Ah well.”

“No,” Russ says. “Ihatecondoms. I can’t stay hard wearing a condom.”

My eyebrows fly up. “Oh,” I say again. My vocabulary has deserted me.

“This is gonna ruin our sex life,” Russ adds. “Fuck. I’m so pissed about it.”

I purse my lips, still lost for words.

“She should have talked to me about it before she made that decision,” Russ continues. “I mean, that’s a big decision, right?”

“I guess.” Cookie nods, frowning.

“Then she was furious at me for telling her that. We had a big fight. I don’t know what to do.”

“Are you, uh…saying she should have asked your permission before going off the pill?” I ask carefully.

“Well, yeah! That’s what couples do, right?”

“Wrong.” I shake my head.

“What?” He stares at me.

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