Page 17 of Must Love Dogs… and Hockey

I set my jaw. “Yes.”

I glance at Grammy. I’m not responsible for what happened to her, but I feel like I am. It’s because of people like her that I’m determined to go through with this. Sometimes I question my decisions, but I’m not backing down. And I do have a stubborn streak.

“Are you okay for money?”

Her question almost makes me cry. I know Grammy doesn’t have much. “At the moment.” I don’t tell her how much I’m getting paid to look after Otis because it’s crazy. Also, I haven’t let on to her or my mom how much debt I’ve had to go into. I may have let my family think my savings were substantially more than they were. I feel guilty that I can’t helpthemout more, and I don’t want them thinking thatIneed help.

If Dad was still here…ugh. Whatever. Men suck.

Another lie. I really like men. But there’ve been a few in my life lately who’ve made me a little bitter.

“You’re a good man, Otis,” I tell him where he lies on the floor. He hasn’t slept; he’s alert and watchful. He’s probably worried I’m going to leave him here with yet another stranger, poor guy.

“Maybe I could get more jobs dog walking,” I muse. “I’d rather work with dogs right now than people.”

Grammy laughs. “I don’t blame you. Maybe you should have become a veterinarian.”

“I don’t think I could have handled that much school.”

This has sparked an idea in my mind and I’m eager to give it more thought. Grammy and I spend another hour or so catching up, and then Otis and I head home.

Chapter 4

Easton

We got home from Florida around one in the morning. The drive from the airport was quick, with minimal traffic, and I crashed as soon as I hit my bed.

Now I’m waking up, stretching, thinking about coffee and a big breakfast and a welcome day off.

I’ve been messaging with the building superintendent, trying to find Percy, but we’re not having any luck. Nobody has contacted them about a missing dog either. I’m going to have to make a decision about what to do with Otis.

Ugh.

Lilly’s bringing him back today. I’ve messaged back and forth with her too, a few times, to check in. They’re both still alive, so that’s a good thing.

Thinking about that gives me a burst of energy, and I fling the covers back and jump out of bed. I need a shower. Then food and caffeine.

Dressed in a pair of gray sweats and a navy Bears T-shirt, I set about making my favorite meal of the day. I don’t cook breakfast very often because the team feeds us with a generous buffet at the practice facility, but I’m whipping up my favorite hash browns—the shredded kind of potatoes, with chopped bacon and cheese mixed in. I drink my coffee as I cook eggs alongside the hash browns.

My phone rings and it’s the doorman calling up. “Ms. Evans is here with Otis, sir,” Javier says.

“Thanks, send them up.”

I turn off the stove and head to the door, drying my hands on a towel. A fizzy feeling brews in my gut, weirdly, excitement or anticipation. Jesus. Did I actually miss that crazy mutt?

He apparently missed me, if the greeting is anything to go by. I open the door. My attention is immediately on Lilly and her wide, gorgeous smile. Then Otis nearly takes me down, rushing at me, jumping, spinning, barking.

I have to laugh.

“Hey, hey, doofus, calm down. Calm down.” I try to lay my hands on him, but he’s wriggling and dancing around. Then he rolls onto his back on the floor.

I look up and meet Lilly’s eyes. She shakes her head. “He’s crazy about you.” She says it as if she can’t understand why.

“Of course he is. I’m a great guy.”

She huffs a laugh and hauls in Otis’s stuff, bringing with her a scent of something fresh and green, and yet warm and sexy.

“Come on, dude, let’s find you a treat.” I lead him to the kitchen. He’s still bouncing like he has springs in his legs. I dig out a dog biscuit from a box and feed it to him. He crunches it down. I give him another since it’s keeping him quiet. “See, I told you I’d be back. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

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