Page 47 of The Wiener Across the Way

“Thanks, Pen,” Kelsey said as Penelope slipped out, leaving us in the privacy of the suite. Just us. And Wiener the Pooh.

“I really am glad you’re here, Declan. Even if it’s just the couch for now.” Her voice was soft, a subtle mix of teasing and sincerity.

I sat down, testing the couch’s limits, and patted the cushion next to me. I’d intended that to bring Kelsey to me, but Pooh and her tail went ballistic as she jumped into the spot and spun in circles. I gave her little ears a rub and then patted her butt, letting her know she was welcome, but also to get her to sit and calm down.

Kelsey came over and sat next to me, testing the couch out with a little bounce and a frown. “I know this isn’t extremely comfortable. It’s for... well, someone a bit smaller than you. I’ll bequeath you at least ten of the four hundred-ish pillows on the bed.”

“I think I’ll probably need to strategically place them on the floor for when I inevitably fall off.”

I leaned back, stretching my arms along the back of the couch, and wrapped one arm around Kelsey’s shoulder, feeling a bit like a teenager making a reach during a movie. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else. But just so you know, I’m holding out for an upgrade to a real bed someday.”

Kelsey laughed, the sound light and genuine. “I’ve got a guard dog to protect me.”

She patted her dog on the head and gave her a little scratch behind the ears. Pooh looked at me, to her, and back to me again, and then curled up, pushing Kelsey further away from me with her little butt. When Kels tried to pick Pooh up, the dog growled at her and scurried into my lap.

“Oh. Gretchen Wiener the Pooh, don’t you be a mean girl and try to steal my man.” Kelsey wagged her finger at her dog who just gave a little whimper and then licked my arm.

Kelsey huffed out a quick laugh. “I think she just said, ‘I licked it so it’s mine’ to me.”

“Is that how it works?” I leaned over and ran my tongue along Kelsey’s bottom lip. Her eyes fluttered shut and she sucked in a soft gasp. I mentally crossed my fingers that I hadn’t just fucked up again.

With her eyes still closed, she whispered, “Yeah, that’s how it works.”

Kelsey’s eyes slid open, and her gaze met mine, a hint of something deeper flickering there. The moment lingered, the beat of our hearts the only sound in the silence.

“And that’s my cue to go to bed.” She stood up to head to her bedroom, gathering Pooh, who gave a disconcerted sigh and made sad puppy dog eyes at me, into her arms. Kelsey paused at the door, looking back at me. “Goodnight, Declan. And thanks... for being here.”

“Goodnight, Kelsey,” I replied, watching her disappear into the bedroom. I wanted so fucking badly to follow her in there, spread her out on the bed, and feast on the passion I saw in her. But if I played the game exactly right, she’d want me there as much as I wanted to be.

BESTIES' FACESPACE GROUP POST

Hey Besties,

Whoever is out there saying this budding relationship between our girl Kelsey and Mr. Hottie Football player a.k.a Declan Kingman is a publicity stunt... I have just one word for you.

DeLULU.

There’s no way. Did you SEE how he looked up at that box during the game? Did you see how he had his arm around her, trying to protect her from people taking pics of them I might add, at the rooftop party at Manniway’s?

(side note: Who ever heard of a steakhouse with a whole-ass vegan menu? My intel says Marie Manniway, classy AF wife of former quarterback Johnston Manniway. Their stuffed mushrooms were to die for BTW. If you’re ever in Denver and want a fancy meal but don’t eat cutie patootie cows, you gotta go to Manniway’s.)

AND...

Guess who’s been spotted in ASPEN???

Yeah. You guessed it. A certain football player we all now have a crush on.

AND... AND

He’s staying at the same hotel as Kelsey and crew. I cannot confirm nor deny that they’re sharing a room, but I will say that I happen to know that there are NO rooms for sale or rent in the entire area right now. The music festival has the entire freaking mountain sold out. There aren’t even campsites!

AND... AND... AND

IF none of that is proof enough that the big bad football player is truly in love with America’s sweetheart and that she loves him back, just check out this (possibly sketchily obtained) really long lens photo of him taking Wiener the Pooh for a walk this morning AND scooping poop!

SCOOP

-ING

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