Page 41 of A Furry Thing Called Love
Callum’s attention snaps up and he looks at Jordan.“Really?What animals do you have?I want another pet, but Da said one is enough, especially if I’m going to go to college next year.Which, I’m not entirely sure I am.I mean, I know I’m going to go to school, but leaving home sounds terrifying.”
“We have time to decide, mon cœur.Your da and I will be happy if you are.”
“Yeah…” Callum keeps his attention on the dogs.
Jordan clears his throat.“To answer your question, I have a parrot—an Amazon parrot to be more specific.A potbellied pig, and a Nigerian dwarf goat.”
“A pig!”Cal squeals.“Do you have pictures?”
Jordan laughs and takes out his phone.“Yeah, my petsitter sent me some earlier.”He gets on the floor with Callum and the two of them coo over the pictures of Jor’s menagerie.
“Toss me your phone, Ar, so he can see Millie.”
I sigh and shake my head, but toss it over to them.
As Jordan and Callum are bonding over their love of animals, the front door opens.“Sorry I’m late,” the newcomer says.
“I told you to come straight here after your shift,” Graeme tells them.
They step into the living room.“Yes, well, my mistake.I’ll remember that for next time.”They look at me and smile, lighting up their entire face.“Hi, I’m Denver; Luka and Grae’s partner.”
“Arlo, Jordan’s friend.”
Jordan looks up from where he’s sitting.“I’m Jordan, Luka’s better-looking cousin.”
Denver laughs.“Mmmm, I don’t know, I’m partial to the freckles.”
Jordan sighs.“My sisters got my mother’s redhead genes, I sadly did not.Makes me feel as if I'm the blond-headed stepchild.”
Luka snorts.“You’re so fucking dramatic.”
“You mean delight.”Jordan grins and Luka shakes his head.
“I see Cal’s in heaven,” Denver says.
“Jordan has a goat, a parrot, and a pig, Den!That’s like my dream life.”He looks to Graeme.“Do you think?—”
“No.”Graeme shakes his head at his son.“Whatever you’re thinking, the answer is no.”
Callum pouts.Before he can say anything in response though, Rory comes into the room.“Food’s ready.”
“You need help with anything, Ror?”Denver asks.
“Nah, I got it.It lets me practice my homemaking skill.”Rory winks.“Never know when I’m going to snatch up the Dom of my dreams who wants me to be his houseboy.”
“Eww!”Callum protests.“I am achild!”
“Okay, well, child of mine, go wash up,” Rory replies, not seeming sorry at all about potentially scarring his son.
Callum extracts himself from the tangle of animals.“When I need therapy in a few years, I’m sending you guys the bill.I have many things to unpack and work through!Starting with my dad giving birth to me, and ending with Da makingsexjokes around me!”With a dramatic twirl, Callum stomps off to the bathroom.
“I thinkIneed therapy because of him,” Rory says.
Graeme snorts.“You and me both, Ror.”
“You guys can wash up in the kitchen,” Luka says.“Let Cal have his dramatics in peace.”
Jordan and I follow everyone into the kitchen to do just that, and then take our seats at the dining table.Callum is already there, a mischievous smile in his blue eyes.
