Page 134 of Make Me Trust Again
“You know that includes cleaning his poop and taking him out for walks, and not just playing, right?”
“I can do it, Mom. Pretty please?”He purses his lips.“Just look at him, he wants to go home with us.”
Yup. Completely and utterly screwed.
I let out a long breath.“Okay. Teddy can come home with us.”
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the way Kyle’s whole face lit up. It’s like it’s his birthday and Christmas all in one. A blinding smile spreads over his face, and he jumps to his feet, his arms wrapping around my middle as he buries his face in my stomach. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
I wrap my arms around him, basking in this moment, in my little boy’s happiness. Teddy, not wanting to be excluded, walks around us, barking excitedly.
As quickly as Kyle grabbed me, he let go and got down, wrapping his arms around Teddy. “You hear that, Teddy? You’re coming home with us.”
A hand lands on the small of my back as the body I’ve grown accustomed to slides behind me. “You sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?”
The corner of my mouth tips upward as Kyle waves Shadow over as well. Teddy sniffs tentatively at the newcomer and barks.
Tilting my head back, I meet Chase’s serious eyes. “No. But Kyle’s wanted a dog for so long, and I think a change will be good for him.” I graze my teeth over my lower lip. Chase’s gaze falls to my mouth before it lifts back to meet mine, that simmering heat making his irises seem darker as the truth slips out. “Good for both of us.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
ROSE
“Did Teddy do his business?”I ask as I find the duo sitting by the door, Teddy’s leash in place as Kyle wipes at his paws with a wet wipe.
“Yes, he did.”Once he’s done, Kyle unhooks Teddy’s leash—it’s green with little paws on it—and puts it on the side table; a frown etched between his brows.“Why can’t he walk without it like Shadow.”
“Well, Shadow is different. Older. Once you train Teddy, we can talk about it.”
There’s no way I’m letting him walk Teddy without a leash. He’s young and energetic, and I don’t trust that something won’t grab his attention and make him dash away. Although looking at them, I’m not sure which one of the two is theheI am referring to.
“I’m training him.”He turns to the dog.“Right, Teddy? You’re a good boy.”
“I know you are, and you’re doing great. But everybody learns in their own time. At the moment, if there isn’t an adult present, you can’t let Teddy off the leash.”
The doorbell rings, making Teddy’s ears perk up. He turns to Kyle and barks excitedly. I can see Kyle’s confused at his sudden change, so I explain.“That’s the doorbell. Your dad’s here.”
Kyle’s smile falls.Do I have to go?
“You know the rules, buddy.”
“Can Teddy at least come with me?”
The pleading look he shoots my way breaks my heart. This is the part I’ve been afraid of. Kyle has blossomed in a matter of days with Teddy around. Since the moment we signed the adoption papers, they’ve been inseparable. Kyle insisted he would be the one to walk him and feed him. He refilled his water bowl, and he asked Chase to help him train Teddy and teach him basic commands.
Chase said that with some training, Teddy could potentially help Kyle interpret different sounds like a hearing dog would, and he promised he’d look into it. Teddy’s already a great help as it is, but to have him actually help Kyle navigate and interpret sounds so he can walk through the world more easily? That kind of help would be invaluable.
“I’m so sorry, Ky, but it’s best if Teddy stays home.”The sound of the doorbell echoes inside the house again.“I promise I’ll take good care of him, and before you know it, you’ll be home. Why don’t you go and grab your stuff?”
I hate this.Kyle’s lip wobbles, but he presses them in a tight line before turning on the balls of his feet and going to his room.
Me, too, buddy. Me, too.
Teddy looks between the two of us, clearly confused about what’s going on, but in the end, he follows after Kyle.
Sighing, I run my hand through my hair and make my way to the door. I pull it open just in time to catch John’s hand mid-air. His eyes narrow at me the moment he sees me. “About fucking time.”
My fingers curl into a fist. I’m so over him treating me like shit because he’s in one of his moods. “It’s just been a few minutes.”
