Page 133 of Make Me Trust Again
“We’re coming. No need to get your panties in a twist just because I’m chatting with your girl, Williams.”
His girl?
Color rises up my cheeks at the comment. I expect Chase to correct her, after all, we never defined what we were exactly, but he doesn’t say a word—instead, his hand slides to the small of my back. “Let’s go. The kennels are this way.”
The Cheshire cat smile on Maisie’s face is unmistakable as we pass by and take the first door on the right.
I have never been to a shelter before, so I expect to see the cages, but instead, every animal has a little cubicle with a glass door, almost all of them occupied. Each cubicle has some kind of bed or towel for the animal, along with the bowls for water and food, and a few toys. Dozens of little heads turn in our direction the moment we step into the room, and some of the dogs even start barking.
Kyle doesn’t seem the least bit fazed by it all as he walks to the doors, his eyes taking them in.
“What kind of dog were you hoping to get?”
“I have no idea,” I tell him honestly. “Hopefully something that’s not too big. And somebody that’s not too old. Dogs live shorter lives, and I don’t want Kyle to have to learn about that kind of loss too soon.”
Just then, Kyle calls out, “Chase, come look at this one!”
His palm rubs up and down my spine before he lets it go and joins Kyle, who’s looking at one dog. I watch him as he leansdown and listens to my son talk before he tells him his opinion, and they move further into the room. Some dogs stay in the back of the kennel, and others come to the window. Some are happy, others reserved, and I can see a little bit of light flicker out of their eyes when the two of them move to the next kennel.
“I don’t know how you do this,” I whisper to Maisie, who’s been standing on the side and just watching us. “I want to take them all home with me just so they aren’t so sad.”
Maisie hums softly. “It’s not as hard as you think. I get to love them while they’re here and help find them a forever home. The sheer joy on their faces when they get adopted makes up for it.” She tilts her chin toward the two boys. “He’s really good with him.”
I watch as Chase ruffles Kyle’s hair as they walk together side by side, my throat growing tight.
I swallow down the knot. “He is.”
Chase’s been there for him these past few months, and I can see how much my son looks up to him. He wants male attention, craves somebody’s approval, and he found kinship with Chase. Not just that, Kyle feels safe around him. Safe to be himself.
When I turn to Maisie, her face is soft, her eyes slightly watery. But there’s also something else. Something that looks like hope?
My heart races, and I’m not sure what to make of this, but before I can think too much of it, Kyle’s giggles echo in the room.
I follow the sound and find Kyle sitting on the ground; a medium-sized fluff-ball of a dog is all up in his face, licking at his cheeks.
“You’re tickling me.” Kyle squirms, but instead of pushing him away, he wraps his arms around him, rubbing at his back as the dog continues his attack on him.
He tilts his head back, our eyes meeting. “Isn’t Teddy cute?”
My brow quirks up. “Teddy?”
“Yes, Chase says his name is Charlie, but to me, he looks like a small bear.” He turns to the dog, petting him between his ears.“What do you say? Teddy is a much cooler name, right?”
The dog watches him as he signs intently, his head tilting to the side as if he’s trying to understand him before he lets out a bark and licks him again.
Maisie chuckles softly. “That didn’t take too long.”
No, I guess it didn’t.
I walk over to them, crouching down so I’m at their level. Teddy spots me immediately, his attention shifting to me. I extend my hand, and after a quick sniff, I’m rewarded with my own licking attack.
“Can we get Teddy, Mom? Pleaseeee!”
Two pairs of puppy dog eyes shoot me pleading looks, and I know that I’m screwed.
“You’ll take care of him?”
Even before I finish, Kyle is nodding eagerly.“Yes.”
