Page 39 of The Ruckup
Cooking with my grandmother is exactly what I needed today. Time to relax and reset, surrounded by familiar smells and the love of the woman who knows me better than anyone.
Just as we’re finishing assembling the food, there’s a knock at the door of my grandmother’s condo. I wipe my hands and walk from the kitchen through the small living room to let Leo in. I’m excited to see him, but unfortunately any greeting I might offer is drowned out by the sound of Cupcake, my abuela’s slightly unhinged Chihuahua, barking her tiny ass off at the stranger who’s entered her domain.
Sometimes I forget how stupidly aggressive the dog is. Once she knows a person, Cupcake’s generally tolerant of their presence. My grandmother doesn’t get many new visitors, so I haven’t had to deal with her dog’s forceful personality in a while.
I could probably stand to take a few pointers from Cupcake and start screaming my head off at strangers occasionally too. It might weed out the bad behaviors.
Cupcake goes at one of Leo’s ankles like she’s about to rip him limb from limb—even though she probably couldn’t even manage to dislocate a toe. I bend quickly, intending to grab the tiny maniac, but Leo shakes his head, chuckling.
“She’s okay. She’s not going to hurt me.” He crouches down, voice turning soft and smooth. “You just want to make sure I’m not here to hurt any of your girls, don’t you?”
That’s part of the reason I actually really like Cupcake. She would defend my abuela to the death. Would take on anyone or anything that tried to hurt my grandmother without hesitation or concern for her own well-being.
And she must decide that Leo isn’t dangerous, because in about two point five seconds, cupcake goes from rabid beast to a bitch in heat. I swear the dog is smiling as she dances in circles, shaking her ass around at Leo as he gives her pets.
Honestly, I don’t blame her. I would probably dance in circles and shake my ass around to get Leo to pet me too.
Actually, I might try that out once my period’s over. See if it works as well for me as it is for her.
14
Splish Splash
Leo
I THINK THIS is the cutest Cupcake I’ve ever seen. Vicious, but cute.
I’ve never had a pet. My parents weren’t big on animals—probably because it would have been one more thing my mom would have had to take care of—and since I’ve been an adult on my own, it’s never really occurred to me to consider getting one.
But I don’t think I’d mind having a crazy little psychopath like Cupcake. I definitely can’t imagine myself with a cookie-cutter golden doodle—even though they are cute—to lead around the neighborhood on a leash. I would want something filled with personality.
And maybe a little piss and vinegar.
After only a few seconds of butt scratches, Cupcake decides she wants as close to me as she can get and begins trying to wiggle her way up onto my bent leg. Taking a chance—and risking the skin of my palm—I gently scoop her up. When she doesn’t try to murder me, I tuck her into the crook of one arm and straighten,using my free hand to stroke along the top of her head. “You’re a good girl, aren’t you?”
“What in the heck?”
I look up from Cupcake’s smiling doggy face to find an older woman with graying hair coming into the room. Maddie’s abuela uses a walker, but her steps are quick and sure.
“That dog doesn’t like anyone until she knows them for at least a year.” Maddie’s grandmother heads for where I stand holding her pet. “You must be good with animals.”
“I’ve never had a pet, so maybe she’s just taking pity on me. Knows I would be heartbroken if she hated me for a year.”
It sounds like I’m kidding, but I probably would take it personally. I try to be the kind of guy everyone likes. Easy-going and laid-back. Fun and entertaining.
Except for Drake. I don’t give a fuck if that guy likes me.
But I very much want Abuela to like me, and I’m pretty sure if Cupcake hated me, Abuela would feel a little more cautious about letting me spend time with her beloved granddaughter.
Abuela’s jaw drops open, eyes widening. “You never had a pet?” She scoffs. “How do you live without the constant threat of someone pooping on your floor?”
I laugh way too fucking loud at that. I knew I was gonna like Maddie’s grandmother based on the stories she’s told me, and Abuela is definitely living up to the hype. “I guess I’ve been missing out.”
“Speaking of pooping on the floor.” Abuela focuses on Maddie. “Muñeca, could you take Cupcake out to do her business before we have lunch?”
As I came in, I saw that all these condos have fenced-in backyard areas, so I don’t for a second believe Cupcake needs to be chaperoned to do her business. It’s more likely Abuela wants to get me alone, and I don’t mind. If anything, I like knowing Maddie has someone genuinely looking out for her best interests.
Someone besides me.
