Page 82 of Meeting Mr. Adorkable
Lowering himself onto all fours, so he was nearer to Peanut’s size, Arlo inched along until he was in front of his dog. Tentatively, he put his hand out. Peanut sniffed, then licked, before he edged forward. Taking Peanut into his arms, Arlo rocked him, stroking and nuzzling him as he told him over and over that he was a good boy and how sorry, how so, so sorry he was for scaring him, as he begged the little mutt for forgiveness.
The tears he’d not let flow streamed hard and fast, soaking into Peanut’s warm fur.
“What the hell have I done, boy?”
Peanut licked his face in response, lapping away the salty tears.
“I did it for him, you know that, right? Doesn’t matter what I feel, doesn’t matter how much it hurts me. It’s him that matters, not me. He’ll realize it soon, he’ll realize what I’ve done is the best thing for him. He’ll realize it, and then he’ll thank the lord he didn’t make the biggest mistake of his life. Because staying here with me would have been just that. A mistake. He’s young, but he’s been hurt too much already. And I’d have hurt him, Peanut, I would’ve. I couldn’t let that happen because I—because I feel for him too much. Way, way too much. He deserves better than me—”
The deep chime of the doorbell reverberated through the house. Peanut yelped and jumped out of Arlo’s arms. Arlo’s heart hammered and the pulse in his neck pounded as he fumbled for his phone, as the hope rose in him, the hope he absolutely shouldn’t have, pressed against his chest. His body sagged as he opened the app to show him who his evening visitor was.
The doorbell rang again, their finger stuck to the button. He could ignore it, pretend he wasn’t in, but with both his vehicles in the drive and the studio light on, he wasn’t going to be fooling anybody. He tapped the mic icon to speak.
“Bibi.”
Bibi glowered into the camera. “Open up, Arlo. I need to speak to you.”
“It’s getting late.”
“It’s seven-thirty. Let me in, it’s important.”
“Look, you obviously know we’ve split—”
“Bullshit,” Bibi spat. “He laid himself on the line for you, and all you did was trample all over him. Okay, this isn’t my business, but I’m making it mine. I need to speak to you, and I’m not doing it through a fucking intercom. Let me inright now.”
Jesus… Just let the woman in, let her spit and snarl at him and call him every name under the sun, the moon, and the stars, because god knew he deserved it. Clicking the icon to unlock the front door, he gathered Peanut up in his arms and rushed downstairs.
Bibi stood just inside, her face thunderous as she stalked towards him.
“I was in a restaurant waiting for somebody, and just about to order a drink when I got a call.” With her hands on her hips, her eyes filled with fire, she glared at him. “I was waiting for my date, but I don’t suppose he’ll be that now because I had to call and bail.”
“What are you talking about?” Arlo held onto Peanut, still in his arms, armor against this woman with fire in her eyes.
“Just put the dog down.” She advanced a step.
“Bibi, are you sure you didn’t already have that drink?”
“Just put him down, okay?”
And get this — whatever it was — over with. He placed Peanut on the floor and the little dog scampered away.
The hard slap came out of nowhere, the force of it making him stagger backwards, his ears ringing, the sting burning into his cheek as he went hot and cold.
“Jesus Christ, woman—”
“That’s what Lucian should have done, but he didn’t, so I’m doing it for him.”
“What we do, what decision we make, it’s not your business, and as for this,” he pointed to his throbbing cheek, “you’re lucky if I don’t file for assault.”
Bibi smirked and tossed her head, her glossy bob swinging. “So sue me, mister.”
Her words echoed in his head, overriding the burn of the slap. He’d said the same thing to Lucian, about the damage to his ugly glasses when they’d attempted to kiss, his heart swelling as Lucian had laughed… Arlo’s knees shook; he staggered over and collapsed into one of the couches.
Bibi stood over him, eyes bright with anger. She shook her head and huffed as she sat down heavily next to him.
“I’m not sorry I did that, because I reckon you deserve it.”
Arlo didn’t answer because he reckoned he did, too.
