Page 75 of The Version You Hide

There is so much healing left for her to do, but for now all of that can wait. She’s been through enough today and if this scruffy loveable dog can help her forget her trauma for a couple of hours, I’m happy to let him.

I hold Chance down while she shampoos him and before long the bathroom is covered in dog hair and water.

Another job that can wait for tomorrow as far as I’m concerned.

While Mackenzie dries Chance off with the blow dryer, I go to change out of my muddy clothes. My phone rings from the top of the dresser and I stare down at the screen. It’s my father again, but I don’t have time to deal with whatever it is he has to say right now. My priorities lie with Mackenzie. I ignore the call, leaving the phone in its place.

When I return to the living room, Mackenzie is laying on the couch. Only this time Chance is curled up against her chest. She giggles as he rolls onto his back allowing her access to give him tummy scratches and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face at the sight.

“What’s this?” I say, splaying my hands out as I glare down at Chance’s puppy dog eyes. “You trying to steal my favourite girl, huh?” He barks loudly in response, flipping over onto his stomach with his tongue hanging out. “Yeah, whatever. Traitor.”

I give him a pat on the head, not missing the pink blush that crawls its way up Mackenzie’s cheeks. I hope I haven’t crossed a line with that comment, but it’s slowly but surely becoming the way I feel. I wander across the room and drop down into the armchair, reaching for the remote on the coffee table.

“You want to watch something?” I ask, then realising that probably sounded presumptuous I add, “Or I could take you home if you wanted. It’s completely up to you.”

Her eyes drift over me and then back to Chance as she contemplates her decision. “I think I’ll stay a little longer.”

“Are you enjoying my company? Or my dog’s?” A smirk lifts one corner of my mouth.

“Your dog’s,” she replies immediately.

“Oh! Ouch.” I laugh, clasping a hand over my chest in mock heartache.

She grins deviously, but then her eyes soften. “But you’ve been pretty great too.”

“Any time,” I say, and I hope she knows I mean it.

I swallow down the emotions her words have conjured. I care about her more than I’ve ever cared for anyone else. When she’s upset, so am I. And that’s a completely confounding notion for me. To be at the mercy of someone else’s feelings.

“I might order us a pizza.” I launch myself up from the chair, suddenly unable to sit still. “What do you like?”

She chews on her bottom lip, her fingers still lost in Chance’s fur. “Pepperoni?”

“Cool. My favourite too.”

I fetch my phone from the bedroom and search the number for the local pizza place. Once I’ve placed an order for delivery, I head back into the living room to report to Mackenzie.

“The rain is delaying delivery so should be about forty minutes…” My voice trails off as I catch sight of her.

She’s fallen asleep, the hood of my favourite blue hoodie bunched up around the back of her neck, one arm draped over Chance who’s still curled up in front of her. His own eyes are closed now too, completely content. I’ve never seen anything more perfect.

I wander back into my room and pull up Kristen’s number in my contacts. She answers on the first ring.

“Dylan? Is everything okay?” I can understand the alarm in her voice, given what we went through with Henley last year. Calling Kristen isn’t something I do often.

“Yeah. Everything’s fine.” This is only a half truth, but it’s not my place to tell Kristen what her sister has been through today.

“Okay. Good, but have you seen Mackenzie at all? I didn’t think she was working but she isn’t answering any of my texts.”

“Yeah. She’s with me,” I tell her. “She’s had a bit of a rough day today is all and she’s here at my place.”

“Is she okay?”

“Yeah. Of course. She’s fine. She’s safe,” I inform her. “But she’s fallen asleep, and I don’t really want to wake her. I just wanted to let you know so you didn’t worry.”

“Okay. Thanks for letting me know.” Kristen’s relief is obvious, but her voice is still laced with sisterly concern. “She seems to be having a hard time opening up to me lately. I’m glad she has you.”

“I’m glad I have her too.”

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