Page 16 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

After we’ve gone a couple of blocks, Barney starts dragging.

“We should turn around. What’s a short distance for us is longer for poor Barney, here.”

Barney perks up when he hears his name, and he bounds over.

“He doesn’t seem tired to me,” Aurora comments.

“Oh, you just wait. As soon as we get home, he’ll stretch out on the floor and pass out like we’ve just put him through the Puppy Olympics.”

We turn around, talking about the difference in Oak Island during winter versus summer when it’s flooded with tourists. Aurora suddenly perks up, a gleam in her eye. “Hey, we should stop by my dad’s house! He loves dogs, and I bet he’d get a kick out of seeing these little guys.”

My heart skips a beat, and I shake my head quickly. “I don’t know, Aurora. We’re almost back to my place, and the pups are probably getting tired. Maybe another time?”

She waves off my excuse, clearly not taking no for an answer. “Oh, come on, Madison! It’ll just be a quick stop. Besides, my dad’s house is right beside yours. It’s not like we’re taking a huge detour. You know he’s a sucker for puppies. It’ll be fun!”

I try to think of another excuse, but nothing comes to mind fast enough. Before I can protest further, Aurora is already leading the way with the puppies trotting along behind her as if they’ve decided they’re up for the adventure. I sigh inwardly, knowing there’s no stopping her once she’s set on something. “Aurora, seriously, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

She glances back at me, her expression innocent but determined. “Why not? It’s just my dad. You’ve met him before. Oh, is it because you asked him for money?”

Yeah, I’ve met him before, all right. And it didn’t go exactly as planned. But I can’t exactly tell her that. I latch onto the idea she’s just offered. “Yeah, it’s just awkward I think, since he said no.”

Aurora stops walking and turns to face me, her eyebrows raised. “I get that, but maybe if we stop by and he sees how good you are with the puppies, I mean…who knows what sort of goodwill we could create? Maybe if you and I ask himtogether, then?—”

“Aurora, please don’t bring up the loan. If we’re going to stop at your dad’s house, that’s one thing, but please, please,pleasedon’t mention that I asked him for money, okay?”

“Okay, okay, I won’t bring up the money. But that doesn’t mean a visit with puppies won’t make him love you and want to hand over a couple grand.”

I bite my lip, realizing I’m not going to win this argument. It’s just a quick visit, I tell myself. In and out. No big deal. I can handle this. “Okay, fine. But just a quick stop, okay?”

Aurora beams, satisfied with my reluctant agreement. “Perfect! Come on, it’ll be fun.”

We continue walking, my nerves jangling with every step that brings us closer to Ethan’s house. I try to focus on the puppies, but it’s no use. The closer we get, the more my anxiety builds. I can’t help but replay that last encounter in my mind, the way it felt when he was licking my pussy. Aurora would kill me, outright murder me, if she knew the thoughts flowing through my mind right now.

As we turn onto our street, a knot of tension settles in my stomach. Aurora chatters on, oblivious to my discomfort, and I force myself to nod and smile, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible. But my heart is pounding in mychest, and I’m already planning my exit strategy, rehearsing what I’ll say to get us out of there as quickly as possible.

Finally, we reach Ethan’s house. Aurora is already reaching into her pocket, pulling out a key.

“Don’t worry. I’ve still got a key. We can just let ourselves in.”

“But isn’t he a doctor?” I scramble for an excuse and find one. “What if he’s working right now?”

Aurora makes a face. “Yeah, you’re right. He might be working. Shit. I should have texted him first. Oh, well. We’re here now. We might as well check.”

The garage is closed, but it could be empty or have Ethan’s car in it. It’s hard to tell by looking at the front of the house if Ethan is home or not.

My mind races as we approach the front door, trying to think of some way to get out of this situation, but Aurora is already unlocking the door and pushing it open with a cheerful, “Dad, we’re here!”

The puppies scramble into the house after her, their nails scrabbling across the wooden floor. If he doesn’t hear us, then he would have to be deaf.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever’s about to happen. This was a bad idea. A very bad idea. But it’s too late to turn back now. All I can do is hope that this visit will be quick and painless and that I can get out of here without any further awkwardness or confrontation.

Aurora calls out for her dad again, and I follow her inside reluctantly, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Aurora? Coming downstairs. Give me a second!” I hear Ethan’s voice echoing through the house, and it makes my heart leap in a way I try to ignore.

The puppies scamper inside, and I wonder if Ethan is going to blamemeif the puppies decide to pee onsomething. Samson darts out to explore, then realizes he’s still on a leash and comes back to my side.

Aurora grins at hearing her dad’s voice, clearly delighted that she’s managed to surprise him, and I force myself to smile, trying to hide my anxiety.

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