Page 25 of Pet Project

Eric stole my phone

But I second his sentiment

What the fuck did you do?

30

TOBY

I don’t even wait for Jay to put the car in park before I’m racing up to our room…my room?

No! It’s our room. It will be our room until I find him the perfect handler.

Throwing open the door, it looks just the same as it always does, except I don’t see the kitty toys on the floor. That’s fine though because Shy just picked up after himself for a change. That’s all it is.

I can hear people in the hallway, but I know Jay was wrong. Shiloh wouldn’t have left me like that. He wouldn’t have moved out without telling me.

I open the closet to put away my bag, but Scott pushes it closed before I can.

“Toby, there’s something you need to know,” he says with his Dom voice. I chuckle and push his hand away from the closet door.

“Funny trick guys, but today isn’t the day to pull this on me.”

Spencer practically tumbles down the stairs, looking barely alive from whatever virus he has, at the same time that Eli and Jay reach our floor. Scott pulls me into the hallway gently while everyone is gathering.

“It’s not funny, you guys,” I stomp my foot as the looks on their faces start to scare me. “Is he hiding out over at Matt and Eric’s place? At Ash’s? I know I’ve been fucking up a lot lately, but this isn’t something to joke about.”

Lucky’s sniffle breaks through in a way no words could. Staring at the little’s face, I see the truth in his eyes.

“No… No way… He wouldn’t!”

Racing to my closet, I throw open the door knowing what I’m about to see, but hoping it’s not true.

Only one collar is hanging there, and it’s mine.

The world around me disappears as I feel my body falling.

He really left me. I drove him away.

31

SHILOH

It’s been two weeks since I moved in with Donnie, but I miss my best friend. The first night I was here, I slept on the couch. Even though Donnie said I could use his bed, I really couldn’t. I might end up liking him too much and then I will have to hurt even worse when the two of them end up together. All I need to do is get Toby to come visit.

Me:

I miss my puppy

BFF:

Sorry. Working.

Throwing my phone down on my bed, I remember that this is my fault. I knew if I stayed to tell everyone face to face that I was moving, they would have talked me out of it. I never would have had the strength to walk away, to keep them safe. Seeing Toby beg me to stay would have broken me, so I asked Scott to break it to himgently before I made him drive away after dropping me off.

After that first night here, I pulled myself out of the group chat since I’m no longer living at Kink Manor. I miss my phone blowing up at all hours because of Lucky being cute or Eric being a diva or Toby’s excitement over something horribly mundane.

It’s too quiet here.

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