Page 57 of Pet Project

Obviously, all of Kink Manor has shown up, but our extended family came as well. All the people from the Manor Drive Mobile Home Park are here. All of our friends from the Monarch Room are here. Most of the puppies and kittens from the Devil’s Club are here, minus the asshats that caused all the shit last time we were there. Even Don’s employees are here, including the new guy, Sid and his roommate, Jesse.

“Today marks the end of a tough journey for a lot of us,” Toby says into the microphone. “For those of you who don’t know me, which I think is very few of the people here today from what I can see…”

The laughter that rolls through the audience brings a flutter of pride to my chest. I remember the boy who was desperate to blend in and fly under the radar when he first moved in. It didn’t last very long, but I’m still proud that he’s embracing his uniqueness now.

“I’m not exactly a person you’d expect to excel at something requiring the precision and attention to detail that the culinary arts demand. To say I have squirrel brain would be an understatement. But the kitchen is where my grandmother showed me I was loved growingup. The kitchen is where I learned that I wasnota fuck up… Sorry Chef Reynolds.”

Toby turns around to give a small wave and bow of his head to an older man sitting in the front row on the stage who is shaking his head in a way that pretty much anyone who has met our pup does on a regular basis.

“To cut to the chase, this school took a chance on this easily distracted, hyper kid and turned me into a chef. I think I can speak for my fellow graduates when I say it’s been a privilege and a pleasure learning from all of the great chefs and restaurateurs who have dedicated their time to sharing their wealth of knowledge with us, the next generation. You took a chance and we will definitely make sure your gamble and sacrifice pays off. Feel free to come find me when I open my café in the future if you miss me.”

Toby steps back from the podium and does this weird arm flourish thing and bows toward his instructors before turning back to the audience to throw his hands in the air in a victory pose.

“WE DID IT, BITCHES!!!!”

The auditorium erupts in laughter and cheers and my love runs and launches himself off the front of the stage. Owner and I both gasp in terror before the little shit becomes visible again among the crowd of his fellow graduates.

“This is one of the few times I wish he was taller,” Donnie leans over to tell me. I know exactly what he means.

Fifteen minutes later, the ceremony is over andeveryone heads into the cafeteria where all of the instructors have prepared a buffet feast as a surprise for the graduates and their families. Before I even have a chance to let my eyes sweep the room, I’m practically tackled from behind by the love of my life.

“I’m so proud of you, Pup,” Donnie ruffles his hair while I lean back to give him a kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you, Owner,” Toby beams at us both and we get into line to sample all of the deliciousness in store.

“Tobias?”

Don and I turn to the unfamiliar voice, but Toby immediately stiffens in our arms. The woman in front of me is familiar in a way, but the way she’s looking at us makes my hair stand on end.

“Don’t ignore your mother, Tobias,” she says and Don immediately steps in front of us both, shielding us from the wicked bitch of the deep south.

66

TOBY

No. No. No. No.

She can’t be here. I didn’t invite her.

How is she here?!

Today is supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life.Whydoes she have to ruin everything?

“You werenotinvited,” Owner tells her. “You tried to destroy him. What the hell are you doing here? You should be back in your backwater shithole in Alabama. He specifically informed his father to tell you nothing about today. How the fuck did you know about this?”

Oh, fuck. Did myfatherinvite her? I thought we were doing better. I forgave him for not standing up for me growing up. I trusted him with the invite for today.

Oh…Oh, God this hurts so much.

Shiloh’s arms wrap around me and I can’t stop the whimper that escapes at the thought of my father letting that woman back into his life, back into my siblings’lives. It’s too late for me, but not them. She will destroy them all.

“Moira, what the hell are you doing here?” Uncle Robert’s voice comes from behind me. “I thought I made it perfectly clear. You are never to show your face within a hundred miles of neither myself nor the man who you should have been proud to have as a son. Don’t make me contest Mom’s will because you and I both know that you and Janice can’t afford that.”

I turn around to see my mother and Uncle Robert glaring at each other on the other side of Owner. Shiloh keeps his arm around my waist, but gives me the freedom to choose how I want to react. My uncle’s words remind me that I still have family who loves me and would never betray me.

“Proud? I should be proud of a pervert who has been corrupted by faggots and ni…”

“Finish that word, I fucking DARE you,” I growl out as I turn toward the woman who, unfortunately, contributed fifty percent of my DNA. “Insult the men I love one more time and I don’t give a fuck whose coochie I slid out of. I will knock your ass into the next decade Moira Grady.”

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