Page 38 of Love Me

Instead of getting Charlie ready for dance class, we stop by the grocery store and purchase dog food, ten bottles of dog shampoo, tick and flea treatment, and head back home. We spend the rest of the afternoon bathing our new little friend five times before it resembles an actual dog, and one more time for good measure. I think, and I use that term loosely because I don’t actually have any fucking idea, that he may be crossed with a Cairn Terrier, but what the fuck do I know? I’m relying on Google here. He has an appointment with the town vet tomorrow, so we’ll have a better idea. Hopefully we can find its owners.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I know who it is before taking it out.

Sawyer: The fuck am I finding out about you and Han from my wife?

Kins: And Ms. Nettie

Carter: I’d just like to state for the record that I knew before anyone and successfully kept a secret

Me: Piss off Casanova, no one asked you

Sawyer: Talk or I’m coming over

Me: We’re dating, it’s serious

Kins: Eek! About time!

My phone buzzes again and I realize the chat name isn’t “Nosey Assholes” but just all of our names, Dallas conveniently missing from the chat.

Sawyer: You need to tell him

I contemplate what he’s saying, and I know I do. It’s eating me alive to not talk to my brother, the one who always has our backs. But he’s got shit on his plate right now he needs to focus on. Plus, he’s the only one who knows the truth and could potentially blow this whole thing up in our faces.

Me: I will, when I’m ready. He needs to focus on his own stuff right now.

Sawyer: I won’t hold him back when he comes for you if he finds out from someone else

Me: I can handle Dallas, shithead

Sawyer: *Middle finger emoji*

Sawyer: I’m happy for you, brother

Carter: So exciting! Yay! Another brother off the market turning lame as fuck. I’m jumping for joy for you assholes.

Kins: Uhm, I’m not taken? Am I not cool?

Sawyer: You don’t count because you’re an angel and you’ll never do anything terrible like dating or getting married

Carter: Our sweet little sister forever

Me: Perfect Kinsey! No men for you!

Sawyer: We would literally hunt them down and murder them while they’re awake so they knew exactly who was taking their life

Me: Slowly

Carter: Painfully

Kins: The fuck is wrong with you three? Can’t believe I actually miss Dallas being on here

Sawyer: Dallas is more protective than we are…

Kins: I beg to differ, psycho. Pretty sure you almost murdered your own best friend for looking at Ivy

Sawyer: He shouldn’t have looked at her

Me: I don’t see the problem here

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