Page 103 of Trade Deadline

“This,” he giggles, “is the best,” another shriek, “day of,” another burst of giggles, “my life!” Elliot says.

I take my phone out again and take a video to send to my parents, and when Elliot’s finally able to sit up, all five puppies climb into his lap and bounce to keep kissing his face.

“Colleen, I want all of them! Every single one!” He demands, taking turns to kiss each puppy on the nose.

“I’m afraid we can’t have them all; we can only have one team mascot.” She chuckles from behind the phone she’s holding up.

Yep, this is going to be a big hit on socials.

Elliot pouts. “Damnit, I need to find a way to have all of them.”

I feel that right in my soul. I look down at Boomer, his wide brown eyes looking up at me with so much love that my heart squeezes.

“Colleen,” I say, shifting Boomer in my arms so he’s facing her. “Can we keep him?”

She walks over to me, stroking his soft fur and smiling as he wraps his front paws around her arm. “He would be the perfect mascot; Boomer kinda goes with Thunder too.”

I grin. “Boys, what do you think? Boomer for Thunder’s mascot?”

I hold him up in the air, Simba-style.

Ethan walks over, taking the puppy out of my arms and cradling him close to his chest. “I think he’d fit in great.”

As the guys take turns with the golden floof and agree, my heart expands in my chest.

Colleen fills in all the paperwork while we’re left in a room with Boomer, sitting on the floor, passing a ball between us for him to chase, and when we’re back at the practice facility, Coach Harris greets us holding a mini jersey with “Boomer” on the back.

“Wow, you work fast.” Ethan shares a rare grin.

Coach chuckles. “As soon as Colleen gave me the heads up that a decision was made, I got the team on it.” He kneels down in front of a bouncing Boomer and puts the miniature Thunder jersey on the puppy. “Welcome to the team, Boomer; I’m sure you’re going to cause less trouble than these knuckleheads.”

Boomer responds by smothering Coach’s face with excited kisses.

* * *

Blaine

Blaine

I want them all so bad.

Blaine

I wish I could bring them all home and love them so hard.

Alex

That’s so fucking adorable!

Alex

LOL at Elliot!

Blaine

He was living his best life :D

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