Page 88 of Winning the Nightcap

I forgot how much having a dog in my space makes it feel like home. Since I lost Lucy, it’s been too painful to imagine living with another dog again. Bringing Lucy home was the most special moment I’ve ever experienced. But while welcoming a dog into your life is incredible, the worst day inevitably follows when you have to say goodbye. It’s been too much to imagine going through that again. Thankfully, havingHop around has slowly started to heal a small piece of my heart.

Hopper hasn’t left my side since Aiden dropped him off. He’s come to work with me to help demonstrate the skills we cover in my classes, he’s sat by my side every night while I binge-read the dark romance we decided on for this month’s book club pick, and every night he snuggles into my side to sleep. When I wake up, he’s sprawled out, usually with his paws digging into my side. I figure we must be dueling it out for bed space throughout the night while we sleep.

I love having a companion again.

“All right, boy, you ready for a special day today?” I call out to him.

Again, those warm, brown eyes meet mine. His happy wiggles barely contained by his big, furry body.

Dogs. We’re just not worthy of their loyal, patient, exuberant love.

* * *

The stadium’s family section is crowded. Dogs, kids, and their parents all mill around singing a chorus of happy greetings and excited squeals, interrupted by the occasional playful bark.

When Aiden mentioned that the Aviators host a dog-friendly game every July, I practically begged him to let me bring Hopper. Again, he didn’t want to give me the extra work. Again, he isconfused. This is my Disney World.

Plus, bringing Hopper here is a great opportunity to continue working on his socialization skills, especially if Aiden is serious about wanting him to become a therapy dog. Like I expected, Hopper has done well, enjoyed himself, and greeted both pets and people like a pro. He’s the cutest show-off in the stadium today. Well, at least the cutest dog.

Watching Aiden on the field is a huge distraction, but one I welcome.

“Did you know a beer here is like twenty dollars? I think I wasjust robbed by a college freshman who’s pulling a cut while working concessions,” Dee says over the buzz of the crowd as she approaches with two beers in her hand. “Little shit didn’t even discount it when I told him I know one of the players and I offered to bring him something signed.”

“I bet he’ll tell all his friends about the crazy lady double fisting beers claiming to know one of the players after his shift. I’m telling you, there’s not a version of that story where you come off as the reasonable one,” I say.

“Shit, you’re probably right. You’re buying the next round then. I don’t want to look crazy twice,” Dee says before handing me my drink. “So, when do you two need to head down there?” she asks.

“After the next inning.” Aiden said it was no big deal and all I had to do was meet him to hand off Hopper, but my gut is still twisted up in a giant knot.

When the Aviators’ media team heard that Aiden’s dog would be in the stadium today, they added him to the list of players who would take their dogs onto the field in between the seventh and eighth inning for some promotional photos.

“Hooooly shhhhit…” I hear Dee draw out as I cue Hopper to sit at my side while a few younger puppies run past us.

“What, what’s going…” I look up and I’m rendered speechless.

One half of the giant screen above the bleachers is lit up with the logo for New Hope, while the other screen shows Tonya, New Hope’s director, being interviewed by a woman in an Aviators polo. Their voices, ringing out through the stadium speakers, are muffled by the roar of the crowd—that, or I’m in such a state of shock that my ears are ringing—so I can’t make out what they’re saying. Thankfully, there’s closed-captioning on the screen.

Dee reads aloud and it feels like the whole world is spinning around me as I will my brain to keep up and take in everything she’s saying,but I can’t even manage that.

“Oh my god, did you know about this?” She looks at me, the shock evident in her expression, I’m sure a mirror to my own. “Did…did they just say that a portion of proceeds from today’s sales will go to fund the New Hope animal shelter?”

“I-I had no idea,” I stutter.

What the fuck is going on right now?

Dee whistles. “That dude loves you something fierce.”

Her statement snaps me out of my frozen state. “No, no, he doesn’t. It’s too soon for that. We’re still getting to know each other?” I squeak out like a question. “This has to be a crazy coincidence. I haven’t talked to Tonya in two weeks or so…”

“Okay, Bec. Okay,” Dee says as she pats Hopper’s head. “Your momma has gone and lost her mind over your daddy, don’t you think, handsome?” she asks Hop, kneeling next to him to scratch under his chin. He soaks up the attention and falls to his side in a plea for more affection.

Meanwhile, I can’t seem to form any kind of response. All I can do is stand, holding Hopper’s leash in my hand like a lifeline, staring at the screen. And when they cut to a shot of the team standing in the dugout, I catch a glimpse of Aiden watching the interview with a huge smile on his face. I feel my heart trying its best to beat its way out of my chest at the site of him, knowing in my soul that Dee is right and Aiden is responsible for this.

* * *

“Bec, is that you?” Tonya asks as she approaches me. I’m standing in a small room with several of the team’s families and their pets, waiting to hand Hopper over to Aiden for the promotional photoshoot.

I feel slightly uncomfortable and out of place realizing that I’m theonly one here that doesn’t seem to be a family member. Players’ wives, kids, and pets mill around the space, and while everyone has been welcoming and kind, I’m still reeling over the shock of the massive amount of donations New Hope is bound to receive today to give my full attention to mingling.

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