Page 9 of Guardian

Now, I know that’s all lies.

I stand from my chair, grab the keys off the hook, and head out the door, locking up behind me. I’m going to be early, but I don’t care. I’m going to make her my story to tell.

Chapter Five

Daphne

I slam the bathroom door shut and slide down the back wall, trying not to burst into tears while Rocky barks incessantly and scratches at the door.

Turns out, I’m a terrible dog mom.How the hell would I ever raise children?Maybe Gary did me a favor.I can’t even get a German Shepherd under control. My kids would be wild demons unraveling rolls of toilet paper and coloring on walls. Everyone in town would drive by my house just to catch sight of the woman who raised heathens.

A heavy knock hits the front door. It’s Boone. I know it’s Boone because I’ve been thinking about his arrival all day, though I get the feeling he might be doing the same. He texted me an hour ago to see if I was home instead of waiting for the original plan we’d set up earlier. I was going to make him dinner, but I don’t think that’s going to happen considering my dog just ate the turkey breast I’d set out and I’m currently crying in the bathroom like a giant baby.

I really need to get my life together.I send a quick text.

Me: Sorry I can’t come to the door. The dog growled at me after I tried taking away the turkey he stole, and now I’m locked in the bathroom.

I’ve barely sent the message through when I hear a loud crack followed by a deep voice.

“Rocky, sit.”

Good luck to him! That dog doesn’t know how to sit.

“Good boy,” Boone groans.

There’s no way that dog is sitting!

I stand from the bathroom floor, wipe the tears from my face, and crack open the door. Sure enough, the dog is sitting, tongue hanging, tail wagging as though he’s never been bad a day in his life.

“You’re okay.” Boone reaches for my hand. “Have you tried using commands? He knows them, you just have to sound like you mean it.”

“I meant it! I was scared out of my mind!”

Boone cracks a grin. “Of what? This old guy wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“Tell that to our dinner.” I glance around the room for a carcass, but I suppose that’s in his stomach as well. “I shouldn’t have gotten the dog.” I stare down at the brown-eyed ball of fur that I thought was going to keep me company, give me protection, and become my best friend. What the heck am I going to do? I signed up for a dog, not whatever this is.

“The dog is trainable,” Boone leans toward me, “you’ve just got to let him know who’s boss.”

“Clearly, he thinks you’re the boss.” I redirect my eye contact toward the kitchen where I finally see what’s left of the turkey sitting next to the pantry. “I appreciate you coming over, but it doesn’t look like dinner is going to happen tonight. I have a huge mess, and I’m not sure I’m in the mood for company. Besides, I should probably spend the night thinking about where I’m going to re-home this dog. This isn’t working.”

Rocky lays out on the living room floor with a whine as though he’s heard me and is judging my poor decision making. I don’t blame him. I’d judge me too. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing lately. One second, I want a dog. The next, I’m stressed by the dog, and getting fingered in the street by a stranger.

Dear Lord, send help!

“Sit down,” Boone groans staring toward me.

“What?”

“Sit.”

I laugh. “I’m not a dog.”

“Just sit.” His tone is deep and commanding, sending a shock of energy straight to my clit again.

Why does this keep happening?

I roll my eyes and pull out the dining room chair as Rocky falls asleep near the sofa. Why can’t he do this stuff when it’s the two of us? “This better be good.”

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