Page 9 of Red

Fuck! I need to end this, don’t I?

I ask him to watch over the things, and I go circle around to shop for my own stuff.

I see live chickens for sale and immediately begin considering getting some. There’s a coup in my backyard already.

No, no.I just got a dog. I need to figure out how to take care of it first. Who do I think I am? I’ve never even had a plant that survived with me longer than a month before.

I buy stakes and some fresh produce, then drop everything off in my car before I head back to my stand. I immediately notice a pretty, long-legged blonde talking with Dean, acting a bit too friendly for my liking. She squeezes his bicep while laughing excessively at his joke.

Can she be any more obvious?

And he, of course, is eating it up, giving her all the attention.

It shouldn’t bother me the way it does. It’s not like we’re exclusive or anything so it’s really not that big of a deal.

Then why does it sting this hard?

Maybe I’m oversensitive after how things ended with my bestie since friendship breakups are the hardest. I absolutely despise infidelity, though. It’s unforgivable to me. And we might have not put a label on what exactly is between us, but not once have I even considered seeing anyone else.

Well, except me having all these fantasies and wet dreams about my imaginary stalker… But that’s just me being extra silly.

I approach closer, giving that skinny bitch a nasty look. Yes, I know it’s totally uncalled for since I’m planning to dump the guy, yet I can’t help myself.

She backs off and walks away before he gets a chance to introduce us.

“Emily is just a friend,” he explains withoutbeing questioned, and that’s enough for me to conclude they are fucking.

“I don’t care.” I shrug, getting myself busy with another customer.

I sell nearly the entire crop for the month by noon. I have a couple of crates that I’m planning to donate to the local church that Dean attends, and that will do it. Of course, I still got some left at home to make apple pies—No clue where this new obsession with baking came from, either.

Lana was right, I’ve changed.

When the market is over, Dean takes me to late lunch. I try to rush it because I have a bunch of meat in my car, and I’m still mad at him for flirting with the blonde. It’s really more of an ego thing than jealousy, yet it hurts the same.

I then mention the dog to him, which makes him angry for whatever reason, and he insists on coming to see him“immediately”.

I mean, okay, I get it. I’ve let a stray into myhouse, but I still find his reaction to be over the top. Dog showedzeroaggression and even let me check him for ticks. I still need to take him for general checkup, vaccine, and to make sure he doesn’t have a chip. I don’t want to name him until I’m sure he doesn’t belong to anyone else.

First thing I notice after I park in front of my house, is a package waiting for me on the porch. I can’t help my excitement, already planning an entire evening to myself.

However, Dean’s truck stops next to me, and I remember I need to break up with him.

I grab all the stuff I bought from the car and pick up myAmazonbox before we walk inside together. As I leave it on the island counter in the open-concept kitchen and unpack the bags, Dean looks at the pacing dog, furrowing.

“It’s a wolf,” his voice is rough, not at all what I’m used to.

“No, I’ve searched the Internet.”

“Oh, great! Thank God you checkedGooglebefore letting a feral canine inside your house!”

I ignore his cynicism. “I think he’s some mix of a long-haired German Shepherd. Or Belgian Malinois maybe. It doesn’t even matter, though. He’s staying.”

“Julia, it’s a fucking wolf!” he repeats, butthis time heyellsat me.

Dog stills and looks directly at him. A deep, low snarl rolls through his chest as he arches his spine, making his fur puff up along it. I swear he suddenly appears bigger. Fearsome even. Or maybe it’s just my imagination again.

“Easy, boy,” I soothe him, although proud. He’s already doing his job like I knew he would. I’ve never thought he would have to protect me from the guy I’m seeing, however.

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