Page 19 of Debts and Desires
Soft breathing?!
My heart pounded as I slowly sat up. The first thing I noticed was the now open bedroom door. The second was the black and white lump of fur at my feet. The lump of fur with golden eyes that was now growling.
“Good boy, Mac,” I cooed, making him sit up. “It’s okay.” I went to reach for him, but the growling grew louder. I pulled my hand back. “Okay, okay,” I said, holding my hands up in surrender. “I’m going.”
I carefully moved out of the bed. Or at least tried. Somehow, I managed to get my feet tangled in the sheets and hit the floor with a super graceful thud. When I looked up, Mac had moved to the edge of the bed and was staring me down, his head tilted slightly as if judging me.
“I got enough judgment last night from the cat poster,” I grumbled, untangling myself as I stood. The growls picked back up, reminding me I was still an outsider here. I sighed. “Okay, I’m leaving.” His eyes never left me as I backed carefully to the door.
Once out of the room, I all but ran to the guest room, shutting the door behind me. I could hear his nails clacking against the wood floor as he followed.
When my heart calmed, I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and dressed. The clock on the bedside table read nine twenty-two. I wasn’t all that tired, surprisingly. It was one of thebest nights of sleep I’d had in a while, even if it wasn’t long. The thought made me wince. Just how early did Carter get up? Did he get any sleep?
Before heading out, I peeked under the door. A familiar growl greeted me as I locked eyes with Mac under the crack.Great. Just great.Not only was I stuck in this house alone until noon, but I was stuck in thisroom. I began thinking of different escape plans, ranging from waiting until Mac left to go outside and climbing out the window.
What was it Carter did last night?
I stood in front of the door for a good while before daring to open it. Mac stood at attention, staring me down, still growling.
Shocker.
“Hush, Mac,” I said, snapping my fingers as my host did the night before. As if by magic, the growling stopped.
After what sounded like a huff, Mac trotted down the hall and down the stairs, leaving me standing there with a dumbfounded look.
Did the dog just give me attitude? After giving me lip all morning?
I waited until he disappeared around the corner before following, afraid he would jump out and bite me, or worse, sass me to death.
I found him in the kitchen eating kibble from a bowl on the floor.
“You were hungry, huh?” I asked. As if answering, my stomach growled. Left to my own devices, with Carter’s instructions to help myself to food and drinks, I explored the kitchen. Or tried. I only opened the fridge. It felt weird poking around a stranger’s kitchen. And that’s what he was; a stranger. A stranger that I let touch me. A stranger that I let…
Shaking my thoughts away. I grabbed a granola bar from the box on the counter I was in front of, unsure if I could stomach much more. I told myself to be mindful, aware that every bite and sip would more than likely carry the cost of another day added to the agreement.
“You really got yourself into it this time, didn’t you?” Imumbled to myself, taking a bite. The granola bar felt almost tasteless in my mouth, but at least it was something to calm my hungry stomach.
Looking around, I wanted to explore the house. My curiosity got the better of me, and I started walking. Off the kitchen, there was a half-bath and stairs that led to the basement. It was mostly unfinished, but there was a laundry area with clothes every which way and an area where a couch and recliner were set up around a TV. The unfinished part was a little creepy, especially with the random metal hook coming from the ceiling. The sight of it made me turn away. There was also a small desk with a computer on it, with tissues and… my face heated at the bottle of lube and I turned away. I ignored the half full trash can.
Men are gross.
Back upstairs, I explored outside. There were a few outbuildings and a garage behind the house. I couldn’t see into the garage, but it looked well taken care of, which was no shock considering Carter’s profession.
The whole time I explored the house, Mac was a few feet behind me, not letting the intruder out of his sight.
When my exploration was over, I decided to sit on the couch in the living room and watch TV. I made sure to sit opposite of where I had seen Mac sitting the night before, assuming it was his spot.
When I couldn’t get the remote to work, I stood again, deciding to find something else to do. There had to besomething.
Mac sat up in his corner of the couch, eyes fixed on me, that growl rumbling in his throat again. I let out a sigh.
“I thought we were past this,” I said. “I promise I’m not here to cause trouble.” I slowly extended my hand, palm facing up, in a gesture of peace. “It’s alright, boy. We can be friends, can’t we?” When that didn’t work—another growl letting me know as much—I pulled back and said, “Would you like a treat?” Mac’s gaze flickered, his head tilting again. “Treat?” I asked again. Finally, he let out a tentative bark, his body language shifting from territorial to playful.
“Just like a man,” I grumbled. “Offer him food and he’s good to go.” I turned and headed back to the kitchen, the soft padding of his feet and clacking of his nails close behind. “Where are the treats?” I asked out loud. I was expecting to have to search the kitchen high and low.
What I wasn’t expecting was another bark and pawing at the door near his food and bowl.
He didn’t actually answer me, did he?
