Page 144 of Catch Me
Travis
“You lazy shit,” I called.
Tessa was smiling as she circled back around without grabbing the ball. She always looked so damn proud of herself when she made me retrieve it, as if it was an alternate version of the game.
I took off at a run, testing my speed like I was aiming for home base. Just as I was about to reach for it, Tessa zoomed in front of me and swiped the ball off the grass. I came to an abrupt stop, narrowing my eyes at her. She dropped her elbows to the ground, her tail wagging furiously.
“Oh, it’s like that?” I bent my knees to match her stance. “Think I can’t catch you, monster?”
She let out a playful growl around the ball in her mouth. With a laugh, I lunged for her. She darted to the side, quick as a whip, and I pushed off the ball of my foot to chase after her. She looked behind her, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the crazed look in her eyes.
Suddenly, she veered to the left toward the house. I was close behind her, but she was faster. She slowed, almost giving me a chanceto catch up, but then she crawled beneath the deck to hoard her prize.
“You asshole,” I laughed.
Putting my hands on my head, I took a moment to catch my breath. It was the perfect day to stand out here and enjoy the morning sun. The sky was clear, and it wasn’t too cold. If I’d felt like it, it would be a great time to run. It would be a good idea to clear my head before the games started, but the thought wasn’t sparking any joy.
I was having a celebration tonight with the team, our families, and our friends. There wasn’t a lot for me to do because I was having it catered, so I’d been in a state of limbo ever since I woke up. Outside of showering and doing the dishes from breakfast, all there was to do was wait.
“Come on, Tessa,” I said, already heading to the front.
She waited a minute, probably to make sure I wasn’t tricking her so I could steal the ball, then she bounded out from beneath the deck.
I glanced over at her. The ball was still secured in her mouth, and she was panting around it.
“Leave it.”
She gave me an incredulous look, and I returned the hard stare. Once she dropped it, I took off at a run toward the Jeep. She was right beside me, her ears flopping with her movements. I opened my door, and she leapt inside, climbing over the console to get into the passenger seat.
“See? I’d never steer you wrong.”
She put her paw on the door, pushing the button to roll down the window, then thrust her head outside. As I pulled out of the driveway, her tail swept across my cheek, and I had to shove it away from my face. On the freeway, the air felt infinitely colder, but I kept the window down because I loved seeing how happy it made her.
When we pulled up to the ice cream shop, she started to whine.
“I know, I know. You don’t have any patience.”
As soon as I opened the door, she ran in a circle around me. I snapped my fingers, recalling her to my side, and she managed to contain her excitement enough not to be a menace in public.
“Tessa!” one of the women inside squealed. She came up to the counter and held her hand out, letting Tessa sniff it excitedly. “I didn’t think we’d see you before your dad left town.”
“Ice cream for good luck, right?” I said with a soft laugh.
“If it works, maybe you’ll give us a shout out.”
“Always do, Loral. I bet you’ll be swamped during the home games.”
“We’ll have to make you our official sponsor.” She tapped on the screen a couple of times. “A pup bowl for Tessa, of course. What’s your pick today, Trav?”
“Cinnamon roll.”
“You’ve been loving that one lately.”
I shrugged, not looking at her as I pulled out my wallet. When I tried to hand her a twenty, she shook her head.
“On the house. For good luck.”
I huffed but offered her a smile. “Use it for the next family’s order, then.”
