Page 132 of Just One Season
January and Raleigh? Yes, definitely them.
My phone buzzes with a notification from the Delightful Doggy Palace that they’ve posted a new picture of MBM. I clickthrough and smile at the image of my dog rolled onto his back with his tongue hanging out, practically smiling at the camera. There’s another Boston terrier lying next to him.
The caption reads:New friends Hulu and Mister Barky McBarkface having fun on Hulu’s first day.
Hulu. What a silly name for a dog.
MBM has no idea I’m scheming to give him to a family he’s only met twice. No clue that I’ll leave him here in Fort Collins and never see him again.
My betrayal stings.
A week ago, I met up with both of the moms from the family interested in adopting MBM. They loved him. And at the end of the visit, they told me their daughter wanted to rename him Max.
Max.
I thought they were fucking with me, but they were completely serious. And how would they have any idea what MBM’s name history is? They explained that the little girl chose Max because of the movieSecret Life of Pets.
My dog hates that name. Despises it.
I didn’t tell the new family that. They can name my dog—their dog—whatever they want.
Obviously, I will accept the Winchester FC job. It’s my dream job, exactly what I wanted when I quit DC FC and headed to Colorado for just one season.
I can’t be chickenshit and go crawling back to my father’s soccer team, even if the title is good and the salary is more than I’ve dreamed of—he texted me a number an hour after we parted ways this morning.
Having choices is amazing. Two great job offers.
So why do I feel so bad?
But I know.
It’s Kellen.
The hockey player I inconveniently fell in love with.
I want his blue eyes fixed on me. I want his smiles, his laughter,his steady presence. I want to be invited into his inner circle of people. For real. For good.
I want him.
Ilovehim.
But if he wanted me to stay, he would have asked. I get why he doesn’t. His top priority will always be his daughter and what’s right for his family. And no matter how much I bonded with Ava, I don’t fit in there.
Me leaving Fort Collins will make his life easier.
I’m so lost in my thoughts, I almost don’t hear the knocking on my office door.
“Lucy?”
I look up to see Bri in the doorway.
“Oh, hey,” I say, smiling. “How are you?”
“Good. I was just here dropping something off for Kellen. I thought I’d stop by to thank you for meeting me and Ava the other day for hot chocolate. She was absolutely desperate to see MBM.”
“No worries. It was fun.” I loved watching Ava wrestle with MBM and the gentle way he wiggled his body against her.
Bri stares at me.
