Page 49 of Hound Dog
A lump lodged in my throat. I’d always had a hard time connecting with people. I didn’t think I was unlikeable. And I wasn’t a mean person. I was just guarded.
I’d always found it hard to open up, but thankfully Maisie had forced her friendship on me. She’d gotten her little hooks into me when we were practically babies. Thank God for her.
But didn’t Mom have a Maisie? Didn’t she have a best friend she could confide in?
I didn’t know what I’d do without Maisie. Even though we were hundreds of miles apart, and she was about to leave for Europe on a huge trip her parents had gifted her, I knew she would pick up the phone anytime I needed her.
And I’d do the same for her.
“It just wasn’t her nature, kiddo. She had friends when she was younger, but the truth is, she ran off with your dad for a while. The groupie lifestyle doesn’t exactly make for lasting friendships. At least, not with the kinds of people she linked up with. Most of her so-called friends dropped contact with her the second she found out she was pregnant.”
“Wow, assholes.”
Aunt Meryl offered me a chagrined smile. “Sorry. I don’t love telling you things like that—”
“No,” I interrupted her. “I’m not a kid anymore. You don’t have to hide the truth from me.”
Besides, I knew what kind of a man my father was. I’d read enough articles. Seen enough exposés. Hell, there was even a movie loosely based on him and his band.
Thank God I took after my mother. I’d rather be a lone wolf than a cheating pig any day.
“Well, after those friends disappointed her… and she had you to take care of, she just became very cautious of who she let into her life—and yours.”
Meryl paused and scratched beneath Rosie’s chin. “Kind of reminds me of this little lady here. A loud bark. Will bite if she needs to. But when there’s a worthy person, her love is fierce.”
I smiled and gave Rosie an extra little belly scratch.
There was a knock at the back door, and it sent the dogs into a frenzy. Rosie wriggled to get free, so I took her from Meryl and gently placed her onto the ground to charge the door with the others.
I bent to kiss Aunt Meryl’s cheek. “Nice try. But I’m not letting you keep Rosie, too.”
She grinned and gave me a wink. “It was worth a try.”
Chapter Fourteen
Finn
I knew betterthan to ring the bell, but after texting several times and waiting outside for a few minutes, I decided to let myself into the yard. There, I was greeted by Jake and Tyson who were chilling in the shade.
Against my better judgment, I knocked on the back door.
Holy Jesus, the barking. Yesterday was nothing compared to today. On the other side of the door, I heard the rest of the dogs lose their minds.
Haylee opened the door, holding a yapping dachshund in her arms as about ten other dogs charged outside. Some of them jumped up to greet me. A few stood back and barked. But most of them just ran into the yard and started playing.
From inside the house, Meryl called my name. I poked my head inside and waved as she slid off of the stool and, using her crutches, hobbled toward me.
“Morning, Meryl,” I said and stepped into the kitchen, placing the tote bag onto the counter. I pulled out a Tupperware from inside and slid it her way. “From my mom. She wanted to make sure you were stocked up.”
Meryl’s eyes lit up. “Tell me they’re the caramel swirl cupcakes?”
I winked. They sure as hell were. My mom was no fool. And she knew the favorite cupcake flavor of just about everyone in town. “Open it and see.”
“Lesson Number One Million, Four Hundred and Three… always eat dessertfirst.”
“You know, my mom always says the exact same thing.”
I smiled as she popped open the lid and grabbed a cupcake while somehow managing to balance on her crutches. “I’m just going to take this and my coffee and enjoy them in bed while watching some Netflix and chill.”
