Page 91 of A Much Younger Man
“Right.” I pulled a duffle off the wall and started filling it with supplies. “I might be gone a couple of days.”
“I’ll miss you.” He put the kitten he was holding down and moved toward me. “What did Cooper and Shawn want to talk about?”
“You knew about that?”
“I heard them arguing last night.”
“They’re concerned about you, that’s all. They want to make sure you’re not—” I didn’t know how to put it. “That I’m not taking advantage.”
“Even if you were, sign me up.” He shot me a shy grin. “It’s hot.”
“There are some very real issues we need to talk about, Beck.”
“Why didn’t they talk to me about it? It’s nobody’s business who I fuck.”
I put my hands on his shoulders. “Like I said, they’re worried.”
He grabbed my shirt and fitted himself close for a hug.
Travis entered the room and froze. “Um. Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to let you know I’m here.”
Guiltily, I let Beck go. “That was quick.”
“I was taking a walk on the beach.”
“Did April fill you in? You want to come?”
His eyes widened. “Yeah. Of course.”
“Great. Start taking the collapsible crates out to the SUV, please.”
I went to my desk and got him my spare car keys. “How many?”
“How many do we have?”I should know the answer to that.“See how many fit. Jeanie said there might be as many as a hundred animals needing rescue.”
Travis’s mouth tightened. “Douchebags.”
“I’ll get medical supplies. Beck, can you ask April to pack bone broth, food, and water?”
“Got it.” Beck went to get her.
“A hundred dogs?” asked Travis. “We have nowhere near enough supplies.”
“Jeanie’s supervising. She’ll call in favors from rescue organizations if we run out. For now, we have to get up there and see what we’re up against.”
Beck reentered the room. “You don’t know when you’ll be back?”
“I’m sorry. I’ll keep in touch.”
He and Callie looked a little forlorn as I was leaving. I didn’t want to acknowledge his growing dependence on me, and I didn’t want to admit how much I liked it. I wanted to take him with me. Maybe someday.
“I’ll be back soon, Beck.” I unwound my house keys from my key ring and handed them to him. “This one’s for the house. Can you look out for Rico? He doesn’t need much. Just check his water and feeder and tell him hello for me every so often.”
“Sure.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll really miss you,” he whispered.
