Falling Forward ✔

Chapter Ten - Bastien

The afternoon consists of Spencer and I making rounds with the team. We pose for pictures, sign autographs, talk with fans and kids, and staff. After a bit, we grab food from the booth Johnson mans before heading into the main adoption center.

Out here, the noise and hoopla of the event is only a dull thrum. Cats and dogs, kittens and puppies roam around sectioned off areas of one large room, bumping against the walls of their pens, squealing for attention, and just generally making me wish I could have a fuzzy critter of my own.

Really, I probably could. Moving a dog or cat around with me all over the US and Canada would be easier than dragging a girl along.

I remind myself of that as Spencer, and I take up seats in a pen opposite Reece and Kaila.

My life is good. I'm doing what I love, get to travel, hang out with some solid guys, and party to my heart's content. Outside my team, I like not having commitments. I can go wherever I want, drink however much I want, and sleep with whoever I want.

Still, I can't help the protective urges I feel for Reece. Seeing her today, the return of that haunted look in her eyes, made something inside me boil. Not for the first time, I fantasize about maiming the dickless little shit who did that to her. So help me, I'll stuff him in my trunk and help people look for his body.

I hate the thought of her alone and scared. I hate what he did to her, that she has to mark her skin to keep him out of her mind.

Parents and their kids come and go, couples of all ages wander through, elderly women in need of companionship search for the perfect addition. Kaila and Reece cuddle the little furballs, nuzzling their soft bodies and cooing at their sweet expressions and adorable yawns. My heart soars seeing her smile so huge, her expression so carefree.

A dense momma Pitbull plops herself in my lap, whiplike tail thudding against the floor while I scrub the sweet spot around her neck and jowls. Spencer is occupied with a little Chihuahua mix, hilarious considering it practically fits in one of his massive palms.

"So," Spencer starts, holding the little dog like a teacup. "You and Reece."

"I told you," I wrench my gaze away from her. "We're just friends."

"Bullshit. You haven't taken your eyes off her since she got into the car."

"Well, of course," I snark. "Prettier alternative to having your ugly mug to look at in the passenger seat."

"Deflect with humor all you want, Killfucker," Spencer chuckles. "You like her."

"Friends." I declare again.

"Ask her out."

"Ha!" I bark. "Absolutely not."

"Aww." Spencer jeers. "Little Bas caught feelings and how he's runnin' scared."

"I'm about to give you a feeling you don't want, so can it." I cast a glance at Reece and Kaila, make sure they're still occupied with their cuddle buddies and not paying attention to us. "Besides, I don't date."

"Oh yeah," Spencer drawls. "Because you're an idiot and keep switching cities. Something like that?"

"Exactament." I scrub momma pitty's swollen pregnant belly. "Wouldn't be fair to anyone who got involved with me."

Spencer treadmills the tiny dog on his palms, eyes fixed on Kaila across the way. "You could always, y'know, stay put."

"On what team?" I scoff. "I'm good, but I have no tenure."

He rolls his massive shoulders. "The Cyclones have an opening for alternate captain."

The bark of laughter is out before I can rightfully shove it back down my throat. It's enough to startle Spencer's little Chihuahua out of his hands. Momma pitty doesn't budge, so he starts scrubbing her ears.