Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 40~

~Colby~

"Sam," I whispered, nudging him in the ribs with the subtlety of a bulldozer, "dude, wake up—we gotta move now before Rae gets up and starts sniffing around like the FBI."

Sam groaned into his pillow, not moving. "What time is it?"

"Crack of don't ask, let's go!" I hissed, yanking the blanket off him like I was ripping a Band-Aid. "We're on a mission, my dude."

He squinted up at me. "Are we robbing a bank? Killing someone? What kind of mission involves waking me up at the ass crack of dawn?"

I grinned as I threw a hoodie over my head. "A noble one. We're getting Rae a puppy."

That got him upright. "You're serious?"

"Dead-ass."

"You realize puppies pee on things, right?"

"She already lives with us. Her standards are low," I muttered, grabbing my keys.

Sam rolled his eyes but followed. "Rae's gonna kill us if she catches on."

"Nah, she'll cry, then she'll kiss me, then she'll cry again and name the dog something like Susan or Steve."

We crept through the living room like cartoon burglars. Corey was face-down on the recliner with one sock on. Jake was sprawled across the floor using a cereal box as a pillow. Someone—probably Blake—left a plastic sword sticking out of a throw pillow like King Arthur.

I side-eyed the scene and whispered, "God, I love this stupid house."

~

The shelter wasn't far, and by the time we pulled up, I was vibrating with excitement like a toddler in line for cotton candy.

"Okay, remember," I said, opening the door, "we're looking for something fluffy, adorable, not demonic, and ideally potty-trained—unlike Jake."

We stepped inside and were instantly greeted by a wave of barking chaos and enough dog hair to knit a winter blanket.

"There she is," I said under my breath, nudging Sam and nodding toward a tiny German Shepherd pup with ears too big for her head and the absolute boldest eyes I'd ever seen.

The pup bounded up to the kennel gate, tail going so fast it looked like it might detach. She barked once, like hey jack ass, I choose you.

"Hey, baby," I murmured, kneeling down. "You ready to meet your human?"

Sam leaned over. "Colby, she just sneezed in your mouth."

"I consider it a kiss."

~

Paperwork was a blur. I don't remember signing anything—I was too busy thinking about Rae's reaction. About how much she missed her old dog back in London. About how she'd light up like fireworks on the Fourth of July.

We pulled back into the driveway just as the house was waking up. I could hear laughter through the windows—Rae's laugh, bright and clear.

"Brace for impact," I whispered.

We stepped inside, and chaos hit us like a wave.

"There you are!" Devyn yelled from the kitchen. "You missed Tara's meltdown over the toaster."

"She unplugged it on accident and thought it got possessed," Jake added from the hallway, munching a Pop-Tart. "Swear to God, she said it was 'haunted by gluten spirits.'"

"Blake almost stuck a pancake to the ceiling," Katrina chimed in. "Like a frisbee. We've lost all control."

"Is this really what happens when we leave for just a couple hours?"

They all nodded in unison. "Yep."

I rolled my eyes I looked around, "Where's my girl?"

"I'm here!" Raelyn appeared around the corner with a bright smile and a confused look in her eyes. "Where have you two been?"

"Grocery store," Sam said quickly.

"For what, a live animal?"

I stepped forward, the puppy squirming in my arms. "Rae... meet the newest member of our madhouse."

Raelyn blinked. "You did not."

"She's yours," I said, handing over the warm, wiggly bundle. "Her name's pending approval."

Rae's eyes widened. Her hands trembled as she cradled the pup against her chest. "You're kidding. Colby, I..."

Tears welled up. "I love her."

I kissed the top of her head. "I knew you would."

"She's perfect."

"I get zero credit for waking up at demon o'clock, huh?" Sam said, hands in his hoodie pockets.

"Nope," Rae and I said at the same time.

~

The whole house flooded into the backyard like a parade. Rae sat on the grass, the puppy curled in her lap, her hand resting lightly on her growing belly.

"So," Devyn said, leaning in, "what's her name?"

Rae scratched behind the puppy's ear, smiling down at her. "Sadie."

I grinned. "Sadie it is. Welcome to the chaos."

~

"Alright Sadie, you ready?" I held a tennis ball up like it was a sacred object.

Sadie tensed, tail going full helicopter.

"Do it, throw it!" Rae laughed.

I launched the ball, and Sadie took off like a fuzzy rocket.

Blake sprinted after her, arms flailing like a maniac. "GO SADIE, GO!"

Tara sipped from a smoothie. "That dog's faster than Corey during an earthquake."

Corey nodded solemnly. "That happened one time."

Jake tossed a frisbee with Tara, then pointed. "I'm just saying, Blake's outmatched. That dog's got wheels."

Sadie skidded to a halt, scooped up the ball, and trotted back with the smug swagger of a champion.

"Good girl, Sadie!" Rae called.

"She's already got more discipline than Sam," I muttered.

Sam flipped me off without looking.

~

Eventually, we all drifted back inside, laughter still echoing behind us. Rae collapsed onto the couch, Sadie right behind her. The dog promptly stole Devyn's lap like it had been hers all along.

"Ohhh no," Devyn said, looking down at the puppy now snoring into her hoodie. "I've been chosen."

"She's made her allegiance clear," Sam said dramatically.

"She chose wisely," Devyn responded, stroking Sadie's head.

The TV flicked on, some old Disney movie lighting up the room. Blankets were pulled, feet were tangled, and snacks magically appeared. It was one of those perfect, stupid, ordinary moments that hit you in the heart when you least expect it.

Rae looked over at me, half-asleep with her head against the couch. "You really got me a dog."

"Yeah," I said, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "You needed something that makes you smile when I'm being a pain in the ass."

"I do love her. But she drools less than you."

"Don't lie. You love both your drooling creatures."

She grinned, eyes fluttering closed as she tucked herself under my arm. "Mm-hmm. You're lucky you're cute."

"Tell Sadie that. She's already plotting my replacement."

Sadie, dead asleep, let out a tiny snore.

The room went quiet except for the movie and her little puppy breaths.

I looked around at my people—Rae, Sam, Blake, Devyn, the whole weird crew—and thought, this... this is it. This is everything.