Puppy Love (A Ryan Blaney Short Story)

Puppy Love

For Mandy.

****

"Y'all sure you're going to be okay?" Dale Jr. asked, standing with his hands on his hips. A frown creased his forehead and he nervously adjusted his hat on his head.

Dale was talking to Ryan Blaney who was sitting on the couch in the Earnhardt family room. Blaney had his feet up on the ottoman and was busy channel surfing. On either side of Ryan sat Gus and Junebug, Dale and his wife Amy's furry children. Gus was a handsome Irish setter and Junebug was a spunky pomeranian. It was Amy's idea to ask Ryan to dogsit for the weekend after Dale was invited to a Nationwide sponsor event in Columbus that he couldn't skip.

"We'll be fine, won't we guys?" Ryan answered, scratching Junebug behind the ears. She barked in approval. Gus raised his head, gave a yawn and then went back to his nap.

Ryan had jumped at Amy's request he look after the two. Dog sitting meant he got to stay at Dale's house for the weekend with the big screen tv, fully stocked bar and the bed in the guest room with the extra comfy mattress. Not a bad deal. Of course, it didn't hurt that Ryan was also major dog lover. Both dogs were also super well- behaved. But it was their owner's behaviour now that had Ryan chuckling. This wasn't the first time that he had been left in charge of Junebug and Gus but Dale still freaked out every single time.

"You know that Junebug likes to be brushed before she goes to sleep and that Gus needs at least twenty minutes a day playing fetch..."

Ryan turned back to the tv as Dale kept talking. He'd heard these instructions a million times before. Thankfully, Amy walked in the room, interrupting Dale's rambling.

"Dale, if we don't leave now, we're going to be late," she said placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure Ryan will be okay. Besides, he's done this before," Amy added. She had her purse on her shoulder and was ready to go. Their bags had already been loaded into the car that was waiting outside to take them to the airport.

"Okay," Dale grumbled. "Come say goodbye to papa." He crouched down and held out his arms. Both dogs jumped off the couch and raced over to Dale to say goodbye. After lots of kisses and petting, Dale finally stood up.

"Don't spend the entire weekend watching Star Wars Blaney, y'all hear? Just because it's the off season, doesn't mean y'all can be a couch potato," he said wagging his finger. "We'll be back tomorrow mornin' so no funny business," he looked at Ryan directly again. "Oh, and make sure all the doors and windows are locked, there's supposed to be a storm a comin'," Dale threw over his shoulder as he headed down the hallway to the foyer.

"Yes sir," Ryan mock saluted Dale. He'd gotten up from his spot on the insanely comfortable couch to follow Dale and Amy to the door. "But I ain't making any promises about not watching Star Wars," he grinned.

Amy laughed at the gesture and turned the handle to open the front door. Dale had one foot out the door when he paused. "Do y'all see how he treats me Amy?" Dale complained, turning back. "Blaney ain't got no respect for his elders..." he whined. Amy smiled as she gave her husband a slight shove forward outside towards the car.

Just as Ryan was about to close the door, she turned around once more. "Don't get into any trouble, Blaney," she winked before heading down the stairs to join Dale who was already inside the car.

Ryan stood there as he watched the car drive away. He wasn't sure what that was supposed to mean, but he had a pretty good feeling about this weekend.

****

It was mid way through The Empire Strikes Back when Ryan's stomach started growling. Deciding he was too hungry to continue, he paused the movie, grabbed his phone off the couch and headed into the kitchen to raid the fridge. Gus and Junebug followed closely behind him, nails clicking on the hardwood floor. "What d'you think I should have?" he asked, moving to the fridge. "Are y'all hungry too?" Both danced around his feet in excitement at the prospect of people food.