The Broken Road - A Zac Efron Novel (18+)

Chapter 124 - Growing a Family

Jess and I were well on her way to building our life together, preparing to expand our family after our wedding.

In early April of 2018, my friend Geoff was going to stop by for awhile to see some renovations Jess had done to the beach house. He arrived to our house with his yellow lab Walter and a beautiful, brindled Pit Bull mix.

"Penny Lane! Your boyfriend is here!" Jess called as Penny came running inside from her dog bed on the deck.

Her and Walter sniffed each other's noses before they began chasing each other through the house. The pit bull sat dutifully next to Geoff.

In two seconds, Jess was instantly down on the ground, letting the pup sniff her before gently scratching behind her ears.

"Aren't you just the most precious," Jess cooed as I shook Geoff's hand. "Who is this?" she looked up at Geoff.

"This is my latest foster dog, Maca. She's staying with me until she can find her fur-ever home. She was on her way to the kill room when I rescued her."

"Honey, we are not adopting another dog," I said to Jess.

Over Christmas, we had talked about getting another dog, but we agreed we had too much going at the time. And we definitely didn't need another full-size dog.

"That doesn't mean we can't help her find a home," she said in baby talk as she continued to pet the dog.

"Baby," I said more seriously.

"Fine," she relented, standing up and finally hugging Geoff hello. "Can I get you a beer?"

"Sure," he replied. "You know...I do need someone to watch her this week while I'm out of town."

"Oh no you don't!" I said as Jess retrieved a beer from the fridge. "We all know what will happen."

We gave Geoff a tour of the house. As we walked from room to room, Maca dutifully followed behind us, and sat down in each room while we talked, almost as if she were standing guard, instead of running and playing with Walter and Penny.

While we were standing in my man cave, which took up almost the entire lower level of the house, I noticed Maca sitting next to Jess, leaning into her leg. Jess reached down to pet her, and I could see Maca return by leaning into Jess even more.

She repeated the same actions in the next room. And again in the next.

We ended the tour on our rooftop deck, and we settled in on the luxurious new patio furniture, selected by my flawless, impossibly chic bride-to-be. As soon as Jess sat down, Maca sat down next to her, laying her head on Jess' knee, staring up at her with her big doe eyes.

I knew in that instant, Maca had found her forever home.

"Is there anyone or anything who isn't just instantly drawn to you?" I teased Jess.

"Poor thing," Jess said as she scratched behind her ears. "She just wants someone to love her," she stared into the dogs eyes as she continued to pet her.

I looked at Geoff, then back at Jess.

"Did you two plan this or something?"

"I swear, we didn't!" Geoff held up his hands in defense. "But, she really hasn't taken to anyone like this since I got her. Jess must have a way about her."

"Try living with her," I teased. "What do you think peanut? Think we can handle two dog children? Do you think Penny will be ok sharing mom?"

"She'll have to get used to sharing me anyway," she said with tears in her eyes as she wrapped Maca up in a big hug and Maca licked her cheek, completely unaware of what just happened.