Kitten sat on my floor, petting Fort, and I almost blinked to make sure I wasn’t imagining things, but I wasn’t. The simple fact we were talking alluded to this not being a dream. I hoped my dream imagination was more creative than sitting on the floor in a pool of dog saliva. Preferably with a whole lot less talking and clothes, the saliva… well, I could be game for that if it was the human variety.
The past two months have been a life-changing experience, in the best possible way. The biggest change had been gaining a life worth living for. Atticus had done as he promised and paid my debt to the Delgados, getting them off my back. The simple feeling of being able to breathe without it hanging over my head was life-altering. I still had moments of self-loathing, my choices haunting me with each step I took, but it felt manageable now. I was no longer drowning, but more like I was finally able to doggy paddle in the deep end.
I wasn’t delusional enough to believe I wouldn’t have any other hardships in life. I’d been around the block too many times to trust an easy out. I still had shit to deal with, only trading one mobster for another, but Atticus seemed different. And I was holding on to that hope with everything I had, it would be different this time.
“So yeah, other than tonight, not much else really. Just healing, working, and hanging with Jude.” She shrugged one shoulder, but I could tell something else was bothering her. She’d mostly stayed staring at Fort, lost in petting him as she spoke.
“That’s a lot to process, Kitten. Do you know the man from tonight's name?”
“No.” She still didn’t look up, softly stroking Fort. It seemed meditative at this point. He was out in her lap, the stillest I’d ever seen him.
“You know what this means, don’t you?” That had her snapping her eyes up at me finally, the emotion hidden in those depths everything I’d wanted for months, staring at me.
“What?”
I hated how small her voice sounded, and every time I remembered how much she’d been shaking when she ran into me, I wanted to go track this asshole down and send my fist flying through his skull.
“Means we’re going to need to add self-defense to your lessons.”
“My lessons?”
“Yep.” This had her smiling, and I wanted to hide how pleased I was to receive one.
“Oh? I guess I could get behind that.”
“Good. I’m back now, and we can start up our training again if you’d like.”
“I would, actually. I’ve missed it,” she blushed, and I wanted to see the rest of her that color. “Same nights? I might need more flexibility this time. I have Jude now. ”
The foster kid in me warmed at her consideration for hers. She was the type of foster parent we’d all dreamed of meeting. I stared at her, forgetting I was meant to respond when she tilted her head, watching me. Smiling, I nodded. “Possibly, but we won’t be at the gym, so flexibility is doable.”
“I don’t… understand. Would we work out here?”
“I work for someone new now. We’ll train there.”
“Okay.” She bobbed her head, biting her lip before I watched her steel herself. “You know this doesn’t mean I’m not still mad at you for bailing on me, right?”
“I know.” I agreed, surprise filling her face at my easy acquiesce. It seemed to bolster her, and she sat up straighter, squaring herself toward me.
“In fact, I think it entitles me to a few free sessions and snuggles with this precious dog whenever I want.” I covered my laugh with my hand, pretending I was considering it. I couldn’t let her know how much I wanted what she was offering. I’d train her for free any day. Getting to spend time with her was the payment.
“Is that so, Kitten?” I growled, not intending for my voice to take on a heady edge to it, but it poured out of me anyway, rolling off my tongue.
She gulped, nodding her head, and I swear goosebumps covered her arms.
“That means you’ll have to see me more, you know?”
“I know.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“I’m finding myself not hating it.”
“Well, I think that’s a win in my category then,” I paused, watching her. Nodding to the stubborn dog in her lap, and an idea struck me. “He seems to really like you. I’ve had a difficult time with him. I'll tell you what,” I mused, despite already planning to give in to whatever she’d wanted. “Help me with his training, and I won’t charge you for self-defense.”
“Training? What kind of training do you mean?”
“You aren’t the only thing I train, Kitten. Don’t let it go to your head. In fact, the dogs are usually a lot more agreeable than you were. None of them ever kicked me in the balls.” I leveled her with a knowing look, my eyes full of heat.