Like a fuckin’ psycho stalking creep I go to her living room window and peer inside while saying a silent prayer the pup doesn’t start barking and alert them to me standing here like a peeping tom. Andi is curled up on her couch with a blanket watching a movie. No sign of the prick. I’m pulling out my cell to text her when he comes into view carrying a tray that he puts on the coffee table. Justice leans forward and kisses her fucking forehead. He turns toward the window, and I duck and go around the side of the house.
A few minutes pass then I hear the front door open and him calling out, “text or call if you need anything.”
I want to ram my fist down his damn throat. Motherfucker wouldn’t last two minutes toe to toe and fists to fists with me.
His truck starts and his headlights flash. I debate my next move. Do I let it go, or do I confront her? Never been in this position in my life. Didn’t think I had anything to be concerned about.
My phone buzzes.
Andi:Sorry to leave you hanging. Justice showed up and it took me a few minutes to get rid of him.
I leave her on read and start to my bike, wondering what the hell I’m doing. She’s making me crazy. Got me on the verge of fucking this asshole’s world up because she’s mine.
My phone goes off again.
Andi:Want to watch a movie with me?
Fuck me. I’ve turned into a lovesick puppy like the rest of my brothers. The dog inside my jacket whines. Fuck. I don’t have time to take care of him. Andi probably doesn’t either but we’re already here. Might as well follow this through.
I turn my ass back around and enter through her back door. There’s a Panera takeout bag on the kitchen counter.
I put my bags on the floor and head to the living room. I wait till I get close to the couch then I pull the dog out and put him on her lap.
“Oh my god,” she croaks sounding hoarse. “Look how cute.” She oohs and awes all over him as he licks her face.
She giggles like a freaking kid getting tickled.
“Thought maybe he’d cheer you up. And he’d serve as an apology.”
“For what?”
“Getting you mixed up in my shit.”
“It’s not like you held a gun to my head now, is it?”
“Still. It’s done. You can call it quits with him. I’ll figure out another way.”
“He let something slip. It might not be much, but he said he’s working with an informant and close to making a big break.”
“Hell, he coulda been talking out his ass for all we know.”
“He’s starting to trust me. He’s letting his guard down more. I really think I’m making progress.”
“Or maybe you’re enjoying dating him and don’t want it to end. Maybe you’d rather have him as your man for real.”
“Where is this coming from? Are you mad because he brought me soup?”
She lets the dog down to the floor and he shoots off.
“You know he’s probably looking for a rug to piss on or a corner to shit in.”
“You said you wanted to apologize but it sounds like you’re mad at me. I didn’t invite him over. He tried to call me, and I sent a text that I was laid up on the couch sick.”
“Right.”
“Torsten. I don’t want to fight with you. I really feel like absolute crap.”
“You taking anything for it?”
“I’ll get one of the doctors at the hospital to write me a script for something.”
“I got a few things for the dog for the night. In the morning I’ll hit the pet store and get him a bed and whatever else you think he’ll need. Got you some cold meds, cough drops, chicken noodle soup.”
“And a rose?” she lets out a laugh and I look down to see the bug eye asshole packing the rose around like a fucking bone.
“Yeah that too.” I try to take the flower and the fucker growls at me.
“What are we going to name you? Hmm.” She scoops him up and puts him back in her lap as he chews the petals off her rose.
“He’s ugly but figured you must like that since you let that pig kiss you.”
“Are we really doing this right now?”
“No. I’m an asshole.”
“You are. An asshole who was sweet enough to come over and bring the cutest dog I’ve ever laid eyes on in my life.”
“So I did good?”
“Oh yeah,” she says with a sniffle.
“What kind of soup did he bring?”
“Homestyle chicken noodle.”
“Show off,” I mutter.
“It was nice of him, but I like what you brought me way more.”
“How much more?”
“Enough that maybe once I’m feeling more like myself, I’ll let you do that thing you want so bad.”
“Fuck. You can’t bring that up and expect me not to get hard.”
“I’ll at least think about it.”
“It’s only kinky the first time.”
“I think you have bigger problems right now.” She points at my boots and that little fucker is pissing on my leg.