Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
“Wait.” I pop my AirPods back in my ear, shaking my head no, trying to get the hell out of Dodge, one hand holding the carrot out to Jolene while the other grips her leash, which matches in color to her halter that’s wrapped around her furry body. They both look vintage with the floral and mushroom pattern fabric, beige background, mustard yellow, muted pinks, and lush dark green tying it all together.
My palm is open for Jolene to eat her snack. She’s still working on her manners herself, so I hold my palm flat as if I’m feeding a horse. Jolene and I are in our own world when a shot of brown comes darting at us. I brace for impact, already knowing Cooper is going to wipe my ass out; it’s inevitable.
“Cooper, Cooper, stop!” The voice is muffled, and I don’t bother doing anything except let go of Jolene’s leash because I already know this is a catastrophe waiting to happen and I’m going to be the one who comes out to be the loser.
“Jolene, stay with mommy,” I try to keep my voice down. Cooper’s owner is practically screaming the canyon down. Jolene listens, thankfully, attempting to tuck into my side, which is hard because she’s a massive fluffball. “Cooper, stop,” I command in a firm voice. I watch as Cooper attempts to mount my girl, my girl who just went through her second cycle of heat and is finally done so we can finally get her spayed. I swear to God, if Cooper knocks her up and I’m bound to deal with his owner until puppies come out, I’m going to kick him in the balls.
“No, you don’t.” Fortunately, he grabs ahold of Cooper before I bite the dust, big bulging muscles wrapping around his lab’s middle, picking him up and pulling him off Jolene. I bend down and pick up the leash.
“Jesus,” I mutter, pulling out both AirPods because I’m sure he’s going to want to talk when all I want to do is neuter the owner myself. How hard is it to tighten the collar or get a halter he won’t slip through.
“Sorry about that. I’m Madden, and this, well, you know, is Cooper.” His hand is out, ready for me to place mine in, and I am cussing every manner that was born and bred inside of me.
“Hendrix.” I don’t say another word. Instead, I drop his hand after he shakes like it’s a hot potato searing my hand. Hotness overload be damned. This man is a pain in my ass, and even if he does have manners, his dog could use them a hell of a lot more. “I’d say it was a pleasure to meet you, but twice this week, our hike has ended in a catastrophe, so yeah. Later, Madden, hope to not see you again.” I look at Jolene, who’s sitting ass to the ground so Sir Humps-and-Pees-a-Lot can’t touch her again. I don’t wait to hear what else he has to say. Instead, Jolene and I are darting off, running down the trail, my girl happy to get away from Cooper and his owner as much as I am. Fucking men, I swear.
TWO
Madden
“Yo, you in here?” I ask as I walk through my brother’s place. Forest called earlier today telling me my nieces were missing their uncle and Cooper. Truth be told, it was more Coop they wanted to see than me. Why I was saddled with a chocolate lab when Forest has a wife, two girls, a house that’s more of a home than mine.
“Yep, the girls are out back in the pool. You staying for dinner?” Forest asks as I walk towards the kitchen, where he’s making snow cones for what I’m assuming are Cammy and Piper.
“I wasn’t planning on it, but if you’re cooking, I’ll stay.” Forest’s wife is amazing at many things, like dealing with my shit-for-brains brother—not that he’s not bad; I just remember when he was an annoying little shit—and raising amazing girls. Thankfully, her gene pool dominated them. Cooking, though, that’s where it ends.
“I hope you aren’t expecting steak. The girls requested hot dogs.” Forest looks disgusted. He’ll make them and eat them for his girls. “I have brats, too. Love my girls, but hot dogs are a snack, not a meal.”
“What do you need help with? I’ll let Coop out with the girls and help you get stuff ready.” The only time my dog isn’t being a dick is when he’s around the girls and playing. Maybe the next time before we hit the trails, I’ll let him swim in my pool at home for an hour or two, so he won’t try to trample, piss on, or hump someone, human or dog.
“It’s all done. Cammy picked the sides: smashed potatoes and fruit.” This he’s not disgusted with. Can’t blame him either.