Chapter 11

chapter

eleven

Mills

I stand at my kitchen counter drinking a glass of water, still feeling overheated from my argument with Hayden.

And probably still heated from that incredible orgasm. The memory of what Hayden did to me is everything.

It's too bad he had to go and taint it by being a jerk about my friend. Would he act that way about a friend who was a woman? I bet not. That's so backward.

It's been a long time since Peter left to take Monster for a walk. It's now after 2, and I really want to go to bed now.

I text him.

Me: Hey, you can bring him back now. I'm going to bed.

Peter does not reply.

"Come on, dude," I say on a fretful sigh. Tonight of all nights, I want my dog back in my apartment so I can go to bed. I have difficulty sleeping on the road without my dog, so it's always nicer at home with the two of us in my bed.

Then I hear it. Quiet as a mouse, the door across the landing creaks open and shuts. Peter's door.

Not bothering to get dressed but clutching my bathrobe, I dash across the landing. Before he can secure the lock, I push open his door.

Monster wriggles out of Peter's arms and runs to me. "Peter, what is going on? Why didn't you reply to my text? I was worried!"

He fumbles for words, and slowly, piece by piece, I finally notice the facade he's been wearing around me begin to crumble.

"I-I didn't want to disturb you two," he says, his voice thick with passive aggression. "You seemed to be having a very passionate exchange the last I heard."

I roll my eyes, scratching Monster behind the ears. "Oh my god. Hayden was right. You do have a crush on me."

Peter gives me a look that says I'm so far off base I might as well be in outer space.

"Please," he says, looking me up and down. I don't know if I should feel relieved or offended at that. Both. Both can be correct feelings to have simultaneously, I decide.

"What is your deal?"

"I don't want to date you! I want your dog!" Peter finally exclaims.

I take a step back. "You want…Monster?"

Peter lets out an exasperated snort. "He's practically mine already! I watch him while you're out of town. He sleeps in my bed when you're gone. I feed him treats…"

I cut him off, slowly backing away from the nut job. "And I'm grateful for that. I've tried to pay you for your assistance these last few months, but you always say no."

"You think I do these things out of the goodness of my heart? Or because you're such a good friend? No, babe. It's because I feel sorry for your dog."

This sting of this has me taking a step back. This was…not what I expected. Is this what it's like for a parent to be accused of neglecting their child?

I swallow back the guilt. I do travel a lot.

He takes another step forward, rubbing Monster behind the ears and speaking in the baby voice he often uses with my dog. "Because the baby is so easy, I should be paying his mama."

Guilt bubbles up and I kiss Monster on the top of his head. "He is the best," I agree. "So maybe next time I'll just pony up for that dog resort."

Peter looks horrified. "No! No way! I told you that place is filthy. They tell you the dogs get play time but they keep them in kennels all day."

Peter has told me that before, but have I seen that for myself?

In fact, I've been depending on Peter far too much ever since I got Monster.

"Well, I can ask around at the dog park," I say, trying to steer the conversation even though it already veered into the twilight zone about two turns back.

"It's not good for the baby to be around so many unfamiliar people. You shouldn't let your children bond with randoms, especially when you don't know if you're bringing home predators or not."

The truth is right in front of me, finally. Peter is unhinged. And predator? Hayden? He's eccentric and overprotective, yes. But not a predator.

Now, my hackles are up. How dare he accuse me of being a bad dog mom when all I do is work to provide for Monster and keep a roof over our heads.

And what a whack thing to say about bonding with people. He's a dog, for crying out loud.

"Hayden isn't like that. And anyway, whoever I date is none of your business."

Peter throws up his hands. "He's a walking red flag," he says.

Yeah. Don't I know it. But maybe I like red flags.

But I'm curious what he knows, so I stay quiet now, letting him fill the silence.

"My friend Pamela works at the box office at the Laugh Lodge, and she told me some guy came and bought up the entire club for you. She described him, and it was that guy, I'm sure of it."

I level my gaze at Peter, not sure if I believe him. Not after the way he's acted tonight. But if he's got the details right, maybe it's true.

"Say more," I say, cautiously.

He goes on to repeat exactly what his friend Pamela told him.

And I have to admit, it all seems like something Hayden would do.

I look at my phone contacts, and I should call him up right now and ask him what the hell he thinks he's doing, messing with my life.

But then I notice he added his Beverly Hills address to his contact information, and this needs to be a face to face conversation.

"I have to go now, Peter."

He tilts his head and sighs. "I suppose I'll watch the dog while you go break up with your stalker."

I take a step back. "No, I'll be taking the dog with me. Have a good night, Peter."

I march to my car, which, just as Hayden said it would be, is parked on the curb in front of my building. I have no idea how he managed that, but I'm getting the feeling that when Hayden wants something done, Hayden gets it done.

But I'm letting myself get distracted.

You're mad at him, Mills. He manipulated you and he needs to answer for that.