Page 6 of Refurbished

“Sup?” He gave me an up nod as I entered the back door.

“Call Tyler to join us for dinner tonight. Mom sent dinner for all of us.”

“On it. He’ll be glad, since he has a client meeting tonight.”

My friends had been adopted by my mother, and they loved it. It made me happy that I could share her with them, and that my mom had some other people to care for, because when it was only me, it was a lot. Around 10:00 p.m. I sat in West’s office with his husband, Tyler.

“You’d better make a small plate for me to take home to East,” Tyler said while he shoveled another mouthful of meat into his mouth.

I looked at him. “I should?”

“Yeah. I’m eating, and you eat like this all the time.”

“I suppose that’s fair.” I made a plate and set it on the desk.

“The guy at the Second Chances Sanctuary has the cutest boxer.”

West looked at me. “What were you doing up there?”

“I was dropping off North and South. They were abandoned by their mother.”

“Who?” Both men looked at me. Tyler had his fork halfway to his mouth.

“They are twins.” I grinned at West. “So I named them North and South.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

I chuckled. “I thought the names were cute. Anyhow, he had this dog. Ramsey would love him. Name was Barnaby.”

“I am somewhat afraid to ask, but North and South are what?”

“Oh. Raccoons. Adorable little guys.”

“Thank god. I was afraid they were snakes or something.”

“The guy who runs the place was hot and has an excellent ass.”

Tyler raised an eyebrow at me. “Qualities that are necessary for animal care.”

“Honestly, I can’t really tell you what his personality is like. He was noticeably closed off.”

“Well, as long as you feel like they will be taken care of.” He pointed to the food with his fork. “This is amazing, by the way. Tell your mom thank you.”

“I’ll let her know. I’m going to visit them a few times a week now that they’re family. And I am sure they will be well cared for.”

Tyler smiled at me. “You’re a good man, Angus.”

“Thank you for joining me for dinner. It makes Mom happy to know I’m not eating alone.”

“Since you brought it up,” Tyler gave me that look I knew meant I wasn’t going to like it. “I met this guy who I think you might like.”

“Leave the man alone.” West jumped in, and I could have kissed him for it.

Tyler stopped talking and looked dejected. “Alright.”

After work, I slept soundly, only to be reminded when I got up that I had dinner with Tom and Mom tonight. I didn’t look forward to it, but he was important to her. Fortunately, most men didn’t recognize the MacGregor name, which meant they didn’t know about her wealth. And as long as the guy she dated was okay with her living with her son and respectful of her and her money, I would have no problem with him.

After dinner, Ramsey and I went to the dog park, and I threw the ball until he would walk back to me instead of running. A sure sign that he was finally tired. He still trotted happily home, watching for anything evil that might cross his path. He viciously attacked a few leaves that dared to blow in front of him.