Page 6 of The Triple Play

She makes a noncommittal sound, just like she always does. “Sounds nice. We’ll see. I better go, Mom wants me to go out for dinner with her. Put on a show of how well we’re doing and all that.”

“Good luck.”

We hang up, and I drop back down on the couch, scrubbing my hand over my face. Our conversation leaves me feeling empty. Drained.

I know Janey cares about me. Loves me, even, in a way only a sister could who’s seen the same toxic shit I have. We’re bonded by it, even if our lives have gone in dramatically different directions.

I might be her older brother, but she doesn’t need me. They don’t need me.

That much is clear.

I should be relieved. But it leaves me feeling kind of…empty.

3

OLIVIA

A bell overhead rings as I push open the door to Perfect Paws Pet Shop and step inside, Trip hopping along at my side. He’s settling into our new home so well, and I’ve been relieved to see how welcoming the town is to a dog of his breed. So many people are scared of pit bulls, despite them being the most affectionate, goofy couch potatoes around. But Trip has won over everyone he’s met so far.

All the time I spend training him helps, and it shows as he calmly walks beside me while we wander the pet store, checking out the selection. I pick up his joint supplement and a bag of his favourite training treats, as well as a couple of bigger bones to take with me on the research trip I’m going on in a few weeks. Trip always comes with me into the field and having something to occupy him while I’m busy working is key.

Then, moving to the aisle with his brand of dog food, I drape his leash over his back and give him a firm command to heel. I lift the largest bag of kibble into my arms and turn toward the front of the store.

We make it partway down the aisle before I hear a voice behind me.

“Pixie?”

I come to an abrupt stop. So abrupt that Trip doesn’t realize it until he’s a few hops ahead of me. He turns and looks at me as if to ask what’s wrong. I’m juggling the dog food and the other items we’ve chosen, which might not be heavy, but it’s awkward. Making small talk with Denver is the last thing I’m prepared for right now.

Still, I can’t be rude. Slowly, I pivot and paste a smile on my face.

“Hi.”

He’s grinning down at Trip, not looking at me at all. Cool. I can handle that, I’m used to my dog stealing the spotlight. He is adorable, after all.

“Who’s this handsome guy?” Denver crouches down and stretches his hand out, and Trip ambles over to him before flopping onto his back right there in the middle of the aisle. Denver chuckles and obliges him with a tummy rub. “Well, you’re the coolest dog I’ve ever seen.”

Finally, he lifts his gaze to me, and that smile sends little electric shocks through my body. Not unlike Griffin’s quick hug goodbye did the other day when we reached our cars after the hike. I can still feel his gigantic arms around me. Damn, he looked and felt good. Better than I remembered, with his dark burnished-red hair and piercing green eyes.

“Hey Olivia, how’re you doing?” He’s still scratching Trip’s belly, and I find myself feeling oddly jealous of my dog.

“Great.” I clear my throat. Denver continues to look at me. “His name is Trip. Short for Tripod, but also because he used to trip over everything, and he loves to be underfoot, so I keep tripping over him.”

God, I’m rambling. Why can’t I shut up? I didn’t talk this much when we were out with Kyle, but that’s because my brother took care of the conversation. Although, I guess I rambled a bit with Griff on our hike the other day, come to think of it.

My dog chooses that second to sneeze, spraying slobber all over Denver.

“Oh shoot, I’m so sorry.” I hurry to set down my items, not that there’s anything I can do. I don’t exactly carry paper towels in my back pocket. But Denver just chuckles and wipes his hand on his jeans.

“It’s no big deal, just some dog slobber.” He gives Trip one more pat, then stands up. And that’s when I realize how close I am to him now. Close enough to smell the peppermint gum he’s chewing and see the twinkle, yes twinkle, in his eye.

“Right. Well, still, sorry.” I bend down to grab Trip’s leash, sliding it over my wrist. But when I go to pick up the dog food, Denver beats me to it, slinging the bag up onto his shoulder with ease. “I can carry that.” I frown. “It’s not heavy.”

“Yeah, you can, and so can I.” He winks and strides forward, leaving me no choice but to hurry after him once I’ve snatched up the other items I’m buying. I catch up with him at the front counter, Trip pulling on the leash to try and get closer to him.

He turns that devastating smile on the older woman behind the counter. “Hey Terri, Olivia’s new in town. She needs to get hooked up with the resident discount.” He gives her a wink before leaning on the counter and looking my way. “Locals get five percent off every tenth purchase.”

I hate feeling flustered, and that is exactly how Denver Foxx makes me feel.