Page 262 of Daddy's Pride

“It’s alive,” he said quickly, “but I think it’s really, really hurt. And none of us have a car to take it to the vet, and Tyler said it didn’t look like it was going to make it anyway and he was supposed to—I mean, we were both supposed to meet up with Jacob and Ryan and go to some, um, some party on campus tonight. I told you, remember?”

“I remember, sweetheart,” I murmured.

His breath hitched again. “Yeah, well, um, so he didn’t want to stay and that’s fine? I mean, it’s not his responsibility, and it’s not yours either, but I just, I can’t leave the dog.”

His pitch got higher and higher, that moment of calm focus he’d had earlier totally dissolving as his breathing became more erratic, his voice filling with something that sounded close to panic.

“But I don’t know what to do,” he blurted, “And you said… you said…”

Somehow, from dozens of different small moments all building on each other, passing comments and telling reactions, I’d gotten the impression over the last few months that Owen wasn’t used to people being there for him. That he didn’t expect it. Certainly never complained about having to tackle everything life threw at him virtually on his own.

And it broke my heart all over again, because of course I knew what he was trying to say. What he’d been brave enough to text, but couldn’t seem to bring himself to voice.

“I said if you needed me, to call. And I’m so proud that you did,” I said when he couldn’t go on, starting up the truck. “Where are you, sweetheart?”

I got nothing but silence for a moment, and then, sounding genuinely shocked, he asked, “You’re, um, you’re really coming?”

I cleared my throat, scrubbing at my eyes when they stung. “Yes. Of course. Always.”

“Oh.”

It was more a quiet exhale than an actual word, but it felt like a fucking revelation. What the hell had I been doing here at the club? Of course it had felt wrong. None of those boys were mine, and as crazy as it sounded, I’d rather simply not have sex than give up Owen or try to convince myself I wanted to hear “Daddy” from any other boy.

He pulled in another of those shuddery breaths that made my chest ache, and then gave me his location. And while I drove across the city fueled by justified rage at the hit-and-run driver and sympathy for the dog that my boy was standing guard over, underneath that was something deeper.

Something almost exultant.

Because as horrible as the reason was, in just a few minutes, I’d finally, finally, have Owen in my arms. And then I’d move heaven and fucking earth to make sure the little beagle made it or was able to pass peacefully, and that my boy knew he never had to feel alone again.

Chapter 7

Owen

I’d used my sweatshirt to wrap up the little brown-and-white beagle so I could get her off the road, and maybe someone had taught her the no-whining rule, too, because even though I was sure she had to be in pain, she didn’t make a sound as she stared up at me while we both waited for Daddy.

“Shh,” I said anyway, trailing my fingers as lightly as I could over her sweet little face. “He’ll be here soon. He’ll, um, he’ll take care of us.”

She didn’t blink or wag her tail. She’d barely looked away from me since I’d carefully carried her over here to the curb, like she was worried I’d disappear if she closed her eyes, even for a second.

But somehow, it still felt like she’d heard me.

Like she believed me, even though I was having trouble with that myself.

I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around the fact that Daddy was really coming. That he’d interrupted whatever it was he was doing, something with Juan, I knew, to come help me, just because I’d asked.

Not that I hadn’t believed him when he’d said I could call if I ever needed him, but…

Well, maybe I hadn’t?

Not like I’d thought he was lying, but just… I was surprised. Not that the word was big enough for the overwhelming relief that had hit me when he’d said he was on his way, but I was the best I had.

The street we were on was residential, and not that busy. Maybe why the car that had hit the beagle had thought they could get away with speeding?

I couldn’t think about that right now, though. It made me feel mad and helpless and mad, so I shoved it and kept my eyes peeled for Daddy’s car.

Not that I knew what he drove.

Oh God, not that I even knew what he looked like, so how would I recognize him when he came?