Parched by D.P. Payne & Gwyn McNamee

Author:D.P. Payne & Gwyn McNamee [Payne, D.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: D.P. Payne

7

I pull into my building's parking garage and stop at the valet stand. Antonio steps out to meet me and offers me a smile as I hand him my keys.

"How pissed is he?" I ask, pulling out my wallet and retrieving two hundred dollars.

“Well, he certainly isn't happy." He climbs into the car. “You know how cranky he is when you don't come home at night."

“I know.” I hand him the cash and sigh, picturing the droopy, pathetic, accusatory stare I know I will get from Brutus the second I walk in the door. That dog absolutely hates when I leave him alone. If it wasn't for his love of Antonio, who is always more than willing to walk him when I can't make it home, he would probably mope around the house for days after every time I leave.

Antonio laughs as I hand him the cash.

"Thanks again, man." I toss a wave over my shoulder as I step into the elevator. The second the elevator dings and the doors slide open, I find Brutus, sitting directly in front of the door, the most pathetic look on his face I have ever witnessed.

You’d think I beat the poor dog the way he is eyeing me.

Opening my arms, I drop to my knees and pull him into me.

"I'm sorry, big guy. It couldn't be helped last night." He gives me a sloppy lick along my neck and paws at me incessantly.

"Okay, okay, I'll get you a treat." I always feel so damn guilty after leaving him. He knows he can usually get something extra special on these mornings.

I am absolutely starving after last night’s escapades, so I make my way to the kitchen and start a large batch of bacon on the flattop. I whip some eggs as I lean back against the counter and look down at Brutus, who is lying at my feet, examining my every move.

"So, something happened last night…something pretty big.” His ears perk up as if he actually understands a word I am saying.

"I found her…shit…I think I might even love her. I understand I barely know this woman, but she’s fucking different than any other woman I have met." Brutus tilts his head and his left eyebrow quirks up in question. "I know buddy, I know. I never thought it would happen either, but it did. And that's not everything. She is amazing, but, she has some, uh, issues, and I need to figure out how to help her."

Brutus huffs and slumps to the floor, burying his face into his paws.

"I can do it, Brutus. Don't doubt me."

I finish making breakfast, feeding Brutus several more pieces of bacon than is probably a good idea, and jump in the shower as I contemplate the best way to approach what I have to do next.

Once I am clean and dressed, I sit on my couch, staring at my phone, dreading the call I know I have to make. Eldrick Norwood and I avoided speaking for over five

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