Campus Cravings by Anthology

Author:Anthology [Anthology]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Erotic M/M Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Published: 2014-09-03T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

This is ridiculous.

No one was watching him, but Derek’s face still heated with embarrassment as he sat in the center of his bed with a chunk of SPAM in his palm, trying to tempt Matty to climb up. Gage was at school, so at least he wasn’t here to laugh at Derek’s failed efforts to retrain the stubborn dog who clearly didn’t think she belonged on the bed.

After the weekend passed, Gage had casually suggested they go out for lunch or something during the week, hinting that he wouldn’t be spending another night. Derek had agreed, but after work he returned home to find Matty looking just as miserable at Gage’s absence as he felt. He’d called Gage and invited him over for supper. Then swallowed his pride and asked him to stay.

That night, and every night since, had turned out exactly the same as the first. He and Gage fell asleep together, but Derek woke alone. At first he’d told himself he needed to get Gage sleeping in his bed so he’d be well-rested and didn’t end up with stiff muscles from the couch, but he wasn’t in the habit of lying to himself. He wanted to open his eyes to see Gage right there, peaceful and quiet and content, ready to start the day with him.

Bribing Matty to join them for Gage’s comfort was the easiest way to make it happen. He leaned over to let her get a sniff of the meat. She rose up on her hind legs, stretching her neck and whining.

“Come on, girl. You can do it.” Derek patted the mattress and Matty jumped up, staying near the edge and looking back as though she was sure she’d be told to get down. Pulling her close, Derek laughed and petted her, holding his hand up so she could enjoy the SPAM. Nasty stuff, but apparently a new staple in his home. Gage had told him the story about Gunner and using SPAM to earn the dog’s affection when they’d gone out for groceries on Tuesday.

It was Thursday now, and Gage had made three meals, a breakfast, lunch, and supper, all with the canned ham. Derek still wasn’t a big fan, but he’d looked up the ingredients and felt comfortable letting Matty eat it. And hell, it had gotten her up here, so he was more than willing to stock it in bulk.

With Matty cuddled up against him, Derek began to understand why she was such a comfort to Gage. He hadn’t been through a fraction of the hell Gage had, but still, her calm, undemanding presence made him feel less alone. Being alone was his default, so he wasn’t sure why the shift soothed him, except…well, Gage and Matty had changed him. From one day to the next, he’d gone from being content in solitude to needing more.

He rested his head on his pillow and closed his eyes, grinning as Matty stretched out beside him with a happy doggy sigh. He shouldn’t be tired; he’d always been a heavy sleeper, but that had changed too.

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