Page 2 of Puppy Pride (Pride Camp 2025)

Chapter Two

Demetrius

B uttercup .

My mind whirled a hundred miles an hour as I drove away from Pride Camp.

I’d found Buttercup. For six years, I’d thought about him and wondered how he was doing, and now…here he was. In Mission City. At the summer camp where I’d just dropped Keegan off.

Leaving my son was probably one of the toughest things I’d ever done. Well, my stepson. I didn’t differentiate. My two adopted children might not have my blood, but they were mine in every single possible way that mattered.

I’m trying, Erlene. To give them the life you would’ve wanted for them. See? I even found someone to watch over your baby when I’m not there.

Well, like four someones. Makenna, Grey, Cody, and Jai. With Alessandra and Smith close by as well. I was sure they’d be intensely focused on making this inaugural camp successful .

I hummed as I drove the back roads from the northern rural outskirts down to Mission City proper. The town held fewer than forty thousand people. A blip compared to massive Vancouver where we lived. Where I’d lived for my entire life.

Slowly the trees began to thin, and I could see houses from the road. I turned onto Cedar Street, and soon I was passing townhouse complexes that appeared newer. Then I drove down the big hill that would take me to my hotel. I’d register, settle my stuff, and then head out to explore.

My friend Priscilla, upon learning I was heading to Mission City, insisted that I visit Fifties diner. Then she added Stavros’s and a couple of other places to the list.

I’d kind of tilted my head, so she’d typed out a text with everything I needed to know. I was lucky to have good friends, but I wasn’t here to be a tourist.

After turning left onto the main drag, I made my way to the Grand Hotel.

The thing wasn’t all that grand, but it had recently been renovated, and the pictures on the pretty website made it look warm and inviting.

Since I was setting up for two weeks, the sight of ergonomic chairs in their executive suites appealed.

That, and a large desk. Since I had two laptops running at all times, the extra space wasn’t just a luxury—it was a necessity.

I parked, grabbed my suitcase, hefted my briefcase over my shoulder, armed the alarm on my car, and headed for the front door. Soon enough, I was inside.

“Welcome to the Grand Hotel.” A pleasant female voice greeted me.

I yanked off my sunglasses and blinked several times. “Yeah, okay.” I moved to the counter. “Fulton.”

“Of course.” The receptionist’s megawatt smile didn’t slip. “Fourteen nights, correct? ”

“Yes.”

“We have a special rate for guests who stay more than a week.”

“Oh?” I don’t remember reading that. Oh well, score!

“We don’t always advertise the fact.” A smooth, deep voice came from behind me.

I turned to find a handsome Black man headed my way.

He grinned. “I’m Aaron. I’m the manager.”

“Demetrius.” I extended my hand.

The man gave me a firm shake. “I have some level of discretion, and when I saw your reservation, I was happy to apply the discount.”

“And I still get an executive suite?” I rolled my shoulder to gesture to my briefcase.

“Absolutely. Best internet connection we can provide. And we can plan housekeeping around your work schedule, so we’re not disturbing you.”

“Oh.” Something I hadn’t even considered—but super appreciated. “My hours are flexible. More like I’ve got a list of stuff I have to do in the next two weeks, and the sooner I finish, the more time I have to just relax.”

Aaron laughed. “Now that sounds like quite a job. My husband, Noel, works for himself. He can do that as well—work intense bursts and then take a bit of time.”

“Whereas Aaron here never takes a vacation.” The woman at the desk glared at the man who, if my calculations were correct, was her boss.

“Well, there’s that. I’m going to Scotland for most of October.” He glared back, but the humor soon broke through and he smiled. “Frida’s lucky she’s such a good employee. Always back talking me.”

“Putting you in your place.” She glowered, but she had a twinkle in her eye .

I smiled. “I think I’m going to like it here.” Honestly, the place had more of a feel of an apartment complex with a busy lobby.

Aaron smiled. “That’s the plan. We treat our guests like family. Don’t hesitate to ask for whatever you might need, okay? We’re also big about privacy, so if you need space, we can offer that too.”

“Well, I’m going to get settled and then head to Fifties.” I spun my finger around as I tried to orient myself.

He pointed to the door. “Hang a left and it’s a block down. Westward.”

“Right. I was pretty certain I passed it on my way here. That’s close.”

“Best burgers in Mission City.” Frida grinned. “I do need to see your credit card and driver’s license.”

“Of course.” I pulled my wallet from my back pocket and handed over my ID. As she processed it, I angled myself toward Aaron. “So, you know many people in town?”

He chuckled. “New arrival. I’m American. From California. I fell in love with a visiting Canadian and chased him all the way home.” A grin nearly split his face. “I never left.”

“Good thing.” Frida gestured to the machine.

I inserted my credit card, entered the PIN, and waited for it to make the pretty noise saying I was okay. I would be, of course.

Which hit me with a pang. My money was paying for this, but Erlene’s life insurance ensured the kids and I would have fewer worries.

“You okay?” Aaron cocked his head.

“Oh, it’s fine. American, eh? You don’t have much of an accent.”

“I pride myself on having a fairly neutral…accent. Plenty of other places have variations. ”

“And you’re going to Scotland.” I tucked my credit card and license back into my wallet and slipped it into my back pocket. “That sounds lovely.”

“Delayed honeymoon. We have to go to California in September. Noel’s sister, Kendra, is due to give birth. She’s perfectly calm. Her husband Javier is losing his mind.”

I chuckled. “I’ll admit to being very lucky. I have two kids I love desperately, but I got to adopt them and therefore didn’t have to be there for the birth.”

Aaron smiled. “Noel and I are considering adoption. I might pick your brain…if it’s not too personal.”

“Nah. Pretty boring story. Well, or not. Their mom was a good friend whom I loved, and she got sick. I married her. Because that’s what people do, right?

And she was cured and life was great.” A pang in my chest. “Until it came back with a vengeance. She was gone within just a couple of months. That was four years ago…” I blinked.

Slowly, telegraphing his movements so I could step away if I wanted, Aaron moved his hand so that, after a moment, it lay on my forearm. “That’s rough. No two ways about it.”

“Yeah. And, I mean, thank God we married, and I adopted the kids, right? I’m a single dad, but I kind of raised my sisters—who both turned out amazing—so…things worked out.”

“They’re lucky to have you.” He said the words with absolute sincerity.

“I guess. I’m lucky to have them too. Fills a hole in my heart.” I wasn’t going to tell him about Mom and Nan. I barely knew the dude—no need to dump all my pain on him. “But for sure let’s talk about adopting. I can only share what it’s like to adopt older kids, though. ”

“I’ll take whatever advice I can get. Would you mind if my, um…” He cocked his head.

“Mind if Noel joins us? Absolutely not. I’m an easygoing guy.

Truly.” I grinned. “My eldest is at Pride Camp right now. I’m so damn proud of him.

He’s had a rough go, and I think the wilderness will be good for him.

That’s why I’m in Mission City. I suppose I could’ve gone back to Vancouver—it’s only an hour’s drive—but I want to be close. ”

“I get that.” He offered another smile. “Noel hates being so far from his sister. But she also fell in love with an American. And decided to stay there. I miss my friends, to be sure, but I love my husband so damn much—”

“They’re super sappy.” Frida pointed her pen. “Which is a joke because Noel was never like that before this guy showed up.”

Aaron chortled. “Ah, the joys of small-town living. Wait thirty seconds, and someone will say something that makes it clear how long they’ve been here.”

“And you’re mere moments in the grand scheme of things?” I was curious.

“Something like. When I arrived, this place—” He gestured around him at the hotel lobby. “—was a disaster and now it’s a stunning masterpiece.”

Frida snorted.

Her boss placed a hand across his heart. “You wound me.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Well, I wouldn’t have stepped foot in the place the way it was, so consider yourself lucky.”

“To have the best assistant hotel manager in all of Mission City—” He gazed at her expectantly.

She cleared her throat.

“—Cedar Valley…? ”

She shook her head.

“Oh, right. All of British Columbia.”

She polished her nametag.

I laughed. “Okay, you two are a hoot.” I signed the paper Frida put before me. She handed me a couple of keycards. I nearly turned down the second one, but decided a spare never hurt. I pivoted to Aaron. “Anytime, okay? Just let me know.”

“We’ll buy you dinner.”

“I won’t say no to that.”

“How about White Spot on Tuesday night? Tomorrow is Canada Day, and we’re going to be busy. By Tuesday, I’ll be ready for a break.”

“Sure. Sounds lovely.”

“Perfect. I can’t wait to tell Noel.” He waved as he headed toward a door marked Private .

Frida beamed. “I like you.”

“The feeling’s mutual.” I snagged my suitcase and headed for the elevator. A quick ride up to the top floor, and soon I found myself in a scrumptiously appointed room with everything I could possibly need.

After I unpacked, I opened the curtains. Directly below me, just past the street, was a rail yard.

Yay. Good thing I can sleep through anything.

Beyond that, though, was a stunning view of Cedar Valley as well as Mount Baker—the dormant volcano in Washington State.

For just a moment, I considered moving the desk to place it just in front of the window.

You’d sit staring at the view and never get any work done. Alas, that was true. My home office was in a small nook in our condo because, as long as I didn’t have any view of any kind, I could focus. Something pretty to look at—even wayward squirrels—and I was liable to get little accomplished .

My stomach rumbled.

I eyed the bed.

Keegan had been up most of the night stressing.

I should’ve told someone at camp. They might wonder why he’s yawning.

Snagging my phone, I debated the best way to deal with the situation.

Call Jai.

Before I could talk myself out of the idea, I searched in my contacts for the number I’d entered when I first received the welcome email.

“Pride Camp. This is Jai Prasad. How may I help you?”

“Hey, Jai, this is Demetrius Fulton. I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Keegan’s dad.”

“I remember. How can I help?”

Is it my imagination, or did his voice just go softer?

Does he remember me from all those years ago?

“Uh, I forgot to tell you…and Grey…that Keegan was up most of last night stressing. He, uh, didn’t get much sleep.

He napped on the drive out, but I think that was from exhaustion.

If he’s a little listless—which happens when he’s tired—he might appear bored. ”

Jai chuckled softly. “He mentioned his crappy night to Grey. He’s taking a nap while the other campers settle in. We’ll wake him for lunch, which is coming up shortly. Would you like me to call you after lunch and let you know how he’s doing?”

No judgement or ridicule over my concern—just a clear understanding.

“That would be amazing. I just…”

“I understand. I’ve spent a number of years as a counselor—both for LGBTQ kids as well as for special-needs ones. Most parents are protective. How can you not be? ”

“I appreciate you understanding. They’ve just lost so much, and I want him to know I’m here for him. I mean, I’m really hoping he can make it the entire two weeks, but if his stress level is too high, then maybe—”

“Demetrius?”

“Yeah?”

“Why don’t we play it by ear? See how each day goes. Keep my number close and call when you need assurances.”

“I might need them more than he does.”

“That’s entirely possible.” Jai chuckled. “Are you okay?”

“I’m always okay.” Said with more bravado than I felt. Exposing my underbelly with regard to my children? In a heartbeat. For anything else? No. I had to be the strong one.

“All right. Have a good afternoon, Demetrius.”

I liked the sound of my name off his lips. “I’m having lunch at Fifties.”

“Best burgers in Mission City.”

“That’s the rumor. Uh, thank you.”

“You’re most welcome.”

I didn’t want to hang up. I wanted to keep talking to him. To make him laugh. To see if I could tease him the way I used to.

But I wouldn’t. He was working—I needed to respect that.

“Thanks again.”

“My pleasure.”

In the end, I disconnected.