Page 25 of Puppy Pride (Pride Camp 2025)

Will we ever tell the kids we knew each other from before?

That’ll be up to Demetrius . We wouldn’t tell them about What’sUp Pup, of course.

But perhaps…no. Although I’d always have fond memories of my pup time at the club, my relationship with Demetrius started the day…

what? He showed up at camp? The night we ate at Stavros’s? Last evening? I just didn’t know.

A knock sounded at the door.

Taffy started yapping.

“Oh, hush you.” Stephanie petted the dog while Foster moved to the front door.

Demetrius stood there, hands in his pockets.

“Lovely.” Foster grinned. “We were just asking if the kids eat chicken and beef.”

“Because we’re staying for dinner,” Alaina declared. “So we can play with the dogs.”

“Yeah.” Keegan’s contribution.

Demetrius blinked. “We love chicken and beef.”

“That’s good. Would you mind stepping inside?” Taryn’s disembodied voice came from behind him.

He stepped inside and out of her way .

“I’m Taryn. This is my wife, Stephanie. I understand you’ve met our dog. Welcome.” She sailed past and into the kitchen.

Stephanie laughed. “You know, when I met her, she was a little shy. Cooper and I cured her of that.” She eyed Demetrius. “My older brother. A bit of an enthusiastic freight train.”

“You have to show Demetrius your engagement video.” Foster nudged her.

“Oh yes.” She again nearly squealed. “I brought a ring, and Taryn— Oh, let’s keep it a surprise. We can show it to you on Foster’s big screen.”

I smiled. “I would love that.” I was finding this woman, with her obvious enthusiasm, positively charming. “And you live on the street?”

“Yep. Right next door. Always available to babysit.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.” Alaina glared.

“Okay.” Stephanie’s smile didn’t waver. “I never wanted one either. My big brother Cooper took care of me.”

Keegan puffed out his chest. “I take care of her.”

Alaina rolled her eyes.

A feeling of rightness settled in my chest. Can things really be this easy? I get the man of my dreams? The Daddy I always wanted? The partner I never dreamed I’d have?

As if sensing my thoughts, Demetrius snagged my hand.

Foster sighed.

“Hey, what’s going on in here?” Arnav entered from the kitchen. “Oh, you’re the guests Taryn was telling me about. Great.” He pointed to Demetrius. “You’re helping me barbecue. We have chicken and beef kebobs. With green peppers and onions.” He nodded toward the kids.

“Onions are my favorite. I’m Alaina. Are you his husband?” She pointed to Foster .

“He’s Foster.” Demetrius eyed me.

I couldn’t remember who all had been introduced. I said simply, “Dogs.”

He laughed. “Fair enough.”

Five hours later, Alaina and Keegan were hunkered down in the enby dorm because it was smaller than the other dorms—Alaina thinking camp was the coolest thing ever and Keegan feeling very grown-up giving her the tour.

Demetrius and I were in my cabin, with our phones on our respective nightstands.

We’d be able to hear the kids shout, of course, but we were also a phone call or text away.

Alaina was just a year younger than our youngest camper, and Keegan knew the ropes.

I was pretty certain I was more nervous than Demetrius was.

Of course, I’d passed all this by Alessandra who had enthused.

A huge parcel of assumptions went into that statement.

That I’d still be with the family next year.

That I’d be camp director next year.

That it’d be okay for me to be camp director while Keegan and, and possibly Alaina, attended their respective camps.

That it was okay for me to have Demetrius stay with me another night.

Oh, and she was thrilled to hear the offer for the house had been accepted. Demetrius was contacting his mortgage person Monday, and the house inspector was also coming that day.

Demetrius had just made slow, languid love to me.

This time, we cleaned up right away—in case the kids needed us.

He held me in his arms. “You know, I’m not even sure I asked you to move in.”

I stilled .

“Oh, it’s what I want. It’s what the kids want. They told me when you and Stephanie were cleaning the dishes. Then they went off to play with Taryn, Arnav, and the dogs.”

I chuckled. “You know you’re committed to getting a dog, right?”

“Cadence sent me Torah Dixon’s information. The trainer. Foster mentioned hearing about a bonded pair of schnauzers.”

“Pair?” My mind raced.

“Well, each kid would have their own dog. I mean, they hardly ever fight, but it would be nice to, I don’t know, give them each the responsibility. The house is big enough.” He snuggled me closer. “It’s going to be tough to find time to play, but…”

“But…?”

“Don’t be mad.”

“I could never be mad at you.” Well, that might’ve been an exaggeration.

Him dropping his bombshell on the kids—if it had gone sideways—would’ve annoyed me.

He’d barely confirmed we were together when he sprang it on the kids.

On the other hand, better to deal with the fallout right away rather than let things fester.

Keegan had taken me aside and given me the don’t hurt my dad speech.

I’d nearly cried—all the while holding it together because I’d been aware of Demetrius’s gaze on us. I wouldn’t tell him Keegan’s precise words—those were between the young man and me—but I’d eventually share the sentiments.

“You say that now…”

I twisted in his arms so I faced him. I was incredibly grateful Alessandra had seen fit to make this bed a king—my new man took up a lot of space. “What do you mean?”

“Well…Foster and I were talking… ”

“You two get on like a house on fire. I think it’s great.” And I did. My rekindled friendship with Arnav meant a lot to me—that Demetrius and Foster were growing close did my heart good. Made me happy.

“And apparently I have something in common with Arnav. And you have something in common with Foster.”

I blinked.

We’d left one light on, but the light cast deep shadows.

“What are you trying to say?” Because I couldn’t figure out—

“Foster’s a pup.”

“Excuse me?” I gawped.

“You heard me. Arnav’s a Daddy and Foster’s a pup.”

My eyes widened. “Oh my God. How did that come up in conversation?”

“We were discussing the responsibilities of taking care of pets, and Foster made a quip about keeping his toys away from Queenie.” Demetrius chuckled.

“I swear he started blushing. Then I said I knew a few pups and casually asked if he had a bed he liked to use. He nodded and said he kept it under the bed he shared with Arnav. And I suggested I should get tips for the caring and love of pups from Arnav.”

“You didn’t tell—”

“Nope. Absolutely not. And Foster didn’t ask.” He closed one eye. “Although he did muse about you taking off that first night after giving the dog treats to Queenie and Taffy.”

My cheeks heated. “I forgot about that.”

“I didn’t say anything then either. I couldn’t tell if you were being literal—as in there are two dogs here—or if you were trying to say something. After you took off, I figured I’d just keep my mouth shut.”

“Odds are Foster’s recounting this story to Arnav right now.”

“That’s entirely possible. ”

“And Arnav’s putting together the pieces.”

“Uh…”

“Discretion isn’t your strong suit, sometimes.”

“No. Sorry. But…you know…Foster made the comment.”

“And you think he was sensing he’d get a receptive audience.”

“I honestly don’t know. I mean, I didn’t get a pup vibe from him, and I didn’t get a Daddy vibe from Arnav…but if I’d seen them in another context, I probably would’ve seen something.”

“Because once you see it, you can’t unsee it.” I understood what he was saying. I also thought I might have a super difficult time facing my friend again. Yeah, except if your mother told everyone, they know anyway.

I pushed the pup topic aside, for now. “I feel like I should be contributing more.”

He blinked. “Uh… We were talking about Arnav and Foster…”

“And I moved on to the subject of your new house. And, for the record, Foster said he was barely able to contribute anything to their down payment, and Arnav didn’t care.”

“Well, he wouldn’t be the man I’m coming to know and respect if that had been an impediment.”

“I have virtually nothing.”

“Jai—”

“No, let me say this. I don’t even own furniture. If not for Alessandra and Smith’s kindness, I wouldn’t have a place to live. I’ve worked low-paid jobs—”

“Important jobs.”

“—and I have almost nothing to show for it.”

“Okay.” He cupped my cheek. “Buttercup, most of what I have is because of Erlene. I spent any theoretical inheritance I might’ve had after Nan died, to take care of my sisters.

I was starting to build some savings when Erlene and I found each other.

She needed me. That we have money now is because of her life-insurance policy.

This house will be the kids’ legacy. I’ll keep saving for their education, of course. And—”

I placed a finger to his lips. “I want to contribute. I don’t know…pay rent or something. I’ve got a good salary. And now benefits and contributions to a pension. Alessandra is a very generous employer. I’m also free to take other work during the downtimes.”

“She’s also willing to pay for you to retrain.” He held my gaze.

“I like being a financial analyst. Putting that degree to good use—it’s what got me the job.” I shrugged. “What else would I do?”

“Whatever you like. That’s her point. Or keep doing what you’re doing. There are probably other nonprofits that could use your expertise. I’m just trying to say that you don’t have to feel obliged to contribute to our household.”

I blinked. “Gary…”

“The Gnat.”

“Yes….”

“I’m not judging you for being with him, by the way. I’m judging him for being a total jackass.”

I smiled. “Thank you for that.” I drew in a deep breath. “I’d been contributing, and he still kept everything.”

“Which is one of the reasons I’m saying you need to build your own nest egg.”

“Am I your partner? I feel like we’re moving so fast.”

He nodded. “Sorry. I’m a bit of a freight train. Would you like to be my boyfriend?”

“Yes.” I nodded frantically.

“Would you like to move in with me and the kids? No pressure. ”

Right…like the kids weren’t already set on this course. Another nod. “Yes, I would like that.” I stilled. “You realize I don’t have to move in, right?” I needed him to see I wasn’t helpless or homeless.

He cocked his head.

“You’re always coming in and rescuing people. You think you love me because you see me as damaged. As needing rescue.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Are you sure?” I held still.

“Oh.” He furrowed his brow. “You think I’m saying I love you because I think you need to be rescued, and that I think it’s love because I can save you.” He rubbed his forehead. “That makes my head hurt.”

“I’m saying even if I don’t move in with you, that I’ll be okay.

I’ve come to grips with what happened. I have to say—it helps to know Gary’s in jail for a long time.

” I smiled. “And I love you, too. I think I might’ve even back then.

God knew, when I thought of my future, I wanted an egalitarian relationship most of the time…

but also someone I could be a pup with.” I pressed my hand to his cheek.

“I just can’t believe I found you again.

And, to be clear, again, I’m telling you that I love you, too.

Probably always have and definitely always will.

Keegan and Alaina are a bonus. I never thought I’d have kids—”

“And now you’re basically signing up to co-parent. If you want.”

“I want.” I chuckled. “I think they’re onboard with that as well.”

“They are.”

“And dogs.”

“And dogs.”

“We’re going to be very busy.”

He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “We’ll figure this out. We just have to keep the lines of communication open.”

“Yep.” I stilled .

“What?”

“How do you…?” I cleared my throat. “How do you envision the pup thing happening? I put that side of me away for a very long time, and I didn’t do well with that. I’ve found my Daddy…but the kids come first.”

“Yeah.” He toyed with my hair. “We’re not going to tell them—”

“Uh, no.”

“But I agree we need time together as Daddy and pup.”

“Yes.”

He rubbed my shoulder. “The kids are away at school. I work from home on a flexible schedule. I don’t know about you…”

“Obviously I can’t get away when we have campers.”

“That’s a given.”

“But I’ve got a flexible schedule as well.

I’m okay with Daddy/pup time while the kids are at school.

Also…” I met his gaze. “I would love to go to a pup night if there is such a thing these days. You could hang out with the Daddies while I get to do puppy piles.” Excitement grew within me.

Then a little impishness. “Do you think Arnav and Foster would be interested in joining us? Because once you see something, you kind of can’t unsee it. ”

He guffawed. “That’s true. And yes, I’ll ask Arnav.” He smiled. “We can make this work.” He scratched my scalp. “I love you, pup.”

“I love you, Daddy. I’m amazed you’re still awake.”

He arched an eyebrow, then laughed. “It’s been a struggle—but you’re worth it.” He rolled onto his back and pulled me into his side.

I ran my hand through his chest hair. “I didn’t know I could be this happy.”

“You’ll always be my priority, Jai. You and the kids.”

“And I get to take care of you?”

“I wouldn’t complain.” He yawned .

I reached over to flip off the lamp.

Within moments, his breathing evened.

Much later, mine did as well.