Page 57 of The Rowdy Ones

His response is immediate. How can anyone type that fast?

evan knox dont answer him: Don’t be like that. I’m trying really hard, Rowdy. Cut me some slack.

Since it’ll take too long to respond, I close my phone and start driving to pick Destiny up. If she texts back and says she’s going on a date, then I’ll turn around. But I can’t just sit around doing nothing while waiting for an answer. My mind shoots in a thousand different directions when left alone and I don’t fucking like it.

Ten minutes later, my phone buzzes. Scout barks at me, probably warning me not to do something stupid. Since we’re on a desolate road, I chance a look at my phone while driving. Thankfully, it’s not Evan.

Destiny: I can see him another day. You need me more right now.

Right now?

How about always?

I find the heart emoji and mash that since it’s the easiest to reply with one hand on the steering wheel. The rest of the drive, I feel much lighter knowing Destiny is going to take a ride with me.

Once I make it to the clinic, I hop out of the truck. Scout jumps out behind me. His tail swishes happily. He must feel my excitement because he seems every bit as eager to get Destiny as I am. Smart dog. Makes me miss Spirit. I hope Mage is sharing his treats with her.

We make our way to the front of the building. I lean my shoulder against a lamppost and Scout flops onto the snowy ground to wait. A few minutes later, the door opens and Destiny steps out. Scout barks at her and I curse at him to be quiet. Her coat swallows her tiny frame, making her look fragile and small, but her grin is bright, aimed in my direction as she confidently navigates the stairs with her cane.

“Hi,” she greets. “Where’s my baby dog?”

Scout barks again, trotting over to her side. He leans into her leg and she rewards him with ear scratches.

“Hey,” I say, stepping closer until I’m towering over her. “Good day?”

“Awesome day. I downloaded an app that allows me to read audiobooks. I already started one at lunch.” She reaches forward, her fingers brushing over the front of my coat. “Where are we riding to?”

“I have an idea,” I tell her, “but it’s a surprise.”

This makes her grin even wider. Fuck, why does she have to be so pretty? It would be a lot easier to ignore her if she looked like a toad. I wish I had someone—anyone—to talk about this with, but I can’t even admit this to Wild without experiencing condemnation and shame. There are three people in my family who would get it, but not one of them has a phone or internet access.

“Oh, Destiny,” a voice calls out. “I forgot to give you this.”

Destiny stops and turns to face Gwen, who is hurrying down the steps with a package in hand. It’s a dark, small bag, and when she gets closer, I see that it’s coffee.

“Thank you,” Destiny says with a smile. “I can’t wait for everyone to try it.”

“It’s the best,” Gwen agrees. “This must be Scout.”

Scout, upon hearing his name, barks at her. He doesn’t abandon Destiny’s side, but his tail wags wildly as if he wishes she would come give him snuggles. She doesn’t. It rankles me for some reason.

“I’m going to train him to be my service animal,” Destiny tells her. “He’s so smart. I know he can do it.”

Destiny doesn’t see the pitying smile Gwen gives her. I do. I don’t like it.

“That’s an idea,” Gwen placates. “How about we put a pin in it?”

The cheerfulness my sister was brimming with two seconds earlier is gone. Her shoulders slump and she frowns.

“We can train him,” I tell her, desperate to see her smile again.

Gwen winces and shakes her head. “I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Service animals require lots of training. If it were that easy, all animals could do it.”

Destiny deflates again.

Why is this woman trying to bring her down?

“We’ll research it on the internet,” I blurt out. “Destiny is good at finding useful shit there.”