Page 60 of The Rowdy Ones

“Wild must’ve gone to see Talia or something. His truck’s not here,” Rowdy says as he shuts off the vehicle. “Want to come to the RV for a little while?”

A flash of heat ripples through me.

Being with him alone might be a bad idea. Every time, lately, things escalate to weird quickly.

“Yes,” I breathe, because apparently, I have no self-control.

Aunt Eve won’t like this.

Anger flares in my chest. He’s my brother. I refuse to let her past be a comparison to my brother’s and my relationship. We’re just close, is all. Besides, I’m dating Weston.

He slides out of the truck and moves aside for me. Then he rustles around after I’m out to grab our bags full of loot for Scout. The sound of Scout running grows distant as he races away, no doubt needing to pee. I follow Rowdy’s crunching footsteps, using my cane to keep me from falling over anything. Once inside the RV, Rowdy starts noisily opening, rummaging, and slamming drawers.

“Found it,” he says with a grunt. “Where’s the sweater?”

I locate it in one of the bags and toss it in his direction. He snaps off the packaging and tags and then I smell the familiar scent of a Sharpie marker.

“Are you writing on it?”

“Yup.”

“His name?”

“Nope.”

I arch a brow at him. “Are you going to tell me?”

Scout barks outside the RV door. I get up and make my way over to let him in. He bounds up the steps and then loudly drinks from a water bowl on the floor.

“Time to put your uniform on,” Rowdy tells Scout. “Come here, dude.”

Scout barks and then they spend the next couple of minutes wrestling to get his sweater on. Once it’s on, Scout comes to sit next to me. I reach down and feel it on him. A smile tugs at my lips.

“Is he so cute right now or what?”

“He’s something.”

“Don’t listen to him,” I coo to my dog. “You’re the cutest dog ever to live.”

Scout barks happily.

“What’s his sweater say?”

“Service Animal - Mind Your Business.”

I snort out a laugh. “You had to add that last part?”

“Necessary.”

“Want to listen to my audiobook?”

“I don’t know. Books are kind of boring.”

“What?” I demand, eyebrows furling together. “Are you crazy? You just haven’t read the right ones yet. This one is about a wolf shifter. You’d probably like that.”

“Fine, but can we listen in my room?”

“Bring the candy,” I instruct. “And Scout.”