Page 226 of Zach
And look at the bright side. They’re such a big distraction, I haven’t had time to feel sad about
Birdie.
Abby and I take deep breaths and push through the doors, ending up in a big room lined with
enclosures. The barking increases in pitch as we enter, one little dog near the front making a ton of
noise. Once glance at his small body and dark coat, and I realize I spoke too soon.
38
ZACH
S he can’t have it. I will give that woman almost anything. I’ll give her the last breath in my body,
but she can’t have my lint roller.
A man has to draw the line somewhere.
I clutch it tighter to my chest and scan the space, cataloging my brothers. They’re all scattered,
crouched down next to the dog jail cells. Or maybe, in this case, they’re more like dorm rooms. I
wish I’d paid more attention to where we were going. I hope these dogs aren’t going to visit the big
dog park in the sky. That would be way too sad.
I’m not really sure why we’re here. We donate to places like this all the time, but we don’t usually
show up in person. Not enough exposure in it. The flashy Galas that seem like they spend as much as
you earn are more likely to get you on the front page.
I walk carefully down the aisle, peeking through the doors. There are all kinds of dogs. Big,
small, fat and muscled, quiet and fierce. I stop and eye a small dog with the biggest ears I’ve ever
seen. I shudder at her long, blonde hair. She probably sheds like a motherfucker. Wait…she? I lean
down, way down, trying to look under her for a thunderstick, and end up tipping over onto the
concrete floor.
It doesn’t smell good.
At all.
Why did I have to drink so much? I should be keeping my wits about me and figuring out how to
make Maya fall in love with me. Not doing a shot with my brothers. Fine. Shots.
“Eww,” I mumble as I shove myself up. I come face to face with the small dog. Her head tilts to
the side as she stares at me. It’s actually pretty cute, so I tilt my head too. Her ears twitch, and she tilts
the other way.
She’s funny.
