Page 111 of Fight For Me

“Yeah. We’re certain—he actually still had his collar on, but the tag got ripped off. Must have had some serious adventures out there on the streets. But yeah, it’s definitely him.”

“So my dog…”

“Is someone else’s,” the guy says. “Like I said, I’m sorry about this but it looks like you’re still stuck with him. Unless you want to take him to the shelter that rescued Baxter? It’s a pretty decent place. Seems clean, safe. I can give you their number if you need it.”

“No,” I say quickly. “That won’t be necessary. We like having him around.”

The guy laughs again. “Guess we both got lucky today then, huh?”

I hang up the phone, feeling a little dazed as I walk back into the kitchen. The reality is starting to set in. I don’t have to give him up.

George stands when he sees me, giving me that baleful, wide-eyed look that always made Alex laugh. I don’t have to give him up. We don’t have to say goodbye.

“Everything all right?” my dad says, eyeing me strangely. I probably look nuts, standing here stunned, staring at the dog.

I let out a laugh, relief crashing though me. “Yeah. Everything’s good.”I don’t have to give him up.I bend down to pet him and he nuzzles into my hand. We get to keep George. If this isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is. “I’m going to go get our girl back,” I whisper to him, and he licks my palm.

“What’s up, kid?” Reed asks. “Your eyes are looking a little manic.”

I laugh again, because all of a sudden, anything seems possible. I turn to Will. “Tell mom there’s been a change of plans, okay? We don’t need to go anywhere today.”

“If you don’t need to go anywhere, why are you in such a hurry?” my dad calls as I dart back to the foyer to pull on my shoes.

“There’s something else I have to do.”

“You going to grovel?” Reed asks.

I laugh again and God, it feels good to laugh. I should do it more often. “That’s the plan.”

I sprint out of my parents’ house to the sound of my dad, brother, and uncles cheering behind me.

Alex

Dad and I are just taking the brownies out of the oven when there’s a commotion in the foyer.

“Uh oh,” he says. “Sounds like the cavalry has arrived.”

A moment later, Aunt Paige, Everly, and Rose crowd into the kitchen, arms filled with plastic shopping bags and a couple fluffy pillows and blankets.

“You moving in?” Dad asks, eyeing the bags and blankets. “I do own bedding, Paige. You didn’t have to bring your own.”

“Hush up,” she says. “We just wanted to ensure we have the proper level of coziness for our girl time.”

Dad gives me a look. “I think that’s my cue to go…literally anywhere else.” I laugh and he points at Paige, who’s now eyeing our brownies with interest. “Those are too hot to eat yet. And you better save a few for me and Nix.”

“Bye,” I tell him as Rose and Everly envelope me in hugs. He shakes his head, smirking, and leaves the kitchen.

“How are you?” Paige asks, joining in the hug. “Hanging in there?”

“I’m fine,” I assure them, but I don’t push them off. It’s kind of nice to be in the middle of their hug sandwich.

“We brought snacks and movies and stuff for manicures,” Everly says. “Figured you needed some solid girl time.”

I sniff against her shoulder, determined not to start crying again. “Thanks.”

We head upstairs to camp out in my room. Nix must hear us coming up the stairs, because he sticks his head out of his room. “Hey buddy,” Aunt Paige says, ruffling his hair. “How are you?”

“Fine.” But I know him too well to fall for that. There’s something off in his voice and he’s barely said a word to me since I came home last night.