Seventh Heaven (Allendale Four 4)

Heaven

“Look, I know it may be a little soon for something like this, but…”

“Well, think about it. The little eyes. The nose.”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure we’re ready for the responsibility. I’m not sure I’m ready for the responsibility,” I said. The guys were surrounding me, faces eager. They wanted this and wanted it bad. And I understood. Part of me wanted it too, but I was scared. Really scared. Nothing sounded more terrifying to me than being responsible for another living thing.

“The way I see it,” Oliver said, leaning forward in his chair, “is there’s no good time. It’s something you just have to dive into. Make a decision and go with it.”

I glanced at Anderson, sure he would feel the same way I do. He’s not a fan of change or disruption at all, but oddly, his green eyes show interest. He shrugs. “A few months ago, I would have said no, but now?” He cast his handsome face in my direction, the face I’d never been able to resist. “We’re all in the same place. There’s usually someone home, so there would be no need for outside help. Everyone’s matured a lot in the last year. It just seems like the next logical step.”

Jackson punched him. “Dude. This isn’t about logic.”

“You know I can’t help but think logically.”

I glanced at Hayden. “What do you think?”

“I think we all have to be in agreement.”

“But what do you think, personally.”

He leaned forward and took my hand. “I’m ready. I’m ready when you are.”

I exhaled and fell back against the cushion. With four deadly smiles aimed at me, I’d had little chance of changing their minds. And the truth was that I wasn’t sure I wanted to. I was ready for the next step. The logical step. The big step.

“Fine,” I said, embracing the excitement. “Let’s get a dog.”

Two weeks later, Sadie dragged me down the sidewalk, eager to get home. I found her desire to come home ironic, because she’s always so excited to leave for the walk. I guess really, she’s just excited all the time regardless. Thank god I kept up my running, because she needed a ton of exercise.

Once we decided to get the dog, things moved quickly. We all agreed on a rescue and we all agreed on a mutt. We went to the shelter and visited and finally settled on this adorable, stumpy-legged black dog that looked like a mix between a pit-bull and a corgi. It didn’t take Sadie long to acclimate to our home and five loving owners, but soon it became clear that she had a fondness of me (and my runs) and followed me around all day.

Since we all moved in, we’d done our best to turn Oliver’s house into a shared, cohesive space. We still had our own rooms and there was a bit of adjustment with both Anderson and Hayden moved back full time. Anderson was looking at one last Olympic games in two years, and Hayden shifted to a coaching position with our local team. Oliver and Jackson’s gym, A5, had continued to thrive in Allendale’s market and they were in the process of opening a new gym a few towns over.

“Good afternoon,” our neighbor, Mrs. Richmond, said as she got her mail from her box.

“Hi, how are you today, Mrs. Richmond?”

Things with Mrs. Richmond and the other neighbors were always slightly tense. Oliver inherited the house from his parents and the people that lived nearby understood that. They’d also seen the boys come and go for years and even were familiar with my presence, but once we’d all moved in together there was no doubt a few had questions. Especially that lady down the street—Monique—who’d just moved in with her husband and two little kids. I saw her watching me and the guys when she strolled them up and down the street. Okay. I saw her watching the guys. I didn’t blame her.

“Well my arthritis is acting up again, but that’s what happens when the weather changes and it starts getting a little cold.” She glanced down at Sadie, who was sniffing the ground like she was looking for a good place to pee. I gently jerked her leash. “I see you got a new dog.”

“Yep, a few weeks ago.”

“And this dog belongs to…”

“Oh, all of us, really, we take turns taking care of her.”

“That seems like it will be complicated when one of you moves out.”