– Harley –
“Besides we can’t carry the thing I want if you’re riding the bike” we make our way out of the compound and start walking towards the centre of town I take out a joint and hand one to Gunner we light them simultaneously, we walk in silence for a while until we finish the joints. “Well, what are you going to get then?” He looks at me confused, I laugh and mess up his hair as we stop infront of a building.
“A dog” I simply reply, “A dog?” He repeats as a question, “A dog” I say again with a smile I turn my attention back to the building infront of me, “We are at the pound?” I turn my attention back to Gunner, “Well no shit sherlock what gave it away? The sounds of dogs barking or the giant fuking sign infront of us that says pound?”.
“No need to be so sassy gosh” he mumbles under his breath, I roll my eyes and punch his arm before walking into the building, we walk over to the counter and ask if there are any dogs available for pick up today, she nods and leads us to one of the workers out the back.
Gunner whispers to me as we start to make our way down the aisles and aisles of cages “Why didn’t you just get one from a pet shop?” I shoot him a deadly look “Because Gunner, pet shops are cruel, and I don’t want a damn puppy I want a dog. Everyone always forgets about the older animals leaving them to be killed”, I feel a pang in my heart when I think about how many older dogs are put down each year because they grow up and people don’t want the responsibility, don’t get a fucking dog if you can’t love it for the rest of its life.
“So Gunner, tell me something” I say as we walk around inspecting each dog, “What would that be Harlz” he stops infront of a dog I look around and notice a massive rottweiler lazily lounging on its bed, as if a light bulb goes off in my head I come up with the most fantastic idea.
I turn back to Gunner who has now tilted his head to the right studying the dog on the other side “It’s a pug” I inform him, he hums at my reply still staring at it, “Anyways. What are you hiding from me?” I smile and watch his face drop, he quickly tries to cover it up and make a confused face “Why what do you mean Harlz? I’m not hiding anything”, I cross my arms over my chest and deadpan him, “Alright I gave you a chance” I grab his arm and shove him into the metal fence on the opposite side of the walkway that just so happens to contain the massive rottweiler.
I pin his arms behind his back and use my body to push him up against the fence, the dog begins to growl and snarl at Gunner’s body against the fence. The dog begins to crouch down as if ready to attack, “Harley let go it’s going to kill me, oh my god oh my god, tell my mama I love her, tell Shelby she can have my playboy collection, tell her to watch them with her life” he cries out.
I push his body into the fence more the dog getting more and more agitated by the second, it starts to charge at Gunner and he squeals like a pig “Were throwing a surprise party for you” the dog pounces up at the cage and I hesitate for a second, a fucking surprise party are you kidding me?
Gunner’s now screaming and almost crying the dogs inches away from his face before I pull him back and throw him to the floor, I straddle him and pull my knife out from my bra flipping it open and holding it to his neck “You are going to tell me everything you fucking know or I’m going to have one very heartbroken Shelby when they never find your body” I say in a low growl, I mean I’d never do that to Gunner, well not unless he betrayed me or pissed me off too much.
Gunner explains to me the little information that he knows, everyone knows not to tell him anything exciting because he can’t keep his damn mouth shut. I have no idea why they chose him to ‘distract me’ hes an idiot. After walking around for a few hours and meeting various dogs I was frustrated, don’t get me wrong I wanted all of them but they were all relatively youngish, I turn to one of the workers that are walking around with us, “Do you have any old dogs? You know the ones that no one wants because they had outgrown the household?” She smiles nervously and plays with her fingers for a few seconds.
“We have some out the back but they’re supposed to be going to a kill shelter in an hour or so, I’m not supposed to take you out there to see them but for you I’ll make an exception” I smiled and thanked her before she led us out the back to a small courtyard, it’s there that I see them, the dogs I had been searching for, 2 huge bear looking dog’s run around the small yard they’re so beautiful one darker in colour one lighter, as we get closer to the fence the dogs both snarl and show their teeth, the worker beside me speaks up.
“We have some out the back but they’re supposed to be going to a kill shelter in an hour or so, I’m not supposed to take you out there to see them but for you I’ll make an exception” I smiled and thanked her before she led us out the back to a sma…
“They’re extremely aggressive, their last owners dumped them after they got busted for illegal dogfighting rings” I turn my attention back tot he 2 dogs in the ward that are trying to warn us off, luckily for me warnings mean nothing to me, I go t…
“They’re extremely aggressive, their last owners dumped them after they got busted for illegal dogfighting rings” I turn my attention back tot he 2 dogs in the ward that are trying to warn us off, luckily for me warnings mean nothing to me, I go to jump the fence but Gunner’s firm hand on my shoulder stops me.
“If I let you go in there and anything happens to you Jax will cut my dick off and shove it down my throat, so there’s no chance. Let’s go pick a dog inside” I shrug his hand off of me and continue to climb the fence, I jump over and turn to face him again, “Well if that’s the case I hope something happens to me” I turn my attention to the worker that now has a pale face and looks horrified.
“Oh don’t worry love, I’m sure they won’t do anything,” I say as I turn around to look at the dogs infront of me, the hairs on there backs standing up straight, still snarling and barking at me. I can hear Gunner mumble multiple curses under his breath but I pay little to no attention to him, I sit on the ground crossing my legs and stay silent.
I close my eyes and wait patiently, the only thing I can hear is Gunner’s heavy breathing, the wind and the dog’s soft growls and footsteps as they circle me, I remain still and continue to wait. Soon enough I can feel the wet noses of the dogs bumping my skin every so often, I open my eyes and come face to face with 2 pairs of eyes staring back at me.
I stare at them and they stare at me, like we already have an unspoken bond, I raise both of my hands in the air and slowly move them towards the dogs at the same time, I touch their fur and they both growl at me “Shhhhh, I’m not going to hurt you I pinky promise” I whisper to them as if they’re going to understand me but they stop growling, I apply a little more pressure and begin to pat them.
Within 5 minutes I have both dogs in my lap fighting over who gets the most pats from me “I’ll take them” I say to the worker without looking over my shoulder, I know she’s still there I can almost smell the fear on her. I slowly get up and make my way to the fence and jump back over with a smile.
“Oh-um… I’ll go get the paperwork mam” the worker excuses herself quickly I turn my attention back to Gunner who keeps shifting his gaze between me and the bears in the yard. “You’re fucking crazy, you’re now known as the dog whisperer” I laugh and nudge him “No, you’re just a pussy”. The worker rushes back with the paperwork and a pen, we sit down at a picnic table next to the cages while I fill out all the forms, after that, I grab some collars and leads and pay the adoption fees. I’ll get better shit for them at the pet shop on our way home.
She leads us back out to the dogs out the back and I open the gate and walk in the dogs timidly walk up to me, I bend down on one knee and get down to their level, I slowly place the collars around both of their necks praising them for being so good before clipping on the leads. I stand up and tug a little on the lead, they don’t move an inch. “Come on, we’re going home” I coo to them as they timidly begin to walk with me.
It’s not long until both of the dogs are dragging Gunner and I down the street sniffing and exploring everything we eventually get to the pet shop and head inside. “What are we going to get?” Gunner asks I turn to him with a smile “Everything, I’ve gotta spoil my babies” I drop to my knees and cuddle into the dogs as they lick me and shove my face with their noses. “Reckon they deliver?” Gunner asks, “Only one way to find out” I reply as I stand up and walk over to the cashier who currently looks like he’s about to shit his pants. I turn around and notice Gunner and the dogs had followed me, the scrawny boy started to shake before clearing his throat.
“W-welcome to p-pet paradise, how may I-I help you today” aww cutie, I lean against the counter and flash an award-winning smile “Well aren’t you just a cutie” I say while running my fingers through his short hair, he blushes deeply and looks to the ground “Didn’t anyone ever tell you its rude to look away when someones speaking to you, you just might need a punishment sugar” I tease, I know I know I’m a bad person but who can blame me? I see an opportunity I take it.
He returns his eyes to mine, his cheeks now burning red hot, he tries to regain his composure and he asks again “How may I help you today m-lady” I silently gag when I hear the word m-lady and I can hear Gunner trying to stifle a laugh from behind me, I clamp my mouth shut to stop myself from laughing my ass off, have you ever met someone that can make you lose your shit when you hear their laugh? Yeah well, that’s Gunner, his laugh sets me off like no tomorrow.
“Oh well I was just wondering if you guys have delivery, I just have so much to get and I’m only so strong, I need a mans help you know” I say in a flirty tone with a wink while dragging my nails up and down his hand that’s on the counter, he blushes again and begins to sweat a little as he looks over to Gunner whos standing behind me with his hand over his mouth.
“I-isn’t that y-your boyfriend t-there?” He mumbles and I turn to Gunner to look at him before turning back to the cashier, “Him? Oh god now ew, he’s totally not my type. I like the quiet ones the shy ones, you know clean on the street freak in the sheets type of guy” at this point I know I’m going to hell but I can’t help but keep it going, god I’m an asshole.
“So do you guys deliver? I bet you do big boy” I bite my lip as I watch his shaky hands turn to the computer to begin typing away, “U-um we cant deliver it today b-but we can tomorrow” I frown and pout, “Oh that’s such a shame, I needed it today. Well, I guess I’ll see ya around handsome I got to walk out but he calls out to us “Wait!” I turn back and smile innocently at him “Yes?” He smiles sheepishly at me before speaking “I-i can switch some t-things around and get i-it to you t-today” I squeal and jump over the counter and pull him in for a tight hug “Ooooo thank you sugar, you’re a lifesaver. I owe you one!” I kiss his cheek and wink at him before walking off with Gunner the dogs following behind.
“You’re a horrible person. Jax will be pissed when he finds out” he says while trying not to laugh, “Yeah yeah tell me something I don’t know, and what’s he going to be mad at? An 18-year-old boy who looks like he hasn’t hit puberty yet, let alone looks like he weighs less than me. The kids a stick” I reply he just shakes his head “Just you wait, Jax doesn’t like to share, even with a stick”. We walk around the shop as I grab everything I need, beds toys bowls, food proper collars and leads, toys, treats shit like that. I get told that the delivery will be in 2 hours, as I blow a kiss to the cashier before walking out.
We make our way back to the compound, we get past the gate as Gunner walks a little ahead of me and the dogs, a thought comes to mind and I laugh to myself, I stop in my tracks and lean down to the dogs, I point out to Gunner and their vision zones in on him, I unclip there leads “Attack” I say in a hushed tone and the dogs take off, Gunner turns around to see the bears barreling towards him, he lets out a shriek and runs to one of the tables jumping up before the dogs had a chance to get him.
I skip over to the table as watch as Gunner currently tries to not piss his pants. “Harley tell them to stop!!” He screams and I can’t help but laugh more at the high pitched voice that is coming from him right now, I whistle loudly and the dog’s ears go up before they walk to my side and stand by me, didn’t really expect that to work but there ya go.
Both dogs are still growling at Gunner as he slowly steps down from the table, once his feet almost land on the ground the dogs rear up again, “Stop he’s okay,” I say to them before softly patting their heads, he steps down properly and lets out a sigh of relief before both dogs jump on him covering him in licks.
“Where you find the bears?” Jax’s voice comes from beside me, I turn to look at him as he raises an eyebrow at me “The pound, they were going to be killed” he holds his hand out and the dogs look to me as if asking permission i give a small nod and a smile as I watch them almost knock Jax over.
I whistle loudly and the dogs stop before I turn on my heel to walk inside the clubhouse to see this dumb surprise party, next thing I know I’m being pulled into Jax’s chest tightly “What are you doing?” I know exactly what you’re doing, “Late lunch remember?” He replies, hmmm I thought he forgot “Hungry?” He asks and I nod my head “I haven’t eaten all day, I’m starving. Gunner, can you watch the dogs?” I yell to him.
“Are they going to kill me?” He yells back, “Not unless I tell them to” I reply “Fine” he yells before calling the dogs over to him and walking into the clubhouse. Jax and I make our way out of the compound we rode off a few minutes before he pulled up at a diner.
“How did you know I love diner food?!” I smiled while looking over the building, one of my most favourite things ever are diners. “Lucky guess” he simply replies, we walk in and I take in the atmosphere as I look around I see a familiar face, no my minds playing tricks. But she turns her head and I stop dead in my tracks “Kitten what’s wrong?” Jax whispers in my ear.
The older lady walks over to us before introducing herself “Welcome to Rose’s diner how can I-” she stops mid-sentence when she looks at me, “H-Harley? Is that really you?” Tears pool her eyes as I feel a single tear roll down my face “Betty,” I whisper, she pulls me in for a hug that knocks all the wind out of me, I need to be sure it’s her, I pull back and study her face once again just to be sure “It’s really you”.
“My beautiful girl, why did you stop answering my text messages dear I thought something had happened to you!” Her wrinkled face turns angry and I can’t help but laugh I pull her in for another hug and inhale her perfume, a mix of jasmine and sandalwood the smell brings back memories of the time we spent together. “I’m so sorry mum I broke my phone and had to get a new one, I was going to ask one of the boys to find it but I just haven’t had the chance” I mumble into her neck as I held her tighter.
I pull back as she gives me a big smile and a small nod, she then turns her attention towards Jax “And who is this handsome man? Is he yours Harley? If not I might just have to take him for myself” same old Betty, I giggle at her before answering “Betty this is Jax, Jax this is Betty. Jax is my…” I trail off Jax is my what? We never talked about labels or whatever.
“Nice to finally meet you Betty, I’m the current boyfriend soon to be husband” he says cockily as he holds out his hand for a handshake, she scoffs and slaps his hand away before pulling him in for a hug she turns back to me and whispers loudly “He gives good hugs, he’s a keeper”.