Page 58 of Wag More Bark Less

“Okay, I think you need to leave now.”

It was Ellie’s low warning bark that yanked me back to reality and muted the mental assault from my past. I tried to speak, but the apology on the tip of my tongue wouldn’t form into actual words.

Behind Maggie’s icy glare, there was compassion. Pity. She fucking pities you now. Way to go, jackass.

“Luke?” she said, her tone both a warning and a reminder I’d been told to leave.

“Right,” I answered with a nod.

It was better if I just went. Better if she decided I was a colossal asshole. We’d steer clear of one another even more than we already did. It’s better this way. But two steps past the threshold, I turned. Before I could spit out some semblance of an apology, I caught a blur of black, copper, and white, half a second before the door slammed in my face.

I could handle Maggie being pissed at me—that was just another Tuesday. But Ellie’s judgment broke something inside me.

TWENTY-ONE

ELLIE

Are you okay, Forever Mom?

Lick.

“I’m okay.”

Ellie Belly will just sit in your lap a little bit longer.

Head on shoulder.

There.

Hug.

“You were pretty great, you know that?”

Tighter hug.

“First, you got help. Such a good girl.”

Wag, wag.

Ellie Belly found help for Forever Mom trapped in murder dress.

“But slamming the door in Luke’s face?”

Even tighter hug.

Breathe through it, Ellie Belly.

Forever Mom needs a tight hug.

Forehead kisses.

Ellie Belly’s favorite.

“I don’t know about you, Ellie Belly, but I could use a walk.”

Yes, let’s go for a walk!

“Ellie, have you seen my hoodie?”