Page 82 of Thaw My Heart

“I hope you get laid, brother!” he shouts over his shoulder. Heading inside with Oreo at his heels.

After pulling into my driveway, I double-check Sadie’s message about where to find the keys to her house. I’m not sure why she even bothers to lock her door. There’s nothing out here but wild animals and forests as far as the eye can see. And seeing as I’m her only neighbor, there’s no reason to. Is she worried about me trying to break in?

I grab the key from under a rock near her front porch and open her door. Fox runs up to me. When she realizes I’m not Sadie, she steps back, confused.

“It’s okay,” I croon, but she’s unsure about my presence. “Your mom is out at the moment.”

Bandit steps closer to her, and Fox perks up, wagging her tail. Well, at least they’re getting along.

As I step through the door, frowning at her Christmas decorations, the temperature feels the same as the outside. Is her furnace broken? I debate on lighting a fire, but who knows when Sadie will return, and I don’t want to leave this little dog all alone. Least of all, alone and surrounded by Christmas decorations.

My irrational nightmare.

“Come on, Foxie,” I call to her.

She perks up, daring a step closer.

“You’re sleeping at mine,” I offer a warm smile, which makes her long, fluffy tail wag with happiness.

When I turn around, something bright pink catches my attention. An eye-catching color compared to the muted tones of her cabin. Sitting on top of a wooden coffee table, underneath a newspaper, is a bright pink vibrator.

I know this is her private space… but I’m curious, and I’m not going to deny I’m aroused just thinking about Sadie using it. Besides, curiosity killed the cat, and all that, and I’m curious as hell to inspect it closer.

The article headline of The Silver Lake Gazette pulls me in: “Charitable Donation from Lone Pine Ranch.” My eyes widen, and the smile that reaches my lips is uncontrollable. Maybe it’s not what it looks like, but I’m pretty sure it is. And I’m pretty damn sure that Sadie was pleasuring herself to a photo of me from last year.

Where did she find this article?

“Do you think she left this out on purpose?” I ask Fox, who responds with a sneeze.

She did leave it out. And she did ask me to check on her dog. Maybe she did? Maybe she wanted me to find it? If she’s trying to get my attention, she fucking has it now.

I chuckle all the way back to my place. Fox and Bandit trot along at my side.

After cooking dinner, which I shared with both dogs, Fox finds herself in my bed. Curling up on my feet next to Bandit as the fireplace in my room wraps us in warmth. I snap a picture of Fox and send it to Sadie.

Proof of life.

Sadie:

Are you trying to make me jealous?

Kit:

Is it working?

Sadie:

I’m framing this.

I send a photo of my recent discovery.

Kit:

And I’m framing this. How long have you had that picture, Tequila?

Sadie:

FML. You were not supposed to see that!