A Home for Barney, page 7
“Good. If you need me before then, call me. Okay?”
Liam closed his eyes and grimaced, wanting it more than he wanted to want it. “Okay,” he said when he opened his eyes again.
Troy dropped another kiss on his lips, and Liam stepped back. He spun around so he couldn’t see Troy as he exited the room, closing the door behind him. He had a momentary worry that he wouldn’t know how to navigate the house, but he saw the stairs and descended without running. He hadn’t brought a coat or anything else with him, so he opened the front door, hesitating before leaving.
The closing of the door was like cutting off part of himself, and he had to force himself to do it. By the time he climbed into his car, his heart raced, and he rolled his eyes at himself.
“For fuck’s sake, Liam. You’re a grown man. Grow some balls.”
He started the car and reversed out of the driveway without looking back at the house. And as the miles increased between them, Liam clenched his hands and jaw to prevent himself from turning around. He’d lost himself to someone before, and they had almost ruined him for anyone else. They still might have, but Liam refused to think about that. He also refused to believe that he was capable of love and being loved. If he gave in to that, he would have to push aside everything he wanted for himself. And he wasn’t giving up. Not yet.
****
Five days later, he sat in his car, gathering the courage to walk into The Den. He hadn’t planned to attend the first mosh pit taster session, but after the week he’d experienced, he needed to let go. And what better way than to show potential pups and handlers what to expect? He was certain Troy wouldn’t be there because he had said he wasn’t planning to attend. It would give him a couple of hours of relaxing before having to see him for their second practice run. Not that they needed anymore as far as Liam was concerned.
A knock on his window made him jump, so intent on the door to The Den as he’d been, he hadn’t seen someone approach. When he stared into the blue eyes he could probably map as well as his own, his heart set off again, competing against the best horse racers in the business.
He scratched his head and pulled his keys from the ignition before opening the door and climbing out to stand beside Troy.
“Hey. I wasn’t expecting to see you until later,” Troy said.
“Yeah, I’ve had…a week. I thought I could chill a bit.”
“I’m glad I got here when I did then.” Troy’s gaze dropped to Liam’s T-shirt. “My fashion philosophy is if you’re not covered in dog hair, your life is empty. I love it.” Troy licked his lips. “Are you ever going to get a dog?”
The question came out of nowhere, but Liam nodded. “Eventually.”
“Are you not wearing your suit today?”
“I was leaving it for when we met later. I might not even play now, but I needed the…” Liam couldn’t think of the words he needed, but Troy answered for him.
“The reassurance of the club?”
“Yeah.”
Troy brought his hand up to Liam’s cheek slowly. “I wish you would’ve called me. I might’ve been able to help,” he murmured.
Liam had almost called several times a day, but each time, he forced himself to put the phone down again. He didn’t want to seem needy. “It was a busy week.”
“Even more reason. But I understand.” Troy smiled and removed his hand, though Liam wished it had stayed. “Shall we go in? I’d like to buy you a drink.”
They wandered towards the door, and Liam said, “Isn’t it my turn?”
“No. I offered.”
Liam chuckled. “I can buy drinks, you know.”
“I know.” Troy held the door open for him when the bouncer nodded at them to enter. “Are we heading straight upstairs, or do you want to relax down here first?”
It wasn’t busy in the club, and as much as he wanted to go to the mosh pit area, he also wanted to spend more time with Troy. If Liam saw the mosh pit, he’d probably sink into pup space quicker than ever.
“Down here is fine.”
Troy placed a hand on Liam’s lower back and led him to the bar. They settled onto two stools, and the bartender took their order. Troy turned his body so his legs were bracketing Liam’s body.
“So… You’ve had a week, you said?”
Liam nodded. He wasn’t going to admit that half of it was because he was distracted because of Troy. Instead, he said, “A garden I was landscaping had pipes leading to a supposed defunct water fountain. Those pipes weren’t as shut off as I was led to believe. The garden flooded, which meant a big job got a hell of a lot bigger. I had to call in help.”
“I hope the clients are footing the bill for that,” Troy said, his body tense.
Liam chuckled. “They certainly are. Especially when they admitted afterwards to have known.”
“What? That’s atrocious.”
Liam shrugged. “It is, but they’ve received a swamp for their lies.”
Troy laughed, his hand curling around his glass when the bartender placed it in front of him. “Is it an easy fix? I know we’ve had problems selling properties when something like that has gone wrong, but we hand it over to people like you to fix.”
Liam blew out a breath. “It’s not easy, put it that way. It takes time to drain the water, block off the pipes, and then dry out the soil enough to make it a viable garden again. A job that should’ve taken me a week is going to take another week at least. But I have clients booked for next week, so they’re going to have to wait. I’m just glad the weather is warming up nicely.”
“Do you get much work in the winter?”
Sipping his lemonade, Liam nodded as he swallowed. “It just changes what things I do. It’s not impossible to do a garden on dry days, but I stick to laying slabs, creating patio gardens, that kind of thing.”
Troy nodded. “Makes sense.”
“Does the weather make a difference in selling houses?” he asked, wanting to palm his forehead at the stupid question.
“Actually, yes.” Troy chuckled. “It’s much easier to sell a house on a sunny day than it is to sell on a rainy day.”
“Seriously?” Liam covered his mouth with his hand, hiding his smile.
Troy nodded. “I’ve always assumed it’s the ambience of a place. If the sun is shining through the windows, it makes everything look ten times better. The same as when you wake up in the morning and sunshine is filtering through the curtains. It perks you up immediately, doesn’t it?”
Liam’s mind went back to Troy’s house and that he had never seen the sun shining through the windows of his balcony. It was a shame because he imagined the sight would be amazing.
“It does. I love being outdoors, anyway.”
“You’d have to for your job.”
Liam smiled and glanced around them, jumping when a voice started talking by his ear.
“Gentlemen, are you coming up to see the taster session?”
Liam exhaled at Elton’s voice and faced him. “Yes. Just having a drink first.”
“Good to hear it.” He clapped him on his back, Troy receiving the same treatment. “We need couples like you to show them what it’s like.”
“You have volunteers, don’t you?” Liam asked.
Elton nodded. “It never hurts to have more.” He winked and wandered off towards the stairs. How the man could walk with such a light step when he was as muscular and tall as he was had always been a mystery to Liam. He’d got to know Elton better after the incident with Vincent, and Robert and Henry had escorted him to Elton’s office. Elton had taken care of him after that and made sure he got medical treatment. They weren’t best friends or anything, but friends, at least. Elton truly cared about the people in his club.
“I’ve always wondered how he came to own this place,” Troy said.
“I don’t know, but it’s never been in better hands, in my opinion.”
“I agree.” Troy grabbed his drink. “Shall we ascend?” He grinned.
Liam snorted. “Ascend?” He stood, holding his drink.
“I’m not wrong.”
“It sounds like something from a Jane Austen novel.”
“Or maybe Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Liam laughed, holding his stomach and steadying his drink with the other hand. “I suppose it could. Do you watch many films?” he asked as they “ascended” the stairs.
“I love watching films. Not so much fun on your own, though.”
Liam could hear the inevitable offer Troy would make, and his stomach swirled in anticipation. He doubted he could deny that man anything.
“Do you want to drop straight into pup space, or are you going to watch first?” Troy asked as they found a seat around the mosh pit, which was busier than Liam had ever seen it.
“Let’s watch for a bit first. I want to get a feel for those that are here.”
Dodo was there with his handler, and he made a beeline for Liam when he saw him. Liam chuckled, scratching behind Dodo’s ear.
“I’ll be there in a bit, Dodo. Do you want me to throw a ball?” Dodo barked and spun in a circle. Liam reached for the ball Troy held out to him, and Dodo’s chest went to the floor, his tail wagging. “Fetch!” He threw the ball to the other side of the pit, towards the other pups as well, and Dodo shot off. Liam wanted to go with him, especially as fetch was his favourite game as a pup.
“You’d be good as a handler, too,” Troy said.
Liam shook his head. “I don’t mind looking after pups if I need to, but I prefer being one of them.” He gulped his drink, finding his mind slowing and heading towards where he wanted to be. He glanced at Troy, who was already looking at him. “Do you want to practise now or later?”
Troy stared at him for a second. “Both.”
Liam gazed back at him and nodded slowly. “Okay,” he whispered. He slipped off the sofa to the floor, kneeling in front of Troy.
“Present,” Troy said.
Liam did, the sounds around them falling away as he closed his eyes. Master’s hand petted his head, and Barney moved into it, a whine leaving his mouth.
“Good boy, Barney,” Master murmured. “Fetch, boy!”
Barney’s head snapped to the side as a ball went bouncing past him. He chased after it, barrelling through a couple of pups along the way. He caught the ball and turned, finding Troy standing near another pup.
“Heel, Barney,” Master said.
Barney sat beside Master, batting the ball back and forth while Master spoke to another pup.
“Are you hurt?”
“No, sir. I was just surprised. I didn’t move out of the way quickly enough.”
“Barney is very focused when he’s after a ball. He doesn’t always look where he’s going. I’m sorry about that.” Barney whined, nudging Master’s arm. Master glanced at him, a frown on his face.
Barney tilted his head and looked at the other pup, who was rubbing his leg. Barney scooted forward a little, nudging the pup’s leg gently and whining again. The pup chuckled.
“It’s okay, Barney.”
“If you’re okay, I’ll take him out of the way for a moment.”
“He won’t be in trouble, will he?” the pup asked.
Master smiled. “Not trouble, no. But he needs a reminder to be careful. He’s a very mischievous pup.”
The other pup grinned. “I want to be mischievous, too.”
“Not too much,” Master cautioned. “Only enough to be playful.”
“Okay.”
Master stood. “Barney, heel.” He wandered over to their seats, and Barney settled at his feet. Master leaned forward. “You have to be more careful, Barney. Don’t hurt anyone.”
Barney glanced at the other pup, who was scooting around the mosh pit with a big smile on his face. He yipped, his muscles bunching to go and play, but he couldn’t without Master’s say so.
“Wait, Barney. Not yet.”
Barney trembled with the need to disobey as he watched the other pups playing.
“Wait…”
Barney whined.
****
Chapter 8
Troy
Keeping Barney from running off was a battle. Troy could see his body trembling as he kept himself beside Troy, and he pulled a treat from his pocket. Leaning forward again, he petted Barney’s head, trying to calm him before letting him play again. Troy was surprised the other pup hadn’t been more hurt with how hard Barney had barrelled into him. The other pup had almost flown across the space. Barney whined again, his legs tensing and releasing.
“Good boy, Barney. Here.” He held out a treat for him, and Barney yipped and ate it. “Barney.” He waited until Barney glanced at him. “Careful. Go play.”
Barney barked and bounced off again, stopping just short of the group of pups in the centre of the mosh pit. He bounced forward and retreated, bounced forward and retreated, and then pressed his chest to the floor and wagged his ass, which would usually have had a tail. Another pup moved closer, and they pawed at each other, rolling on the floor as they played, and Troy smiled.
He hadn’t expected to meet up with Liam that afternoon, but he was glad he did. Could he persuade Liam to get some dinner before they have another practice run that evening? He didn’t want their interactions to only happen at the club, but if that was all he could get, he would take it.
Having not heard from Liam all week was almost more than Troy had been able to bear. Every time he’d opened his phone to find no messages or calls from him, his stomach sank. He didn’t think he’d scared him off, but it wasn’t an impossibility. Troy could get overbearing sometimes. He didn’t think he had, but why else wouldn’t Liam have called?
When he’d seen him sitting in his car, Troy couldn’t leave it alone. He had to speak to him. It was a visceral need in him. And he’d been rewarded with Liam’s presence and, now, with being his handler. How could he show Liam what they could have if they just tried? There was something in Liam’s past that had hurt him, Troy could tell, but without him saying the words, all Troy had was guesswork.
He spoke to a couple of people, answering their questions in between looking after Barney, and he finally called Barney to heel an hour and a half later. He didn’t want him too exhausted, especially if he insisted on having another practice run that evening, too. Not that Troy thought they needed it. They were certainly compatible.
Barney was reluctant to end their session, but when Troy mentioned dinner, even he heard Barney’s stomach growl. Troy petted Barney as he drank, soothing him and bringing him down from the excitement of pup life. When Barney’s full weight rested against his legs, he smiled.
“There we go.” He brushed his fingers through Liam’s hair even as he realised Barney had receded. He didn’t want to stop touching him, and while he had an excuse, he would continue.
Liam sighed. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
Liam leaned his head back, looking at Troy upside down, and smiled. “I enjoyed that.”
“I know you did.”
Liam’s cheeks darkened. “I’m sorry about hurting that pup. Were they okay?”
Troy nodded. “They were fine. I think you had a lot of energy to burst and weren’t paying attention, is all.”
“This is what I meant about my behaviour needing to be managed. You did a good job. Every time I did something, I thought about sitting here wanting to play and not being able to. It helped remind me. Or remind Barney.”
“Good.” Troy continued petting him. “I’d like to take you for dinner before we come back, if that’s okay?”
Liam turned his head away, and Troy’s stomach fluttered at the move, anticipating the rejection.
“I’d like to cook for you,” Liam said, and Troy barely caught it over the noise of the club.
Troy’s heart skipped. “Are you sure?”
As if knowing Troy needed to see his eyes, Liam turned to him, resting his chin on Troy’s knee. “I’m sure. I make a mean spaghetti carbonara.”
Troy chuckled. “Okay.”
Liam’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Troy nodded. “If you want to cook, I’m not going to stop you.”
Liam stood and held out his hand, helping Troy to stand. “Let’s go.”
Troy loved the eagerness, and he held Liam’s hand as they left the club and headed for Liam’s car.
“Do you want me to drive, and I can bring you back to your car later?” Liam asked.
“I’ll follow you. That way, we don’t have to leave by a certain time.”
Troy wasn’t planning to spend the night, but he wouldn’t deny he wanted to. This way, if they were in the middle of something, they didn’t need to fetch his car before the car park locked. Liam texted him his address in case they got separated, but Troy stayed right on his bumper as they drove to Liam’s place.
He parked on the street, not being allowed into the car park as it was for residents only, and met Liam by the door to the building. The beep of the door unlocking made Troy feel a little better about the place. Not that it was in a poor area or anything like that, but he had never liked the idea of lots of people living in one building. It was too easy for one of them to let others in, or for them to break into the other apartments in the building itself. But maybe that was his stereotyping getting in the way.
“I don’t usually use the lift, but we will this time,” Liam said, depressing the button.
“Why not?”
Liam shrugged, fiddling with the keys. “Exercise.”
“Don’t you get enough of that with your job?”
“Yes, but it never pays to become complacent.”
“True.”
When the doors enclosed them, Liam held the bar and leaned back, closing his eyes as he rested his head against the wall. Troy took in his white-knuckled hold.
“You don’t like lifts, do you?”
Liam opened his eyes, sweat beading on his forehead. His mouth curled on one side. “Not really. Small places in general.”
“We could’ve taken the stairs.”
Liam waved him away, gasping when the lift stopped.
