Logan Chapter 33

-Emory-

“He’s actually a big sweetheart. You don’t need to worry about him. I’ve got to go, Cora. I’ll think about going out.” I hang up before Cora can try harder to convince me to go on a one night stand, of all things. “Well, that was pretty unhelpful, wasn’t it? We didn’t even get anybody that could help out with you, Logan-dog.”

All I get for my conversational effort is side-eye. “Now, the least you could do after all the work of getting this stuff for you is help hold it for a second. I’m sure you’re strong enough.” I rest the forty pounds of dog food on his shoulders as I reposition the bags to get everything in a comfortable spot so I can carry the bag of food on my hip like a toddler. When I reach to grab it up, however, Logan dances out of my reach. “You’re not built to carry things like that, boy. Let me grab that back!” Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t let me carry it, hopping and mincing just out of my reach every time I try for the bag. He barks at me with a big doggie grin, tail wagging. I love that my attempt to take care of him is a game, now, but I can’t help the rueful grin on my face. “Fine. You want to carry it that bad, you can. We could’ve been halfway home by now. Let’s go, Logan-dog.”

We walk back to my apartment, and I divest Logan-dog of his new food, leash, and harness. He shakes out like he’s not used to wearing anything, which seems about right from what I’ve seen. I decide the front door knob is a good enough place to hang the latter, as he’s most likely coming with me whenever I leave, anyway. I set up his new bowl and set his new bag of dog food next to it. “Now, don’t make me regret trusting you enough to leave this food out, boy. You don’t seem like the type to eat until you puke, but I don’t want to clean it up.” I point a stern finger his way, which he licks and then heaves a big sigh like I’ve wounded him by underestimating his self-control. What a diva.

This thought is only reinforced by the way he eats the food. Like he doesn’t actually like it, but he’ll eat it to humor me. “Has anyone told you you’re a prima donna?” He rears back like I smacked his nose and I can’t help but laugh out loud. “See? That’s exactly what I mean! Who thought such a big guy could be so dainty and have such an attitude?” He pointedly turns his back to me and continues to eat, much to my amusement. I leave him to it, deciding instead to go watch some more of the werewolf series I’ve been streaming.

Logan-dog eventually comes in to snuggle with me on the couch- another battle of wills I seem to have lost. I don’t mind so much anymore, and I’ve started putting a lint roller at the door for when I head to work. It’s one thing to have dog hair at home, but I don’t feel like pulling it off fabric samples all day. It’s absolutely worth it to have a nice, warm snuggle buddy as I hang out in the evenings. He doesn’t even mind when I play with his hair, and there’s no expectation of what will happen when bedtime comes around.

“I can’t remember the last time I got to snuggle without getting groped in some way. It’s just not always what I want, is that so hard to understand?” Logan tilts his head at my random comment. I think I startled him out of a doze. “Sorry, bud. It’s just nice to have a platonic snuggle buddy. I’ve been fragile lately and just having you around has made me feel so much better.” I give him a tight hug around his neck and some scratching behind his ears while he wags his tail at me. “You’ve got me feeling much better than I have been, though. Is your fur magic? Should I throw away the lint roller?” I laugh to myself. Maybe he really is magic, somehow. Maybe it’s just the magic of friendship.

“I just wish he hadn’t turned out to be crazy, is all. We were so good together before it went sideways. I’ve never had sex like that.” That gets me another huffy sigh from the dog. Does he have a breathing problem? “Granted, I’m not super experienced or anything. I’ve only had a couple of boyfriends that I met in classes at college. Looking back, they were pretty selfish in bed. I just thought it was like that for everybody. I had no idea what all the fuss was about. I just knew I’d get so aroused and then nothing much would come of it unless I was, you know… on my own. But if it’s always supposed to be like what Logan- the man, not you- and I had, then I want more of that.

Maybe Cora isn’t crazy after all? She’s the one that rescued me from all the losers in college, after all. Maybe she’s right about this, too, and I should just let her pick someone out for me. Obviously I’m some kind of douche magnet and my taste can’t be trusted.” Logan-dog whines at my tone and I give him more scritches. “Sorry, bud. I don’t mean to be a big ol downer. Let’s get back to the show.” I hit play again on the remote.

After a few episodes, I catch myself yawning. “Alright buddy, time to go to bed, I think.” He stretches across my lap and licks my cheek once before hopping down and heading to my room. We’ve set up a routine here, too. I change into my pajamas while he rolls to his back on the bed. “Now that I’m feeling better, I’m going to have to start actually watching my diet again. Wouldn’t want those pounds coming back, would we?” He whines a little before poking my belly button with his nose. It’s crazy how much he seems to understand, sometimes. “I know, I know, a bigger belly would be more comfortable for snuggling, but it’s just not as aesthetically pleasing. Maybe if I lived in the 1800s or something? I’m not entirely sure when it was that fat was sexy.” That earned me a big huff from Logan-dog. He’s so argumentative. “Whatever. Let me brush my teeth and everything, I’ll be right back.” I put action to my words and we snuggle down to sleep. Hopefully work will be a little better tomorrow. I doubt Sara expected me to get all those copies done in one day.