Rex made his way home, more than just a little angry. I thought she'd be happy that I wanted to come along. And did you see how huffy she got… He stomped through his living room.
"Bork!" Kevin ran right over, wagging his tail.
"Not now, Kev," he mumbled.
Making his way to the bedroom, Rex stripped out of the wet trunks, casting them along with his towel to the floor. He headed straight to his shower. The warm water pelted his head, soothing his hurt feelings.
By the time he'd toweled off, he was able to think more clearly. Maybe I imagined her attitude. I felt like I was dismissed. What triggered her, I wonder?
Women!
Dressed in jeans and a button-down with shirttails out, he sat in his office.
When no response came from Sutton, he smacked his phone down on the desk. Kevin's dark eyes stared up at him. His tail slightly elevated, his eyes beseeching, he lifted his paw, placing it on Rex's thigh.
Rex patted the top of his head. "You don't have to look so glum. I'm the one in the doghouse. I hate this feeling."
Kevin's tail thumped against the floor. When Rex removed his hand from his head, the dog leaped onto Rex's lap.
“Woah, partner," Rex exclaimed, gripping the desk to keep the chair from tipping over. Kevin snuggled into his chest. Then the dog lifted his nose, his tongue swiping across Rex's mouth.
Rex buried his nose in Kevin's neck. Dogs can really be a comfort. Especially when women are annoying. He wrapped his arms around Kevin's warm fur. "You smell pretty good today. Kind of like a cheap vanilla candle. Must be the doggie shampoo and conditioner Sutton's using." He hugged the dog again and then gave him a gentle shove. "Now get down, you silly mutt."
"I got your text." Sutton stood in the doorway. "You shouldn't let him do that, jump in your lap," she scolded.
"He just does what he wants around me." Rex extended his leg to stretch. "I went swimming today. Very therapeutic for my injury." He pointed to the problematic knee.
"And not bad for watching your girlfriend's strokes either. I assume you swam in her pool."
"Yeah, about that." Rex sighed. Then he told Sutton how mean Viv was to him and how she'd hurt his feelings.
After talking it out and sharing several deep sighs, Rex got quiet. Sutton made her assessment. "You're a bit much. You know that, right? Viv is her own woman. She doesn't need you treating her like a weak sister who requires protection."
Surprised that Sutton wasn't more understanding, Rex shot her a hurt look.
"And that pouty thing you do with your bottom lip and the big eyes. That's not gonna work on Viv either. Don't you think she's seen enough babies as a doula?"
The truth hit him hard. He gulped back a defense. Mostly because Sutton's matter-of-fact assessment made sense. Viv only said no, that she didn't need any help. He sniffed, feeling even more sorry for himself now that he knew he'd most likely exaggerated the situation.
"Maybe I am pouty," he mused aloud. "Don't you find that mildly attractive in a man?”
"I find you irritating," Sutton said. "Now enough about your feelings. I have some news. My guy—he's on the inside of the Palm Springs police—told me that the Nelson family does have mob ties. Apparently Mrs. Beverly Nelson's father is Nick Luciano."
"Not the boss in Detroit—they call him Nicky L., right?" Rex felt his gut clench. “I am right. Viv can't handle a mob boss’s daughter. They're a special kind of wicked. Did I not just say that Viv needed help!"
"Just stop. You said that, but your mistake was to imply that she was weak. That's why she got mad. Think about it and stop being so defensive."
Sutton left the room. She'd grown smart that way. Over the years when they'd disagreed, she'd learned to make a quick exit. She knew that he'd calm down and be more reasonable afterward.
She returned shortly with a coffee carafe and two mugs. "Give Viv some space. She'll get over it. And really, how much trouble can a doula possibly get into?”