Chapter 6

Briar

It had been a couple of weeks since the doggy paddle. I had seen Hank and Quinn a few times. I played fetch with Hank in the backyard, went on a couple of jogs with them, but I had been so busy with classes and Brad that I was starting to go through Hank withdrawals.

I was sitting in my room, typing out a paper when I heard a knock on the front door. Izzy was out in the living room so I let her get it, but my interest was peaked when I heard her talking.

"Oh, hey Quinn. What's up?" She asks in her usually perky voice. I smile a little imagining how much that must grate on Quinn's nerves.

"Hey, Izzy. Is Briar here?" He asks and I stand from my desk to walk out.

"Oh. Sure." Izzy says, sounding disappointed. "Briar!" She turns around and yells directly in my face, not realizing I was right behind her. "Sorry." She says with a smile and sneaks off into the other room.

I smile over at Quinn, but he looks really tense and agitated.

"What's wrong?" I ask, foding my arms over my chest. He takes a deep breath and runs his fingers through his hair. He's never come here first, and it doesn't seem like he's enjoying the experience.

"I need a huge favor." He says and I'm sure the shock shows on my face.

"Um... ok? What is it?" I ask.

"I have to go out of town for work. For three days. Usually they give me more notice so I can take Hank to my sister's. He doesn't do well with being kenneled but I need to leave tonight. One of our locations is having issues and I need to fix it. Is there any way you could watch Hank for me?" He asks, well more like pleads and a shot of excitement goes through me.

"Three days not having to share Hank with you? Hell yes!" I say and a small smile cracks through his anxious face. "But I'm not allowed to have dogs here." I say with a frown. Who knows if the landlord would show up during the next three days, but I don't want to risk getting us kicked out.

"That's fine. He can stay at my house if you'll just let him out a few times a day and feed him. Maybe walk him." He says and I nod.

"Sure." I say and Quinn lets out a long sigh of relief.

"Thank you." He says, grabbing my arm and dragging me out the door.

"What are we doing?" I ask and he looks at me confused.

"I have to show you where everything is." He says annoyed and I roll my eyes, taking my arm back.

"Fine." I say sharply and he sighs again.

"I'm sorry. I'm just anxious. I hate traveling, I hate meeting new people and I hate doing it all with absolutely no time to prepare myself." He says and we enter his house. I hadn't even thought about how leaving his little sanctum would make him feel and a nugget of empathy for him builds in me. I walk up to him and wrap my arms around his waist, holding him tight. His body stiffens at the contact and he clears his throat.

"What are you doing?" He asks and I huff out a little laugh.

The man doesn't recognize a hug?

"Hugs release good endorphins. They make you feel good. Lessen anxiety." I explain. He grunts a little, but wraps his arms around me and I hold him tighter. We stand like that for a few minutes until he lets me go.

"Thanks." He says, his cheeks a precious pink. "That actually helped." He says and I beam at him.

"Good. Now show me the goods." I say.

He spends the next few minutes showing me where Hank's food and toys are, when he eats and usually goes outside. I already know what time they jog. Then he gives me his phone number and a key to his house. He goes to hand it to me and as I hold out my hand he pulls it back quickly.

"I'm trusting you here, Briar. Don't throw any wild parties or anything." He says and I scoff.

"I don't have time for parties. School is crazy and my roomates are obnoxiously loud. It's hard to get schoolwork done." I say and he looks at me thoughtfully.

"Well, do it here. Hank could use the company and its quiet. I make sure of it." He says and my heart warms at his offer.

"Thanks, Quinn." I say and he nods, grabbing his suitcase and car keys.

"Hank, come." He says and his loyal pooch is by his side in the next moment.

Quinn kneels down to rub Hank firmly, his fingers slipping through his fur and scratching behind his ears. I watch as he openly gives affection to the only creature in his life that seems to get it, smiling a little.

"I'll miss you. Be good for Briar." He says firmly. Hank's tongue lolls out and it looks like he's smiling a little which makes me laugh.

"Thanks again, Briar." He says and I nod as he stands, grabbing his things again. I take a step towards him and wrap him in another hug since the first one went so well and he responds much more quickly this time, his strong arms encasing me tightly and he even drops a kiss to the top of my head that makes my heart speed up.

"I'll miss you, you grump." I say with a smile as I pull away. He chuckles a little as he starts towards the door.

"I'll miss you too." He says.

"Really?" I ask and he shrugs.

"Sure. But not as much as Hank." He says and I smile at him.

"Well, I can't blame you there." I say and watch as he leaves. Hank and I stand by the door and I wave as he drives away then take Hank back into the house. I look around and sigh a little, not liking how it feels to have Quinn not here.

I go to my house and get my things and pack a small bag before going back to Quinn's. It feels weird being here without him, like an invasion of privacy even though he said I could. I sit on the couch with my books and laptop, Hank curled dutifully next to me. The quiet is an amazing reprieve and I love reaching out to scratch Hank's ears every once in awhile.

Later that night I feed him and let him out and he yawns a little making me think he's sleepy. I tuck him in to bed, wrapping the blankets around him like the baby he is before I go to head out the door.

He follows me and starts to whine when I gather my things. The sound breaks my heart and I sigh before grabbing a blanket and laying on the couch.

"Alright, buddy. I'll stay here with you." I tell him and he curls up next to me.

I toss and turn for awhile, unable to find a comfortable position. I huff in frustration and decide to sneak into Quinn's bed. If he wants me to take care of his dog, then it's the least he could do. I snuggle down into the blankets and moan at how comfortable this bed is. My tense body instantly relaxes as I take in Quinn's familiar smell. Hank comes to lay with me, resting his head on my chest. I smile at him and take a picture, sending it to Quinn. A few minutes later my phone rings.

"Hello?" I ask.

"Are you in my bed?" Quinn asks, clearly annoyed. I laugh quietly at the thought.

"Yes." I respond, unapologetically.

"Why are you in my bed?" He asks sharply and I can't keep my giggles quiet anymore.

"Well, I tried to go home but Hank got sad so then I tried to sleep in the living room but your couch is incredibly uncomfortable." I say and he huffs at me.

"It is not. That couch is incredibly comfortable." He says.

"Not as comfortable as your bed." I say, stretching again and letting out a little groan.

"What are you doing?" He asks, a hint of panic in his tone.

"Just getting comfortable." I say and he sighs.

"Just don't do anything weird." He says and I laugh again.

"Like what?" I ask teasingly.

"Like, put decorative pillows on my bed or your shampoo in my shower. And definitely don't shave in my tub. I still almost gag when I remember the time a woman did that. Took me forever to get it clean." He says and I gasp before springing out of the bed. Hank darts up to follow me and I run into Quinn's bathroom.

"Oh my god you have the most perfect tub." I say, eyeing the porcelain beauty.

"You have your own tub." He says, annoyed again and I scoff.

"What I have is not a tub. This, sir. This right here is a tub. When I fill the disappointment in my bathroom the water doesn't even cover my boobs but this... Holy hell this is the tub of my dreams." I practically groan, eyeing the large tub with multiple jets and a detachable handle.

"Please don't talk about your boobs." Quinn says and I huff out a laugh.

"Fine. But I'm using this tub." I say and Quinn groans in annoyance before he sighs.

"Fine. But clean it afterwards. I never use it and I don't want it to get gross." He says and I gasp in indignation.

"You have this tub and you never use it! That is a travesty!" I exclaim and he chuckles a little.

"Whatever. Good night, Briar. Remember what I said. Nothing weird." He reaffirms and I can't help but smile.

"I promise. Nothing weird." I respond, knowing full well I'm going to check the settings on that hand held sprayer.