Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
The old tennis ball was permanently flat on one side. It didn't bounce true anymore, but it still smelled like a gym floor and old hope.
I sat on the cool grass of the backyard, watching the moon hang like a pale slice of melon in the sky. It was 3:00 AM, that quiet hour when the world feels empty and the air gets a bit crisp. Tommy, the neighbor's kid, had finally decided it was time for me to go back inside. He didn't just open the door for me; he gave me a little pat on the flank and pointed toward the house, his voice sleepy and muffled. He’s a good boy, usually, though he smells like old corn chips and desperation.
I didn't rush. I took a slow lap around the perimeter of the fence, checking for stray squirrels or intruders, before heading toward the doggy door. The plastic flap clicked against my neck—a familiar, rhythmic sound. As soon as I crossed the threshold and hit the hardwood of the kitchen, the air changed. The house was silent, but the scent hitting my nostrils was loud. It was an explosion of sweetness, something thick and indulgent that made my mouth water instantly.
I know the smell of kibble and the smell of the park, but this was different. It was banana. It was rich, dark chocolate. And underneath it all, there was the airy, sugary scent of whipped cream. My tail started to thrum against the floorboards. I didn't see any bowls left out on the counter, and the fridge was sealed tight. This wasn't food left on a plate; it was a scent trail, a fragrant map leading straight toward the bedroom.
My paws made soft, rhythmic thuds on the hallway carpet, each step bringing me closer to the source of that intoxicating aroma. I could hear the heavy, slow breathing of my Mommy, Cindy. She was out cold, the kind of deep sleep that only comes after a long night of exertion and far too many drinks. The air in the bedroom was thick, smelling of expensive perfume, stale wine, and that overwhelming, sugary musk.
As I approached the side of the bed, my nose twitched violently. The scent wasn't just in the air; it was emanating from her. She was sprawled out on her back, her limbs loose and uninhibited, completely unaware that her loyal German Shepherd was standing over her. She was mostly naked, draped in a sheet that had slid halfway down her body, exposing the pale, soft curves of her hips and the dark, inviting center of her lap.