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“Anya, come! Shane’s going to shower. You can’t go.”
Anya surveyed him but followed Shane to the bedroom, her tail wagging happily as she went. Ilya tried not to pout, but Anya had been favoring Shane for the better part of two weeks now. She was trailing after him constantly, no matter where he went in the house. He never thought that he would be fighting for his sweet girl’s affection when he brought her home a few years prior.
He poked his head into their bedroom to see Anya curled up in front of the bathroom door. Ilya’s heart melted at how pitiful she looked. “Anya! Treat?” She gave him a mild side-eye then sniffed at the crack under the bathroom door. Ilya could have sworn that he heard her whine.
Ilya was busying himself making dinner when Shane joined him in the kitchen. He could hear Anya at his feet, begging for attention. Shane, freshly showered and comfortable, usually set his heart on fire, but white-hot jealousy was starting to form in his chest.
Shane sat at the kitchen island with Anya nestled in his lap. She was lazily licking his chin. “Smells great.”
Ilya grunted as he set the timer for the oven.
“Are you okay?” It was almost comical seeing Shane look concerned while Anya tried to give him a 2nd shower with her little kisses. Ilya would have pulled out his phone to take a dozen pictures if he were in a better mood.
“I’m fine.”
Shane deposited Anya on the floor and took Ilya into his arms. “You don’t sound fine.”
It wasn’t fair how his husband could make Ilya want to pour out his soul with a single look. “Anya is ignoring me.”
Their gazes fell to the dog, who was currently pressed up against Shane’s leg and sappily looking up at them. “What do you mean? She loves you.”
“She loved me. Now she loves you. Now I’m sliced liver.”
“Chopped liver.”
Ilya gently pushed him away, but Shane remained solid. “Is that supposed to help, Shane?”
“I’m sorry, but it’s not a big deal.” Shane kissed his cheek. “In a few days, she’ll be Papa’s little girl again. You’ll see.”
Anya’s yawn broke through Shane’s reassurance, and she rested her head on his foot.
“You think so, Hollander?”
***
“Harris. You got a minute?”
Harris looked up from his desk and smiled.“Ilya, I have at least 10 minutes for you. What’s up?”
Ilya sat opposite him, his expression serious. “You are dog expert, yes?”
Harris gushed. “I really should add that to my resume. Speaking of dogs, look at these pictures of Chiron at our new place!"
Troy and Harris moved into a gorgeous craftsman during the season break. Their only non-negotiable during house shopping was a backyard big enough to entertain and occupy their current and future fur babies.
Ilya flipped through the photos of Chiron holding court in their immaculate backyard and couldn’t resist grinning. “I’m happy for the three of you.”
“Thanks. Are you and Shane thinking of getting Anya a sibling?”
Ilya regaled Harris about the past couple of weeks with Anya. It felt like he was talking to Galina with Harris’ intent listening and calm nature.
“Ilya, I’m sure Anya doesn’t hate you. You should see Chiron and Troy after they come home from a run, they’re practically inseparable, but I know they still love me.”
Troy entered and deposited a fresh cup of coffee on Harris’ desk. He greeted his boyfriend with a chaste kiss on the cheek. “Who still loves you?”
“You, of course. But we are talking about Anya favoring Shane lately.”
“What did you do, Rozanov?” Troy hid a sly smile behind his coffee cup. “Chirp her one too many times?”
“You’re a comedian, Barrett. Maybe you should trade hockey for stand-up. Better use of your talents.”
“Bite me, Rozanov.”
Ilya scoffed. “No, thanks. I prefer prime cuts.”
Harris broke through the exchange with a branded Centaurs’ whistle. “My office is a no chirping zone. Behave or leave.” He looked between the two men, both looking admonished, and turned his focus to Ilya. “I agree with Shane. This is just a phase, and you shouldn’t overthink it. If you want to spend more time with Anya, just do it. Pick up her favorite treats and then hit the dog park. She’ll love it.”
“Thank you, Harris.” Ilya got up to leave. “See you tomorrow at practice, Barrett. Prepare for bag skates.”
***
Ilya was thankful that he and Shane drove separately to practice that day. Shane was always on him for spending too much on Anya, and Ilya knew that his husband would put on his angry kitten face when he caught sight of all the bags from the pet store. Was Ilya trying to buy Anya’s affections? Maybe, but he missed his 2nd favorite cuddle buddy.
Their house was eerily quiet when he entered. “Shane?” He deposited his purchases next to the front door and sought his family.
He found Shane tucked in a cozy blanket on the couch and sleeping peacefully. He couldn’t resist and traced the freckles on his cheeks. He searched the house for Anya, but she was nowhere to be found. He even checked the back door to make sure that she didn’t get out on her own.
He gently shook Shane awake. “Shane, I can’t find Anya. Where is she?”
Shane’s eyes cracked open with mild irritation. “What?”
Light thuds sounded from underneath the blanket, and Ilya ripped it away. Anya was tucked into Shane’s side. Her tail wagged wildly against his hip, her face unrepentant.
“I almost had heart attack!”
Shane rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Ilya, she’s fine. We were just taking a nap.”
Ilya fell into a nearby armchair. “I thought she got out. I thought she was dognapped.”
“Anya, go tell Papa you're sorry for making him worry.” Anya stayed rooted to Shane’s side.
“My baby and my husband are working against me. The betrayal. The deceit.”
Shane failed to stop himself from smiling. “You caught us.” He kissed Ilya’s curls as he passed. "I’m gonna get started on dinner.”
Anya traipsed after him, and Ilya sank deeper into his chair.
“Rozanov! What did I say about going on shopping sprees for the dog?”
***
“How did you end up spending $500 on dog treats and clothes? Why does Anya even need a cashmere playsuit?”
Shane was finishing up skincare on his side of the bathroom sink as Ilya snaked his arms around him. His lips met the side of his neck, and he put on his most charming smile. “She is my baby, Shane. I just want to make her love me again.”
“That’s a lot of love for $500.” Anya appeared when Shane started to apply moisturizer from a large jar on the countertop. Shane gently nudged her away when she tried to lick his legs. She tried again, with an almost feral look in her eyes. “Anya, girl, stop.”
Ilya scooped the squirming dog into his arms and looked at the jar on the counter. It was different than what Shane usually used. Most of his skincare products came in small, delicate jars with names that Ilya wouldn’t even attempt to pronounce. He examined the label and his face turned to stone. “Hollander? Why are you using Beef Tallow?”
“Rose told me about it. My skin has been feeling a little dry so I decided to try it. I like it so far.”
Ilya seethed. Of course, Landry was responsible for this. “You have been rubbing beef on your body?”
“It’s a moisturizer made from Suet that is melted and-”
“You have been rubbing beef on your body and seducing my baby with your...meatiness.” Ilya clutched Anya to his chest. “Shame, Hollander. Shame.”
Shane followed them to the bedroom. “That can’t be it, right? It doesn’t even smell like beef.”
“My baby has the nose of a bloodhound, Hollander. She can smell cow all over you.” Ilya tried to snuggle with Anya under the covers, but she made a mad dash for Shane, resuming her attempts to lick his legs. Ilya motioned towards them. “I put my case to bed.”
“I rest my case”, Shane whispered.
Ilya turned over in a huff and switched off the lamp on his nightstand. He felt the bed dip next to him, and then fingers drew lazy circles in between his shoulder blades. Ilya sighed and faced his husband. “Maybe I’ll start calling you ‘my little beef stick’.”
“Please don’t. I’ll stop using it if you want me to.”
Ilya traced the panes of Shane’s chest and arms for a moment. His skin truly felt amazing. “No. Maybe I’ll start using it, too.”
“I’ve been trying to get you to do skincare with me for years, and nothing. But Anya was able to get you to consider it.”
They looked down at their dog dozing at the foot of their bed. Ilya’s smile was fond. “She is my baby, Shane. I don’t know why I must always tell you this."