Haru’s Love (A Stepbrothers BL Harem) - Chapter 70

I felt my face flushing hot. Why did he make it sound like he was doubting me and that he was suspicious of me?

“I’m nineteen, turning twenty soon, so yeah, I’m old enough to drive. And I didn’t drive here. I was out for a walk, and Aki and I found Toby.”

“Ah, so you live around here?” he asked.

“The next neighborhood over,” I said. “This part is way too fancy for us.”

“The next one over?” Sean tilted his head to one side as if he was in thought while his fingers were gently stroking Toby’s soft fur.

I wondered when he was going to give me the dog so we could head out. I wanted to find Toby’s home, after all.

“You’re new around the neighborhood, right?”

“We just moved in a week ago,” I said. “By the way, I was wondering if that collar of Toby’s has his home address. I want to return him to his owner.”

Sean chuckled. “Yes, it does, but I’m not telling you.”

I looked at the man for a moment and then widened my eyes. “Oh, shit! You’re not thinking I’ve kidnapped the dog, right? Because I didn’t.”

Sean stepped toward me and then leaned his face close until we were nearly nose to nose. “How do I know you really didn’t kidnap the dog?”

“I’ve never kidnapped a dog in my life,” I said. “I would never do that. Can you please return Toby to me so I get him back home to his owner?”

Sean moved back again and then shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Haru. I’ll call Toby’s owner and tell them Toby is in our care.”

I guessed that was the most logical thing to do and said, “Okay, you do that.” I turned to pick Aki up. “Come on, let’s go home.”

The pup was reluctant to leave the play area and, more so, his new toy ball. He whimpered, but I was firm. I put the leash on him again and then started for the door, all the while Sean simply stood there, watching me as he continued to stroke Toby. Didn’t the man have work to get back to?

“So you’re leaving without paying?” he asked. “That’s brash of you.” He sighed, as if in disappointment. “Kids these days.”

I came to a halt instantly and turned to give him a glare. What the heck was with this guy?

I marched back to the counter and said, “How much?”

Behind him, the receptionist said, “Sean, stop teasing him.”

Sean said, “A kid like you have money? Well, I’m not surprised. That neighborhood over there are where wealthy people live. You’re an entitled little thing, aren’t you?”

This guy was getting on my nerves. One second he was damn nice and friendly, and the next, he was picking on me? He reminded me so fucking much of Noah, and that only riled me up even more.

“For your information, I’m not a kid. I’m adult. And no, I’m not entitled.” I demanded. “How much?”

The receptionist chuckled in amusement. She said, “Don’t worry about the bill. It’s been taken care of.” He pointed to Sean who was now leaning himself against the countertop and smirking at me, his eyes twinkling. “He’s nasty at teasing, but he’s kind and caring, especially where animals are concerned.”

Did that mean Sean was the one who paid for Toby’s treatment? Even though he was the one treating the dog?

“Are you sure?” I asked, my eyes on him.

He gave me a bright smile. Now he was acting nice again.

“It’s fine,” he said. “Like Tracy said, the bill is taken care of. But you’re coming with me to return Toby to his owner.”

I widened my eyes. “What about your clinic?”

Sean chuckled. “It’s a Saturday. Normally, it’s not open this late. We only leave it open this late because of a client’s request. And I have a few minutes free until my next patient is due to arrive.”

The woman said, “He’s not free, since he should be setting up for his next patient, but he’ll make time for you, love.”

I had a feeling Sean wanted to make sure I wasn’t taking Toby to my own home. Did I look the type who’d go around kidnapping dogs?

A few minutes later, I found myself sitting in the front seat of Sean’s fancy sports car, with Toby in my arms and Aki in the back seat.

“Comfortable?” he asked.

I nodded, my eyes on him. I didn’t know Sean was wearing casual jeans and a sweater under his scrubs. Maybe it wasn’t a requirement to wear semi-formal clothing when you’re a vet? Or it could be because it was a Saturday? Or was it just Sean? I bet it was the last. He had the type of personality that screamed he didn’t give a fuck about rules and regulations. He wasn’t the type to follow the herd. I must admit though, he was hot, on par with Aiden, Noah, and Mason.

As he maneuvered the car out of the parking lot, he said, “So you and your family just moved into the neighborhood back there, huh?”

I nodded. “Me and my brothers.”

“You live with your brothers?”

“Mm-hmm. Five of them.”

“Five? Wow!” He looked astonished.

“Yep, five brothers,” I said. “And Aki, of course.” I pointed to the pup at the back. “Since you’re a vet, you must love animals, right? Do you have any pets at home?”

He nodded. “Yep. Three cats and two dogs.”

I chuckled. “Wow! Awesome. I wanted two puppies, but Noah won’t allow me because he said it’ll be hard to look after two.”

“I can understand that,” he said. “Since you like dogs, you want to come around to my place sometimes and check out my puppies and kittens?”

I smiled. “Really?” Just as suddenly, I frowned. “Wait, I don’t know you.”

Sean chuckled. “Well, you know me now, and you’re in my car. You’re a pretty trusting kid, aren’t you?”

He was right. I guessed I was a bit too naive and trusting.

“Are you going to do something weird?” I asked. “Because if you do, I’m going to call the police.”

He burst out laughing. There were even tears in his eyes. When he managed to stop his mirth, he said, “You’re fucking cute.” He reached his one hand out and ruffled my hair, his eyes on the road. “Want to exchange numbers?”

“Huh?” I stared at his profile. Was he hitting on me?

He said, “So you can come visit my puppies and kittens, silly.”

Oh, I see. He wasn’t hitting on me like most men. That was a relief.

“Yeah, sure,” I said. “I want Aki to have friends.” I chuckled as I brought out my smartphone from my jeans pocket. “What’s your number?”

I added his number to my contacts, and then I texted him so he could have mine. I heard a ding, which told me he had received my message.

“Thanks,” he said.

“What for?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he said. “For appearing, I guess. Now, my life will be a bit more…interesting.”

I raised a brow. Was his life not interesting before? Or had something happened?

“I just broke up with my girlfriend,” he said out of the blue. “It’s been tough.”

Sean was straight, which explained why he wasn’t hitting on me. I felt even more relieved. This meant that having him as a friend would be okay where Aiden was concerned. I just knew Aiden would get all protective if I were to befriend Sean if Sean was gay. I mean yes, Sean and I had a huge age gap, like six years apart, but I’d like to have more friends around. Besides, Sean had three kittens and two puppies, and I wanted to see and play with them. I wanted Aki to be friends with them. That was reason enough to see Sean again.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. “But maybe it’s for the best?” I tried to console him. Not that I knew how, of course.

He glanced at me, and with a smile, he reached his hand out and ruffled my hair again. “Yeah, maybe it is.” He sounded a little sad though.

A moment later, Sean slowed the vehicle and maneuvered it to the side of the street to park. After switching off the engine, he leaned toward me.

He said, pointing to the building across the footpath, “That’s the apartment.”

“The Princeton Apartment,” I said. “Wow! Cool name.” Why did I have the feeling the name Princeton sounded familiar though?

“Yeah,” he said.

I undid my seat belt and then got out of the car. Sean did, too, and came around to get Aki out for me. I was about to head over to the apartment when I noticed Sean going back.

“Aren’t you coming?” I asked.

He grinned. “I have another patient in ten minutes,” he said. “Take care and see you soon, Haru.” He even gave me a wink.

“Okay,” I said. “See you later.” I was at the door when there was a couple of honks. I turned to see Sean waving at me from inside his car. I waved back, smiling.. When his car was gone, I opened the door and stepped inside.