"How was the run?" Haley asked from the kitchen as Nathan and the dog walked through the front door.
"It was good," Nathan said with a big smile, rubbing the dog's back. Haley just sighed and rolled her eyes as she continued to fix dinner. "Hales come on. Chad-o here is a great dog. How can you not like him? I mean just look at this face." Nathan said with his signature smile that could melt anyone.
Haley grinned and shook her head. "I still can't believe Lucas named the dog Chad. I mean c'mon," she said with a little laugh.
"Well you are the one who let him pick," Nathan said walking over to her placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Yeah I know. But I thought he would pick an actual dog's name ya know." She said getting some water for Chad and putting it in his bowl.
"Do you want to change it? I mean it is our dog." Nathan said as he walked down the hall to the bathroom to wash his hands.
"Nah, I guess I don't. I mean I'm already used to calling it that. Plus it might just break Lucas's heart."
"Yeah it probably would." Nathan said making his way back into the dining room area. "So how was your day?"
"It was good. Just the usual. What about you?"
"Good. I'm leaving tomorrow for a week though." Nathan said nonchalantly as he shoveled food in his mouth.
Haley's eyes went wide as her face turned red. "You're what?"
"Remember awhile ago I told you about a week long basketball thing? With all those scouts? Well I have to leave tomorrow."
"You can't just leave me with that . . . that thing. He's your dog Nathan."
"Yeah but I can't just not go. You'll be fine. He's a good dog Haley. I promise I'll make it worth your while when I get back." He said with a smirk.
"Fine." Haley said setting her fork down glaring at him.
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Over the next few days Haley got into the routine of taking care of Chad. Feeding him, walking him, and just having him around. She liked the company more than she thought she would.
"So buddy, what should I have for dinner tonight?" She asked the excited puppy standing next to her. "Mac & Cheese?" she asked holding up a box, "or Pizza," she said holding up the phone book. Chad looked at the phone book and parked twice. "Ok Pizza it is."
She grabbed the phone and placed her order. Thirty-five minutes later there was a knock on the door.
"Pizza's here boy," she said as she got off the couch and answered the door. She recognized the delivery guy as Ryan, an asshole from school.
He handed her the box of pizza. "So I hear Nate's out of town," he said as she handed him the money.
"Yeah so?"
"Well how bout you let me come in and you can have a chance to be with a real man," he said.
"How bout no?" She napped back as she went to close the door. However, Ryan was stronger and put his hand up to stop it.
"Now now you don't want me to leave." He said trying to come into the house.
"Yes. I do." Haley replied starting to get scared. Seconds later Chad walked up behind Haley and noticed that she looked scared. He then positioned himself between Haley and Ryan and snapped at the unwanted guest.
"Whoa." Ryan said as he backed away and ran for his car.
Haley quickly shut the door and fell to her knees wrapping her arms around Chad. "Good boy," she said cooing in his ear. "Thank you so much." She kept repeating hugging him.
That night she let Chad sleep in the bed with her.
The next morning she got out of bed, managing to do so without waking the sleeping dog.
"He's so much cuter when he's sleeping." She said softly to herself as she stood at her bedroom door watching him sleep.
The next few days went well. Haley loved spending time with Chad. He had become her dog by the time Nathan arrived home.
"Hey baby," he said as he walked in dropping his bag.
Haley ran and jumped in his arms Chad quickly trotting behind her.
"How'd it go?" Nathan asked.
"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Haley said with a sweet smile. "He's a really good dog Nathan."
Nathan's smile grew to match the size of Texas. "I'm glad you think so."
Haley then told Nathan about everything that had happened while he was away. About how Chad saved her from a potentially dangerous situation.
"I'm gonna kill him." Nathan said talking about Ryan.
"I'm sure Chad would help." Haley said with a little smile. "He hasn't let me out of his sight since."
Chad walked to the table and looked at the couple as if he knew they were talking about him. Nathan patted his head. "Good boy. I think we should go get you a treat." Chad started wagging his tail rapidly.
The trio went to Pet's Mart where they bought the dog 3 bones, 2 chew toys, and a soft comfy bed for the floor in Nathan and Haley's room.
Later that night when it was time for bed, Chad went to get in his normal spot beside Haley's legs. But before he could get too comfortable Nathan stepped in.
"Listen I love ya buddy, but you aren't sleeping with us." He said with a gentle smile. "That's why we bought you that," he continued pointing toward the doggie bed.
Chad hung his head and began to whine as he walked to his bed and laid down.
"Aww Nate, now look what you did." Haley said getting out of bed going over to sit on the floor by Chad.
"Come on Hales. He can't sleep with us."
"But you made him sad." She said rubbing the puppy's back softly. "It's ok boy. He's a big meanie anyway." She said talking to the dog.
"Hey standing right here." Nathan interjected with a little laugh.
"And your point?" Haley questioned sticking her tongue out.
"You're turning my own dog against me."
"No, our dog." She said with a big smile. She then placed a kiss on the dog's head and got up and went back to bed. "See all he wanted was some attention. Now he's asleep."
"You're going to make a great mom one day." Nathan said looking adoringly at his wife.
Review, please. Again I'm sorry for any suckage in this. I'm so not used to writing Naley.