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emjayewrites · 23 days ago

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puppy love • aurelien tchouameni (2/8)

SYNOPSIS: Ocho has a dog crush...too bad the owner hates both Aurelien and Ocho.

WARNINGS: mentions of dogs humping each other/in love, football b.s., eventual smut, eventual boyfriend!aurelien, cursing, light enemies-to-lovers, usage of the 'n' word. [if not comfortable, then don't read].

PAIRINGS: aurelien tchouameni x black!femreader (Y/N)

TAGLIST: @sucredreamer, @trenterprise, @tchouathon, @trentswrld, @f1-football-fiend, @certainsaturn, @lettersofgold, @hopefulromantic1, @foreverisntenough, @essaysbyciara, @elyseesarchive @deonn-jaelle @alika-4466 @greyishbach, @irishmanwhore, @judesbabymamas, @whoevenisthiz @kj77 @shelovesfootie @mineymak

A/N: Another Aurelien series???? Anyways, please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist. Also, as always, please like, comment, and send asks! Dividers by @inklore.

P.S.: Should I create Y/N's playlists on Spotify?

Chapter 2: Haterade

The next morning, Y/N hit the pavement for her usual jog around the neighborhood. The air was crisp, the perfect antidote to her simmering frustration. She still hadn’t gotten over that guy—Aurélien—from the park. The way he’d rolled his eyes at her and had the nerve to call her dramatic. She wasn’t dramatic. If anything, Y/N considered herself the quiet type, keeping her head down and minding her own business.

Still, his dismissive attitude pissed her off.

Pausing at a street corner, Y/N stretched her legs, glancing at her reflection in a nearby window. Her expression was still tight with irritation.

Dramatic, my ass.

She shook her head, bouncing lightly in place to keep her heart rate up. The light still hadn’t changed, so she pulled out her phone, and pressed play on her Running playlist. Victoria Monét’s smooth voice flooded her headphones, the beat instantly getting her pumped. Y/N smiled to herself, her body moving to the rhythm as she danced a little in place, forgetting the tension for a moment.

But as she waited for the light to turn green, her mind couldn’t help but wander back to Aurélien. He was attractive, she had to admit. Tall, dark-skinned, with a lanky build that still somehow looked athletic. His hair was shaped in a high taper fade, and his angular facial features made him look like he belonged in a magazine. And those full, kissable lips with that sexy accent to match? Yeah, she’d definitely noticed that, even if he was a dickhead.

He’s just another pretty boy who thinks the world revolves around him, she reminded herself. Y/N didn’t mess with dickheads. Hell, she didn’t mess with anybody lately. She wasn’t about that life, no matter how attractive the guy might be.

Maybe you should, an intrusive thought slipped into her mind. Might help ease the tension.

Y/N shook her head, squashing the thought as she jogged across the street, the light finally in her favor. Nah, I didn’t come to Madrid to mess with boys. I came here to finish my degree and make sure my family stays good. That’s all that mattered.

She kept running, the familiar rhythm of her feet hitting the pavement grounding her. By the time she circled back to her house, her mood had leveled out.

Home. It wasn’t much, but it was cozy, a small rented townhouse on the outskirts of the city, close enough to campus but far enough to give her some peace.

Stepping inside, she was immediately greeted by the familiar scent of breakfast from earlier and the faint hum of the TV in the living room. Y/N closed the door behind her, peeling off her running shoes as she climbed the stairs, only to be met by her little brother, Sutton, standing at the top, already grinning.

Sutton wrapped his arms around her waist in a hug. Y/N rolled her eyes, knowing that look. He wanted something.

Sutton pulled back slightly, the grin on his face widening.

"What do you want, brat?" she signed to him with a shake of her head.

"Can you buy me more Roblox money?" he signed back, his face lighting up like Christmas.

Y/N groaned. Of course. "Is that all I’m good for? Roblox or Fortnite re-ups?" she signed, playfully exasperated.

Sutton giggled, the sound making her heart soften a little. "No," he signed, then added with a mischievous smirk, "And making good sandwiches."

Y/N nudged him gently out of her way, walking toward her room. "Please," Sutton begged, this time using his actual speaking voice. There was barely any strain to it. He had been practicing more lately, and it was paying off.

She turned back, signing, "Fine, but this one time, okay? Also, take a shower—you stink."

Sutton’s eyes gleamed with mischief. "I can say the same about you," he signed back, ducking his head before Y/N could swat at him. She playfully mushed his head before stepping into his room, a complete disaster zone.

Clothes were thrown haphazardly across the floor, old snack bags lay on the dresser, and his bed wasn’t even made. "Clean this up first," she signed, raising an eyebrow at him. Sutton immediately gave her a mock salute before getting to work, knowing better than to argue.

Y/N quickly grabbed the PS5 controller and bought him the Roblox bucks he wanted, deleting her card information right after—he wasn’t slick. With that task done, she made her way to her own room, feeling the sweat clinging to her skin from the run.

She tossed her headphones onto her bed, grabbed a towel, and headed to the bathroom.

Shower time.

The day wasn’t over yet, and she still had things to take care of—just like always. Since their mom passed, Y/N had slipped into the caretaker role for Sutton, SJ, and their dad. She wasn’t just their sister anymore; she was like a second mom, making sure the house was clean, cooking dinner, ensuring the boys stayed alive and somewhat functional.

But for now, she let herself enjoy the simple comfort of a hot shower, washing away the morning’s frustration.

Y/N turned on her Shower Vibes playlist, immediately engulfed by the pounding intro of Meek Mill's "Dreams & Nightmares." The energy hit her right in the chest as she grabbed her loofah and began lathering herself up, rapping along with the track. “When I bought the Rolls Royce, they thought it was leased…” she spit the lyrics with the same intensity as if she was the one who’d just made it out of Philly’s toughest streets.

She felt every word. Meek’s voice fueled her, the bass reverberating through the bathroom as the hot water hit her skin. The frustration she had been carrying since that run started melting away with each bar. This was her therapy.

“I don't say a word, I don't say a word…”

Suddenly, a sharp knock broke through her focus, followed by more insistent banging on the door.

"Siri, pause the music," Y/N called out, rolling her eyes in annoyance as she wrapped a towel around herself and cracked the bathroom door open.

Standing there, her twin brother, SJ, was tapping his foot impatiently, his face already showing that signature pout he had whenever he wanted something.

"Nigga, what the heck are you doing banging on the door?" she asked, irritation heavy in her voice.

"I gotta pee, and you're taking forever," SJ complained, his tone whiny as he looked past her into the steamy bathroom.

Y/N was about to clap back with some snarky remark about his lack of bladder control, but the words died in her throat when she noticed the slight redness around his eyes. She leaned forward a bit, sniffing the air, and caught that familiar scent.

"The fuck? Are you high, SJ?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Yo, you're too loud!" he hissed, quickly covering her mouth and glancing nervously down the hall to make sure their dad wasn’t around. His whole body tensed, clearly panicking. Y/N bit his hand, making him yelp and pull back. "Ouch!"

"That’s what you get for putting your nasty hands on my face," she scowled at him. "What the hell are you doing getting high, SJ? If Dad finds out—"

"Dad ain't even around to notice, Y/N. Quit bitchin', man."

Y/N blinked, stunned. Did he just call me a bitch? Her brows shot up in disbelief. "Did you just call me a bitch?"

SJ sighed, shaking his head. "No, I said you're bitchin'—as in complainin', naggin' on a nigga," he clarified, trying to sound casual about it. "Like I said, Dad's too busy to worry 'bout us, 'specially with this new job of his."

Y/N crossed her arms, her anger brewing again. Oh, so this was what it was about. The new job had him working nonstop. Their father wasn’t just any physio; he was the head physio for one of the biggest football clubs in Madrid, constantly traveling, managing high-pressure situations with elite athletes. It wasn’t like SJ fully grasped the impact their father was making in sports. To SJ, Dad’s absence was just an opportunity to slack off.

"So you thought getting high was the move?" Y/N asked, not even giving him time to answer before continuing. "This isn’t Philly, SJ. You could get in trouble here."

"Nah, 'cause weed's basically legal here—I looked it up," he said with a dopey grin, proud of himself for the bare minimum of research.

Y/N wasn’t surprised. Sure, her brother was a lazy fuck, but he wasn’t a stupid lazy fuck. There was always some girl—or a quick Google search—keeping him from totally failing at life. Still, she wasn’t impressed.

"So that gives you a pass?" she shot back, rolling her eyes. "Y'know how Dad feels about drugs in the house."

"Nah, nah, it wasn’t even like that, lil' sis. I went to one of those weed lounges, so we straight," he said, trying to smooth it over like it wasn’t a big deal. "Anyways, can I take a leak or not?"

Y/N gave him a baffled expression. "No. I'm using this bathroom. Go use the downstairs one."

SJ sucked his teeth, wiping his face with his hand in exaggerated annoyance. "Dad’ll be home any minute, man. You know how he freaks out."

"Of course I do, dickhead. I literally just warned—" Y/N took a deep breath, trying to rein in her vexation. "Y’know what? I’m done. Use the bathroom and wash up too."

SJ grinned, clearly having gotten what he wanted. “Good lookin' out, lil' sis,” he said, shoving past her and into the bathroom. Y/N quickly grabbed her portable speaker and phone from the counter.

"Suck my dick," Y/N shot back with a smirk as she left, enjoying the shocked laugh that burst from her brother.

"You wildin', man," SJ laughed as he closed the door behind him.

Y/N shook her head, heading back to her room. She still had to finish her morning routine—skincare, brushing her teeth, and maybe waxing later. Typical SJ, always barging into her peace with his nonsense. But she loved him. Still, she wasn’t about to let him skate by that easily. He owed her one, whether SJ liked it or not.

Aurélien gripped the pull-up bar tightly, feeling the familiar burn in his biceps and shoulders as he hoisted himself up, his chin clearing the bar in smooth, controlled movements. His home gym was bathed in the morning light streaming through the windows, but his mind was everywhere but on the reps. He exhaled sharply, thinking about the upcoming match against Real Sociedad. It was going to be a tough one, and he needed to be on top of his game.

His foot still ached sometimes from that old sprain. Just a subtle reminder of how quickly things could go sideways in football. One wrong step and everything could change. He’d been cautious, easing back into training, but the worry never fully left his mind. He had to be sharp, fast, and at his best—no room for doubt. There was too much riding on his performance, especially with Shawn on the team. Having him at Real Madrid was invaluable, and Aurélien knew how much he appreciated Shawn’s insight and leadership. The guy had been a game-changer, both on and off the pitch. Football came first; nothing else could get in the way.

Nothing, especially not Y/N.

Aurélien's jaw tightened as he dropped down from the bar, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from his brow. He’d been thinking about her way too much lately, and it wasn’t helping his focus. She was off-limits, plain and simple. He didn't have time to get wrapped up in whatever tension had been brewing between them. He wasn’t even sure what the hell her problem was. Sure, he had called her dramatic, but she was acting like he’d committed some major offense.

Dramatic, he thought again, shaking his head.

As he walked toward the treadmill, Ocho sat by the window with his chin resting on the sill, looking out like a heartbroken lover. The dog’s usual playful demeanor had been replaced with this almost zombie-like state. He wasn’t running around the house or following Aurélien with that happy tail wag. Instead, he just sat there, his eyes droopy and sad.

Aurélien sighed, pausing for a moment to glance over at Ocho. He had read something online about dogs getting depressed when they missed someone. But who the hell could Ocho be missing this much? It wasn’t until it hit him that the last time Ocho had seen Lady, Y/N’s dog, was that day at the park. Since then, Ocho had been in this weird funk. Could a dog have a girlfriend?

Aurélien let out a short, disbelieving laugh. It didn’t seem possible, but Ocho had been acting like Lady was the love of his life. He’d been whining constantly, glancing toward the door like he expected her to just walk in at any moment. It was ridiculous, but at the same time, he couldn’t ignore how miserable his dog had been. Ocho must really like Lady—a lot.

"Well, guess I have to deal with it," Aurélien muttered under his breath. He wasn’t about to let his dog suffer over some puppy love, no matter how ridiculous it sounded. Which meant… he was going to have to deal with Y/N, too.

Great.

He hopped on the treadmill and pressed a few buttons, trying to keep his focus on his pace and not on the growing headache that came with the thought of having to talk to her. He didn’t have to like her, but for Ocho’s sake, they’d have to work something out. Maybe they could set up some kind of playdate for the dogs—at least let them run around together for a bit. Aurélien had had it up to here with Ocho’s constant whining and those sad puppy eyes.

The last thing he wanted to do was get closer to Y/N, but if it meant Ocho stopped acting like he’d been dumped, then maybe a truce was in order. They didn’t have to be friends, but at least they could find some middle ground where their dogs could hang out. And after that? Back to business. He didn’t have time for distractions.

He increased the treadmill speed, pushing himself harder as the rhythm of his footsteps echoed in the room. Football first. Always. But even as he tried to center his thoughts back on the upcoming match, Y/N’s face flashed in his mind—annoyed, stubborn, beautiful in a way that he couldn’t quite shake.

He growled under his breath and focused on the sprint. Get it together, Aurélien. Focus.

Aurélien finished his set on the treadmill, his muscles burning with exertion, sweat dripping down his face. The workout had done little to clear his mind, though. Y/N still lingered at the edges of his thoughts, no matter how much he tried to push them aside. He sighed heavily, grabbing his towel and draping it over his shoulder.

"Allez, Ocho," he called, glancing toward his dog who was still sitting by the window, looking utterly heartbroken.

Ocho slowly lifted his head, his tail wagging just a bit at the sound of Aurélien’s voice, but the excitement was short-lived. His tail dropped, and he let out another sad whine before following Aurélien out of the gym and up the stairs.

Aurélien stopped in the kitchen, opening a box of Ocho's favorite treats. He grabbed one, turning to his dog and waving it in front of him. "Qui est un bon garçon, hein?" (Who's a good, handsome boy?) Aurélien said, his voice light, trying to coax a bit of energy back into his dog.

Ocho sniffed the treat but didn’t even lift his head. Instead, he let out a long, mournful whine, his big brown eyes filled with sadness as he rested his head on the floor.

Aurélien blinked, baffled. "Oh non, Ocho… tu ne veux pas une friandise?" (Oh no, Ocho… you don't want a treat?) he asked, shaking the treat in front of him again.

Ocho let out another pitiful whine, followed by a soft, drawn-out howl that almost sounded like a plea. Aurélien could only shake his head.

"Tu manques ta copine?" (You miss your girl?) he asked with a hint of disbelief. Ocho responded with a louder whine, his body sinking further into the floor like his very soul was hurting.

Aurélien scoffed, tossing the treat back into the box. "Sérieusement? Qu'est-ce que vous faites dans ces buissons?" (Seriously? What have you two been doing in those bushes?) he muttered, an amused grin tugging at his lips despite the ridiculousness of the situation.

His mind wandered back to the park. Ocho and Lady always ran off together, disappearing into the bushes while Aurélien watched from afar. What the hell were they even doing back there? Chasing squirrels? Or were they really looking for a more quiet spot to… Aurélien frowned, shaking his head as he realized what his brain was suggesting. Were they hooking up?

"Non, impossible." (No, impossible.) He chuckled to himself, but the thought stayed. Could dogs really fall in love like this? Ocho had never acted like this over anyone before. Then again, Aurélien had never seen Lady with any other dog, either. Maybe Ocho was just that smitten with her.

Either way, Ocho was in pain, and Aurélien couldn’t stand seeing his dog like this. Whatever Ocho and Lady had going on, they were going to need some serious help. A truce between him and Y/N was now non-negotiable.

"Mon pauvre garçon…" (My poor boy…) Aurélien murmured, crouching down to scratch behind Ocho’s ears. Ocho nudged into his hand, letting out a soft sigh.

"C'est bon, on va arranger ça." (It's okay, we'll fix this.) Aurélien said softly, standing up. He wasn't sure what kind of agreement he could strike with Y/N, but he was willing to try for Ocho's sake. He wasn’t about to let his dog go out like this.

_____________________________________________________

A few days after Real Madrid's solid win against Real Sociedad, Aurélien finally had a day off to catch his breath. He called Shawn yesterday, and still felt a mix of relief and unease about the conversation they’d had. Clearing the air with Y/N wasn’t something he had ever expected to do, but Shawn had been understanding when Aurélien insisted this wasn’t some ploy to run game with his daughter. Quite the opposite, actually—he just wanted Ocho and Lady to hang out again.

Shawn had revealed that Lady had been acting just as sad as Ocho. He’d even chuckled and mentioned how Lady had been sitting by the window every day, whining and glancing outside as if waiting for Ocho to show up. "I’ll talk to Y/N," Shawn had said, "and give her your number. You two can sort it out."

And that’s how Aurélien found himself sitting next to Ocho now, who looked just as miserable as before.

"J'ai une surprise pour toi," (I have a surprise for you) Aurélien said softly, reaching down and rubbing Ocho’s head. His dog barely moved, just letting out a soft, sad huff in response.

Aurélien gave him a look, knowing that the poor guy had been in this slump for days. But things were about to change. He glanced over at the park entrance just as Y/N walked in with Lady, the dog prancing beside her, proudly sporting a new pink collar and matching lead. Ocho’s ears perked up the moment he saw her, and for the first time in days, he barked excitedly.

Lady let out an equally excited yip, tugging at her lead as Y/N tried to keep control. "Lady, now you know—" Y/N began to scold her dog, but her words trailed off as she watched Ocho and Lady eagerly sniff each other before Ocho gave her a gentle lick on the nose.

Y/N sighed, clearly giving up on trying to control Lady’s enthusiasm as she unhooked the lead. The moment she did, the two dogs bolted off, playing and chasing each other as if they hadn’t spent the last week pining for one another.

Aurélien couldn’t help but laugh softly, watching the dogs with a mix of relief and amusement. He gestured to the bench, and Y/N reluctantly sat down, keeping a decent distance from him.

He stole a sidelong glance at her, noticing how her athletic shorts and cropped top hugged her curves in all the right places. She wore a zip-up jacket over her top, and her braids were piled high on her head in their usual fashion. This time, though, she wore glasses. He hadn't seen that before.

"I didn’t know you wore glasses," he said, trying to make some light conversation.

"Yeah, I do," Y/N replied flatly, barely turning to look at him.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, watching their dogs romp around the park, but the tension between them was palpable. Aurélien tried again to break the ice, throwing out a few comments about the weather and their dogs, but Y/N barely acknowledged him. Finally, he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"What’s your problem?" he asked bluntly, unable to stand the cold shoulder any longer.

Y/N turned to him with a sharp look. "My problem? First of all, your dog humped my dog, and then you had the nerve to call me dramatic for being upset about it."

Aurélien blinked, realizing what she was referring to. "Look, I’m sorry about that," he said quickly, holding up his hands. "I didn’t mean any ill intent. But come on, you were doing the most for something both of them were into. It’s not like Lady was just sitting there.” He pointed toward the two dogs, who were now happily sniffing each other’s butts without a care in the world.

Y/N let out a huff but softened just a little. "I guess I shouldn’t have gotten that worked up…" she admitted, her tone quieter. She glanced over at Lady, her face shifting into something more vulnerable. "Lady’s my baby. She’s… she’s one of the last gifts my mom gave me before she passed away."

Aurélien’s chest tightened at that, feeling an unexpected wave of sympathy. "I’m really sorry," he said gently. "I get it. I know how it feels to be a dog parent. They grow up so fast… but seeing them happy like this is what matters."

Y/N nodded, her expression softening even more. Aurélien grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "And I promise, Ocho’s a good boy. I raised him right. He’ll treat Lady like the queen she is."

That earned him a small laugh from Y/N, and he felt a flicker of pride at being able to crack her tough exterior. Her smile lit up her whole face, and before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "You’re prettier when you smile."

Y/N’s smile faded, and she turned to him with an incredulous look. "Excuse me?"

Aurélien mentally cursed himself. The last thing he wanted was to spark another argument. "Don’t tell me you’re getting mad about me calling you pretty?" he said, exasperated.

"It’s not that," Y/N said, her voice firm. "It’s the implication that I’m only pretty when I smile, like I have to perform happiness for you."

Aurélien let out a frustrated groan, kissing his teeth. "Oh my God, can we not do this? Our dogs are happy, and you’re getting too worked up over a harmless compliment."

Y/N narrowed her eyes at him. "I’m not getting worked up. Do you know how many times I’ve heard stuff like that? ‘Oh, smile girl, you look grumpy,’ or ‘You’re too pretty to be mad.’" She deepened her voice, mimicking the way men usually spoke to her. "It’s demeaning."

Aurélien had to bite back a laugh at her impression, though he understood where she was coming from. Still, this woman was driving him up a wall. "Okay, but I didn’t mean it like that," he said, trying to be reasonable. "You didn’t have to go off in an unnecessary rant about being catcalled—"

"Unnecessary? Are you—" Y/N stopped herself, taking a deep breath. "Lady, sweetie, it’s time to go home!" she called out, standing up abruptly.

"Merde," Aurélien muttered under his breath, frustrated with himself. He reached out and gently touched her arm. "Y/N, come on," he said softly. "Please. Just sit down. Let’s talk about our dogs, okay? We came here for them."

Y/N shot him a sharp look but sighed and sat back down. Aurélien could feel the tension in her shoulders and saw the exhaustion in her eyes. She’d been through a lot, that much was obvious. Losing her mother, moving across the world, juggling school—he couldn’t imagine how much she had on her plate. But right now, their main priority was keeping the dogs happy.

"Let’s just keep things cool for them, alright?" Aurélien said, glancing over at Ocho and Lady, who were now rolling in the grass, blissfully unaware of the human drama playing out around them. "That's all that matters." He couldn't help but smile at how peaceful they looked, the tension between him and Y/N forgotten for just a moment. Then, an idea hit him. "You know," he began, his voice casual, "I think Ocho and Lady should hang out more often."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Oh? And how exactly do you see that happening?"

"We could set up playdates," Aurélien suggested, leaning back a little, a spark of amusement in his eyes. "Or even better… sleepovers."

Y/N let out a short, incredulous laugh. "Sleepovers? You’re kidding, right?"

Aurélien shook his head, completely serious. "Not at all. Think about it—they’re basically together at this point. Why not let them have some extra time to bond? It’s only fair, considering how much they miss each other when they’re apart."

Y/N stared at him in disbelief. "You're suggesting that our dogs… have sleepovers?"

He nodded, looking entirely unbothered. "Yeah, why not? They’ve already been acting like a couple. It’s only logical."

Y/N let out another chortle, shaking her head. "That sounds insane. They're dogs, not kids planning a slumber party."

But Aurélien doubled down, leaning forward with a playful grin. "I’ve given it a lot of thought, actually. Ocho clearly adores Lady, and she seems pretty attached to him too. It’s not as crazy as it sounds." He paused for effect before adding, "Even your dad agreed with me."

Y/N blinked, her mouth falling open slightly. "My father agreed to this?"

Aurélien nodded, looking pleased with himself. "Yep. Shawn said he thought it was a good idea. Said it might help with Lady’s loneliness."

Y/N narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "Still not happening, Aurélien."

He laughed softly, leaning back with a casual shrug. "You’ll come around. Just wait until you see how much happier Lady is after a few hangouts."

Y/N rolled her eyes, but despite herself, she couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "You’re absolutely ridiculous, you know that?"

"Maybe," Aurélien said with a smug grin. "But I’m right about this. Just wait."

Y/N gave him a side-eye but didn’t bother arguing any further. Maybe the idea of doggie sleepovers was ridiculous—but there was no denying how happy Lady seemed to be with Ocho around. Even if she wouldn’t admit it, part of her liked the idea of them hanging out more. Just not too much more.

"And if our dogs are going to be hanging out together, you should at least know how to say my name correctly,” Aurélien said, fixing Y/N with a playful but pointed look. "It’s Aw-ree-le-an, not Ah-reel-lian. You’re butchering the shit out of it."

Y/N’s eyes widened slightly, then narrowed as she shot back with a smirk. "Same goes for you too. But don’t get mad at me just because your name’s hard to pronounce. Who even says it like that anyway?"

"French people do," he replied with a cocky grin, crossing his arms as if he’d won the argument already. "And you wish your name was as cool as mine."

"Bullshit," Y/N said, shaking her head.

Aurélien leaned in slightly, and kissed his teeth in annoyance. "You know it’s true. Just admit it. My name sounds like royalty—yours is just… basic."

Y/N rolled her eyes dramatically. "Please. Your name is a mouthful, and no one outside of France is saying it right. I bet even your teammates struggle."

Aurélien let out a chuckle. "They do, but that’s their problem. You? You should be better than that, especially if we’re going to be around each other more often."

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, Aw-ree-le-an, I’ll try my best. But I make no promises."

Aurélien gave her a playful wink. "You better. I won’t let you keep messing it up."

Y/N scoffed at the title he gave her. "Don’t push it."

"Hey, if our dogs are basically dating, that makes us dog parents-in-law. You better get used to it,” Aurélien teased, enjoying the banter between them.

Y/N shook her head, laughing softly. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Aw-ree-le-an." Y/N stood up, brushing the dirt off her shorts as she glanced at Aurélien one last time. "Alright, I’ve gotta head out. But I’ll let you know when Lady can hang out with Ocho again," she said, her voice neutral but her gaze sharp.

"Bye, hater…" Aurélien called after her, settling back into his seat on the bench, legs stretched out wide in an exaggerated manspread, arms draped casually across the back. His smirk was infuriatingly confident.

Y/N froze for a second, narrowing her eyes. "You must really want your ass beat, huh?" she shot back.

He shrugged, his smirk deepening. "Name the time and place."

What a fucking asshole, Y/N thought, clenching her jaw as she walked over to Lady. She clipped the leash onto her collar, and of course, Lady put up a small protest, whining and glancing back at Ocho as if they were tearing her away from her soulmate.

"We’ll see him and his annoying-ass owner soon, baby. Let’s get a treat," Y/N muttered under her breath. The word 'treat' instantly snapped Lady’s attention back. She let out a happy yip and gave Ocho a parting lick on the face before trotting obediently next to Y/N.

"Don’t forget to text me about the doggie sleepover, Y/N!" Aurélien called out as she walked away. Y/N didn’t even bother to look back; instead, she lifted her hand and flipped him the bird, her middle finger a clear response. His deep chuckle followed her, adding to her irritation.

Y/N inhaled deeply, forcing herself to exhale slowly as they exited the park. Aurélien was so damn cocky, so insufferably full of himself. His arrogance, that smug grin, the way he acted like everything he said was charming—it got under her skin in a way she hated to admit.

But she was doing this for Lady, not herself. Lady deserved to be happy, and if that meant dealing with Aurélien and his ridiculous dog-parenting antics, so be it.

Still, the thought lingered as she adjusted her grip on Lady’s leash, her fingers flexing a little. Wouldn’t it be great to just rock him right in his big-ass mouth? Just once?

Y/N sat at her desk, laptop open, camera on, though her gaze wandered. She wasn’t sure if therapy was supposed to make her feel better, but lately, it hadn’t. The video feed of her psychiatrist, Dr. Morgan, looked back at her, full of concerned patience.

"You’re clearly stressed, Y/N. Your anxiety’s been through the roof. This isn’t healthy for a 22-year-old. Have you thought about trying meditation? Yoga? Anything to relax?"

Y/N crossed her arms and scoffed. "I’m not stressed, Dr. Morgan, I’m pissed."

Dr. Morgan paused and tilted her head. "Why are you pissed?"

Y/N stared at the screen, her lips pressing into a thin line. The reasons whirled around in her mind, but none of them made it out of her mouth. Because mom died too soon. Because since then, I had to carry everyone else’s burdens— dad’s grief, Sutton’s needs. And moving to Madrid? Who would’ve taken care of them if I’d stayed in Philly?

There was no room for her own needs, no space to breathe, to just be a 22-year-old college senior.

"I don’t know," she muttered, unwilling to voice the chaotic swirl in her head.

Dr. Morgan’s voice softened. "Y/N, you need to step back. You’re acting like a surrogate mother to your family. You have to let yourself be a young adult, to be a student. Consider hiring help, a maid or a nanny, just to take off some of the load."

Y/N sighed but said nothing. She had been slacking on making friends since her mother passed, but who had time for that now?

"Grief affects everyone differently," Dr. Morgan continued. "But what you’re doing isn’t sustainable or healthy."

Y/N offered a curt nod, and with that, they hung up. She slammed her laptop shut, the sound echoing through her room, her frustration simmering. Just as she was about to throw herself onto her bed, there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," she called, pressing the small button on her bedside table that indicated it was safe to enter. She expected Sutton, but it was her dad who poked his head in.

"Hey, just checking on you," he said, stepping inside.

"I’m fine, Daddy," Y/N replied, her voice tight, though she was trying to sound reassuring.

Her dad frowned. "You always say that, Y/N. Listen, I appreciate everything you’ve done around here, but why don’t you go hang out with your friends or something?"

Y/N rolled her eyes. "Jesus Christ, Dad, not right now."

"My bad," he said, putting his hands up in surrender. "But for real, Y/N. Go out, do something for you. Go shopping or something."

She raised a brow. "Are you going to give me your AmEx, then?" She was half-joking, but what came next shocked her.

"If that gets you out of the house, then sure." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Y/N’s mouth dropped open as he handed her the card. "You’re basically an accountant, and you’ve always been good with money," he said with a shrug. "If there’s anyone I trust with my credit card, it’s you."

"Really?" Y/N asked, taking the card, unsure whether to laugh or protest.

Her dad nodded. "Go out, spoil yourself a bit. SJ can watch Sutton, or we can get that part-time nanny I’ve been talking about."

"I don’t know about a nanny…"

"He’s eleven, Y/N, not a baby. He’s smart. We can get someone to help out, offset some of the responsibility."

"We’ll see," she said, tucking the card into her jacket pocket.

Her dad lingered for a moment longer. "Anyway, how did things go with Aurélien and Ocho?"

Y/N groaned. "He wants the dogs to have sleepovers."

Her dad grinned. "That’s a good idea."

"He told me you liked the idea, too."

"Of course I do. Gives Lady more socializing skills."

"Or lets her get humped by that damn dog of his," Y/N muttered.

Her dad just shrugged. "Dogs are dogs. Maybe you should go with her."

"Excuse me?"

“I meant hang out with Aurélien. Him, Cama, and Jude are good guys. You need friends, Y/N."

"Guy friends though? Aren’t you worried about that?"

"Nah. I already gave them a warning. Told them you’re off-limits."

"Daddy!" Y/N exclaimed, horrified. "What the hell?"

"What? They know what’s up. But if you ever wanted to go down that route, you’re grown."

Y/N stared at him in disbelief. "Wait… so I can make a move, but they can’t? Isn’t that messed up?"

Her dad just shrugged again. "It is what it is. But seriously, Aurélien’s dope. You two are more similar than you think."

He left the room with that parting comment, leaving Y/N to groan in frustration. Of course her dad liked Aurélien, while all she saw was an arrogant nuisance. Still, she reached into her pocket and felt the cool plastic of the AmEx.

"Well, screw it," she muttered. "At least I can buy some new shoes."

Grabbing her sneakers and car keys, Y/N headed downstairs, ready to burn a hole in her dad’s pockets at the shops. A little retail therapy couldn’t hurt, right?

TO BE CONTINUED....

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