Tallahassee

Ryan's POV

"Last night went really good man. Probably one of your best performances." Chase said to me as we walked near an alley on the way back from rehearsal, trying to avoid the media camped around. Tonight we were playing to another packed house in Tallahassee, having arrived here just last night. Tomorrow was a break, then we had two shows in Atlanta. The second being the one that Madison and I would come out as a couple. As we walked along, something caught my attention.

"Did you hear that?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I heard something, maybe a scratching noise, or something rustling, coming from the dumpster nearby.

"Hear what?" Chase asked, a puzzled look in his face.

"From the dumpster. Sounds like scratching. Like something is moving around in there." I replied.

"Probably rats." Chase shuddered as he said the word. "Maybe a cat. I don't know."

"I'm gonna go check it out." I said, not waiting for his reply, and I sprinted towards the dumpster. What I saw when I peered over the edge caught me by surprise.

"Come here and give me a boost." I said to Chase, who just stared at me with a look of disgust in his face.

"What the fuck? It's full of garbage. It's disgusting Ryan."

"Of course it's full of garbage. It's a fucking dumpster Chase. There is a dog in there. It's small, maybe a puppy. I don't know how it got in there, unless someone threw it in there." Just the thought of someone throwing a defenseless animal into a dumpster made my blood boil. I may be a dick, but I do have a soft spot for dogs.

"Alright, but you'd better hurry, I think I hear the garbage truck around the block." Chase said, lacing his hands together so I could place my foot and get a boost over the top of the large dumpster.

As I dropped down, the dog...no it definitely looked like a puppy cowered in fear. It was a light golden brown pup with floppy ears. It looked pretty skinny too. I had no idea what we were going to do with it, but I damn sure couldn't leave it here. Hearing the sound of the garbage truck getting closer, I quickly scooped up the pup. "Here." I said, holding the little trembling body out to Chase, who took it from my hands. I was then able to scale the top of the dumpster and jump to the ground just as the garbage truck came around the corner.

"That was close." Chase sighed with relief.

"Yeah. I know. Now the question is...what the hell are we gonna do with this dog?" I chuckled.

"Just bring it back to the bus for now. Maybe Madison will know. She works with shelters and strays." Chase shrugged, then handed the pup back to me. "Here, take it. It stinks. Both of you do actually." He wrinkled his nose.

Eh nothing a bath and a shower couldn't fix.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

"Oh my gosh. Where in the world did this little one come from?" Madison exclaimed as we entered the bus with the puppy in my arms. He was actually kind of cute.

"Your soon to be boyfriend here went dumpster diving and pulled it out. Not a moment too soon too. The garbage truck was just turning the corner. Damndest thing I'd ever seen." Chase replied, shaking his head.

"You really jumped into a dumpster to rescue this little guy?" Madison asked me, a bit of awe in her voice.

I shrugged like it was no big deal. "I couldn't very well leave it there. I'm not that awful of a person. I have no idea what we are going to do with a puppy on a tour bus though."

"Well, first things first, he definitely needs a bath. He reeks and he's covered with fleas. Some Dawn will work in a pinch. We're also gonna need some supplies. Chase, since Ryan and I are banned from leaving this bus, you're gonna have to take care of that. Kevin is out on a lunch run, but he should be back soon. Although now that I think about it Chase, you might want to find a Pet Smart with an in house vet. There's no telling how long this little guy was in the dumpster living off of trash. He looks pretty neglected. Probably never had any shots or been wormed. He could be full of parasites." It was clear that Madison was taking charge. That was fine with me. This was more her area anyway.

"Why don't you give it a bath first. I can't put him in my rental car smelling like rotten garbage." Chase made a face.

While Madison was bathing the puppy, Kevin arrived with lunch for everyone and Chase and I explained that we had a new, albeit temporary guest on board. He wasn't too happy about it because puppies need a lot of attention and they chew shit up and well, they shit. It's not like Madison and I have anything else to do when we're not rehearsing or performing other than play card games and watch TV. A puppy could be a fun distraction. Besides, it's my bus anyway. I'm the one who should be worried about messes and chewing shit.

However, Kevin quickly changed his tune once he met our little mascot. Puppies just seem to brighten everyone's mood I guess. We still had no idea what we were going to do with him. Madison suggested that he stick with us for the next twelve weeks we were on the road, and when we returned to Nashville, she would bring him to one of the shelters she worked with. I agreed that it was the best plan, so it looks like we have a road dog for the time being.

Madison sent Chase and the pup off to a local Pet Smart with a long list of what she called "the essentials." Food, bowls, a kennel, treats, puppy pads, shampoo, toys, collar, leash etc. Poor Chase having to play gofer. Well, that was part of his job. If he and Kevin hadn't pretty much grounded Madison and me, it wouldn't all be on him.

Chase returned a few hours later with a now vaccinated and wormed pup, who despite the conditions he was found in, was remarkably healthy. The vet said he appeared to have some lab in him. Madison agreed, although was quick to point out that nearly all larger breed puppies that arrived at shelters were listed as lab mixes.

"You did a good thing Ryan." Madison said softly to me as she and I laid down on the floor playing with the pup. She sounded a little bit impressed.

For some reason, her compliment embarrassed me a little. Am I such a terrible person that I would leave a defenseless puppy in a dumpster to get thrown into a garbage truck and...? I shuddered at the thought, unable to even go there and let myself complete my thought.

"No big deal." I brushed it off, then changed the subject. "I think he needs a name."

"Does that mean you are going to keep him? You know once you name them, that means they are yours." She teased.

"No. I just figured giving him a name is better than calling him dog or mutt." I replied.

"Have you ever thought of getting a dog?" She asked, actually sounding interested.

I laughed over the idea. "What am I going to do with a dog? I can't even take care of myself, much less a dog."

"I think it would be good for you. When you have a living thing depending on you for food and shelter and comfort, it forces you to become more responsible. I think you two might actually be good for each other. You should think about it"

"Okay. I'll think about it." I said. Was I seriously considering this? "What about Sturgill? He looks like a Sturgill. You know Sturgill Simpson has been a big influence on my music."

"I like it." She smiled, a real smile. Probably the first one I had seen from her since we met, at least directed at me.

Damn she really was pretty.