Page 75 of Pigeon

“Hungry?”

“Starving,” she answers with a grin. “We’re close to the clubhouse. Why not stop there and raid the fridge? I’m sure Ava’s got it stocked up.”

“Uh, that might cause us to make a return trip to the E.R.,” I admit. “Might be best to avoid the clubhouse for a few days.”

“What did you do, and to whom did you do it to?” Ivy asks while shooting me a look.

“Why would you automatically assume I did anything? It was Reeves who caused the shitstorm. I just happened to be with him, so I’m guilty only through association.”

Ivy snorts before turning her head away, but I can see her shoulders shaking.

“You don’t believe me?” I ask incredulously.

“Not for a second, but it’s your story. Stick to it, honey. Who’s headhunting you?”

“Rex. The man has no sense of humor,” I mutter.

“I’m hungry, and I have crutches. You can use them to defend yourself if needed, but maybe he’ll take pity on me and not make me a widow yet.”

“Fine, we’ll stop at the clubhouse, but it’s on you if I get jumped by a nerdy tech guy.”

Turning into the clubhouse drive, I pull through the gate, waving at James on the way through. Stopping the truck near the clubhouse, I jump out and rush to Ivy’s side of the truck. Of course, she’s already out the door and cruising up the sidewalk. It’s obvious she’s well used to crutches, and I rush to keep up. Opening the door, I follow her to a table. Taking a seat, Ivy leans the crutches against the chair next to her. I pull another chair over and insist she props her foot on it before making my way to the kitchen.

I listen to her chatting with the members that are hanging out tonight while I make us a couple of sandwiches, grab a bag of chips and a couple of drinks. Returning to the table, I sit and set her food in front of her. Craig walks in and heads straight to Ivy’s side for a hug. When he’s done, he steps back, carefully pulls off his backpack, removes Bart, and hands him to Ivy. Ivy pushes her plate back and cuddles Bart close.

“He’ll make you feel better. He always does for me,” Craig says while he takes a seat.

“Thank you, Craig. I feel a little better already,” Ivy answers.

“Where’s Thor?” I ask, suddenly remembering that Ivy took him to work with her today.

“Livi’s picking him up from the rescue and bringing him here,” Ivy answers while taking a bite out of her sandwich one-handed. “She texted me just before you got to the hospital.”

“So, that’s why you insisted I risk my life by coming here?”

“Yep, and the food. I wasn’t lying that I was starving,” Ivy answers with a grin.

The door opens, and Livi enters with Snots and Thor on her heels. Thor bounds over to our table but stops near Ivy’s foot and carefully sniffs it. Snots walks a few feet inside then tips sideways, asleep within seconds. Livi looks down at her dog in disgust but leaves him there.

“How you feeling, Ivy?” Livi asks as she pulls up another chair.

“Fine. Probably high on pain meds, though. Thank you for picking up Thor. Any trouble with him?”

“None, he’s a really good boy. Your boss was at the rescue to let me in, so that was easy. Do you know if Thor likes to jog?”

“He loves to run. Why?” Ivy questions while taking another bite.

“Maybe we should swap dogs then. Mine’s allergic to physical activity as much as James is,” Livi mutters while eyeing her now snoring dog.

Livi’s dog makes a liar out of her when the door opens, and Lucy walks in with Bailey. Snots lifts his head, eyes Lucy, bolts upright, and scrambles as fast as his chubby body allows him to across the room and behind a couch. Everyone laughs, but Livi just shakes her head in dismay at her dog.

Lucy and Bailey stop near Ivy, ask how she’s doing, chat a minute, and move to another table. I finish eating and take Bart from Ivy so she can too. When she’s done, I exchange the skunk for her plate and take our dishes to the kitchen.

“Let’s get you home, babe,” I say to Ivy.

She nods, and Craig takes Bart from her. Helping her stand, I hand her the crutches, and we say our goodbyes. When I open the main door for Ivy, I find Rex standing there. I jump backward and throw up my hands, but he ignores me, asks Ivy if she’s okay then walks past us. Before we get out the door, Rex speaks again.

“Surprised your husband didn’t know you got injured today, Ivy. With as much as he watches you on the security cameras at the rescue. Oh wait, that’s right. He wasn’t in his office much today.”

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