Page 46 of Doing Life

“Gross, man.”

“What did Will say about your leg?”

He felt Sloan shrug. “He said there’s some stuff we can do to kind of loosen everything up a little bit, ease the scar tissue. He gave me a bunch of paperwork to fill out. I have insurance though, so we just have to get?—”

“You’ve got the VA, man. It’s cool. It’s just paperwork. Fill it out, and we’ll get you started. That’s what we’re here for.” Look at that. Luke had the don’t-argue-with-me voice down to a fine art. He must have been an officer. “Lance saysthat you’re interested in getting a service dog. I’ll make sure you have the paperwork for that too.”

Sloan tensed next to him. “I don’t want to mess up my job. No one wants a cop with an emotional support dog.”

“It shouldn’t,” Luke explained. “It’s a support animal. One, we won’t get you a Pomeranian or such. We’ll find you a dog that suits your lifestyle.”

That was a great idea. Abby needed a friend, someone to run with, play with.

Rory picked up the thread. “It’s not like you can’t go to work without him, especially if you’re worried about nightmares and such. If your job can’t handle it, then maybe you hire a lawyer who works with the ranch to help.”

“Or you find something else to do as far as being in the department. Dog trainer or whatever. There’s tons of things. People will work with you.”

Lance loved how Luke spoke in a manner that proved he was one of those men who knew what he wanted and went out and got it, and damn the consequences. This man was a boss.

It was sort of weird because Rory was too. For the most part he seemed to be kind of this goofy, joking person, but even Lance had heard Rory when the shit hit the fan. That man was smart, and brutal, and cutting. They must be fascinating in bed.

Suddenly he realized that the room had gone quiet in that way that proved that somebody asked a question, and he hadn’t answered it because he hadn’t been listening.

Because he was off in his own head doing something. “What did I miss?”

“Sloan asked if you were looking forward to spaghetti,” Rory offered.

That made him smile. “I am. I think, worse comes to worst, I’ll just get naked, put a trash bag over my lap, and thenjust dig in, slinging sauce like a wild thing or toddler in a high chair.”

“That sounds messy,” Rory said, but Sloan’s chuckle was dark, sounded more than a touch thick.

“I’d clean up after him no problem. Not any problem at all.”

“Sloan does have a bathroom in his condo, so I could even have a shower.”

Luke cracked up, and the water splashed with someone hitting it. “That would make you look less like a serial killer. Although if you do end up with a trash bag over your lap, make sure somebody takes pictures.”

“Or video?” he asked.

“I don’t need video, I’ll just watch,” Sloan said, and they all cracked up.

Lance had to shake his head, though. “You are some sick folks.”

Will’s voice came from somewhere near the pool. “Kinky, y’all. Kinky.”

Rory laughed again. “We work hard at it. Oh man, that jet is just the thing.”

The splash as Will dove into the pool made him grin. Everything had a rhythm here. Will swam laps instead of getting into the hot tub. Lance thought it was his way of unwinding after tough sessions.

Even the therapists needed a way to release the pressure valve.

Sloan turned closer to him, knee touching his own. “I’m looking forward to having you over for supper tonight.”

“I am too.” He’d packed his little bag well. He had even brought his toothbrush, his hairbrush, and his razor. Not to mention Abby’s nighttime treats and her dental chew she could want after supper.

Sloan had food for her, the water bowl, a bed, toys. Everything a puppy would need.

So he didn’t have to worry about that.

---