Page 10 of Doing Life

It hadn’t been a sure thing at all.

“It also happens to be the first place I got offered a job, huh? I’m not really a stalker, Grace.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s still kinda…”

“Not skeezy.”

“No. No, not that. Just weird. But I love you, and you love him. So.”

“Thanks, sis. What about you? How goes your dogged pursuit of Jordan Duran?” Grace had been in love with the guy since high school and was working to get him to see her as more than a friend.

“Right now I’m letting him miss me.” She sighed. “He’s— well, he’s not a dawg, really, but he’s a terrible flirt. And I’m tired. Not to mention that I don’t want the babies to fall in love with a guy and then…have it be a mistake. Again.”

“I bet.” He chuckled. “You’ll get it. I know you will.”

“I hope so. I’m not sure if I should just give up or not.”

“We’re Fergusons, sis. We don’t give up.”

She snorted. “Not according to Dad. Okay. Wish me luck, and I’ll do the same for you.”

“Done.” He sighed. “I think I need ice cream too.”

“Then you totally need it.” She laughed right out loud. “And I’ll join you. Wanna play video games remotely when you get home?”

“Yeah.” Having her support meant the world.

He could do this.

Just not tonight.

Chapter Five

What was he doing?

Seriously. What.

Lance sat silently in the passenger side of the van serving the veteran houses in town, trying not to barf. He was meeting Sloan Ferguson for coffee. Sloan. Who was now a cop. Here. In the same town where he was learning to be a real boy.

Christ.

There was no way—no way this wasn’t on purpose.

He felt terrible, because he loved Sloan, and he knew Sloan loved him, but—he was broken. Not just physically, but in every way.

That was why he’d left. Lance had known Sloan had intended to martyr himself upon his recovery. He’d known it, and he couldn’t stand the thought. So he’d shipped out and told Sloan they were done. That he was on his own for this, and he wasn’t going to let Sloan ruin his life on a blind, scarred asshole like him.

And he’d left.

Now he was having coffee? What the hell was wrong with him?

“Here we are, man.” Dan pulled up to a stop. “Just have Abby take you right on in as you exit to the right.”

“Thanks, Dan.”

“You okay, man? You look kinda pale.”

He took a deep breath. “Just a little queasy from the ride. Still not used to not being able to see, you know?”

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