Page 32 of Seamus: Unconventional
The Prospect gives him the list. “Burger, sub with salad, chicken, ribs, pork chops with apples.”
Judge barks softly at the pork chop choice.
I nod. “Make it two. Healthy, cottage cheese, ranch on the side for both.”
He smiles. “No bread. Zeus and his crew eat like that too, Pres.”
I nod. “It was part of our training. My partners do tortillas and flat breads more than yeast breads and that’s just barely.”
“That’s what I heard, Pres. I’ll get this in.” He walks to the back, comfortable in his place here. I like that he is.
“The Honor Rising Club cafeteria had a whole dog table. All dogs eat at the table?”
I nod. “Mine always ate what I ate. I know some elite ate like that but not all K-9 lived with their handlers. Some were in base kennels and ate only kibble food that the military provided.”
“The MPs were separate, the handlers never took the dogs overnight. Some of the other dogs lived with their handlers away from us.”
I nod. “If you want to stay, I’d suggest you start on the Badass website. Look for a Club in a place you want to live. Stay away from Texas, it’s an inferno in the summer.”
“What about here? You have dogs and the Honor Rising Club has dogs. Nagíla said Piper trains them at Rising Squared. That’s not far from here.” She sounds hopeful.
Fuck. I nod and breathe deep. “They’re partners.” I buy time. How do I say this without it sounding condescending, conceited or just plain…
I sit back at her yell. “Aylen Knight.” My quick naming has her calmer, I think. The flash of color has my head shaking. “Teller Knight. Aylen’s brother.” I know she’s seen Mase just appear so it’s new but not heart attack inducing.
‘She was captured, she calls it FGM and doesn’t…’ Teller puts the words in my head where my partners can see that.
My hand goes up stopping him. “I don’t need a map.” My eyes go to Katie. The scar following her hairline is only a part of her hell. “My next words to you were about being paralyzed. I’m one of the lucky ones and did regain bladder and bowel function but it never went farther. I wasn’t sure how to say it without sounding like a massive egomaniac but there is no ol’ lady or kids in my future and I’ve known since I hit the ground in Pakistan.”
Her glassy eyes drip but she doesn’t outright cry. “Same. I was told I could have kids but…” she shakes her head. “I’m not looking for that but a job in a safe space won’t be turned down.” She didn’t let them win.
I nod seeing where common interests and experiences overcome the obstacle of intimacy moving right to mutual friendship. “We’re alive and have these freaky people to help keep us in a purpose that is honorable. I’m all for living in honor. You’re welcome to live and work out of Maestro. We accept K-9s too.”
Aylen laughs with Katie when Judge barks loud one time.
Aylen’s eyes connect to mine and she throws me chin. “Good job. The K-9 wants to stay too.”
I breathe deep feeling like we jumped a hurdle and their showing to help me made it easy. “Thank you, both.”
Teller nods, “You don’t waste time and laid it out. That made it easy, Brother.” However it happened, we were important enough for them to want to help.
This show from them was just to help. They disappear without a word. I shake my head but I’m smiling. “That’s normal or they think it’s normal.”
She smirks. “I haven’t been normal for a while. I’m good with theirnotnormal.” She’s got a point.
We eat, talk about the vet job and Lorelei’s paperwork. She wants to keep Judge so I send it to Light.My partner is stoked and shows me a watch and files that say work. I let Judge know Light will get him a watch and training. The K-9 is excited if his vibration means anything.
Another awkward and possibly painful night turns out okay. Life certainly has a way of going on.
Chapter Five
Seamus
Two days
Maestro Club
The jolt of a beast hitting the bed and bouncing me awake this morning makes me smile. “Bloody hell. Thanks for not landing on me.”
