Page 44 of Embers in Our Souls
CHAPTER 24
Tyler
I’m standingin my garage, checking out the damage on the bike I was working on when I got in the accident the other day. Looking down at the stitches, I’m lucky the injuries I sustained weren’t worse. When I look up, I’m grateful I wasn’t on the motorcycle Jerry gifted me.
I got the second bike as something fun for myself, and I took it out because I needed to get my mind off Indiana. It was a stupid thing to do because I ended up swerving to avoid a squirrel on the road. Luckily, I wasn’t going fast, the motorcycle sustaining minor damage. The gravel on the road led to some minor injuries and I just count myself lucky. My phone screen wasn’t so lucky, although it still worked enough for Malloy to snatch it and steal Indiana’s number to call her while I was being evaluated in the emergency room—sly bastard. Guess using my locker number as my phone passcode wasn’t the most secure choice.
I only got stitches due to some larger rocks on the ground when I landed and my shoulder sustained some road rash that should heal with minimal scarring. I wasn’t far from the house and my friends just happened to be driving over to my place tocheck on me since I’ve been in a foul mood with everything going on with Indiana. I guess I should be grateful they care, but it hasn’t led to any answers when it comes to where I stand with her.
When she walked out after I pretty much told her I wanted to give her everything, Malloy strutted in like he was king of the world. I saw the look of satisfaction on his face and I knew right then that he called her.
“You can thank me now or later, but I usually enjoy a box of cookies and a smutty book,” he told me and sat down next to the emergency room gurney I was lying in.
I rolled my eyes and laughed at his cockiness that night. It’s hard to keep a serious face around him. I know he’s only looking out for me. He knows how conflicted I’ve been with my feelings for Indy this entire time. Most of all, he understands all I’ve wanted is to explain myself from years ago and see if she’ll give me a second chance.
Now I walk out of my garage, annoyed I won’t be able to enjoy the nice weather on my good motorcycle. I head into the house when my phone rings. I note the phone number for the animal shelter appearing on my screen.
A few months ago I was lonely, so I had gotten approved to be a foster caretaker. I almost adopted a dog immediately, but with the shifts at the firehouse, I thought it might be unfair to leave a dog at home without supervision. River has his mom and Kennedy to care for Lola when he’s on shift, but I have no one to do the same for me.
I hadn’t heard from them since then, so I had forgotten about it. I pick up the phone, curious what they have to say after so many months of silence.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Hi. Is this Mr. Hunter?” a woman says on the opposite end of the line.
“Yes, this is he.”
“Hi. This is Cora at Paws for Hearts. I see you have volunteered to be a foster caretaker. We have a little one here that needs to be cared for tonight. Are you available? He’s a little pup, about a year old,” she explains, rattling off the details of the dog.
The more she describes of the dog, the more my sour mood dissipates. I was expecting to sit at home thinking of Indiana and how she hasn’t called me, but now I can distract myself with a little dog instead. I don’t have a shift for another two days, so this will be a good way to keep my mind occupied.
Once I get the details of what I need to do, I call River to get some advice. Instead of helping me with how I should prepare, he decides to meet me at my place. Although I hang out with River plenty with the rest of our friends, I don’t see him on my own very often.
Thirty minutes later, there’s a knock on my door. I’m greeted with an excited River rubbing his hands together.
“Dude, are you ready for my master class on dogs 101?” River says as if he’s the dog guru.
I roll my eyes. “I don’t think it’s that hard.”
“Hunter, you’re going to be begging to adopt this dog after I’m done with you.” His smile is wide as he nods at me.
I laugh at his confidence and he makes his way through my house, grabbing a bag at his feet of a few toys he’s brought for the little furball roommate I’m about to house for the next twenty-four hours. I’ll admit, I can’t wait for the distraction and fun that awaits.
“Holy shit, I might actually pee my fucking pants. You’re telling me each time you moved your arm to get up, the dog got in position to hump you?” I look over to see Clay and Malloy crying from laughter on the couch at the firehouse as I make lunch for the guys.
Even our captain is trying to cover up his smirk behind his phone.
“This isn’t fucking funny. It was the longest twenty-four hours of my life guys. I mean, if I even attempted to get off the couch, that fifteen-pound dog started humping an extremity of mine,” I protest.
“Aww, poor Hunter is scared of a sweet, little dog,” River pouts. “Clay, call mom. Maybe she can comfort Hunter because I think he’s scarred for life.”
That earns me another roar of laughter and I flip him the bird, but I can’t help the smile that I try and fail to cover up. The night with that little foster dog was traumatizing, but hilarious all rolled into one. At least it got my mind off of Indy, which was the point.
“Okay, I’ll admit, it wasn’t all bad, but I think I’ll call the fostering done for me.” I say as I finish up the spaghetti and meatballs.
“That’s too bad. Dogs are the fucking best,” River says, wiping the stray tears from his face.
“Great, then I’ll just borrow yours when I need my fix,” I say. “Also, lunch is ready.”
