being able to get down and sit on the floor at all was probably a win. “You guys lay about and be lazy while we run the energy off the dog, like you probably didn’t the last three days.”
Charlie gave him the finger. “I tossed his ball for him fifty-six times yesterday. My good arm was falling off. Good luck with that.”
Nick laughed and grabbed his jacket off the couch. Brian got Luger’s long leash and ball from the closet, and they clattered down the stairs together, out into the cool air. The duplex was on a suburban street with a sidewalk. They jogged side by side with the dog loping easily ahead of them.
Two blocks of holiday-quiet streets took them to a park. There was space to let Luger have fun, and Nick played keep-away with the ball for a while, enjoying Brian’s laugh as Luger beat him easily, tumbling him over and digging the ball out from under Nick when he lay on it. Then they took turns throwing the toy across the browning grass. Luger’s coat gleamed in the sunshine as he leaped after it and brought it back.
“I wonder what the other dogs are doing,” Brian said after a while. “Glock, and Brute, and even Witch.”
“Hopefully having fun with their new handlers. Right?” Nick felt a flash of guilt over knowing one had been put down, but he didn’t know which one. It wouldn’t help anything to mention it. “Luger sure as hell lucked out with you.”
“With us?” Brian slanted a look down at him.
“Sure. Double the ball-throwers and treat-givers.”
“Lori looks huge. You don’t think she’ll have the baby today, do you?”
“I think babies come whenever the hell they want to, but she didn’t seem to think so.” He took the ball out of Luger’s jaws and hurled it farther. “Why?”
Brian shrugged a shoulder. “Just, today is pretty much perfect. I want to have dinner with Lori and Charlie, and go home and be with you, and have you, um, do me.” He still flushed a little, saying things like that. It made Nick feel mushy inside. “Simple, for once. Perfect.”
“It will be.” Nick would make it so. “Simple.” He pulled out his phone. Before he could think twice, or the seventeenth time, more like, he sent the message he had queued up. ~Merry Christmas, little sister. I hope it’s good for you and the kid
The reply pinged back before he could put it away. ~U 2. And my husband’s migraine is gone, thanks 4 asking
Okay, maybe not entirely simple, but he sent back ~Glad to hear it. Take care
Ari was safe and well. He knew where she was. This one Christmas, he didn’t have to wonder and hope and fear. He drew a slow, clean breath. When there was no further reply, he put the phone away. “Ari says things are good there.” He gave Brian a hip and shoulder bump in place of a hug, out here in public. “Thanks for Finding her. So much. Maybe I didn’t say—”
“Yeah, you did.” Brian’s smile was the best thing ever. “Merry Christmas.”
“Bah humbug.” Nick bumped him again. “Later for you, hot man.”
They walked back to the duplex more slowly. Luger was panting hard but still trotted from sniff-point to tree to telephone pole. As they turned the corner, Nick spotted his car, parked right where it had been, and behind it, Doc’s classic truck.
He sprinted toward the driveway. Charlie was standing by the truck and jumped to intercept Nick.
“Where is that bastard?” Nick’s vision was red-tinged.
“Wait.”
Nick could’ve pulled out of Charlie’s hold, but he was gripped by Charlie’s bad hand, his damaged side to Nick. Dammit, Charlie, you’re not playing fair. “Why?”
“Zander arrived right behind him, went after him.”
“Went where?”
Charlie waved off behind the houses. “That way. Somewhere.”
“I bet Luger could find him,” Brian said, coming up beside Nick with the dog’s leash held short.
Charlie said, “Wait. Nicko, take a look at what that bastard did to your car.”
Nick whirled to glare at the Taurus. It looked undamaged. Maybe cleaner, if anything. With— new fucking tires.
Charlie said, “And it stopped squeaking.”
Brian laughed softly. “That’s Damon.”
“Well, I didn’t ask him to do that. Did I ask for new tires?”
Brian sniped back in the same tone, “Are you going to take them off and throw them back at Damon because you’re pissed at him?”
“Ye— no. Fuck, no.” The old ones had been getting bare to the point of dangerous, and Brian rode in that car. Dammit. “I hope