Page 93 of Courting Danger

Chapter 25

Danger

“Finally!”

His exclamation startled a few folks in the waiting room, but Danger couldn’t give a damn as he burst from the back, stitches having been removed, though he’d much rather Doc have done it. Unfortunately, he’d been on his annual trek to visit family at Kill Devil Hills, meaning Danger had to come here to get them out.

Pope stood, shaking his head as people stared, but fuck them, he’d just been freed from his second accident-imposed water exile of the year, and he was more than ready to get back to the house, tuck the pups in their screened enclosure, and take to the waves. While their paws were finally showing signs of improvement, right along with their coats, thanks to daily brushing and the good food they’d been packing away, the sand was growing hotter, so they’d be staying off it until shoes arrived to protect their feet.

Outside, he did a cartwheel and leapt into the air after he’d pulled off the slightly sloppy maneuver before dancing over to where they’d parked your bikes.

“I wouldn’t do that again if I were you,” Pope said. “Not unless you want to split your head open in the parking lot and have me carry your ass back inside. I promise you, I will beat it until you can’t sit down, and it will not be fun for you either, especially not if they have to shave more hair to put another line of stitches in.”

Cringing, he straddled the bike, making a mental note to tone it down before he fucked himself up again.

“Thank you,” Pope said. “I hate seeing you miserable. So let’s do our best to avoid any more hospital visits this year, please.”

“Yes sir,” Danger said. “That wasn’t very smart on my part.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Pope replied. “I get that you were excited, but cartwheels on concrete generally have a way of not ending well.”

“True.”

“Alright, ready to get wet?”

“More than ready,” Danger replied.

“Good, because Roan has a surprise for you.”

“Really? Then what are we waiting for?”

“Not one damned thing,” Pope replied before firing up his bike.

On the short ride back, all Danger could think about was getting into his new board shorts and going for a swim before breaking out his surfboard. Just to feel the water close over his head was going to be amazing, and he couldn’t wait to roll over, float on his back, and stare at the sky. Roan’s surprise had him curious too, as their boy was really coming into his own. While Danger had been convalescing, Roan had visited all the club-runbusinesses, picked up the paperwork and the files from Danger’s office, and brought them all back so they could work on them.

Not only that, but he’d helped Pope organize his in-home office with the same careful efficacy as he’d displayed in the one at Jokers Wild, compiling all the files and printed notes into categories, while also learning how to track down books that Pope needed for research. Proud of him didn’t begin to describe Danger’s feelings, though there was still the lingering regret over not seeing the truth behind Roan’s repeated bids for attention.

He still didn’t feel as if he’d made it up to him yet, though the down time had given him some ideas of how to make things right. Just as soon as the order he’d placed arrived, he’d show his boy just how pleased he was to have a little in his life and how special Roan was as an individual, as well as a member of the Rollin’ Jokers.

Yeah, he had a lot to make up for.

At the house, they parked in the garage and headed in through the mudroom, laughter drifting from deeper in the house. When they stepped into the den, they found Ocean and Roan with Diesel and Grunge, working on sit and stay. They sat and happily accepted treats and pets, but when it came to staying, Diesel flat-out refused. If Ocean took a step backward, Diesel scooted forward on his bottom, determined to keep up with him. Each time, Ocean held his hand out, palm toward the dog, and repeatedstaybefore inching away again, and each time Diesel let him get exactly three feet away before he started scooching after him with a whine if Ocean told him to stay again.

Before either Pope or Danger could do anything, Ocean shook his head and hugged the dog, giving him his treat anyway.

“It’s okay, boy,” Ocean said. “I know you’re just scared that you’re going to get left. I’d never do that to you. You’ll see. Trust is hard though, isn’t it?”

He kissed the big dog on the snout and held his face in his hands, rubbing noses and speaking to him until Diesel’s tail was wagging a mile a minute.

“He’ll get there,” Pope said. “Like you said, he just needs time.”

“Yup,” Ocean said. “And he let me get three feet that time. When we first started, he followed every time I moved. That’s so much progress. He’s such a good boy.”

“You’ll be pleased to know that we stopped by the vet’s office this morning and updated her on their feet while we picked up more ointment. She apologized for not thinking about it when we were there, but they make shoes for dogs that they can wear in the water as well as on the beach, so I looked and ordered two pairs on the spot. As soon as they arrive, the boys can join us on the beach.”

“Yay!” Roan declared, while Grunge woofed.

“It’s not her fault,” Ocean said. “She’d just finished examining their feet and talking with us about their condition when those folks came in with that kitty who’d been attacked by a dog, so she had to run. I’m glad they’ll be able to join us. As much as I love the water, it makes me sad to leave them behind.”