No one is around to bother me. A lazy lull captures my mind, slowing normal processing down even more. I slouch deeper into my seat. Sleep is beginning to pull me under when Bear’s piercing bark breaks the silence. I crack open an eye to watch him take off toward the driveway. Whoever dares to show up here will either run off scared or figure shit out. I keep my ass planted in place.
A moment later, Jace rounds the house with Bear nipping at his heels. A dry chuckle escapes me at the sight of a grown man trying to outrun a dog. My friend has been trying to get on his good side for years. Sutton is the only one to instantly win my hound over. No surprise there.
Jace gives me the finger and a glare. “Real funny, asshole. How about you call off the killer?”
I whistle and Bear darts toward me. “He’s harmless.”
“To you.”
“He just wants to play.”
“By using my leg as a chew toy.”
“Quit your bitching,” I mutter.
He continues grumbling while plopping down in the other chair. “Not sure why your dog still hates me.”
“You’re threatening. Take it as a compliment.”
Jace rolls his eyes. “Not sure that’s a selling point.”
“Don’t overthink it. Beer?” I kick open the cooler next to me.
He reaches in and grabs one. “Thanks.”
I lift my bottle to his. The bandage pulls tight around my injury and I wince.
“How’s your arm?”
“Attached.” But the hole in my black heart is bigger than ever. Sutton would heal all the broken parts. If only I let her. I take another swig instead.
Jace laughs. “I see you’re in a talkative mood.”
I flip my hat backwards. “Were you expecting social hour?”
“Nah, learned my lesson. Just wanted to check on you.”
I gesture down my torso. “Still breathing.”
“Sure glad Sutton found you when she did. The doctor said you lost a shit ton of blood.”
The mention of his sister has my body locking up tighter than a steel trap. I’m not prepared to have that discussion yet. Spilling my guts will require a lot more booze, or courage. I don’t have an abundance of either. Talking about the accident isn’t pleasant, but it’s better than him crushing my balls in a vice.
I scratch my jaw. “Uh, yeah. Guess it was a close call.”
Jace chugs the rest of his beer and opens another. Good to know he’s sticking around. “I see walking away relatively unscathed has lifted your spirits.”
My frown deepens. “Had to be carted off in a damn ambulance.”
“Could have been a hell of a lot worse.”
“Shouldn’t have happened at all. I was being careless.” And distracted by a certain brunette beauty.
He’s quiet for a moment, studying me too close. “What’s with the mean-mugging? Beside the obvious.”
“It’s been a shit week.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
