Page 21 of A Furry Thing Called Love (Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue #7)

Arlo

Everything hurts, but it’s what I expected after a day of traveling. I’m a bit unsteady on my feet when I get out of bed, but I’m chalking that up to the fact my entire body is weighed down by fatigue, rather than anything else.

Grabbing my crutches, I move slower than I would like, but I’m up and moving, and that counts, right?

Eli and Indie follow me out of the room, and I sigh as I remember why I hate apartments. It’s so much easier to open the back door and let the dogs out. The thought of going downstairs to relieve the dogs… I’m exhausted already.

In the kitchen, I find Valery. They’re pouring coffee, and when they see me, they smile. “Mornin’, you want some?”

“Please. I can get it, though.”

“Nonsense. It’s just coffee. Sit.”

My body thanks me when it’s sitting, though I’m still upright, and I call that a win. Val brings over the coffee, along with cream and sugar. “I can take the dogs out, if you want?”

I snort. “I look that bad, do I?”

“Eh.” They move their hand side to side in a so-so manner. “I wasn’t going to bring it up. Go back to bed. Jor is still snoring away, and I don’t know what you guys have planned, but I am not leaving my apartment until it’s dinnertime.”

I laugh. “We have no plans either. I… The fatigue is kicking my ass already, and my body aches, hence the crutches. I…don’t know what Jor has said about me and my situation, but I have multiple sclerosis.

I’m okay right now, partially in remission from my last relapse, but with that comes a little unsteadiness and more fatigue than before. ”

Valery’s face softens, but not in sympathy or pity or anything like that—thank fuck.

“Jordan didn’t mention anything. Well, he said you needed some accommodations, but you were bringing everything you needed with you.

I just asked the relevant questions to make sure I can help smooth out your trip, but he didn’t abuse your privacy or anything. ”

My chest warms at their words. I already knew Jordan wasn’t the type of person to blab someone’s business all over the place, but I had told him it was okay to disclose my diagnosis, so that his family knew what they were signing up for.

Showing up with a service animal and two different types of mobility aids can be jarring if you’re not prepared for it.

I didn’t want them to worry…or see their censor if they had a problem with it.

So, it was best to get it out of the way while I was still across the country.

But to know he only gave the most relevant information? Fuck, I think that makes me fall in love with him all over again.

“Then, yes, please. I’d love it if you took the dogs out. My body fucking hurts .”

Valery laughs at my exaggeration, as I intended. “I can do that. Where are their leads?”

I shrug. “Wherever Jordan dropped them last night. Coffee table, maybe?”

Normally, I’d be okay with Eli going out without a leash, but Valery is technically a stranger, and this is a new city. It’s better to be safe than sorry for both dogs.

“Doggie bags should be there too.”

Val makes a face at the possibility of having to pick up poop, but otherwise doesn’t complain.

Picking up my coffee, I take an appreciative sip before levering myself out of the kitchen chair and slowly crossing over to sit on the couch. I groan as I sink into the cushions, content to stay in this spot all day, so long as I have coffee.

Fucking hell , I hate traveling. It was a bitch before MS took over, and now it’s just ridiculous.

What’s worse, for me, at least—aside from the pain, the uncertainty of when a relapse may occur, and the terrifying thought of one day not being able to walk on my own—is the fatigue.

Fucking hell. If it was just tiredness, it’d be different.

I could just go to bed and sleep until I’m no longer tired.

It…doesn’t quite work like that with fatigue though.

Not when the sense of exhaustion seeps into my very bones, when it’s not the type of tired sleep can fix.

When the dizziness hits because I move too fast and my reflexes are shit.

I can deal with it on a day-to-day basis because I’ve learned to push through my baseline. But on days like today, when even my hair feels weary and worn down…it’s a special kind of hell that can fuck right off a cliff.

Valery comes back in and Eli jumps on the couch with me. “No, down,” I tell him.

“It’s fine,” Valery reassures. “Trust me, dog hair is the least offensive thing that’s happened on that couch.”

I make a face at that. There are some things I do not want to think about.

“Are you hungry? I can order breakfast? I’d say make breakfast, but…I kinda ran out of time this week to go shopping. I already put a grocery order in, it should be here in a little while, but we can order food if you’re hungry now.”

“Meh, not really. When I feel like this, everything else kinda just…fades away. I’m going to become one with the couch for a few hours, so we’ll see how I feel around lunch.”

“Do… We can cancel tonight, if you’re not up for it. It was just the first available night Denver had off—they mostly work nights at the children’s hospital—but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind moving it.”

“No, no. I promise, I’ll be fine. If I’m not feeling more alive later on, I’ll let you know, but please, I already have Jordan as a mother hen, I don’t need another.”

Val lets out a soft laugh. “Fair. Well, feel free to veg all you want then. That’s what I’m planning to do today. I think I needed this vacation more than you and Jordan. Work has been kicking my ass.”

“What do you do? I don’t think Jordan’s ever said.”

“He wouldn’t. Mostly because he thinks it’s boring. I’m a forensic accountant.”

“Jordan’s right,” I tell them. “Boring.”

Valery laughs. “Oh, I like you. You’re going to fit in well with the rest of the family tonight.”

“I sure hope so.”

“Trust me, they’re going to love you. Luka found himself some good people. If they weren’t, I wouldn’t have allowed him anywhere near them.”

That makes me feel a little better, but of course, I’ve learned over the years to be cautious.

Will was a prime example of people I didn’t want to be around.

I just had to do things the hard way, and stay with him longer than I should have in order to get that through my head once and for all. I’ve always been stubborn like that.

Val and I lapse into comfortable silence, drinking our coffee while Eli lays his head on my thigh, and Indie falls asleep across my feet. It’s…more peace than I’ve had for a long time, and that’s a gift I can’t ever repay them.

Valery pulls into the driveway of a light-yellow, two-story house. “Ready for the firing squad?” they ask as they shut off the car.

“Bring it on.” I grin, not faking the excitement that rushes through me.

Before we even get to the door, it’s opened and a teenager stands there, bouncing on their toes, a cat precariously perched on their shoulder. “Oh, my God, you brought dogs!”

“Take a chill pill, Cal,” Valery calls out.

“There is no chill here, Val, only puppers,” the teen says in return.

Valery sighs. “Can we at least get in the house first?”

The teen stands back and Valery gestures for me to go first. The entryway is small, but the teen—Cal—moves away from the door, into a doorway that leads to what I realize is the kitchen.

“Callum, don’t make a nuisance of yourself,” someone says from across the room.

“I’m not!” Cal shoots back.

Valery brushes past me and heads into the kitchen. “Come on,” they say. “Rory won’t bite.”

“Not unless you ask,” the voice calls out.

I laugh a little, following Valery into the kitchen, with Eli at my side.

“It smells amazing in here,” Valery says.

“Thanks. It’s one of the recipes Callum found online.”

“Uh-oh,” Val replies.

“Don’t worry, I made it for him and my mom the other day, and they’re both still alive, so it’s fine. Cal, how about you go get your Dad and Luka? Let them know we have guests.”

“But puppers…” the teen whines.

“Callum.”

“Fiiinnee.” The teen, and their cat, walk out of the room.

“Sorry about him. I have no idea where he gets his dramatics from. I’m Rory, Callum’s father, and Grae’s ex-husband.”

I reach for Rory’s hand, trying not to be taken by his twinkling green-blue eyes, that tell me he knows exactly where his son gets his drama from. “Arlo, Jordan’s friend. Thanks for having me.”

Rory smiles. “It’s truly my pleasure.”

“And I’m Jordan, Luka’s cousin.” Jor steps up to my side, and I resist the urge to lean against him.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Glad to finally put a face to the name.”

“You too.”

“Your kid is extra spicy today,” a new voice says from the doorway leading from the kitchen to the other part of the house.

Rory snorts. “Why is he my kid whenever he’s a bit sassy?”

“Because, cher, you are the reason he’s like this.” The voice and Luka enter the kitchen, Callum following behind.

“Are you ready to run yet, Arlo?” Luka asks.

I chuckle and shake my head. “No, not yet. I don’t know what that says about me.”

“Well, that’s good. We’ll see how you feel after dinner. You’ve met Rory, he’s Grae’s ex, in case he didn’t share that already. And this is Graeme, my boyfriend.”

The other man seems to be around my age. He’s taller than Luka, with light-brown hair and soft blue-gray eyes. “It’s nice to meet you both.”

“You too. I didn’t believe my cousin when he said he had not one, but two partners, and well…I only see one here,” Jordan teases.

Luka rolls his eyes. “Denver’s on their way. They got caught up in something, so they’re running a little behind.”

“Uh-huh,” is Jordan’s reply.

Luka huffs, even as his cheeks stain a little pink and his eyes seem to dance in amusement.

“Okay,” Rory says. “Introductions are over, all of you get outta my kitchen.”

“So bossy, cher,” Graeme teases.

Rory glares at him, making Graeme laugh and holds his hands up. “We’re going.”