Page 31 of Falling for the Orc All-Star

“But I’m not...”

“You’re love bombing her dogs. Too much spoiling too fast.”

“But... that’s what Orcs do. We have to prove our love and devotion.”

“Oh, the l-word!” Kev hangs his head and lets out a deep sigh.

“You know what I mean. Where is Ingrid?”

“Took a late lunch and went home to get the dogs. She’s bringing them to Hilltop Home today. Going back with Mrs. Yerchenko.”

“Ah. Should I have gotten two mats? Will they fight over the one?”

“You didn’t hear a word I said. Tell you what—you’ve got big ears. Let’s see how well you listen. Romance is about listening to what your other half wants, not just doing what you think you should do to ‘prove’ yourself.”

I shrug off his words. I’m a Silverbow. We forge ahead. We conquer.

I don’t tell Kev, but I figure Ingrid’s dogs are like her kids. She even has a “Dog Mom” sticker on her car. So, part of proving I can be a good mate is proving I could be a “Dog Dad.” At least, I can try.

But what if he’s right, and I just drive her away with too much love?

“Wait, how is it love bombing? Is it love bombing if I’m not sure that she can ever love me?”

Kevin just groans. “Physical therapist. Not mental health therapist.”

We lock eyes, and he adjusts the straps and bindings on the pinching gray vise around my leg. I let out a sigh of relief when it no longer squeezes so hard.

He lets out a long sigh. “Fine, fine. I guess I’m a friend, too.”

That actually makes me perk up. I realize that all my friends are on the team, and we don’t really hang out aside from hockey. I sometimes mingle in the paranormal community, but I don’t have many I’d consider true friends. “As a friend, what do I do not to screw up?”

“Don’t be in such a hurry.”

“But it’s hard when it’s all I can think about. She’s just... perfect. She’s smart and funny, and her life is together. I don’t want to mess it up, but I bet I could add something to it.”

“Well, for the next thirty minutes, you’re going to think about something else. Time to work on mobility while you’re in that immobilizer. You still need to be on crutches, and this could get a little awkward.”

I try to move off the exam table, one leg bound stiffly and two crutches catching my weight.

“A little?” I challenge, one eyebrow arched.

Kev whistles innocently. “Come on, man. You got this. Up and into the training area.”

Idart away from the door and back to the waiting room, where Mrs. Yerchenko is shaking paws with each of my dogs, who look so proud of themselves. I wasn’t supposed to be listening in. I was just checking to make sure King had checked in.

Not my fault his voice is deep. Carrying.

Not my fault the rehab area is so quiet this time of day, with just Mrs. Yerchenko waiting for me to drive her back to Hilltop Home and my sweet pups, sitting quietly with their “Visitor Vests” and their little crocheted angel wings on.

I shouldn’t have stayed there, eavesdropping for so long, my heart pounding.

Of course, I don’t know what they said before, but it sounds like King has love on the brain. Sounds like he wants to impress me. Spoil me.

My lips curl down. That’s not something I’d allow... normally.

I sit down at my desk and click my pen a million times, not doing anything useful as my mind digs a hole for me to fall into.

Love bombing is when they dig their claws into you. Isolate you. Keep you alone.