Page 5 of Happily Evan After (Dog Tags #5)

chapter

five

Evan

Current day…

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Is this the number for Sergeant Cartwright?

ME: Sure is

ME: But I’m retired, so you can just call me Evan

ME: Who is this?

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Sorry. I’m just trying to be respectful.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: This is Dr. Olsen, the small animal vet. I just wanted to touch base with you about the appropriate protocols for those vaccines I sent over.

ME: Hey, Doc! Nice to meetcha.

ME: Thanks for helping out with the vaccines for all the pups at Great Danes!

DR. OLSEN: You’re welcome.

DR. OLSEN: Those vaccines need to be stored at the proper temperatures until you’re ready to use them.

ME: Yep. I got them stashed in the fridge as soon as they arrived.

DR. OLSEN: Please tell me you’re NOT storing them in your home refrigerator. I was told you would have a medical refrigerator at the rescue center.

ME: Yeah. We do. That’s where they are.

DR. OLSEN: And they’re being kept within the proper temperature range?

DR. OLSEN: I can’t guarantee their potency if they’re allowed to sit out and then recooled. Or worse, accidentally freeze.

ME: Well, I did store them on top of the microwave for a bit, but that was just to make room for the keg. I put them back once the party started.

DR. OLSEN: What???

DR. OLSEN: Maybe I should come over there. Handle things myself.

ME: I’m joking!

ME: Jesus, have you met Dane? He’d kill any of us if we so much as stash our lunch in the fridge.

DR. OLSEN: This isn’t a laughing matter. Administering unsafe vaccines would be extremely dangerous.

DR. OLSEN: And, yes, of course I’ve met Dane. I wouldn’t have sold him the vaccines without my supervision if I didn’t trust him.

ME: Don’t worry. I’ve got this.

ME: I was a medic. I assure you, I know what I’m doing.

DR. OLSEN: A medic?

ME: In the Army. I’m trained in emergency wound care, among other things.

DR. OLSEN: Emergency wound care on humans is not the same thing as veterinary care. Maybe I should come out to supervise.

ME: That’s not necessary, Doc.

DR. OLSEN: I’m attaching a PDF that includes detailed instructions on how to administer the medications.

ME: I’ve got it.

DR. OLSEN: And here are links to instructional videos if the PDF is too long.

ME: I said, I’ve got it. And the PDF is only three pages. With pictures. And I can read.

I groan aloud. What is up with that woman?

I switch out of the texting window with Dr. Olsen and over to the group text between me and my buddies who all run Great Dane’s Dog Sanctuary.

I’m annoyed. I can’t deny that.

First of all, I’m not used to people not liking me.

I’m an affable guy. Secondly, she just straight up questioned my ability to not only read simple directions but to follow through with the job.

I’m pretty sure that at most veterinary offices, vet techs are allowed to administer injections.

Surely my education and subsequent experience give me at least that much skill.

Maybe I shouldn’t have made that joke about having a kegger, but come on! It was obviously a joke.

I blow out a breath, trying to release my annoyance. It won’t do anyone any good, especially me, if I’m all worked up.

I try to focus on the string of texts from my buddies. They’ve apparently been chatting while I’ve been defending my honor to the lady vet.

LIAM: Thanks for not being total asshats when I brought Wren and Keller by today.

JACK: When are we ever asshats?

DANE: That might apply to everyone but you, Jack.

JACK: Does that make me the pussy of the group?

DANE: No. Just the golden retriever.

ROMEO: Dane is not wrong.

ROMEO: Your bird girl is perfect for you.

BEAU: Bird girl?

LIAM: Romeo is just being his hilarious self.

ROMEO: Because her name is Wren. Like a bird.

BEAU: That’s weak, dude.

FLYNN: You can bring Keller out anytime. That kid is smart.

DANE: Why am I not surprised that the two of you hit it off?

FLYNN: What does that mean?

JACK: I think it’s a two birds of a feather comment.

FLYNN: For me and Keller? I’ll take it.

LIAM: He’s an amazing kid. I’ll be proud to call him my son.

ROMEO: You doing that legally or just claiming him with your words?

LIAM: Legally. Blake is working on the petition of adoption now.

DANE: That’s great. Congrats.

ROMEO: Where’s the kid?

JACK: Yeah, he normally lives for these group chats.

DANE: Evan! WTF are you?

ME: I’m here. Sorry. What did I miss?

FLYNN: What are we missing?

ME: What?

ROMEO: Yeah, what’s going on with you, Kid? You’ve been in a shit mood for months.

This is when I could open up to my closest friends and tell them about my night with the woman of my dreams. Known only to me as “Evie” or Dimples, and presumably out of my life like a phantom.

I could probably ask Flynn to see if he could work some computer magic to find her for me.

But truthfully, I don’t have enough information to go on.

Besides, she made it clear she wanted only one night.

I have too much dignity to chase someone who doesn’t want to be chased.

And I respect all women enough to back off if they’re not interested.

So instead, I skip my romantic woes and complain about the veterinarian.

ME: It’s that fucking vet bossing me around like I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I was a special forces medic for fuck’s sake. I think I can handle a few canine vaccinations.

DANE: Uh-oh.

ROMEO: You are so screwed, my brother.

FLYNN: gif of cupid shooting off an arrow

ME: I hope you’re not suggesting that I’m into her.

BEAU: We would never.

ME: Seriously, she’s not even nice to me. Also, I haven’t even met her.

ME: She could be a 65-year-old woman.

ME: I just don’t get what I could have done to warrant her hostility.

ME: She’s questioned everything.

ME: And she sent me a how-to video!

ME: To give an injection!

ME: She’s clearly just a grouch. I mean, really, have y’all ever met a grumpy veterinarian?

JACK: Well, they do have to deal with some tough situations.

BEAU: Exactly. They lose patients too.

ME: I wasn’t talking about that.

ME: She essentially gets to cuddle dogs and cats all day. Aside from the hard parts, that shit should make you smile.

ROMEO: Haven’t seen you smiling around all the dogs.

FLYNN: He’s not wrong.

LIAM: You’ve been in a bad mood, Kid. If you can’t deal with the lady doctor, we can transfer that role to someone else.

LIAM: Romeo could do it.

ROMEO: Romeo is busy trying to get the piece of shit second-hand van we bought up and running.

LIAM: Minor details.

ME: I can work with her.

ME: I am a professional!

ME: She’s the grumpy, mean one.

Maybe what I need to do is just go down to her office and introduce myself. Once she’s met me in person, I’m sure she’ll relax and feel more comfortable with my skills.

And as if Dane—essentially my boss—is reading my mind, he sends me a private text.

DANE: What’s going on, Kid? It’s not like you to not be able to get along with someone.

DANE: It just makes the most sense for you to be the one to handle the most pressing canine medical needs.

ME: I’ve got it. I’m going to go meet her.

ME: Everyone likes me. Surely, I can convince the old bat to trust me a little.

DANE: I don’t think she’s as old as you’re imagining.

ME: Whatever. I can charm her.

ME: I’ve got this, Dane. Promise.

DANE: Be sure that you do. The logistics of getting Marley out to the sanctuary every time we need vaccinations sounds like a nightmare.

DANE: And I don’t even want to think about bringing them all to her.

DANE: Especially with our van in and out of the shop as much as it has been.

ME: I can ask Abel to buy us a new one. It would be a tax write-off for him.

DANE: We don’t need your movie star brother to buy us anything. Besides, if that’s all it took, remember my sister-in-law is Jess Munoz.

DANE: She probably has more money than your brother.

ME: I’ve seen footage of her sold- out concerts. She probably does have more money.

DANE: So you’ve got this?

ME: Yes. You can count on me.

ME: I’ll find a way to win over the veterinarian.