Page 29 of The Dreamboat (The Portland Protectors: EHM Security #4)
CHAPTER 28
brENT
After John’s first bottoming experience, we’d gone back into the hot tub before falling into bed. We’d both passed out after a very long day.
I woke before John but didn’t stir. As the morning sun filtered through the trees, I couldn’t help but think about my father. Doubts crept into my mind as I thought about what my mother had said.
Did he hold me responsible for Matt’s death like she did? I knew I’d never come back to Colorado Springs because of the way she felt about me. I wanted to tell myself it was the grief talking, but I knew better.
The ache in my heart was not as severe knowing I had John. He’d be enough for me when my brothers moved on with their lives. It was how it was supposed to be. And John had saved me.
Winston came over and laid his head on my side of the bed. I smiled as I reached out to rub his face.
John stirred behind me. “Good morning, sweetheart. How are you feeling?” He kissed the side of my head.
“I’m okay,” I replied. “But Winston needs to go out.”
John rolled to his back and stretched. “I’ll take him out. You rest.”
“I’m fine,” I said, sitting up. “I’ll get him some breakfast and start the coffee.”
As he slipped into shorts and a t-shirt, I watched admiring his body. I was a lucky asshole in every way.
“Come on, Winston. Let’s go see what’s outside,” John said, walking to the front door. He picked up his phone and tucked it into his pocket. That was my reminder to find mine.
When they came back in a bit later, Winston came loping to me in the kitchen. I squatted down to him and rubbed him all over.
John smiled and leaned against the cabinet. His arms were crossed over his chest as he looked down at me. I could see the love in his eyes now. That lovey-dovey expression Dare wore when he looked at Greer was right there staring back at me.
“I can see us with a dog, can’t you?”
I smiled at Winston. “Yeah, but this guy is special. Let’s get you some breakfast.”
Standing, I went to wash his bowl and grab him some food. It wasn’t the highest quality, and that disappointed me.
“Before we leave, I want to transition him over to a better quality food,” I said, rubbing my hand over his golden fur. “And maybe take him to the vet. I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t seen one.”
John furrowed his brow. “They haven’t been taking care of him, have they?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”
“Is it a money issue?”
“I don’t know,” I replied. “They just haven’t been the same. I don’t know why they got him to begin with.”
John was quiet for a moment before he looked up at me. “Ready for breakfast?”
“Yes, actually. I’m starved.”
“Good,” he said clapping his hands together. “Pancakes and bacon then.”
I put Winston’s bowl down and turned to make a cup of coffee.
John pulled out pancake mix and a huge pack of bacon. I sipped my coffee as he hunted for a cookie sheet, then turned on the oven.
“I thought we might go fishing today. Sit down by the river and see if we can catch dinner. What do you think?”
“Yeah, that sounds good. We should go after breakfast. We’re more likely to catch them early in the day.”
He grinned at me. “Learn that from your dad?”
“Actually, yes. I did.”
“The fishing poles are stored downstairs under the deck. We can head out…” He was interrupted by a knock at the door.
I looked at him quizzically, but he smiled. “I ordered some things for delivery when I took Winston out. Can you grab them?”
“Damn you eat a lot,” I quipped. “I might have to get a second job to pay for your groceries.”
“Smartass,” he mumbled as he continued laying out bacon on the cookie sheet.
Winston barked at the door as I reached for the handle. Swinging it open, I found the last thing I expected.
Dare and Greer stood on the porch carrying overnight bags. My best friend turned and smiled at me. “Hey, asshole. We came for the funeral.”
My stupid eyes filled with tears as he pulled me in for a hug.
“You didn’t think I’d let you go through this without me, did you?”
I pulled back and looked at him, my damn eyes leaking. Greer squeezed my shoulder but walked around us to talk to John.
“How did you know we were here?”
He motioned toward John. “Your husband and I texted most of the day yesterday. When I told him we were coming for the service, he said he’d rented this house for a few days and there was room for two more.”
Looking back, I saw John leaning against the counter talking to Greer. When his eyes met mine, he smiled and nodded, making my damn eyes leak again.
“Come on,” Dare said, swinging his arm over my shoulder. “I was promised breakfast and fishing today.”
I laughed and swung my arm around him. “Thank you for coming.”
“You couldn’t have kept me away. And I brought your dress whites. We’re going as motherfucking Navy SEALs.”
We spent the rest of the day relaxing with our friends. We had a good time fishing, and when Greer caught a larger fish than Dare, I thought he'd be irritable. But he wasn't. He was actually proud of him.
Greer and John hit it off immediately. We spent the evening around the fire pit talking and retelling stories about our time in the service.
When our conversation turned toward Portland, Greer gave us a standing invitation to join them in his suite if we wanted to watch the Pirates play.
"My daughter, Laura, works for the Sun Rays. She's a social media guru for them."
Greer brightened at that. “They’re getting a new owner. There’s even talk they may change the name." He leaned over and took Dare's hand. "There’s something to be said for a fresh start. Change is good.”
I looked at John, and couldn’t agree more.