Page 4 of The Grumpy Vet (Vet Shop Boys Down Under #3)

Dario

"Well, that took a turn,"

I mutter to Ryde as we watch Linus speed away, leaving a trail of ghostly dust behind him.

He bites down on his lip.

"Yeah. It did."

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Just worried."

He scratches his arm.

"I hope we didn't freak him out. He's already had a shitty day."

"He has."

I look out until the last signs of his car are gone.

"Come on. Let's go inside."

We clean up in silence. I play the conversation back in my mind, trying to pinpoint the precise moment things went south. I concede I may have pried a bit, but I did open by saying he could tell me to mind my own business. So I don't think it was that.

Then I told him about what Mum went through when Dad got sick and asked him if he had any support. It was shortly after that that he left so abruptly. I don't get it. Why would asking him if he had anyone helping him out make him act like that?

"What's Linus's family situation?"

I ask, handing Ryde a sudsy plate.

He takes it from me and starts drying.

"It's just him and his dad."

"No siblings?"

"No."

"What about his mum?"

"She died when he was a kid. Some sort of cancer. I've never asked."

"Fair enough."

I pass Ryde the next plate.

"What about his relationship history? I'd imagine dating is a tad restricted in a place this small."

"From what I can gather, he dated someone ages ago."

"How long is ages ago?"

He lifts a shoulder, staring at the blackness outside.

"I'd say ten years. Maybe longer."

"Wow. Okay. And what about friends? Does he have many?"

"Apart from the crew at work, I don't think he has, no."

"Does he at least open up to any of them?"

Ryde places the plate onto the drying rack and considers my question.

"I don't think so. Or if he does, he swears them to secrecy because for all the gossiping those guys love to partake in, Linus's name never comes up."

"So no one knows about your crush on the boss?"

He smiles at me and gives me a playful bump.

"Nope. As far as I'm aware, I'm fooling them all with my Oscar-worthy acting. I've been completely discreet."

I smile back at him even though the prosecution is totally leading the witness. A person could be legally blind and still see how into Linus Ryde is. It's cute he thinks he's pulling it off though. None of the guys have said anything to me—probably because I'm new and they know Ryde is my bestie—but in addition to me witnessing the way Ryde gravitates towards Linus anytime he's near him, hanging on every word he says, I've caught the other guys clocking it, too. They'd have to be idiots not to suspect something.

Once the dishes are done, Ryde wipes down the countertops while I take the trash out. Linus is still playing on my mind, and when I re-enter the kitchen, I can tell he's on Ryde's, too.

"I have a theory,"

I tell him as we walk into the living room and drop down onto the same couch.

"Go on."

"Did you notice how I didn't really give Linus much of a choice in coming over here tonight?"

"I did."

A tiny grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Smooth."

"Not so much smooth as I sensed his hesitancy. Given the chance, I reckon he would've found some excuse not to come over. And after what you've told me about his family, dating life, and friendship circle, not to mention how many hours he puts in at the clinic, plus the current situation with his dad, it's painting a picture."

Ryde blinks, waiting for me to fill him in.

"I think Linus isn't used to having people look after him. He got weird right after I asked him if he had a support network. I might have inadvertently triggered something because…because maybe he doesn't have anyone?"

"But everyone loves him. The guys at the clinic. Everyone in town. Even though he has this whole grumpy bear vibe going on, I've never once heard anyone say a bad word about him. Unlike his dad. From what I've gathered, he wasn't exactly Mr. Popular."

"Just because someone is well liked doesn't mean they're getting the support they themselves might not even be aware they need."

"Hmm."

Ryde tucks his legs under his body.

"I never thought of it that way before."

"Which means…"

His eyes narrow.

"I know that look, and I know that tone. I'm scared. What are you up to, Dario?"

"No need to be scared. You're simply witnessing the formulation of one of my world-famous excellent plans."

"Okay, now I'm petrified."

I chuckle.

"Shut up. What I'm thinking is this could be an opening."

He tilts his head slightly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Linus may be strong and capable and all that, but everyone needs someone to lean on every once in a while."

"That's true."

"You could be that somebody for him. We're going to be training in his gym, so why not, I don't know, bring some food over? It saves him having to cook. That then gives you time to hang out with him, and who knows, maybe eventually he'll start opening up to you."

"Yeah… I don't know."

"What? It's a great plan."

"You're forgetting one detail. One kind of big detail."

"Which is?"

Ryde looks up at the ceiling and lets out a long sigh. I do not pay attention to the long line of his neck, imagining what it might feel like to lick my way down it to his collarbone.

"I forget how to act like a normal person around him," he says.

"You were fine tonight."

"Yeah. Because you were here."

He snaps his head to me, a smile forming on his lips and a glint flashing in his eyes, causing my stomach to get that sinking I don't think I'm going to like what comes next feeling.

"If we do this, you always have to be there, too."

"Excuse me?"

"Don't you see? I didn't embarrass myself tonight because you were in the room."

"No. You didn't embarrass yourself tonight because you didn't drink your body weight in alcohol."

He sits up taller because it takes effort and good posture to destroy an awesome plan.

"Please, Dario? Just at the beginning at least. I would have never even thought of inviting Linus over for dinner like you did. I wouldn't have gotten him to open up over dinner like you did. I…need you."

My eyes flutter to a close, and I sink into the sofa.

My head is screaming at me that this is a terrible amendment to an otherwise fantastic plan. I shouldn't do it. I shouldn't get any more involved in this situation than I already am. It's bad enough having unreciprocated feelings for Ryde. I can kinda sorta handle him being with someone else when it's an idea, a concept, floating around in my mind.

But being in the room as he and Linus possibly start properly falling for each other, having front row tickets to that show?

Nuh-uh.

No way.

Never in a million years.

I open my eyes to see my bestie sitting on the couch, all cute and blinky and hopeful as he returns my gaze, and as always, my stupid, stupid heart melts for him.

I can't say no to him. Never have, and I don't know if I ever will.

"Fine,"

I agree, trying to keep the dread from my voice.

"I'll be there. But only at the start, and only on one condition."

His eyes light up like he's won a prize at the county fair.

"Anything. Name it."

"You have to push yourself."

"More information, please,"

he says, his eyes narrowing.

"Okay. Like, tonight, I took more of the leading role, right?"

He nods, and I continue.

"In future, I'll do that less, giving you room to step up."

"I'm going to need concrete examples."

"I can't think of any concrete examples right now. We'll know when we get there."

"No. We won't. You will. Because you know how to function around a guy you like that makes you feel all fuzzy inside. I don't. I'll be completely oblivious and miss the most obvious clues."

"You won't be."

"If my past behaviour is any indication…"

"The past is in the past,"

I say firmly.

"Look. We'll figure this out. I'll make it super clear if I'm ever setting you up for anything."

"O-kay."

He doesn't sound convinced. I rack my brain trying to come up with something to allay his concerns. An idea pops into my head.

"Let's just keep it simple. Do you know the golden rule of improv?"

"Always say yes?"

"Exactly. If something happens that you weren't expecting, you don't yell Cut! You don't ask for a do-over. You just have to respond on the fly and go with it. Whatever it is. No matter how out there or zany or unplanned it was. This is exactly the same. If Linus says or does something you weren't expecting, get out of your own way and say…"

"Yes?"

he offers meekly.

"With a bit more confidence would be great, but yeah."

He mulls it over, chewing his lower lip while he does.

"That sounds…not too bad."

"Pfft. Not too bad? It's another excellent idea in a long and storied history of excellent ideas. Trust me, it'll work. Say yes, and who knows, one day, Linus might be on one knee in front of you, asking a question you won't have any trouble saying yes to."

Okay, that was a bit too much. For me.

But for Ryde? His whole face lights up like a freaking Christmas tree, proving, in case there was any remaining doubt, that this is what he wants more than anything. That this is more than just some silly crush. His feelings are real, and he wants a proper, forever relationship with someone who isn't me.

And that's…fine.

It has to be.

I take a fortifying breath and remind myself my end goal is to get my old body back and leave Scuttlebutt with less scuttle in my butt.

I've got six months to work on getting us both what we want.

Because I genuinely do want Ryde to be happy…even if it is with someone else.

Linus

"You think they're fucking?"

I walk into the staff lounge right as the question tumbles out of Wilby's mouth.

Fitz shrugs.

"Dunno. What do you reckon, Linus?"

I flick the kettle on and skim my fingers over my tea collection. Think I'll go with lemon and ginger this morning.

"Who are you guys talking about?"

"Ryde and Dario,"

Wilby replies, and despite having my back to him and not being able to see the smile on his face, I can hear it in his voice.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, but I try my best to keep my cool. Can't give these guys any more ammo. They've only just started laying off the teasing about Ryde having a crush on me. Now it seems they've moved on to the next thing.

The water boils, and I pour it into my mug.

"You guys don't have anything better to do than gossip?"

"It's not gossip. It's work related,"

Wilby insists.

"Besides, I haven't been here in a while. I need to know what I've missed."

Fitz starts telling him about his latest viral TikTok video. I tune out when I hear him say, "And then Muir tore off my shirt and soaped me up…"

and they thankfully leave me alone to enjoy my tea and not think about Ryde and Dario fucking.

Funny thing starts happening, though. The more I try not to think about just that, the more I do. And the more I imagine them and their naked, sweaty bodies thrusting and rocking and connecting in all sorts of positions, the harder my cock gets in my pants.

Dario texted yesterday, asking if he and Ryde could come over to my place and do a workout tomorrow morning. I said it was fine and reminded him he didn't need to text me every time he wanted to train. He replied saying it felt like they were trespassing if he didn't.

I've got two appointments tomorrow morning. But Wilby's around. Wasn't expecting him until the end of the week, but he had a change of plans so he's here early. Since we're technically up a staff member, I move my two appointments over to him and Muir then adjust my start time back until after lunch.

"Shit, Linus!"

Ryde practically jumps out of his skin as I duck under the roller door and enter the gym.

"You scared me."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to."

Dario stops mid bicep curl and drops the dumbbell to the floor.

"What are you doing here?"

"Yeah. Aren't you meant to be working?"

Ryde asks.

"Not that I've memorised your schedule, or anything,"

he quickly adds, staring at the floor.

"Am I the boss, or are you guys the boss?"

My joke stops them both in their tracks, probably because it's the first one I've made in a long while. Suddenly, my idea to join them and train while they're here seems like a spectacularly bad one. I start backing away.

"I decided to take the morning off. Thought I might join you guys for a workout. I shouldn't have assumed it's okay for me to just barge in on you. Sorry. I didn't mean to intrude."

Dario gets up and steps closer to me.

"You're not intruding. This is your gym. You're more than welcome to join us."

His eyes find Ryde.

"In fact, we'd love the company, right?"

"Oh…oh… Yes. Yes, you should definitely join us. And…"

Ryde falters, so Dario finishes for him.

"And let Ryde be your personal trainer as well."

Ryde's eyes bulge for a brief moment, but after exchanging another look with his bestie, he starts nodding.

"Yes. Exactly. That's what I meant to say. I can train you as well. Two stones and one bird, right?"

I chuckle even though he got the phrase the wrong way around. I'm not about to point that out. He seems a little flustered, which only makes him even more adorable than he usually is.

I could actually do with some coaching. I haven't been spending as much time here as I normally do, so my body is feeling a bit sluggish. I fling my towel onto the bench and approach the guys.

"All right."

I place my hands on my hips.

"Take a good look at me, and tell me where we should start."

"Take a proper look,"

Dario says to Ryde, his voice low.

"It's very important you take your time. Make a full and proper assessment."

Ryde nods and gives me a very thorough once-over with his round blue eyes.

"Well? What's the verdict?"

I say after a few moments spent standing there like a statue under his glare.

"You look amazing."

He catches himself then clears his throat.

"I mean treadmill. Let's get you on the treadmill for ten minutes. Dario will continue with weights, and then I'll swap you guys around."

"Sounds like a plan,"

I say, making my way over to the treadmill.

"I should warn you, Linus,"

Dario says with a knowing smile as I walk past them.

"Ryde is one hell of a taskmaster. Prepare for your body to cry."

"I am not,"

Ryde says, pouting his full lips.

"And just for that, I'm increasing your weights."

"See?"

Dario winks at me as Ryde grabs a heavier dumbbell.

"He's tough and a meanie. I'm actually really glad you're here. You'll help absorb some of the brutal punishments he dishes out."

"My, my, my. Ryde, I've never seen this side of you before. Didn't know you had it in you."

Ryde huffs as he thrusts the dumbbell into Dario's chest. I grin, enjoying how oblivious he is to our teasing, taking it all way too seriously. It feels good messing around like this.

Even Dario is softening up. That edge he had when he first got here has been replaced by a softer tone, jokes, and smiles.

Maybe I misread him. Maybe he's like me and needs some time before he feels comfortable around people. Maybe I mistook his nerves for an edge, when it wasn't that at all.

I get exposed to a lot of bantering and messing around at work, but I'm usually too in my head to take part in it, worrying about an animal or how I'm going to pay the staff or any of the other never-ending bills at the end of the month, and now there's the situation with Dad. It all just flies around me. I'm there in the room, but I'm not in it.

Right now, with these guys, I'm in it… And it's nice.

The next thirty minutes are, unfortunately, a lot less nice. I'm not sure if it's because I haven't worked out for the past two months or if this is Ryde's way of getting back at us for teasing him about being a taskmaster, but by the time Dario and I are doing our cooldown stretches on the floor, my muscles are burning, my lungs are on fire, and I am drenched in sweat.

Dario is lying down next to me. He taps my leg, smiling even though he's breathing just as heavily as I am.

"Ryde told me you have a nice cock."

I hear a loud gasp from Ryde who's standing over us, and I let out a surprised cough.

"Excuse me?"

Dario's smile grows.

"Prize winning, I heard."

Oh, right.

"You heard correctly."

I grin as I switch legs then feel a sudden twinge all the way down my quad. I inhale with a sharp hiss.

"You okay, Linus?"

Ryde asks.

"Fine,"

I reply, looking up at him.

"It's an old injury. Bit of a niggle in my thigh. It's all good."

"You sure?"

Dario checks.

I nod, massaging my leg.

"Positive."

"In that case, getting back to your rooster,"

Dario says.

"Would it be okay to see it? Just quickly, and then we'll get out of your hair."

"Sure," I say.

We get up, and I take a cautious step to test out my leg. It's a little sore, but I don't think it's anything serious.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Ryde asks as we leave the carport and he lowers the roller door behind us.

"I'm fine, really."

I take a few steps to prove it to him. "See?"

He looks at me but doesn't say anything. I lead the guys to the large, open-air enclosure where I keep my babies when a sudden jolt of pain shoots through my quad, and I stumble. Luckily, Dario and Ryde are close by, and before I know it, they're supporting me, keeping me on my feet, one on each side.

"Let's get you inside,"

Dario says.

I manage a nod, and so together, the three of us turn around, and they help me stumble back to my house.