I laughed, maybe harder than I should’ve from the ache in my head, but yeah, Shane, Kevin, and I were a lot alike in some ways. “Kevin did.”
“That kid.” Shane sighed. “I worry about him, you know? Not just walking in front of guys with guns for a dog, but in general. The way the world is.”
“Me too.” Every time I turned around, someone was in the news crapping on kids like Kevin. Using trans people as the scapegoat for everything, the distraction from the real evils in the world. And there was no way to protect a thirteen-year-old from seeing himself called insane and a threat to kids and a thousand disgusting names. Joe and Alec must be tearing their hair out, unable to stand between hate and their son.
“You don’t think he got in that position on purpose?” Shane’s voice went low. “Standing in front of a gun, I mean, risking his life?”
“God, no.” I thought back. “I hope not… No, I think he was just focused on the poor dog, the same way he always protects anything helpless and scared. Admittedly, he’s not the sunny kid I first met a year ago, but he’s a teenager now. When I turned thirteen, I was a mess.”
“We should try to get him to hang out at the shelter more often,” Shane suggested. “He’s safe and appreciated with us.” His tone changed. “But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Nina said you’re rooming with some guy you don’t even know.”
“Brooklyn. He’s the one I told you about, who helped me when I got…hurt.”
“Shot.”
“Yeah. Anyhow, he runs a doggie daycare, and he’s a good guy, will be a wonderful resource for our adopters who need that service. He’s putting me up while my leg gets happier about stairs, and in exchange, we’ll stock his brochures and cards at the shelter and recommend his business.”
“We’d do that anyway.”
“This way, I can say I’ve checked out the place personally and he’s great with the pups and has a clean and safe facility. Win-win.” That even sounded logical. Is that all we’re doing? But memories of last night before Cheyenne’s arrival intervened to tell me no, this wasn’t just some kind of business arrangement. God, the mouth on him. And the kind heart…
“Hmm. Yeah, I guess the stairs to your place would be tough. You know, you’re welcome to stay in Theo’s house if you want.” I noted Shane didn’t call it “our house.” He loved Theo, without a doubt, but the money difference was still a hurdle.
At least, Brooklyn and I don’t have that problem?—
Shush. I shied away from even imagining he and I were becoming like Shane and Theo. “I appreciate the offer, but I couldn’t drive at first, and Brooklyn, well, offered to give me a ride in the mornings.” I wanted to say it was on his way, but of course, it wasn’t. He was just that kind. His sister had been smart to run to him.
“Theo would pay for a cab if you change your mind. If you’re not comfortable where you are.” Shane eyed me closely across the miles.
I was glad of the small screen, where he couldn’t puzzle out what was going on in my head. Shane was a sharp guy, his skill at interpreting people’s moods honed by his years on the streets. But even he couldn’t do much with a three-inch picture. “I’m fine. I like his place, and the dogs are in heaven. But yeah.” Of course, Cheyenne changed everything. “Thanks. If I need an alternative, I’ll take you up on that.”
“You have the key and the code.” He tilted his head. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come home? I’ve done one safari now.”
“Not a chance. Neil’s doing a great job wrangling extra hours out of the volunteers. We don’t actually need anyone at the shelter overnight, it was just handy, and I’ll be back in my place soon.”
“And you really are healing well?”
“Really,” I said, crossing my metaphorical fingers, because I could feel a headache looming. They were less frequent, though. I wasn’t lying. “I’d never forgive myself if I took you away from the giraffes and leopards.”
Shane grinned. “They are awesome. The other morning, we were in the second Jeep on the road approaching the waterhole…”
I listened with half an ear to Shane’s excitement, pleased that he seemed happy, and signed off with another promise to let him know if anything changed.
Sticking the phone into my pocket, I pinched the bridge of my nose. My eyes watered as the fluorescent lights strobed in my peripheral vision. Sometimes things were better with my eyes closed, so I did that, groping behind me for the back of a breakroom chair.
“Here.”
Neil’s voice made me jump, but I kept my eyes shut as he guided me down to the seat. “Thanks.”
“Headache? Vertigo? Nausea?” He sounded matter-of-fact. Thank God for Neil.
“Yes,” I muttered.
His huff of breath wasn’t quite a laugh. “Damn. You want to just sit here?”
“Can you get me some water?” I had ibuprofen in my pocket, but I’d never learned to dry-swallow. Choking as my headache kicked in would probably kill me.
“Sure thing.” A moment later he bumped a bottle against my fingers.
