Page 1 of A Furry Thing Called Love
Chapter1
Arlo
Mornings are dumb.Especially when you wake up and aren’t sure what type of morning it’ll be quite yet.
Eli lets out a softwoof, letting me know that he’s aware I’m awake, and I don’t get to just hide in bed forever, much as I may want to.Which is rather rude of him.
Tossing back the blanket, I sit up and assess the aches and pains that a night’s sleep has granted me.My left side is a little stiff as I move to sit at the edge of the bed, but that’s to be expected first thing in the morning.
Reaching for the walker, I drag it close and use it to help me stand, before taking a few experimental steps.I almost stumble from the numbness in my leg, that isn’t just a result of sleeping on it, but athing.Eli comes directly over to my side, helping to make sure I don’t fall over as I shift my weight onto my right side.The pressure in my lower back intensifies for a moment, and I’m sure if I could actually feel my lower body correctly, there’d be pain.As it is, my body is still trying to align itself after being prone for six hours.
I make it to the bathroom, finally, and the exhaustion of having to drag myself around makes me want to climb back into my bed.Eli, however, doesn’t allow it.Even as he watches me carefully to make sure I don’t need help, he also positions his body toward the bedroom door, a not-so-subtle hint that he would like to be fed before I fall to my demise.
“I’m coming.”
Dragging myself over to the wheelchair beside my dresser, I drop down into it, folding my walker and setting it aside, so I don’t kill myself on it later.
Eli walks eagerly in front of me down the hall, leading me into the den and waiting for my command.
“Open,” I tell him, wheeling myself across the floor as he tugs the blanket off the crate in the corner.
The puppy jumps up with ayip.It takes a few commands in order for her to back up and sit, impatiently wiggling her entire body as I undo the latches on the crate and she shoots out.I try to catch her, to slow her down and turn it into a teaching moment, but she’s too slippery for me while I'm using the chair, and I curse, not wanting to risk chasing after her and overbalancing or something.
“Millie, follow,” I order, pushing myself backward and heading into the kitchen to let the dogs out, so I can prep their food while they’re outside.
Either she's used to the routine by now, or she’s actually starting to get the commands down, I don’t know, but the puppy bounces around Eli and I as we enter the kitchen.
When I shut the sliding door on the dogs, I stare out of the glass for a moment, watching them mill around the yard, before going to start the coffee and get breakfast for all three of us.
On the counter, next to the coffee pot and my personal pharmacy, is the grocery list I started last night, in the hopes of tempting myself out of the house today.I left it where I couldn’t avoid it.Staring at the paper, I consider the plan I’ve been mulling over for a few days, wondering if today, of all days, is the right one to test out Millie’s leash and command training.
Sadly, I won’t know until I take her out into the world, but it’s already a bad day, and I’m not sure I want to risk any of us getting hurt, or worse, because I tried to jump the gun.
This would be so much easier with a second person.Fucking Will.
You can always call Jordan, the dark recess of my mind says.I shove the voice back where it belongs.Because as much as I know Will leaving was the best thing for both me and Millie—despite how much an extra pair of hands would be useful on mornings like this—the worst thing for me would be to openthatcan of worms.
Will’s leaving was an inconvenient mess, at best, considering he saddled me with the dog he “desperately” wanted.Allowing the breakup to be what makes me backslide after I finally started moving on and stopped thinking abouthimevery day, would be ridiculous.Especially since I didn’t even like Will all that much.No point in comparing him leaving to whatIdid to someone who is a far better person than I am.
Then why’d you move back?Slamming the mug onto the counter harder than necessary, I try hard to block that thought out.
Moving was best for me and the dogs.Living in Gaynor Beach permanently was something I’ve wanted to do since I left over three years ago; I was just too chickenshit then to admit it.
Finally, I’m here.Alone.Until the tapping on the glass starts up.Spinning my chair around, I smile at the two creatures that prove I’m not quite as alone as I feel.
Opening the door, I laugh as both Eli and Millie race across the kitchen to their mat, looking back at me mournfully when they realize their food isn’t ready and waiting for them.
“Sorry, guys.Got distracted.”
Quickly, I feed the beasts and scrounge something up for myself.The list continues to taunt me when I fill up my mug.We have a damn stare off as I take my meds, swallowing each pill down with a mouthful of coffee.I give the newly added medication a baleful glance, but at least it’s better than being strapped to a damn IV.I swear I can still feel that fucking needle, and it's been over a week since my last treatment.
With a sigh, I leave the list on the counter after I finish my coffee, deciding that, as important as it is to start public training Millie, another day won’t hurt.We’re doing just fine for now.
The lie sounds hollow even in my head.
Chapter2
Arlo
