Page 13 of A Furry Thing Called Love
Once Millie is set, and Arlo has Eli, his cane, and whatever else he needs, I lead him out to my car.
“I still protest everything about this,” he says.
“I don’t care.”
Arlo sighs, but I ignore him and put the car into gear.“Please tell me you’re at least just going to drop us at the ER and go about your day.I don’t want you to be stuck in the waiting room for hours.”
“I’m ignoring you for the rest of the day, how about that?”
“Jordan, don’t be stubborn.”
“Youdon’t be stubborn!”I snap back, causing Eli to whine at my tone.Taking a breath, I rein in my temper.“I’m sorry.I’m just worried.Your call scared me, Ar.Really fucking scared me, and I know you well enough that I wasn’t sure if you were downplaying the situation or what.”
“I don’t lie about my health, Jor.Ican’t.”
Clutching the steering wheel a little tighter, I try to get my thumping heart under control.
“I’m sorry.I don’t mean to be such a worrywart.I just… I…” Swallowing back the words on the tip of my tongue, I focus on the road.
After a long moment, he asks, “You’re what, Jor?”
Shaking my head, I wish I could close my eyes, as out of the corner of my eye, I can see him turn his head to look at me.
“I care about you, Ar.More than I probably should…but I do, and today…kind of brought some of my worst fears to the forefront.”
“Which are?”he asks softly.
“That one day I’ll get a call and you’ll be gone.Three years wasn’t nearly enough time to get over you.I don’t know if I ever will.One day…you’re not going to be out there somewhere living your best life—even if it was without me.And that would kill me.”
“Oh.”
We drive the rest of the way to the hospital in silence, as if I didn’t just lay my heart out on the table for him to break it—again.
Chapter9
Jordan
“Thank you for everything today,”Arlo says as I unlock his front door.
I turn to look at him as he releases Eli from his harness and duties.“You don’t think I’m going to just drop you off and leave, do you?”
Arlo blinks at me.“Why wouldn’t you?”
“Maybe because your arm is in a splint for the next few days, due to the fact you broke it.”
He huffs and rolls his eyes.“It’s not that serious.They didn’t think I’d need surgery, just a cast once the swelling goes down.I’ll call the ortho’s office in the morning to set up an appointment.”
I stare at him and shake my head before moving towards the kitchen.“What do you have for food here?I’m sure you’re starving.”
“Jordan, please…”
Whirling around, I try not to let my frustration bleed into my tone.“You’re in the midst of what sounds like a pretty brutal relapse, Arlo!Excuse me for being worried after said side effects landed you in the hospital today.”
He clenches his jaw.“I was doing fine on my own.I could have handled this.I called you because it was easier, but make no mistake, Jordan, I amnotsome fucking invalid who can’t do things on his own.”
That douses the fire in me, as I can see the vulnerability in his light eyes.The way he holds himself so stiffly, as if bracing for a verbal blow that's to come.
“I’m sorry,” I say softly.“I don’t mean to bulldoze you.I’m just worried, Ar.This is the first time I’ve been around you in three years, and I know you’re capable.I…loved that about you before.I just…want to make sure you’re okay.”
