Chapter 32
JULIAN
“Is this right on him?” Ranger asks, worrying at the lifejacket Benny has on, double-checking each of the straps.
I already checked it, but I give it another look to ease his worries.
I slip my fingers under to check that it’s tight enough without rubbing against his skin anywhere and pull on each strap to make sure they’re firmly in place.
“It feels perfect. Remember, it’s only a precaution. He’s a good swimmer too.”
Ranger lets out a long breath. “Right, sorry. I just don’t want anything bad to happen to him. I don’t want to let him down.”
My heart squeezes, and I press a kiss against his stubbled cheek. He still hasn’t told me what had happened before he was discharged, but it’s obvious that even with as much progress as he’s made since we met, he still blames himself for whatever it was. Maybe he always will on some level.
“You’re taking great care of him, and I think he’s taking good care of you too.”
He nods. “You both are.”
Benny wags his tail, gazing longingly at the water he’s able to see from our place in the parking lot.
A lesser-trained Golden would bolt for the ocean and splash right in, but he knows his job is to stay with Ranger, and he’ll do it, even when part of his instincts are telling him to do something else.
That’s the beauty of the strength of the pack bond.
His pack comes first. It’s an admirable trait in dogs.
I stand back up, and Ranger does the same. I have to say, he looks awfully cute dressed in his sailing clothes—a light T-shirt and a pair of slightly tattered cargo shorts, a pair of Aviators giving him an even more badass vibe than he usually has.
I reach back into the front seat of the truck to grab the bottle of sunscreen that’s lying there, squirting a generous amount into the palm of my hands and coating my skin. When I end up with extra, I beckon Ranger forward and use it to cover his face.
“There. We have to protect that handsome face.”
He snorts and grins, looping an arm around my middle and pulling me in to plant a kiss against my neck.
After the fire, I was worried things were moving too fast, that having to crash with him for a little while might mess up our relationship or scare him off, but if anything, it feels like it’s brought us closer together.
The L-word has been dancing in the back of my mind, but I’m afraid it’s still too soon for him, so I’m keeping a lid on that for now.
“I’m excited for you to meet my brother and his partners today,” he says, grabbing my hand once I put the sunblock away. We head toward the dock, Benny following us.
“Me too. It’s the perfect first official date for us,” I tease. Because of everything that’s been going on, we still haven’t gotten around to our first “real” date. I don’t mind so much, but it’s become a fun thing between Ranger and me.
“It’s not our first official date. That’s going to be romantic and fantastic and just the two of us,” he insists.
“One day.” I sigh dramatically, and he groans at me. Having a boyfriend to tease is so much fun.
As we draw close to the docks, I spot three men already waiting for us, and a bout of nerves flutters in my stomach. What if Lucky doesn’t like me? He and Ranger are so close if I don’t get his approval, this relationship is basically over.
Great, way to freak yourself out, Julian.
“Are you okay?” Ranger asks, squeezing my hand.
“Yup, I am a tasty peach cobbler topped with ice cream.”
“What?” He chuckles.
“Peachy.” I shoot him a crooked smile.
It’s easy to tell which one is Lucky. Not just because Ranger drops my hand to hug his brother as soon as we reach them, but because the man is clearly a former marine—muscular, short hair, a resting badass face that’s washed away as he smiles at his brother.
“You’re looking good,” he murmurs, patting Ranger on the back before they part.
“I’m feeling good,” Ranger says, grabbing my hand again. “Better than I’ve felt in a long time. And it’s all thanks to these two.”
“It’s all thanks to yourself. Benny and I are just here to help when you need it,” I correct because he shouldn’t minimize the work he’s been putting in.
If he hadn’t wanted to get better, then a hundred therapy dogs and blowjobs wouldn’t have made any bit of difference.
“I’m Julian.” I hold out my hand to Lucky.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s great to finally meet you.”
I draw up short for a fraction of a second as I hold my hand out to the next man. I’ve definitely seen him in porn, and I’m not sure if that’s a polite thing to mention or not. “Heart,” he introduces himself. “And yes, I used to be with the Ballsy Boys. It’s okay. I’m not ashamed of it.”
“Sorry, I really need to work on my indoor face.” I shake his hand. “I wonder if Dear Abby has ever covered that one—etiquette when meeting a former pornstar.”
They all laugh. “She definitely should,” Heart agrees.
The third man is all kinds of adorable with messy, curly hair and a general nerdy vibe.
He steps forward and nearly trips over his own feet.
This seems to be a common occurrence because Heart catches him without flinching, clearly ready for it.
He’s also the only of the three wearing a lifejacket, and we’re not even on the boat yet.
“Mason.” He gives me a shy smile.
“Nice to meet all of you.”
Benny sidles up and sniffs at each of them. “We’re not supposed to pet him, right?” Mason checks.
“You can,” Ranger answers. “Generally no with a service dog, but since Benny is technically always on duty, and you’re not a stranger, I’m okay with it.”
Mason grins, crouching and scratching Benny’s favorite spot behind his ears.
I’ve never been on a sailboat—or any kind of boat for that matter—and it turns out they’re not exactly easy to get onto.
“Isn’t there supposed to be some kind of ramp?” I wobble with one foot on the dock, the other on the side of the boat. Ranger and Benny went ahead of me; both of them got on without any trouble. I may be overthinking it.
“We’re not that fancy around here,” Ranger jokes, offering me his hand.
“If you let me fall into the water, I’ll have to do terrible things to you.” I let go of the docking post, or whatever it’s called, and fling myself into the boat.
He catches me with ease, and I let out a relieved breath.
“What kinds of terrible things would you do?” he murmurs.
“Um, I’m not sure. Maybe I could bite you or something?”
“Bite me?” Ranger laughs. “Fuck, you’re adorable. You know that, right?”
“Yes, I am well aware of my charms.” I grin and kiss him, then find a place to sit next to Heart and Mason while the brothers get this baby moving.
“He really is like a different person since he met you,” Heart says quietly. “It’s good to see him so happy.”
“He’s been good for me too.” It’s not lip service. I don’t know what I would’ve done this past month if it wasn’t for Ranger. But more than just the help he’s given me, he’s made me feel special and happy, and…yup, there’s that L-word again creeping its way to the front of my mind.
He’s clearly in his element, pulling on ropes and checking things while Lucky unties the cable anchoring us to the dock. He catches me watching and shoots me a wink and a smile that makes my heart flutter.