Chapter Twenty-Three
A quick look in the rearview mirror made Drew smile.
Smokey, one of the retired MWDs, was stretched out on the back seat.
Uncle Mackey had been over the moon when Drew had called him about maybe adopting Smokey.
The Malamute had been injured during a search and rescue and was facing multiple surgeries to repair his hind legs, which had been hit by a tree branch and pinned to a dam waiting for the water to recede.
His handler had been swept over the dam and found a mile downstream.
Now, Smokey would go to live with his uncles and have his best life.
Treats, tennis balls, and a soft bed to sleep on.
Smokey was going to stay with him and Brody at Brody’s for a few days.
He spent more time at Brody’s these days than at his own place.
They were going to have to have a serious talk soon, since Drew needed to figure out where he was going to live.
The sublet that he signed was running out in the next month.
They were going to drive Smokey to Tennessee next week.
He’d been given a few days leave for the trip.
Brody was supposed to come with him, a little mini vacation for them.
Their first as a couple. And wasn’t that a head trip?
Drew had a partner. Before he could get stuck in his head, overthinking their relationship, Drew’s phone rang through the Bluetooth.
He hit ‘accept’ and Julia started talking before he could even say hello.
“I don’t know if I want to move. I like Fayetteville.
I’ve got an amazing job and should make full partner within two years.
If I have kids, when I have kids, I want to be close to Mom and Dad.
Let them be the spoiling grandparents that we didn’t have.
It’s not like Grandma went out of her way to visit us after Papa Andy died.
I don’t even remember Dad’s parents, and if I don’t, there’s no way you do.
And that fucking sucks. How are you and Brody? ” Julia finished.
If he wasn’t so used to his sister, really most of the women in his life, just starting a conversation without the niceties, Drew would be lost. He took a quick minute to think through everything Julia had said, ignoring the only question that she actually asked.
“Are you thinking about moving in with Christopher already? You’ve only been seeing each other for a few months, right?
Why not see how the holidays go before you jump into the what ifs.
Oooh, or even better, maybe have a conversation with the man?
” Look at me putting my interpersonal skills to use, he thought.
He might be in his first serious relationship but he knew what it took for a good one.
Communication was right up there with chemistry.
He heard Julia growl over the line before she spoke. “How do you do that? Right on target with your observation in less than a minute?”
Drew pulled into what he considered “his” parking space at Brody’s. Looking over at the other spot assigned to the condo, Drew saw Brody’s Toyota. He had thought he was going to beat Brody home and could get Smokey situated in the guest room. Guess not.
“It’s a developed skill that I have after listening to you, Nova, and Maggie for years.
As for how Brody and I are doing? We’re doing good.
Going to visit Uncle Mackey and Uncle Scott next week to bring Smokey to them,” Drew said as he disconnected the phone from the Bluetooth and climbed out.
Smokey popped off the seat and was waiting at the door when he opened it.
A quick unclick and the dog was unbuckled and sitting next to Drew, waiting for a command.
Drew ruffled the top of Smokey’s head before gesturing for him to ‘inspect’ and do his business before they went inside.
He leaned against the front bumper of the Jeep and watched over the dog.
“Smokey? Wait…” Drew could picture the look on his sister’s face as she tried to remember what he was talking about. “Oh yeah, Uncle Mackey’s new rescue.”
“Rescue? Nah, more a new companion for him and Uncle Scott. Dirk went over the Rainbow Bridge a few years ago now. Smokey needed a new home that could spoil him and also afford the surgeries he’s going to need.
” Drew straightened, grabbed a plastic bag, and cleaned up after Smokey.
He tossed the bag in the outside trash bin and led the dog up the stairs, taking them slowly to not tax Smokey’s back legs.
“Now, I’m home and Brody beat me. Love you. ”
“Love you, too, and yes, I’ll talk to Christopher,” Julia replied. He knew that she was rolling her eyes at him. Damn, he loved his sister.
§ § § §
“Why don’t you have a dog?” Brody asked from the couch. He’d watched as Drew got Smokey settled with some sort of toy. It looked pretty cool from what Brody saw. Drew had set up bowls in the kitchen and Brody knew there was a sleep bed in the guest room. Yup, Smokey was going to be spoiled.
“Umm, I just finished school,” Drew answered as he settled next to Brody with a peck on the lips. “Need to be established and not working all the hours of a brand-new lieutenant. You should know that with the funky hours you end up with.”
“I call bullshit on that. You could make a dog work. You’re amazing with them. You spend as much time as you can with the handlers and MWDs. What’s the real reason?” Brody felt Drew tense and knew he’d hit the nail on the head. He sat there quietly, rubbing his hand up and down Drew’s arm.
It took Drew so long to answer Brody, he’d honestly thought that he wasn’t going to.
He felt more than heard Drew blow out a breath before he said, “I’m afraid to get attached.
I know I’d want a retired working dog. It’s hard enough for me to not work with them every day, to not be able to do what I’ve always wanted to do. ”
Okay, wow. Not what Brody was expecting. “You haven’t always wanted to be in the Army?”
Drew pulled out of Brody’s arms and turned sideways leaning against the back of the couch.
“Yeah. Haven’t really ever told anyone other than Rick but…
” Brody sat up and faced Drew. He watched Drew fidget with the sweats he’d changed into.
Drew must have come to some decision as he nodded before talking again.
“Time for me to ‘fess up to a few things. If we’re going where I hope we are, you need to know this before we’re too invested.
I’m only doing my six. I never wanted to go into the military but with my family…
I couldn’t figure out how to tell them. I’m named after my papa who died when I was a baby.
He retired a full colonel. He was a major badass.
You know about my dad, uncles, and brother.
I was able to get out of going to West Point. ”
Brody had to laugh at that statement. It took him a minute and a glare from Drew to stop. “Sorry. I am one-hundred percent not laughing at you. But only you would think not going to West Point was an escape.”
“Okay, yeah. A little dramatic there. When I was, maybe twelve or thirteen, I was with my uncle Danny when he got called for an emergency. He’s been with the Emergency Management Operations for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety for more than two decades now.
He retired from the military before I was born.
Anyway, I got to see search and rescue teams at work.
The partnership between the handlers and the dogs grabbed me.
” Drew shrugged. “My parents kept going on about me following Tris to West Point. Becoming an officer. I told them I wasn’t putting in for an appointment.
I was letting someone that I can’t even remember their name take the slot. ”
“So, you went to East Carolina as an escape?” Brody knew he would have gone wherever he’d gotten a scholarship but to have had the opportunity to go to West Point and turn it down? He couldn’t fathom that.
“It was actually my top choice. When I saw the concentration in public health protection for political science, I was done looking at other schools. I did ROTC to cover my inadequacies. I thought —”
“Wait a minute,” Brody interrupted. “You’ve hinted ? more than hinted ? at not being good enough.
Being the fuck-up. I have no idea how you got that into your head.
I’ve watched you with your family. I’ve listened when you talk to them on the phone.
Read the group chats. Actually, I think that Nova added me to one, but that’s beside the point.
Why do you think you’re those things? I know your family doesn’t think that.
They are all so fucking proud of you.” There was no way that Brody was going to let this go this time.
“And I damn well know the Army doesn’t think that. ”
“Ummm, I’m just an MP lieutenant. My brother is already a major, soon-to-be-lieutenant colonel. Cam played in the major leagues. Cal and Maddy are both doctors. Julia’s a CPA. I’m nothing special,” Drew finished quietly.
“We will be revisiting this feeling of inadequacy that you have — which I think is closer to you not wanting to disappoint them than actually feeling like you are a screw-up. But I can tell that it’s ingrained in you and that just one talk with me isn’t going to make it go away.
But hear me now and in the future, you are not a fuck-up.
You are good enough. You are more than good enough.
You are special. And if I need to tell you this every day to make you believe it, I will.
” Oh, Brody wasn’t going to not make Drew feel better about himself.
“Pot, kettle,” Drew said with an expectant look on his face. “Feelings of inadequacy? Hits a bit close to home for you?”
It was Brody’s turn to fidget with his pant leg. He thought about it for a minute before answering. “I’m not sure if I feel inadequate. I don’t think so. If I’m honest with you, and myself, I think I’ve got an overdeveloped fear of being abandoned.”
Drew leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Brody’s lips. Brody wanted to follow Drew as he sat back to deepen the kiss. Ahh, avoidance, you friend of mine . But Drew didn’t let him.
“You’re holding my heart. I’m not planning on going anywhere unless you tell me to leave.” Drew looked to the side then met Brody’s eyes.