7

Staring at the closed door, Gage let out a heavy sigh. He wasn’t sure what had come over him except that he’d found some perverse pleasure in getting under Professor Paulson’s skin. Every time the man lost his superior attitude, his rigid composure, he became almost likeable. Gage couldn’t help notice the interest in those deep blue eyes, eyes that reminded him of the expanse of the sea from above, always so much more brilliant and beautiful on a flight back home.

Paulson wasn’t really Gage’s type; he was too proper, too stiff, and not in any way Gage found useful. The fact that the man was out and proud was a little shocking, actually. Why bother coming out if you were gonna spend all your time married to your damn job?

You’re one to speak. Gage rolled his eyes as he headed to the kitchen to fix Matty another helping of canned dog food after checking to see that she’d licked her bowl clean. There was a pee pad on the floor, but she hadn’t used it.

Had Paulson changed it this morning? Gage hoped so, but he started to wonder when Matty ignored the food and padded gingerly over to the back door. Paulson had a small gated yard, but Gage didn’t like the idea of Matty trampling through the snow with her wounded paw. He chewed on the edge of his lip as she whined and scratched at the door. He needed to keep her paw dry and warm.

He had an idea.

Didn’t take long going through the kitchen drawers to find the plastic wrap. Paulson was predictably organized. Matty sat still as he wrapped her paw, but her head was cocked to one side as though she wanted to know what the hell he was doing. He patted her head before pulling off one of his thick, wool socks. He put one on her back leg and tied it in place with a length of rolled up plastic.

She held her leg awkwardly, but seemed to forget about the makeshift bootie when he opened the door. Scrambling down the steps, she squatted right at the bottom and pissed for what seemed like forever.

“Good girl.” Gage laughed as she trampled into the snow and finished relieving herself, kicking up snow to cover the mess. It was still fucking cold outside, and his girl wasn’t stupid. She trotted up the stairs, still careful with her back paw, and shook the snow from her fur as he closed and locked the door.

He took off the sock, hung it on the doorknob to dry, and gently removed the plastic wrap. Matty ate and drank then headed to the cushy dog bed in the living room for a nap.

Pleased at how well she seemed to be doing, Gage settled on the sofa with Paulson’s textbook and put in a few hours of studying. Pointless, because he still didn’t understand half this shit, but hopefully something would stick. The notes were good but hard to read.

It was late afternoon before he started checking the time and wondering when Paulson would return. Gage didn’t have classes today, so Paulson being late wasn’t a big deal, but he’d planned to go to the gym. He’d never sleep if he didn’t work out to exhaustion. More time passed and the darkness outside prompted him to do some exercises in the living room. Push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks. He even used the ledge of the porch door to do some chin-ups.

Got nice and sore and lay down on the sofa. Threw his arm over his head and closed his eyes.

A Bang! outside made him jump. He threw himself off the sofa and crouched on the floor. Felt Matty’s cold nose against his palm.

He patted her head and sighed. Gunner used to comfort him like that when he got jumpy. Stationed in the desert, knowing he needed shut-eye, sometimes he was too wired to fall asleep until Gunner climbed into bed with him, resting his head on Gage’s chest and grunting in a way that Gage took as understanding rather than irritation. Gunner never had a problem letting you know when he was annoyed, but he’d been patient with Gage. Almost like he understood.

Dragging a cushion off the sofa, Gage lay down next to Matty. Petted her as she curled up next to him. He tried to tell himself that she needed the comfort, but the truth was, the familiar warmth against his side, the weight of her lying half on his chest, helped him relax.

And when darkness came, there was no noise, no imagined flash of fire, that could disturb him.

* * * *