5

You haven’t done enough? Rip fidgeted with the edge of his blanket and shook his head. “No, I couldn’t ask you to—”

“You didn’t. I offered. And if it freaked you out not letting him know, it must be important.” Otto palmed his phone. “What’s the number?”

“Seriously, it’s not—”

“Stop.” Otto’s sharp tone had Rip stilling with his lips parted. The little air that managed to make it to his tight lungs evaporated as Otto touched the back of his hand. “I’m pulling the friend card. After saving your life, I think that’s a fair claim. Calling him will make you feel better. So let me do it.”

Finding friends, true friends even online, wasn’t easy. A lot of the gamers he’d considered friends dumped him the second he didn’t have time for all their drama. He wanted to be there for them, but some seemed to leech on any kindness and wouldn’t accept anything but every spare moment of his time.

Which he’d been fine with until he realized it was a one-way street. The second he had a bad day they didn’t want to hear it. His accomplishments bored them. He started getting depressed the second he saw their name pop up.

Over the years, he’d had enough therapy to see when a situation wasn’t healthy. So he cut ties when he had to.

But even with the friends he’d kept, he never expected anything. They were far away, with their own lives. He refused to ask anyone to go out on a limb for him, even if he thought they’d be willing to.

Otto had already done that, without being asked. And now he wanted to do it again.

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t.” Otto arched a brow. “Don’t make me look it up. I’ll improvise on what to say. Such as ‘Dude’s in the hospital. Cut him some fucking slack.’”

Rip choked out a laugh. “All right, not sure I’ll keep my job if I give you the number.”

The playful look in Otto’s eyes made Rip feel all weird and fuzzy inside. “Come on. Trust me.”

I do. Rip swallowed hard and gave him the number.

To his credit, Otto was unexpectedly professional when Mr. Lavalee answered. He explained the situation, making Rip out to be a hero. Over the line, he could hear the principal express his concern and insist Rip’s recovery was more important than anything. He mentioned Tiffany and Rip winced, his chest aching as he considered the young teen’s reaction to her favorite teacher not being there.

After Otto hung up, Rip couldn’t meet his eyes. Hell, the man wouldn’t get how much his being absent could affect some of his students. And he shouldn’t have to.

Rip would find a way to make it up to her. To all of them.

“You’re something else, you know that?” Otto grinned. “He was pretty cool. Stop worrying.”

“I can’t help it.” Hell, the man was here. If he didn’t want to hear what Rip had to say, he could leave. “Tiffany is a special needs student. She’s autistic and takes only a few classes. Mine is one of them. I asked her parents to come in because I think they need to know how well she’s doing in my class.”

“And they will know. It taking another day or two doesn’t change the work you’ve done with her.”

“No, but she won’t understand.”

“She will. Maybe not in a way you can see, but she will.” Otto folded his arms on the edge of the bed and rested his chin on them. “One of the friends that came to meet me by the river is a vet. He checked out Buster and says he’s in good shape. That we probably saved him.”

Smiling, Rip turned to his side, wincing at the ache in his ribs. “You named him Buster?”

The edges of Otto’s cheeks reddened. “Yeah…just seemed to fit. I’m sure you can give him a better name.”

“But I like the one you gave him.” Rip chewed at his bottom lip. “I bought a house this year. Big backyard, plenty of room. I don’t know the procedures, but I’d like to keep him if…if that’s okay with you.”

“Yeah. Of course. I mean, why wouldn’t it be?” Otto sat up straight. “I work with a lot of dogs. Most important thing to me is he has a good home.”

“I’ll give him one.” Rip considered his neighbor’s son, the one he paid to shovel his walkway in the winter. The kid had just graduated and was taking night classes. He could take care of Buster while Rip was teaching.

Only…other than saving his life, Otto’s only reason to stick around was the dog. Rip wouldn’t stop him from seeing the pup if he wanted to.

Actually, he really hoped he did.

“Ah…I’ve never had a dog, so if you want to come by sometime and give me some tips, I’d appreciate it.” He had no idea what Otto really did for a living. He looked like he could be a bodyguard, but he’d said he worked with dogs. Maybe he shouldn’t assume the man had time to spare. “I mean, only if—”