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“I don’t need drugs.” Dean chugged until the can was empty and crushed it with one hand. “I’m fine.”

“You aren’t fine, man. You forget, I’ve known you since you first got back and we were in group together. As long as you keep denying that you need help, you’ll continue to hit a brick wall. If you want to get back to active duty, you’re going to have to open up.”

Dean leaned on his desk with his head down, closing his eyes against the pounding headache that was exploding through his brain.

Martinez, Best, Kline, and he had all been in group therapy together. They also had all been lucky to end up at Alpha Dog, especially after they had bonded over their lack of sharing in group. They had always supported each other and believed that their issues were no one’s business but theirs.

Only Dean had made the mistake of telling Martinez about his nightmares, and now it was coming back to bite him in the ass.

“I’m just having a bad week, is all,” Dean said.

“Does it have anything to do with Casey Douglas’s sister?” Martinez asked.

If Dean was going for honesty, he would have said yes, but he didn’t want the guys talking more than they already were. Whoever said men didn’t gossip was full of shit.

“No, just having a rough time. And I don’t know what Best told you, but nothing was ever really going on with her.”

“Really? Then why are you and Kline taking some kids over to her house for community service?”

Martinez watched him expectantly, but Dean was ready for his question. “We’re doing it as an olive branch for Casey. The kid has had it rough, and I figured this would be a nice way to get into his good graces.” Dean wasn’t going to mention that the branch was being extended to Violet, too.

“If you don’t want to tell me about her, that’s fine, but I am serious about you getting some help. What if you’re driving down the road and fall asleep? Or you stay awake for so long that sleep deprivation makes you hallucinate? You might lose more than your chance to get back into action if you aren’t careful.”

“I’ll go to bed early tonight. Really, you have nothing to worry about.”

Martinez gave him a doubtful look, then shrugged. “Fine. The main reason I came in here was to let you know that we’ve got a new intake coming in this afternoon, and Best has gone off to temperament test a few dogs one of the shelters called about. And Megan is waiting in the lobby for her interview.”

Megan Bryce was Martinez’s girlfriend’s best friend and had come through for Alpha Dog a few months ago when one of the trainers couldn’t be at their big charity auction. They’d been putting feelers out for more trainers, and Martinez had suggested giving Megan a shot. Although she wasn’t active military, she’d served six years before her knee injury and had the experience and knowledge to help them out.

“You can send her in.” Dean’s phone rang, and as Martinez walked out the door, Dean picked up. “Alpha Dog Training Program, Sergeant Sparks.”

“Sparks, this is General Reynolds. How are things going over there?”

The general was in charge of everything and everyone on the base, and Dean knew from having watched Martinez get the shaft from him a few months ago not to be anything but polite. “Everything is going well, sir.”

“That’s great.”

For the next several minutes, the general rattled off his weekly list of questions, and Dean answered them dutifully, from how many kids they had taken in to when they would be holding a demonstration for the dog’s abilities.

And then, the general surprised him with a boatload of praise.

“You know how important this program is, especially to the community. I know that you want to get back into the field, but I wanted to extend my gratitude for the job you’ve undertaken. I have heard nothing but praise about you and your staff. Let’s hope it continues to grow and do well.”

“Thank you, sir. And yes, I do want to get back to doing my job—”

“Until your psychiatrist gives you the green light, I’m afraid this is your job.” The general’s tone wasn’t harsh, only firm, and Dean’s jaw clenched in frustration. He was so sick of being powerless.

“Well, I’ll let you get back to work. Keep me updated, Sergeant Sparks.” The general hung up, and Dean groaned loudly, wishing for something to hit.

Even if it’s not what you would have chosen, he’s right. This is your life, and you have a job to do.

Chapter Fifteen

VIOLET CURLED DEEPER into her comforter on Saturday, willing the obnoxious sound of a lawn mower to go away, bu

t the persistent roar continued. It was too bad, too, because she had been having the most amazing dream. She’d been lying in a bed of marshmallows as Dean Sparks poured melted chocolate over her, licking it off along the way. And despite her conscious decision to keep away from him, enjoying his attention in her subconscious was permissible.

The lawn mower was joined by something that sounded like a weed whacker, and the overwhelming urge to destroy whoever was ruining her day off fired up her blood.

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