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“Ohhhh. That makes sense. I thought there was something more going on there.” He looked embarrassed at having to even mention it.
I shook my head so fast it almost made me dizzy. “No! There’s only one person for me, and he’s on the ranch. Adler is just a friend.”
Travis smiled in understanding. “Sorry to jump to conclusions. Let’s get inside to give Griffin his phone. I think I’ve had enough adventure and assuming for one day.”
We both laughed while we headed inside. The receptionist told us to head on back since he was between appointments.
Travis led the way through the building. He was clearly familiar with the space. At the door labeled with a placard showing Griffin’s name, he knocked and waited for the call to come inside.
When we stepped into the room, it was to find him not alone. Another man in a white lab coat was leaning back in a chair with his legs propped up on the desk.
“Thank you both so much for bringing this in. I wouldn’t have worried, but my number is still the emergency vet line for the area, and I didn’t want to miss a call,” Griffin said as he stood and reached for the phone Travis held out to him.
“No problem! We’re happy to be of service, mister.” We all laughed at his teasing words.
The unknown man clapped his hands together. “I’m glad you finally have that back now. We still need to get my number added to the lineup though since I’m meant to be taking on some of your workload now.”
Griffin nodded absently as he scrolled through his phone. “We can totally do that today. I don’t want this to happen again.”
“I’m Robin, by the way. I’m the backup vet to help with things around here Griffin doesn’t always remember his manners since he thinks everyone can read minds.” The man stood and held out his hand toward me.
“It’s not that. Sometimes I just forget who you have and haven’t met.” Griffin’s voice sounds all indignant at the accusation hurled his way.
“Ashley,” I replied while shaking his hand. These two seemed the type to go on and on with the back-and-forth banter. Maybe me jumping in could put a stop to it.
“Oh yes! Corey’s Ashley. I know who you are.”
I tilted my head. “That’s me.”
The three men started talking as I observed the doctor. He was handsome, though I didn’t particularly feel anything when I looked at him. It was more like I knew what society found attractive, and I based my conclusions around those standards.
My tastes ran towards only one person in particular. Corey—Daddy—was everything I wanted in a partner. He’d been my wildest dream while enlisted, and now he was my amazing reality.
“Any word about your missing guy?” Robin asked us all as my focus returned to the people around me. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed. I doubted it was more than a few minutes.
Griffin grunted as he used his phone to tap his palm. “Not since the call Corey got.”
“You didn’t mention a call. What did he say?” Robin appeared truly enthralled with wanting an update. At my questioning gaze, he told me, “I like being in the know. Plus, I covered for him a few times when he went out to search so I was invested.”
I gave a nod of understanding as Griffin moved to explain the call. I interjected where needed since I’d been with him for the call too.
“You said you think you know the voice? Is it someone you might have worked with that I’d know?”
Griffin shrugged at Robin’s question. “Not sure. I can play it for you though. Then we’ll have eliminated a few more people at least.”
I braced myself to hear the morose audio again. It never got easier.
As soon as the stranger's voice started, Robin began to laugh though his face was horrified. He looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Is this a prank? Tell me you’re joking. Say sike right fucking now, Griffin.”
When the other man wouldn’t respond, Robin turned to me and Travis. We both gave him serious stares to let him know that this was in no way meant to be a humorous thing.
“Who is it?” I asked after a long pause.
Robin put his hands on his hips as he leaned his head back. “Give me strength for this,” he mumbled before loudly declaring, “It’s my brother.”
I knew my eyes had to be comically wide at this point. I bet I looked like one of those anime characters some of the men used to watch when we had downtime. Something about the women all having massive breasts that made the shows worth watching for them.
