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Rupert the German Shepherd is the only light in Austin Bale’s dark, lonely life. Working a minimum-wage job and existing hand-to-mouth, his world is ripped apart when Rupert is critically injured.
Austin can’t afford the $2700 fee to save his dog, but notices the ghost of interest in the veterinarian’s eye.
So he offers the only thing he can. Himself, for one night.
Lynton Brooke wrestles with his conscience but he’s sick at heart and married to his job. He wants the chance to have Austin warming his sheets even though he knows it’s wrong.
When things get complicated, can both men find something lasting and real?
Genre: FICTION / Gay
For sale on Amazon
“Mr. Bale.”
Austin sat in the waiting room with his head lowered between his knees, as though dizzy or controlling the urge to vomit. His head jerked up. His tears had dried, but his pale face was blotchy with crying, his eyes swollen. “Austin,” he said, standing.
“All right, Austin. Call me Lynton. Come through with me.”
Austin followed Lynton to his office where he had left the X-rays on the light box. He flicked off the main lights and gestured for Austin to stand next to him.
“Okay, so here’s Rupert’s injured leg. Here’s the femur, the main bone of the hind leg, equating to our thigh bone. The fracture’s a nice simple one, a clean break across the shaft—apart from the fact that it’s open of course, one end of the bone penetrating the skin. The risk of infection is great, but we’ve got him on antibiotics and fluids. His blood pressure has come up and I’m hoping he’ll be fit to go under anesthetic tomorrow. After the pin is placed, he’ll have a cast on, then it’s a long road to recovery. He’ll need extensive physical therapy.” He didn’t move, aware of the warmth and solidity of Austin’s body beside him, his clean smell. He should have put the lights back on; he should have moved away, but he didn’t. They stood together in the dark.
Austin nodded. He bit his lip, staring at the X-rays.
“Any questions?”
Austin’s gaze slid to his. Here it came. “Yeah, I…” He flushed and fidgeted. “I hate to have to ask this but…”
“How much will it cost?”
“Yeah.”
