Bringing Axel into the apartment was easy. He loved new places. As he blasted around the place, I was able to see that it was empty. No Endgame. I tried to see if this was affecting Austin, but his attention was on Axel and his ability to be in eight places at once. He was pure Labrador exuberance. Austin brought our bags into his room and Axel hopped onto the bed like he paid rent. Luckily, his paws were no longer too muddy since most of the mud had fallen away after it dried.

I was concerned until Austin took a flying leap onto the bed and hugged Axel. “We’re going to be such good friends, buddy.”

Axel took his job of licking Austin’s face and sometimes his hair seriously. I went into the bathroom and wetted a hand towel. When I got back to the bedroom, I offered it to Austin.

“He’s a lick monster. Always licking. Even if he’s asleep, if you put your hand near his nose, he sleep licks. It’s hilarious.”

Axel finally calmed down enough to let Austin just pet him. He started closing his eyes as well.

“So, was your sister really okay with us taking this big guy?” Austin didn’t stop petting Axel.

“She was, for now. I'll check back with her and make sure she didn’t just decide that on a whim because she was mad. But it’s hard for her without me home to walk this dope.” I lay down next to Austin and petted Axel, too. Our hands clashed a bit on Axel’s back. Axel flipped over to offer us his belly.

Austin patted him. “He’s a handful, for sure. Cute as hell, though. Just like his lady.” Austin gave me a wink.

I tried my best not to blush, but my body wasn’t taking orders from me anymore. I didn’t want to bring up Endgame, but his lack of presence hung in the apartment.

“Did you finish your work?” He gave Axel a final pat and kissed him on his nose.

“I have to get to the questions. Thanks for reminding me.” I patted Axel, too, who just stayed on his back, legs in the air.

“It seems like this will work for him.” Austin went to his suitcase and started to unpack.

“I’m going to do my stuff after I get these questions in to the professor.” I pulled my laptop out and set it up on Austin’s desk.

“Yeah, go for it. I have to put away the leftovers Ronna sent us home with.” Austin took a Tupperware dish from an insulated bag.

I turned my back as I powered on my laptop. I had a feeling that Austin was going to check on Endgame. And I also wondered if he was the only one that did that.

* * *

AUSTIN