Hot Doggin’ by Raquel Riley

It’s funny how you can wake up one day and realize that everything you’ve ever wanted has been right in front of your face all along.

McCormick
I’ve had some dark days.
The day I lost my leg.
The day I took a handful of innocent lives.
The day I watched my buddy take his life because he couldn’t live with the consequences of our actions.
They haunt me late at night. I hear them cry out for help.
The only things that quiet the voices; My motorcycle, knitting, and my buddies—Stiles in particular. He’s always there when I need him, and when I don’t.
But the loneliness lingers, and it hurts sometimes.

Stiles
I gave seven years to the Army, and in return, they took my memories. I got caught in the backlash of a land mine that caused a loss of my short-term memory function. I forget little things like appointments, and whether or not I forgot to turn off the stove or lock the door. But kissing my best friend? That’s a huge thing, something I’m not likely to forget.
Another huge thing I can’t forget? That I’m a straight man who doesn’t kiss men.

It’s too bad I’m not attracted to guys because we would be perfect together. In fact, I think we could make it work, as long as he doesn’t make it weird. But… Fuck, McCormick makes everything weird.