Growing up as we had, pets were not a possibility. Since I’d always loved animals far more than people, it’d been just another sucky thing about my childhood. When I’d first moved in with Aria, I’d spent all my time volunteering at the local no-kill rescue until they were basically forced to offer me a paying job. It was mostly walking, grooming, and litter duty, but it was still preferable to any other job out there.
“We just got in a litter of kittens,” I shared, my excitement taking over. “They’re calico, so their coloring is gorgeous and they’ve got a lot of attitude. I think they’ll be gone soon, but until then, I’m enjoying them.”
“Why don’t you adopt one?” she asked before regret coated her features. Her eyes widened and she braced, likely awaiting my abrupt exit or complete shutdown.
Adopting an animal was not in the cards for me. Pets were a lot of responsibility and a long commitment. I barely kept myself alive, so caring for another living creature was too much for me.
And I couldn’t guarantee I had years to offer.
Keeping my shit together for her, I offered a reassuring smile. “I just got settled into the apartment, so it’s not the right time. I actually don’t even know if they allow pets.”
She relaxed, and I was proud of myself for handling it more like… well, more like her. “Your way is probably more fun than cleaning up hairballs and dealing with the three AM sprints across your face.”
“That’s true. You know I’m cranky when I get woken up.”
Because I rarely sleep.
Bringing out my phone, I opened up my pictures to show her our latest rescue.
She glanced down at the picture before raising her brows. “Are those…”
“Two pigeons? Yup. Can you believe that? Someone had them as pets, then moved into an apartment that doesn’t allow birds, so now we have to rehome them. Who looks at a rat with wings and thinks, yup, I’m gonna domesticate the hell out of that thing?”
“I didn’t even realize they could be domesticated.”
“Well, they can. And they’re spoiled, too. They expect to be handfed and coddled, so we can’t just release them out into the wild. I think a squirrel could punk on them.”
“Oh God, now I’m just picturing a hyper squirrel making a pigeon its bitch.”
“It’d be animal kingdom chaos.” I shook my head. “The shelter is running one of those bachelor auction fundraisers next month—Dogs and Dates. I thought Bones and Hoses would get more attendees, but what do I know? Maybe I should see if one of the firefighters wants to be paired up with spoiled pigeons instead of a sweet, furry pup.”
Aria froze with a chip halfway to her mouth. “Firefighters?”
“Yeah, the bachelors are hot firefighters—pun intended—from Station Six.”
She popped the dripping chip into her mouth, slowly chewing. “You going?”
“Not even if they paid me in pole slides… Take that how you will.”
“It sounds fun.”
“You and I have a very different definition of fun.”
She tried to hide it, but a frown pulled at her mouth. And since I was an expert at reading negative body language—it-takes-one-to-know-one kinda thing—I could easily see her tension.
She’s disappointed.
I let her down.
I really didn’t want to go. At all. Not unless I could steal the dogs and hide away in a back room. Since that would basically defeat the whole fundraiser thing, it wasn’t an option.
Instead, I offered the next best thing. “I can get you tickets, though.”
She opened her mouth then promptly closed it. After a long moment, she shook her head. “No, that’s okay.”
Before I could lose my mind and agree to go—and I’d do it because I’d do anything to make her happy—our food arrived. Digging in, we talked more about the shelter, animals, and everything else surface level.
By the time we were finished and saying our goodbyes, I was kind of looking forward to it being a monthly thing. It was fun.
Normal.
“You sure you don’t want a ride home?” she asked.
“I want to take advantage of the lack of clouds, and it’s only a short walk.”
I could tell she wanted to push it, but she didn’t. Well, not with that, anyway. She did push it by quickly hugging me. “Text when you get home. And send me pictures of the calicos.”
“I will.”
I started walking away before she called, “Briar!”
Turning back, my sister still stood near the restaurant entrance.
“I changed my mind,” she blurted. “Can you get me two tickets?”
“For you? Anything.” I held up a finger. “Wait, I still don’t have to go, right?”
“Right.”
“Then for you? Anything,” I repeated with a smile.
Picking at her nails, she chewed on her bottom lip for a second before seeming to catch herself. She released her lip and dropped her hands before pushing her shoulders back. “Thanks, you’re the best.”
“If this makes me the best, you’ve gotta raise your standards. I’ll drop them at your clinic office.”
We went our separate ways, the wind whipping at my cheeks when I started walking. As enjoyable as the night had turned out, my brain was grateful for the silence so I could decompress.
I’ll get better.
It won’t always be so hard.
It won’t be a strain.
It won’t be so exhausting.
I will get better.
Reaching my apartment, I was lost in my mantra and not paying attention until my foot connected with something, making a clang. I glanced down to see a vase sitting in front of my door. It was overflowing with wildflowers.
They were beautiful.
They were also clearly at the wrong place.
I picked up the bundle and searched around for a note to see where they should’ve been delivered to, but there was nothing.
Huh.
Weird.
Backtracking to the lobby, I set them down on one of the small tables before returning to my apartment to change into my pajamas and zone out in front of the TV.
The perfect end to a not-too-shabby day.
Him
SHE DIDN’T BRING the flowers inside.
I wasn’t surprised. I figured she’d assume they were there by mistake.
Checking my watch, I wished I could watch her longer. Based on the way my cock throbbed, it wished the same.
Maybe later.
Locking the door behind her, her shoulders slumped as she let her guard down.
Definitely later.
Chapter Five
Cliché
Alexander
CHRIST, I’M TIRED.
“This system is ancient,” José gritted out, looking more wiped than I felt. The programmer clicked some keys then muttered a low curse as the screen in front of him froze.
Spinning in my chair, I stopped to watch the loading bar fill a little, backtrack, fill a little more, backtrack all the way to the beginning, and then freeze. A circle spun and spun but nothing happened.
Yeah, that’s what it feels like. Spinning wheels.
“I’m going to throw this fuckin’ machine out the window,” José growled.