“Oh, right.” He blinks and seems to shake himself, then the camera switches and I get a good look at his hallway as he walks through his house. “He’s in here.”
He pans around the living room, and I smother a laugh at the amount of stuff he’s obviously just bought for his cat.
There’s a fancy-looking cat tree with about four levels, a cat bed that looks extremely comfortable and expensive, and a load of toys scattered about the floor.
“Wow,” I murmur, not able to help myself.
The camera switches again, and there’s now a blush colouring his cheeks. “I sort of got carried away. I bet you think I’m ridiculous, don’t you?”
“Not at all. Cats need stimulation. Frank’s going to be one happy cat.”
“Well...” His smile returns, and I get a moment to admire it before he flips the camera again.
This time I do laugh, because in typical cat fashion, Frank has ignored everything bought for him and is curled up in the middle of the sofa on... “Is that one of your hoodies?”
“Yep. I took it off while I set up the cat tree, turned around, and there he was.”
The camera flips again as Reed settles down on the sofa next to his new housemate. “Obviously I can’t move him now he’s asleep.”
“Obviously.”
Sarah chooses that moment to pop her head around the door. “Are you almost done?”
She’s stayed late with me, and I’m suddenly conscious that she’s waiting for me to finish up so we can both leave.
“Sorry,” she mouths when she sees I’m on the phone.
I shake my head. “It’s fine,” I tell her, then, “Hey, Reed. Can I call you back in a sec?”
He must realise that someone’s come into the room because he nods quickly, and says, “yeah, course.” Then he ends the call.
I usher Sarah out the door and we lock up and set all the alarms. She’s a local, so she walks to walk, but it’s late and she’s more than happy to accept my offer of a lift home.
It’s over an hour later when I finally get the chance to FaceTime Reed back.
He answers after a couple of rings. “Hey.”
It takes me a moment to reply, because I’m stuck on the fact that he’s in bed. “Hey,” I manage. “We can talk tomorrow if you’re tired.” He’s wearing a soft-looking grey T-shirt, and he looks so comfy nestled against his pillows.
“No, it’s fine.” He glances at something off camera, then smirks. “Oh, let me show you this...”
My heart stops, and for one split second, I think he’s going to show me?—
His cat.
Fuck.
I chuckle, shaking my head as he zooms the camera in on Frank.
“Look at him,” Reed croons.
He’s stretched out, pressed against the length of Reed’s thigh. Unfortunately, Reed’s lying on top of the quilt, and with the way he’s got the camera pointed, it also gives me a great view of something else.
The grey- and black-checked pyjama bottoms he’s got on are pulled taut and do very little to hide the outline of his cock. His very substantial-looking cock.
I take a deep breath and force my gaze away and focus on his cat. “He seems to have made himself at home.” If my voice comes out rougher than normal, Reed doesn’t notice.
“Yeah,” he whispers and strokes a hand over Frank’s back, fingers tangling in his fur. Frank lets out a soft little meow and curls his paws in, like being stroked by Reed is the best thing ever.
