“I took a stray from Spencer and named him Rocco because my brother has had a crush on his favorite adult star his entire life,” Levi explained. “It was a bit of a cruel joke.”
“So, your brother is in a relationship with an adult actor,” Andy tried.
“Yes.”
“And you named a cat after him and gave it to him as a gift.”
“Yes,” Levi said again, taking a drink of his coffee.
“Oddly enough,” Theo spoke up. “Rocco had a dog named James.”
Andy arched a brow and turned an inquisitive look to his brother. “He has a dog named after you.”
“He named the dog before he met me,” James grumbled.
A cat jumped up on the table and flopped onto his ass, stretching a back leg into the air and leaning down to lick its asshole. Andy watched the scene unfold as Levi and James carefully pulled their coffees away and cradled them in their laps.
“Is this place sanitary?” Levi frowned. “Has a health inspector even been here?”
“It’s all above board.” Spencer held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“When do you open for real?” Theo asked, gently easing the cat’s leg down and petting him.
“Next weekend.”
“Just in time for the Labor Day crowd.”
“That’s the plan.” Spencer grinned. “Thanks for coming by so I can make sure they wouldn’t attack anyone.”
“We’re guinea pigs?” Cameron feigned horror.
Spencer rolled his eyes and straightened up, then slipped back behind the counter and through a door.
“Did he just leave us here with all these cats?” Andy looked around.
“Yeah, but we don’t need to stay. It was mostly just us coming to show him support.” Theo stood up and tilted his head toward the door.
“That’s…nice.”
“We’re nice people here.” Theo gave Andy a look that didn’t need clarification, and Andy felt it in his bones.
He knew, in that moment, if he wanted to make a home here with his brothers and their new family and friends, he would need to get over himself, get over his anger toward Theo.
He sighed. “I know.”
Theo narrowed his eyes and pointed toward the door.“You ready?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m good.” Andy looked back toward his brothers and Levi, who were now covered in cats. “Are you three coming?”
“We’ll get a ride back later. Look at all the pussy.” Cameron laughed. “Tell Luke I’m in town getting pussy if he asks.”
“He’ll whoop your ass,” Theo warned.
“I hope so.”
“Come on.” Theo shook his head and unlocked his car. “I’ll take you back.”
The drive was awkward and quiet, but not tense, and Theo pulled into the parking lot just as a taxi cab was pulling away.
