“Only if you count Nyquil. I drank like five glasses trying to ward this thing off.”
“Fuck, JJ. You’re insane. You’re not supposed to drink more than one.” Trust JJ to overdose on the gross lemon mixture. He never does anything small.
His coughing eases up long enough to straighten his back, and he shrugs. “It was worth a shot. I think I can still make it. I’ll go get dressed. It’ll only take me a couple minutes.”
“Forget it. Stay home. Look after yourself and get better.”
Is there any way I can skip out on the day now? I was counting on JJ to provide a buffer between me and Wilder.
“Aww. You care.” His lips twist up in a weak half smile.
“No, I need you to get better so you can be there for our next game. Gowen is nowhere near ready to take your place in a big one.” Not to mention I don’t want his germs closer than the six feet currently dividing us.
“You care about my health and you think I’m a good goalie? That’s even better. I’m sure I’ll get better much faster knowing that.” His smile has exploded into a full grin. I can’t decide whether it looks more delirious or deranged.
I sigh. “Yes, I care about you. As a member of my team.” That’s the most he’s getting out of me. “Now go back to bed. I don’t want you getting anyone else sick. I’ll grab you some lunch and supplies while I’m out.”
“And more Nyquil?”
“Absolutely not. You’re cut off. Now off with you. Back to bed.”
He’s still hanging out in the doorway, and I’m not risking my health to squeeze through.
I wave a hand at him. “Go on.”
“Yes, Captain,” he groans, swiping a hand over his forehead.
I hang back in the kitchen until I hear him stomping up the stairs. Great. Now I’m going to have to go face her alone. Surrounded by smelly animals. It’s not like I’m a monster. I get the appeal of cats and dogs. Just don’t want them in my house. They’re all wet tongues and shedding hair. Not to mention the smell.
Is anyone else at home? Unlikely. The place is rarely this peaceful when the guys are home. Normally I’d chill out. Absorb the peace and solitude to recharge my batteries. Not today.
A brief tour of the first floor is unsuccessful, so I find myself standing in front of Cole’s bedroom door. No one answered at Grant or Dev’s, so this is my last resort.
Hope swells as the door swings open with a creak. Have to get some oil to fix that. Cole’s dark hair is mussed up, and he blinks sleepy eyes at me. “S’up?”
“Any chance you can come with me for that volunteer thing at the shelter? JJ is sick, so he’s a no-go.”
Cole’s mouth pulls back in a wince, and the iota of hope evaporates, to be replaced with resignation. “Sorry, man. I’ve got plans with Jazz.” He rubs a hand through his hair. “If I’d known earlier… I probably could have brought her along.”
I shake my head. “No need to apologize. I’ll survive.”
His eyes narrow, studying me with a little too much intensity. “You’re going with Luna?”
The name is a bit of a shock. Everyone calls her by her last name, which suits her. “Yeah. Off to become a social media star. Yay for me.”
His lips twitch as if he’s trying to control a laugh at my expense.
“It’s fine. Laugh all you want. I’ll catch you later.”
“Good luck,” he says to my retreating back.
Not sure there’s enough luck in the world to keep this from turning into an epic disaster.
Paws For Thought Cat Rescue is a squat, white building outside of town. It’s set on a large tract of snow-covered land with a handful of wire pens out back, and a stretch of evergreen trees in the distance. There are no animals outside at the moment. In front is a spacious parking lot. I always have to check out the parking situation before I drive to a new place. Driving with a pit of anxiety in my chest is never good.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting in my car studying the place when a tap on the window startles me out of my thoughts. Wilder is peering in my window. She’s got on a bright red hat with a feathery brown pompom on top. Not what I would haveexpected of her. I thought she’d be the type of person who would sacrifice comfort to avoid wrecking her perfect hair.
I startle into action, popping the trunk before I get out. She backs up so I can push the door open without knocking her over.
