“I appreciate it, Cole. And I will think about it. If there’s anything I can pass off to you or someone else, I will. We’ve got a real shot to win it all this year, and I know I can’t do it alone.”
He narrows his eyes, studying me again. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Perfect. I think I’m done for the day. Going to hit the shower and head out of here. You got Mabel today?”
Cole nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Jackson’s car Mabel is legendary around here. I miss that guy. He and Seb and Aspen. I kind of miss the days when Aspen was the captain. I wanted the spot. It’s an honor, but it’s one more responsibility to carry on top of my already heavy load.
I ignore the buzzing of my phone as I strip my workout clothes off in the dressing room.
“What the heck, Whitaker! I thought you said you weren’t going to ghost me again. Figures.”
I’m unprepared for the onslaught of anger being hurled at me when I step into the university center. Wilder stands red-faced, glaring at me, but her eyes are bright and have a freneticgleam in them. Fear rips through me. For her. Something is very wrong.
“What? I’m here. What are you talking about?”
She throws her hands on her hips, stalking toward me. “You can’t tell me you haven’t checked your phone in the last hour.”
“No. I was ignoring it.”
“At least he admits the truth.”
I step in, desperate to smooth that anger out. I’ve gotten used to the less prickly alliance we’ve formed, and I’m not so eager to return to the complete disdain she had before for me. “I wasn’t ignoring you. I was ignoring one of my dad’s business contacts.” She glances at my phone. I’m holding it out for her like a peace offering, because it shows all the unread messages that would normally drive me crazy. Scratch the normally. I’m itching to clear the messages immediately.
“Unread. Well, let’s go.” She grabs my hand, tugging me along behind her.
“Where are you taking me, Wilder? I’d love to let you tie me up in your dungeon, but a little warning would be appreciated.”
It must be serious because she blows right past my attempt at a joke. “Paws. We’re going to Paws for Thought. It’s an emergency. I’ll explain on the way since you couldn’t be bothered to check your text messages like a normal person.”
“Are you driving?”
She spins around, still dragging me toward the big glass exit doors that exit into the UC parking lots. “No, we can’t all afford top of the line SUVS, Whitaker. You’re driving.”
“That’s going to be pretty hard to do from here. I’m parked behind the arena.” I spend a solid chunk of every day there, so there’s no point in parking in one of the lots closer to my classes.
“Shit. Fine.” She makes an abrupt U Turn, not letting go of me, and increases the pace even more.
“Maybe you can explain what’s going on while we walk?” My heart is still thumping at a terrifying rate, all the lethargy from earlier chased away in a wash of adrenaline.
“Yes, someone called in an emergency rescue. They found like fifty cats in one house. Serious overcrowding and neglect. Some of the cats were sent straight to veterinarians, but a few of the shelters in town are working together to take in the ones that don’t need urgent care. Paws is getting fifteen new mouths to feed, and they need all hands on deck to get things ready for the newcomers.”
I blow my cheeks out, releasing a breath, and then I practice my deep breathing, trying to convince my heart to slow down. Yes, this is an emergency situation, but it’s not something to spin out into a panic attack over.
“Thank you. I thought maybe someone was dying. You got to give me a little to work with, Wilder.”
A gust of wind whips a plastic bag past our feet as we’re hurrying down the cobbled walkway.
“I did. If you’d bothered to check your messages.” Her words are barely audible as the wind tries to steal them away. Or maybe she’s muttering angrily. Probably a little of column A, a little of column B.
“I was at the gym. Can’t catch a break with you,” I tell her. My car chirps when I hit the key fob.
She scrambles into the passenger seat after I hold the door open, then shoves at me to hurry.
“I’m sorry.” She drops her head against the seat, closing her eyes. “Damien messaged me, and I told him we’d be there ASAP to help out. Then when you didn’t respond, I started stewing, making up all the reasons you’re a jerk. I was about to catch a bus there, but I stayed put. I was really hoping you’d show up for our meeting. If you hadn’t, that would have been it.”
“No second chances?” I check my mirrors, pulling out of the spot and set my GPS for the rescue.
“Second chances? I think you’ve already mowed through one or two.”
