Ellie’s bunk is at the end. We try to give her as much privacy as possible when she’s here. I round the corner and immediately stiffen when I see her curtain closed. Their hushed giggles penetrate my ears, and my blood pressure soars. My steps waver. I consider turning around and stewing in the main room. Or I could tear the curtain off the hook and see what the fuck is going on.
“Gosh, it’s so soft.” Liam’s voice is nearly a whisper.
My heart beats hard, sweat coating my skin.What’s so soft?
“We can’t tell anyone.” Ellie’s voice is desperate.
I reach for the wall, my knees threatening to buckle.
“Why not?”
“Tanner will freak out and kick us both off the bus.”
I wipe the sweat from my brow. I knew it. They are fucking. I thought I was being crazy and paranoid, but my gut is never wrong.
“I don’t know. He might be ok with it. What’s it hurting?”
Lurching forward, I grip my thighs to steady myself. Either Tanner is driving like a moron, which is doubtful, or this bus is about to drop an axle.
“It’s not hurting anything but…”
“They’re going to find out, Ellie,” Liam says soothingly.
“I know, but we can keep it a secret a little longer. I mean, just touch her one more time and?—”
Touch her?! Hell no.
I can’t take it anymore. I yank the curtain with so much force, the clips go flying. Ellie shrieks, and Liam jumps so high his head slams off the wall.
“What the fu—” My mouth snaps shut as my eyes land on the most precious lil’ thing I’ve ever seen.
An orange ball of fur sits curled up in Ellie’s lap. A fucking cat.
An exhale escapes my lungs, relief flooding me. It’s a kitten. That’s what they were talking about.
Wait. What?
“What the hell, Travis!?” Ellie shifts, attempting to shield me from the miniature tiger, but it’s too late.
“Where’d this baby come from?” I reach out and stroke its fur. Its paw comes out, smacking my hand. “Hey, what the hell?”
“You probably scared her.” Ellie looks at the cat. “It’s nice to see you have some fight instincts, though. You’re a bit spicy, huh, girl? I like that.”
“I’m sorry.” My hand comes out, more gently this time, and the kitten comes up, sniffing me. “What’s her name?”
“I haven’t decided yet. Wanted to see more of her personality. I’ve only had her for a day and a half.”
“She’s cute.” The cat finally accepts me and allows me to pet her. I pick her up, and she rubs her face against mine, purring like crazy. “That’s my girl,” I coo.
“Excuse me? Uh, no. She’smygirl.” Ellie reaches for her, but I turn away.
“Where’d you find her?” I flick my eyes to Ellie, who’s glaring at me, jealous that I’m already her favorite, no doubt.
“Someone abandoned her in an alley by a coffee shop. I couldn’t leave her. I?—”
“Of course you couldn’t.” What kind of monster would abandon a tiny, helpless animal?
Her brow furrows. “Right. But Tanner is going to freak when he finds out. It’s why I had to come back. Caleb’s allergic to cats.”
