“Uhhh, yeah. Henry named him.” My voice comes out breathier than I intended and my annoyance with myself spikes. “There’s a water bowl in the restroom, under the sink.” I turn my back to Patrick and go back behind my desk, placing Honey Cat on my desk, she makes herself comfortable. I can hear him mumbling to himself as he clatters around looking for the bowl.
I open a bottom drawer from my desk and pull out a small bag of kitten treats. Honey Cat perks up at the sounds of the treats rattle in the bag. “Not yet, you need some water.” She lets out a small sound of disagreement but snuggles into my hand as I tickle her head.
“Order up!” Patrick strolls back into the main office, holding the water bowl like it’s fine dining for Honey Cat. He’s such a fucking dork, it’s so cute. I shake my head.
No, I need to stop thoughts like that.
I point to the empty corner of the office, “You can put her bowl over there, next to the couch.” I had spent a few too many nights falling asleep at my desk and decided a small pull out was better than walking across the Farm in the dark while I was tired. He gives me a little salute and walks over, squatting down to place the bowl gently on the ground. It also gives me a great view of that bite-able ass. I choke back a groan as I scoop Honey Cat up from my desk and join Patrick by the corner, Honey Cat sees her bowl and leaps from my arms to attack her water. I wait a beat while she takes a few sips of the water before I shake a few treats onto the ground next to her bowl.
I stand up and my shoulder brushes against Patrick’s chest. He stiffens and a small gasp escapes my lips. I take a step back, needing some distance before I do something I regret. “I’m going to get back to work.” I hitch my thumb behind me, gesturing at my desk.
Oh my god, what am I doing? He knows where my desk is. Fucking weirdo. I don’t wait for an answer as I turn on my heels and shuffle back to my desk. I refuse to tear my eyes away from my computer screen but I can feel Patrick hanging around, occasional muttering to Honey Cat.
His sweet words take me back to that fucking cave and I have to press my thighs together to ease some of my ache. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to calm down. This is so fucking wrong. I shouldn’t be reacting like this to someone I declared I hated a week ago.
“Well, I’m going to head out, got some trail work.” I acknowledge him with a wave but I don’t dare to look up at him. Honey Cat’s paws tap tap against the floor as she follows after Patrick. “You joining me, little one?” His question is answered with a soft meow. “Alright, let’s do it to it.” The doors closed softly behind them and I let out a deep breath.
My cat was a fucking traitor.
Chapter Twenty-Four
PATRICK
I’ve been able to avoid Elle for the last three days and it’s been torture. I’ve been on edge all morning and the only thing keeping me from pulling my heart out is my new companion, Honey Cat. I don’t know how but the cat keeps finding me while I’m out and about the Farm. She’s a funny little thing that reminds me a little too much of her owner but she helps to keep me away from temptation.
Honey cat and Donna, who has invited me to lunch at the Big House to have lunch with other employees every day this week. Donna is a master in the kitchen and I can’t believe she whips up lunch and dinner for everyone every day.
It has been nice to get connected to other people working at the Farm.
I’ve gotten even more ideas of different education options to expand with all the different conversations I’ve been able to have.
I’m just finishing up my dinner when Lola and Jude make their way into the kitchen. The look on their faces is grim as they search the room full of employees tucking in.
I sit up straighter, worry starts to turn my stomach. In the two weeks I’ve been working here, I’ve never seen anything less than a smile on Lola’s face.
I make eye contact with Jude and my stomach drops when he taps Lola on the shoulder and tips his chin in my direction. Lola offers a small wave to me and slowly makes her way towards me.
“Hey Rick, how goes it?” I offer her a tight nod in answer, my throat immediately dry. “Would you mind taking a walk with me and Jude?”
“Yeah, I’m done.” I quickly clean up my dinner and follow Lola and Jude out of the Big House. Nerves climb up my spine as we make the trek back to Elle’s office. The wind has picked up and I guess the windstorm that was predicted was finally coming to fruition. We’ve been walking in complete silence and it’s doing nothing to calm my anxiety.
We finally make it to the office, Lola raising an eyebrow at the sign for work boots. Not wanting to make an additional waves for whatever this conversation was about to be, I kick off my boots and knock on the door to announce our arrival.
Lola and Jude ignore the sign and Elle keeps her focus on her computer, there is a scowl on her face and her face has a pink tint to it. “Hey Elle, do you have a few minutes to talk?” Lola’s voice is cautious, like she’s approaching a wounded animal.
“I don’t have any time. I have to fix other people's mistakes.” Elle grinds out, her fingers hitting the keys of her keyboard at an almost punishing rate. “Elle, come on.” Jude tries to step closer to her desk. “No! Four weeks!” Elle jumps up and throws her arms in the air, “I was promised four weeks and now it’s ‘unclear how long until approval will come through’?”
I’ve seen Elle mad. I’ve seen her annoyed, I’ve even seen her scared but I’ve never seen her like this. Her eyes are glassy and her face has turned into a deep red shade. “I know, Elle. Trustme, we are doing everything we can to fix this.” Lola hedges and my eyebrows pull down in confusion.
“Fix what?” It feels like my question takes all the air out of the room. All eyes swing to me and I’m almost afraid of the answer.
“You!” Elle points her finger at me and I take a step back. “This is all your fault!”
“Elle, stop that. It’s not his fault.” Lola puts herself in between her sister and me which would be humorous if Elle wasn’t so upset. Lola is smaller than both of us but her backbone is made of steel. “I can’t do this. You promised me, LJ. Youpromised.” Elle’s voice cracks on the last word and my stomach clenches with the need to push past Lola to offer any form of comfort Elle would take.
Instead Elle pushes past all of us, storming out of the building. “Don’t follow me!” She yells over her shoulder and slams the door behind her. Jude places a hand on my shoulder when I start to turn to try and follow her, despite her warning.
“We gotta talk.” Lola’s voice is wobbly and I can tell she feels guilty that she isn’t going after her older sister. She takes a deep breath but it’s Jude who drops the bomb.
