I was never enough for my parents, for any team, but I had been forhim.Then he said those cruel things and never spoke to me again. It made me question my own worth, and I hated him for that.
“Your kittens are doing great. They need to be fed if you want to head on back.” Miss Paige hummed.
“I’ve been thinking about them so much.” I didn’t have to pretend with that. Those words were nothing but truth.
“Might be time to name them. I’m still superstitious though about naming them before ten weeks, honey.” She put a hand on my shoulder. “I have another regular here with a guest. Ivy, meet Callum and Lorelei. Aren’t those just the best names?”
My throat closed up. Wouldn’t work. Too much emotional cotton in there to make a sound. I lifted a shaky finger in the air, hoping that I kept it together as I blurted out, “Kittens.”
My mission to not make eye contact was in full force. I moved toward the smaller room where the babies and momma hung out in a small kennel. Just seeing their wiggly butts helped ease the horrible heartburn that formed five seconds ago. “Hello, my little sweets!” I cooed, gently petting one with my finger.
“They are so freaking cute. Holy shit, I can’t stand it!” Callum’s girl, Lorelei, stood next to me, smelling like a cookie.
Why couldn’t she smell bad? That would make it easier for me. It was hard to be mad at a woman who had crazy curly hair and smelled like a dessert.
“I’ve never been around kittens before, and gosh, they are so sweet. I’m more of a dog person myself, kind of like Callie boy here.”
“Callum prefers dogs, yes,” I said, my voice firm.
“He is such a puppy. He’d probably be a black lab or a poodle or something. Pretty and energetic.”
“No, I’d say a golden retriever.” I still hadn’t looked at her, instead focusing on the kittens I wanted to name. The silence grew to a full minute, and the girl still stood next to me humming to herself. I had to fill that silence. “Goldens love to eat, need to exercise a lot, and stay young at heart. That is exactly him.”
She cackled, a loud, booming sound. “Shit, you are spot-on.”
“And they’re naturally mouthy,” I mumbled, shushing some of the dogs that barked from her laugh.
My response made her go even harder, and the honking sound was honestly kinda weird. I chewed my lip, sparing her a glance. She laughed with her whole body, and it was slightly contagious. My own mouth curved up in a reluctant chuckle. “I’m not wrong, am I?”
“Not at all. God you’re great. How did Callum hide you all these years?”
What.
My face must’ve frozen in place, because Lorelei’s gaze softened, like she knew I was freaking out. God, they must be serious for him to tell her aboutme.“Uh?—”
“Lo, leave her alone. She likes to have moments with animals herself.” Callum’s voice held a hint of hesitation, like his nerves were also getting the best of him.
Good.
He’d been the one to crush me, then make continual little jabs at my weaknesses.
“Excuse me, I’m talking to her, notyou.”
That almost made me laugh. I loved feisty girls for Callum. He needed someone to keep him on his toes. People assumed I was secretly in love with him in high school, but I really hadn’t been. I loved him as my best friend, nothing more, though I hated most of the girls he hung around because they were shallow, pushovers, or just dating him for fame.
Even though I hated that Callum brought Lorelei here, it made me happy to see someone with her attitude.
“Luca tells me you’re the best trainer to go to right now. The others are too talkative, but that’s my Luca, not wanting to small talk ever.”
My Luca?
“Your… Luca?” I frowned, my brain trying to pick up the pieces. I glanced at her, then Callum, before my skin seemed too tight on my body. “You’re not together?”
“Me and Callum? Ohhellno. He’s one of my best friends now.” She laughed that honk-like sound again, putting her hand on my arm. “He’s great, obviously pretty, but yeah, that’s a hard no.”
“Jesus, Lo, you don’t need to be so aggressive about it.” Callum’s tone was laced with humor. “Luca isn’t that much better than me.”
Lorelei rolled her eyes. “Here we go. This my fault, honestly. I lived with my brother for a bit at the football house and ended up friends with the guys. This one latched on.”
