@goatlover24:
She screamed before kicking over a stack of flowerpots.
@foodfight88:
That was a warning shot.
@tabbylove:
Goats who vocalize a lot often bond closely with their humans. Or they enjoy chaos.
@vettechvibes:
Those two things are not mutually exclusive.
@catmom92:
Maybe it’s going through an identity crisis. Do you have other animals? My cat does this and then faints hides for days.
@goatlover24:
I feel both loved and threatened.
CHAPTER 17
LANEY
We’re driving through the city, and the traffic seems heavier than normal. My emotions are all over the place, but with Burton in the car, I can’t do my normal routine of blasting music and singing along at the top of my lungs.
“Did I do something to upset you?” he asks softly a few moments after we’ve driven in silence.
I let out a long breath. “You didn’t have to pay,” I say, trying to keep my voice from wobbling.
He looks surprised and opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know it meant that much toyou. It seemed like a simple way to thank you for inviting me out.”
Now I feel like a jerk, but I can’t fully let it go. “I appreciate that. It’s just that I can’t really get them much since they have all they need. Those insignificant moments are a way for me to pay them back for all they’ve done for me.”
Burton frowns. “You got mad at my situation because my parents want me to pay them back. But you don’t find it weird to be on the opposite side?”
After a deep breath, I say, “It’s different. The situations are almost opposites. I don’t like that your parents demand you pay them back. My grandparents have never asked for anything in return for raising me. I want to do it of my own free will.”
He nods, looking like he’s processing it. “Why did you seem upset when we were talking about the app?”
“The adoption app?” I say, focusing on the road.
“Yeah. I said that it was like two social media platforms, and you shut down.”
He saw that? How did he detect something so simple?
“I was embarrassed about being so involved in a website about animals. My ex thought it was super weird, but that’s how my grandma and I bond. She loves anything to do with animals, and while I like them, she could sit and talk about them for most of the day, every day.”
Burton frowns. “And we didn’t talk about them anymore than we did while talking about the app. I’m sorry, Laney. For all of it. I thought I was helping, and I wasn’t.”
I give him a small smile and raise one hand to wave, like it’s no big deal. “It’s fine. I mean, I didn’t think about your point of view. And I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate the meal, because I do.”
“Well, let’s figure out another gift we can give your grandma.” He pauses for a moment. “Coupon booklets are our best bet.”
