“Why?” he asked.
“Because he’s a stray cat and probably not used to people picking him up. He might panic and claw me.”
TC kept his hands in his pockets. “How do you know he’s a stray?”
“I’ve seen him around the school. He hangs out at lunch waiting for scraps.”
TC shook his head, a pitying motion. “If he’s a stray cat, then a vet won’t treat him. They’d just have to send him to the pound afterward. They’d put him down. We should leave him alone.”
“He’s hurt,” I protested. “We can’t just leave him.”
“A vet would put him down,” TC reiterated. “If you want that, I should just put him out of his misery now and save him the car ride.”
I stood in front of him, blocking his way. “You can’t do that.”
“I think I can figure it out,” he said. “Can’t be that hard.”
I put a hand on his chest to keep him from stepping forward. “We’ll find a vet who’ll help him.”
TC dipped his chin. “You want to ruin my suit coat by wrapping an injured cat into it and then drive from vet to vet, searching for one who’ll treat a stray? We’ll miss the dance.”
Behind me, Mascot let out another pitiful meow. “I’ll buy you a new coat. Just give me yours now.”
He took hold of my hand to remove it from his chest. “You shouldn’t touch a stray animal. It could have rabies.”
Doubtful. Mascot hadn’t seemed rabid the last time I’d seen him. I didn’t have time to defend his health because another car pulled up behind us and stopped.
I couldn’t see the car for the headlights and hoped it was a kindly chaperone or at least someone who liked cats. Instead, Cooper climbed out. His hands were fisted, and he pinned TC with a glare. “What’s the problem here?”
I jerked my hand away from TC and turned to Cooper. He probably wouldn’t be sympathetic about the cat’s plight either,but I still had to try. “I need your suit coat. I’ll pay you for it.” If TC kept refusing to take me to an animal hospital, I’d call an Uber.
Cooper’s eyes raked over me in alarm. “Is your dress ripped?” He took a threatening step toward TC. “What did you do to her?”
TC raised his hands. “Back off, fake boyfriend. She wants your coat to wrap a dying cat in. I wouldn’t give her mine.”
Cooper’s eyes went to mine for an explanation.
“We hit Mascot.” My voice was shaking and coming out too fast. “He’s hurt but still alive. I need to drive him to an animal hospital.”
Without a word, Cooper shrugged out of his suit jacket and handed it to me.
“Thanks.” I padded over to where Mascot lay, wide-eyed and panting. “You’re going to be okay,” I said in a soothing tone. Another car stopped behind Cooper’s, but it only vaguely registered in my mind. While doors opened and shut and Jasper spoke to Cooper, I edged closer to Mascot, trying not to frighten him.
Mascot made low, yowling sounds. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to warn me away or if he was just in pain. I didn’t want to hurt him more when I picked him up. I knelt by the cat, not caring that I was getting grass stains on my dress.
“You’re going to be okay,” I murmured again and draped Cooper’s coat over him.
Mascot tried to pull himself away. I scooped him up. He yowled louder but didn’t attempt an escape.
Maybe he was in shock. Maybe he realized he had no choice except to trust me. I hurried back to the others, cradling the cat as best I could. Jasper hadn’t been the only one to join Cooper. Amelia and Dahlia were out of the cars too. Amelia stoodbeside Jasper, her arm looped through his. She at least looked sad. Dahlia’s arms were folded, the image of both beauty and impatience. All of them were staring at me.
TC shook his head as though I were being unreasonable, a child that he had to explain things to. “It’s just going to die, and even if it doesn’t, what will you do with it? Are you going to take it home afterward—a crippled stray?”
I couldn’t take Mascot home. My father was allergic, but I refused to let TC win that point. Frustration tightened my throat. “Are you going to drive me to a vet, or do I have to call an Uber?”
Dahlia made a disdainful sound. “Ubers don’t allow animals. Good luck finding one to take that thing.”
TC nodded in agreement. “And the reason Uber drivers don’t take animals is that it’s nearly impossible to get the smell of cat pee out of upholstery.” He held his hands out to me in a patronizing, impatient way. “I’m sorry, Madeline, but the world already has too many stray cats. Just leave that one alone.” He sighed, offering me a concession. “We can check on it after the dance.”
