“Need help?”
Great. Worse than a customer finding me in an awkward position is having Chase standing behind me while I’m hunched over, my arms loaded up with a variety of small things I’m trying to keep together.
“Don’t worry about it.” I’d rather stay up all night, cleaning this place, than ask for his help. After I showed him to his apartment, he basically disappeared. It’s not like I expected us to be best friends, but I thought I might get more than a few angry text messages.
“You’re sure? I don’t mind.”
“I got it.” I grab a stray chip from the floor and toss it toward the trash can. It lands a full foot away from the target.
What was I thinking? At no point in my life have I ever exhibited anything that could be considered athletic ability. They actually asked my mom to take me out of soccer, complaining that all I did was stand around and kill the grass. The worst part is that they weren’t wrong. I hated being anywhere near the ball but loved using my cleats to clear patches of the field.
Looking back, I can’t believe they kept me as long as they did.
Thank God the library and I never had the same problem.
To my surprise, Chase leans down, picks up the chip, and places it in the trash. After my embarrassing attempt, I expected him to throw it to show me how easy it is.
“Hey, Nix?”
“Yeah?” I don’t mean to sound so exasperated. It’s late—at least by my standards—and it’s been a long day. I work hard not to let my frustrations shine through. It’s part of good customer service.
“Do you know where Nick is?”
I glance around the room, but there’s no sign of the little gremlin. Most game nights, he makes himself scarce. As much as Nick adores the attention, he knows better than to attempt his antics with these groups. They aren’t agreeable to letting him prance around on top of the table, screwing up the carefully placed pieces and cards. “He’s probably tucked into one of his beds.” Or on top of one of the bookcases. That’s where he likes to rest when he’s overseeing activities.
“But he’s down here? Right?”
I pause before answering the question. Unless Nick is right in front of me, I rarely know where he is until he’s causing problems. Then, it’s too late to save my decorations or customers from his antics. There’s a certain level of silence I’ve come to associate with him getting into trouble. That’s when I go looking for him, mainly in hopes that I can prevent whatever catastrophe he’s planning.
I slide out from the spot behind the table so I can get a good look at him. “Chase, are you scared of the store cat?”
“I’m not afraid.” He puffs up his chest, a surefire sign that he’s lying to me. “But I don’t want to wake up with a bedmate again. He should be down here, not in my apartment.”
“Sure.” As far as Nick is concerned, the whole place technically belongs to him. “Give me a few minutes, and I’ll hunt him down.”
I sigh and pause my cleanup in favor of finding Nick. At least then Chase will be out of my way, and I’ll be able to get back to my routine. As it is, everything is a little off with him here. Normally, I’d be blasting my newest pop obsession and dancing my way around the shop. That’s a version of me that I’m not ready to show Chase. Or anyone. A few of the clerks I’ve hired over the years have had the misfortune of walking in on me putting on a Taylor Swift concert. They didn’t make fun of me. Mostly. But probably only because I pay them.
What they say to their friends in text messages is a different story.
“Here, Nick,” I coo as I make my way to the front register. It’s where I keep the secret trick to tracking him down.Churuin hand, I start my search for the troublemaker. I begin with all his favorite spots. The window bed is completely empty. So are the ones in the backroom and behind the counter. And yes, he’s spoiled rotten and has at least half a dozen comfy beds hidden throughout my shop.
“Maybe he escaped?” Chase offers.
I balk at his suggestion. “Nick used to live in the alley behind the store. He knowsexactlyhow good he has it now.” Nick runs every time the door opens, afraid he might accidentally end up back outside. I like to think it’s because he likes me, but it’s really that he adores his auto-feeder. That thing is the love of his life.
“You adopted him?”
I shrug. I’m not sure I’d put it that way, but it’s the best option I can come up with. The reality is that he wormed his way into my heart slowly and carefully. A masterminded approach to get me to bring him inside. Once he was here, we both agreed that it was meant to be.
“And he’s…safe? I mean, you’ve had him tested for diseases and stuff, right?”
Seriously? What’s Chase’s issue with Nick? I don’t remember him having any specific animal-related phobias as a teenager. Though at the time, I was mostly focused on how incredibly gorgeous he was. In my mind, he was a god, capable of doing no wrong. He could’ve been scared of kittens, and I would have thought it was adorable.
“Eh. He’s fine. Probably.” I turn my back to Chase, so he won’t see the smirk on my face. Nick gets better medical care than I do. He had a few issues when I first brought him inside, but they’ve all been dealt with. His only health problem is his weight. Which we’re working on. Sort of.
“Probably? Nix, tell me you had this cat checked out by a vet? They have to get shots. He could have rabies. Or worse…fleas!”
“Relax, Chase. Of course I’ve had him checked. Multiple times now. He’s had all his shots, and I give him preventive flea and tick treatment every month. He’s in better shape than either of us.” Especially with the fancy food I buy him.
