Chapter 5
Chapter Five
JASPER
“Why did you send us a cryptic text to meet you here this morning?”
Noah hops out of his car, zipping up his jacket.
“You were the only ones to respond,” I say.
“Where exactly is here?” Graham asks, cup of coffee in hand.
“The Nashville Humane Society.”
“Humane Society?” Noah looks confused. “Are we volunteering? Did I miss something?”
He takes the cup of coffee from Graham and sips on it.
“Nope. I’m adopting a cat today.”
Both of them stare at me, unblinking.
“You? Adopt a cat?” Noah says before bursting out into laughter.
“Why’s that funny?”
“I think what Noah means is that you don’t seem like a cat person,” Graham says.
“Or an animal person in general.” Noah laughs, wiping a fake tear away.
“Fuck off.” I flip him the bird. “I’m an animal person.”
Well, considering I’ve only ever owned a goldfish, I don’t actually know. But we’ll see. Once Quinn floated the idea, I couldn’t shake it.
“What if cats aren’t a Jasper person?” Noah asks, still laughing.
“How do you put up with him?” I ask Graham, ignoring his boyfriend.
“Do you really want to know?” He grins.
“No.”
Opening the door, I walk inside first and spot a young woman sitting behind the desk. “Hi there. Can I help you?”
“Hi there.” I flash her a charming smile. “I filled out an online application this week to adopt a cat and made an appointment to meet some you might have available.”
“Yes. I’d be happy to assist you. I’m Ashley.” She beams back at me. “Your name, please?”
“Jasper Hayes.”
She doesn’t bat an eye at my name. Either she doesn’t watch hockey, or she’s much cooler than the average person when meeting an NHL player.
“Ahh, here you are. It looks like you did a virtual home visit with our coordinator and everything got approved.”
“Great.”
“Why don’t you follow me and I’ll take you to our meet and greet room. Were you interested in seeing any specific cats?”
“Zucchini,” I tell her.
“Perfect. She’s a sweetheart. I’m surprised she hasn’t been snatched up yet,” Ashley says.
“Wow. You’ve really thought this through,” Noah says, as we follow her behind the desk and down a long, cement hallway. “I didn’t realize you already got approved.”
“I didn’t want to say anything in case I was rejected.”
“Why would you be rejected?” Graham asks. “You’re a hockey player. You have the means to adopt a cat.”
“But what if they didn’t like my schedule? It’s not exactly the easiest to have a pet.”
“Hence why we don’t have a dog,” Graham says.
“Yet,” Noah points out.
“You can wait in here and I’ll go get Zucchini for you. You can take as long as you want. We want to make sure it’s a good fit before you take her home.”
“Thanks.” I smile at Ashley before she walks out the door.
“She was checking you out,” Noah says.
“What?” I whip around to look at him. “No, she wasn’t.”
“She totally was,” Graham confirms. “A stud like you wanting to take home a cat? That’s like…well, catnip.”
“Please. I don’t need anyone,” I clarify.
“Aren’t you getting a cat because you’re lonely?” Graham asks.
“Did I say that?” I cross my arms, glaring at the two of them. “No one said I was lonely.”
Except I know I am. With every single one of my teammates pairing off and finding their someones, I go home. By myself.
It’s just me. My parents died about ten years ago, and now I’m alone in the world.
If a cat and a woman on the phone is all I have, so be it.
“Here is Zucchini,” Ashley says, walking back into the room. “Take your time. If you need me, I’ll be out at the desk.”
“Thank you.”
The small, grayish brown cat sits on its hind legs, staring me down. It’s like being out on the ice and staring down an opponent. Except this one is studying me more than any defender would.
“Hey, sweet girl.”
I hold the back of my hand out to her to sniff.
“Her name is Zucchini?” Noah laughs.
“What’s wrong with that?” I ask as she comes closer. She licks the back of my fingers before burrowing into my hand.
It’s the cutest fucking thing ever.
“Why not Carrot or Onion?” Noah asks. “I mean, is she a Zucchini?”
“Are you a Noah?” I fire back.
“Ouch.” Graham looks between us as I drop down onto my ass for Zucchini to come closer.
A few toys are strewn about the room and I grab one to entice her closer. According to her profile online, Zucchini likes playing with toys, snuggling, and curling up in your lap to sleep.
Grabbing one of the teaser toys, I hold it out to her as she paws it. She swats at it immediately. It’s the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen as she rolls onto her back to play with it.
“She likes me.”
“You or the toy?” Noah fires back.
“Do you have to be such a dick?” Graham asks before I can.
“I’m just making sure that you like her. I mean, it’s a big commitment. She’s the only one that would suffer if you decide you don’t like her.”
The cat in question swats the toy away before settling onto her haunches and staring me down. It’s like she’s trying to decide whether she can trust me or not.
There wasn’t much online about why she’s here, but I was drawn in by her sweet face. Those big brown eyes staring me down.
You can trust me. I convey it with my eyes. As if she can read my mind, she steps into my lap and curls up before licking her paw.
“What a good Zucchini.”
“Seriously, Zucchini, really?” Noah snorts. “I can’t believe someone named her that.”
It’s like the cat senses his bitterness when he drops down to try and say hi. She hisses at him immediately.
“She apparently has good taste in men because she doesn’t like you.”
“Hey. It’s not my fault the cat is a twatopotamus.”
She moves away from me and closer toward Noah, sniffing his outstretched hand.
“Well, apparently she doesn’t mind it when I call her that.”
The tiny ball of fur burrows into his hand.
“If you gave my cat a dumb nickname…”
Noah smiles at her, ignoring me. “Maybe we should adopt a cat, Graham.”
“Do you want a cat? I thought we were dog people,” he asks.
“You don’t have a dog,” I clarify, scratching Zucchini behind the ears, who hasn’t moved far. Apparently she is a daddy’s girl.
“Well, maybe it’s because we need a cat instead,” Noah points out.
“Who’s going to watch this hypothetical cat?”
I’m not looking at them as I lift Zucchini back into my arms. She curls up as I continue petting her. I can’t help but think of telling Quinn about this.
Sure, it might have been her suggestion, but really, after hanging out with this girl for a few minutes, I see the appeal. Graham and Noah are arguing about if they should get a cat or dog and I tune them out.
They have each other.
Me? I have someone on the other end of a phone that is too nervous to meet, yet has convinced me I’m lonely and need a cat.
Who knew someone I’ve never met could be right about me?
I needed a fucking cat.
“So, what do you think?” Ashley asks, coming back into the room.
“I’ll take her.”
“That’s wonderful. I’ll get a copy of the adoption contract, and since you were already approved, you can take her home today if you’re ready.” Her eyes fill with gratitude and excitement.
“I have a carrier in my car. I’m all set.”
“Even better.”
“I think we know what Jasper will be like as a dad,” Noah says.
“Better than you two.” I smile as Zucchini licks my hand again. Seriously, how have I not gotten a cat before now? This is the cutest thing ever.
“Twatopotamus is going to have you wrapped around her little finger,” Noah tells me.
“Paw,” I correct. “And if Zucchini wants something, she’ll get it.”
“Yup, he’s going to be the biggest sucker of a dad,” Graham confirms.
I ignore them as I coo all over this cat in my arms as she fawns over me. In a matter of minutes, we have a bond. I will do anything to protect her, even if it means letting Noah call her that dumbass name so she’ll snuggle up to him.
Because I’m taking this cat home and I only hope the guys like her like I do. She’s not going anywhere. Maybe it’ll finally get Quinn to meet me. Not that I’m getting Zucchini for her, but fuck, if it lets me finally meet her, I’ll take it.
I’ll take whatever I can get with Quinn because I’m hooked.
And while I won’t tell the guys that, I know I am.
Whatever she gives me, I’ll take until the day we meet. Because she is worth it.