2. Jake
Ihear Mrs. Carpenter’s voice in the living room and rush out of my bedroom, hoping I can prevent her from spilling the beans to whoever answered the door. I made her a promise that I’d rather my roommates not find out about it.
She’s talking to Lachlan, and the are-you-fucking-insane look he gives me tells me I’m too late. I’ll never hear the end of it.
“Hi, Jake.” Mrs. Carpenter waves at me. “I just stopped by to give you the list I promised.”
“You could have emailed me, Mrs. Carpenter.” I walk over and take the long-ass list from her while ignoring Lachlan’s glower, which is burning a hole through my face.
I glance at the list and notice that she has tasks assigned to each of her pets. Mrs. Carpenter keeps a menagerie in her apartment one floor down from ours.
“You know I hate using that darn computer my grandson gave me.”
Lachlan leans closer to peer at my list.
I pull it away. “Do you mind?”
He shakes his blond head before heading over to our open-concept kitchen. Lachlan would never say what’s on his mind while Mrs. Carpenter is here. He’s a grump, but he’s also the best-mannered hockey player I know—outside the rink, that is. During a game, he’ll curse like a sailor and get into fights like the rest of us.
“I can’t thank you enough, Jake. I know how busy you’ll be during hockey season, but knowing you’ll be watching my beloved pets is a relief. I had half a mind to cancel my trip.”
“It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Carpenter. But your grandson will stop by when we’re on the road, correct?”
“Yes. I got the little bugger to commit to it. But on the back of the list, I also wrote down the names of pet sitters I’ve used in the past, in case something happens.”
I flip the sheet of paper and see a list of three names. That makes me feel better. When Mrs. Carpenter asked if I could take care of her pets while she was on her three-month trip to Europe, I should have said no, but I couldn’t. She’s been talking about that trip since we moved into the building five years ago. It’s a lifelong dream that she finally gets to fulfill.
“Everything looks good. When do you leave?”
“Tonight. I’m sorry I won’t be able to see your first game of the season.”
“It’s pre-season. You’ll be back while we’re in the thick of it.” I smile.
She pats my arm. “Nevertheless. I expect you to kick ass tonight.”
“We will. Have a safe trip, Mrs. Carpenter.”
She gives me a mama-bear hug. Even though I have double her body mass, I feel the embrace in my bones.
She steps back and looks at Lachlan. “You make sure Jake stays out of trouble, okay?”
Lachlan cracks a smile—a rare sight. “I’ll do my best, Mrs. Carpenter.”
As soon as she’s gone, Lachlan starts. “Are you mental?”
I roll my eyes. “It’ll be fine.”
Ryan steps out of his room looking like a million bucks. His brown hair is sleek and carefully styled like the lawyer in his favorite TV show. No wonder he’s been named the best-dressed NHL player three years in a row and graced the cover of GQ magazine last month.
“Why is Lachy freaking out?” He veers for our state-of-the-art espresso machine.
“Shut yer face. I’m not freaking out.”
“Sure, you aren’t.” Ryan smirks, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief while he waits for his coffee to brew.
“Jake promised Mrs. Carpenter he’d look after her pets while she’s on her trip to Europe.”
Ryan laughs. He’s too laid back to be concerned about a commitment I made. The only time he’s ever fazed is when we mess with his cooking. “Better him than me.”
“You know he’s going to fuck up, and we’ll have to help.”
“Hey! I’m not going to fuck up anything. Besides, Mrs. Carpenter’s grandson is helping too.”
Now, both Ryan and Lachlan are giving me droll looks.
“You mean that high-all-the-damn-time, good-for-nothing idiot?” Ryan arches an eyebrow. “You’re screwed.”
“No, we are screwed.” Lachlan grabs an apple from the fruit basket and takes a big bite.
Ryan drinks his coffee calmly, then replies. “Speak for yourself. I didn’t commit to anything.”
“No one is screwed, all right? If Mrs. Carpenter’s grandson doesn’t step up, I’ll call one of the pet sitters from the list.”
Ryan stands straighter, mischief shining in his blue eyes. “Can I see that list?”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“The list didn’t come with pictures, Casanova,” Lachlan retorts.
Ryan’s eyes widen innocently. “Jesus, I just wanted to see if I recognize any of the names.”
I put the list in my pocket. “Sure.”
He shrugs. “Fine, hide your list. We all know you’ll end up calling one of those numbers, and I’ll meet the pet sitter anyway.”
“Why are you even interested? Don’t you have enough women throwing themselves at your feet?” Lachlan asks.
“You know, Lachy, you could have as many admirers as I do if you weren’t such a grump.”
“Piss off.” He flips Ryan off and then strides to his room.
I sigh. “Why do you have to pick on him all the time?”
“Because he makes it so damn easy.” He takes another sip of his coffee. “We need to leave for the arena in thirty minutes.”
“I know.” I open the fridge and grab a salad.
“You’re still wearing sweats and a T-shirt.”
I dump my salad on a plate, then sit at the counter. “Your point?”
He throws his hands in the air. “I give up. You’re hopeless.”
A grin spreads across my lips. “Unlike you, I don’t need two hours to get dressed.”
He runs his hands over his pristine suit jacket. “Whatever. If you and Lachy aren’t ready in half an hour, I’m leaving without you.”
“Stop stressing. We’ll be ready. When have we ever made you late for anything?”
His brows shoot to the heavens. “Every other day?”
I point my fork at him. “Exactly.”
He stares at me without saying a word. Then he shakes his head. “I swear to God, I don’t know why I still try to have a normal conversation with you.”
“Because you luuv me,” I reply with my mouth full to piss him off. He hates it when I do that.
“You’re such a child.” He stalks out of the kitchen and disappears into his room.
Alone at last. Now I can worry about how I’m going to keep my promise to Mrs. Carpenter. Ryan wasn’t wrong. Her grandson is worthless. I hope one of the pet sitters will work out. Otherwise, I’m definitely fucked.