Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
JOSHUA
I head back to the cabin right after passing Monica Chase.
She looked like a woman on a mission, not just because of the rain, and I’m not so sure I envy Lexi or Melinda.
Rumor has it she can be hard work. Fame doesn’t phase me in this line of work, it comes with the territory.
My dad, and my brothers and I have all worked with high profile clients, including some celebrities, over the years.
Some are easy to work with and don’t want to be molly coddled, and some are stuck up their own asses and want what they want.
But a deal is a deal whichever way you look at it and I’m hoping things go well for Lexi.
She deserves this and I know how much she respects Ali and wants to do a good job.
I know from experience making deals come together can be hard work. I thrive on that shit, but I know Lexi expressed she was nervous in the car. From what I know about her, and have seen over the years, she has nothing to worry about.
The rain picks up as I get back to the cabin to check on Mr. Snuggles.
I secure all the windows and shutters for the storm coming in, next I have to stop off at the store to stock up on candles, matches, a couple of flashlights and other supplies.
When I head back outside to bring in some more wood from the stack I cut up yesterday, I glance up to the moody gray sky, certain it grimaces back down at me.
I quickly gather some of the smaller twigs and kindling I found around the outskirts of the cabin yesterday, and get the makings of the fire set up inside for later when I bring Lexi back from the showing.
I was planning on getting out of Lexi’s hair today and heading home, or at least to the Lake Haven Inn where I could beg for a room.
Something about being out here in the fresh air, even for one day, has made me realize how much I work and never get to do anything different.
Fun has become obsolete in my life and that’s pretty pathetic.
And even though we only left the cabin to have breakfast this morning and haven’t really gone anywhere, I’m having fun for the first time in forever.
I quickly realize we don’t need to be doing anything.
I just like her company. Her soft laugh and smile.
The way she tucks a loose curl behind her ear, only to have it spring back again.
And when she casts those pretty eyes at me, I know I’m a goner.
Just as I’m making myself another coffee and about to read the tiny free local newspaper, The Lake Haven Gazette , my phone rings.
Fishing it out of my pocket, I smile at my mom’s name flashing on the screen.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. Have I caught you at a good time?”
“Sure, I’m just out at Lake Haven for the weekend. What’s up?”
I hear her chuckle. “Don’t tell me you’re finally taking a few days off?”
“Something like that.”
“Wonders will never cease.”
I laugh. She knows me too well. “Dad had the cabin booked for the weekend but Ali’s sick.
” My mom and dad are still friends despite the divorce when we were teens.
It’s hard for people to believe they actually still like each other, and co-parented after they decided to go their separate ways, but it’s true.
“That’s good for you, but not so much for them. I hope she’s okay.”
“It’s a nasty flu.”
“Well, it’s going around,” she says. “But anyway, I was just calling to see if you were free to have brunch tomorrow, but I guess I’ll have to wait until you get back.”
“Well, there’s always Brad or Noah, they may be the second choice, but hey.”
Mom laughs. I try to see her as much as I can and we often catch up for dinner. “I love all three of you the same.”
“You have to say that. And I love you too, Mom.”
“I just haven’t seen any of you boys for a couple of weeks.”
“I know, it’s been kinda crazy. We’ll all get together soon. Is everything okay there?” I ask.
“Everything is fine,” she says. “We’ll tee up something when you’re home.”
“Alright. Talk soon.”
“Love you, darling.”
“Love you, Mom.”
I hang up and finish off stacking the wood pile for later. I don’t want Lexi and Mr. Snuggles getting cold tonight.
I might also pick up something for dinner while we’re out, because the heavens are really opening right now.
With a sigh, I take a seat on the sofa with the Gazette and click into our family group chat, consisting of me, my brothers and my dad.
Me
You guys will never guess who the celebrity is at Lexi’s showing
It doesn’t take long for a response.
Noah
Woah, hello to you too. How’s Lake Haven? Are you gonna spill or do we have to guess?
Me
You can guess away but I’m sworn to secrecy
Brad
Then why even say shit at all lol
Me
To bug the crap out of you
Noah
Give us some clues
Me
It’s a woman
Noah
Pffffff idiot
Brad
FFS brother
Noah
More to the point, how are you doing all the way out there with Lexi?
I texted Noah last night to tell him the whole debacle before I went to bed, including Mr. Snuggles in the shower with me. He thought I was joking. Trust him to not keep his mouth shut.
Me
I’m doing just fine, but there’s a storm coming in
Brad
Sounds like one of those romcoms you love so much
Noah
Didn’t he cry during The Notebook?
Me
Funny fuckers
Brad
He’s defensive bc that’s a yes
Noah
Stop being a dick and tell us who her client is
Me
My lips are sealed. I just wanted to annoy you
Noah
Mission accomplished
Brad
Just don’t fuck around when it comes to the storm brewing. Looks pretty severe
Just as his text comes through, the porch screen door slams, jerking my attention to the front of the house. Oh no. The damn sliding door wasn’t closed all the way. I glance around and don’t see Mr. Snuggles… He was right here a second ago…
Me
I’ll be fine. Gotta go, I think I just lost her damn cat
“Mr. Snuggles,” I call out. “Here kitty, kitty.” I dart out into the rain without my coat, desperate to catch him before he ends up lunch meat out here in the wilderness. Since I know he’s not a fan of water, I don’t see why he’d want to run out into a goddamn storm.
If I lose this cat, I may as well emigrate to Timbuk-fucking-tu. Lexi would never forgive me.
I run around the cabin. “Mr. Snuggles!” I yell. He’s nowhere to be seen.
Fuck!
And because I’m not looking where I’m going, I trip over a damn stump.
Flying forwards, I then slide around in the mud like I’m ice skating before losing my balance completely.
My legs give out from underneath me, and with nothing to grab onto, I end up face down, covered in some questionable mud that smells like cow shit.
“Mr. Snuggles! Where the fuck are you?”
When I hoist myself up, I do one more non-victory lap, then come up blank. The cat is gone.
Lexi is gonna flip. I’m a dead man.
I trudge back inside, leaving a trail of mud across the porch. Treats. I’ll grab his favorite treats. A million things run through my mind, but it doesn’t take away from the fact he’s lost outside, getting wet, with a storm brewing. He’s cold, alone and fright?—
Meow.
My head snaps up. In front of me, sitting at the window with a full view of the outside — and witness to my muddy calamity — is Mr. Snuggles.
Not outside. Not cold and wet. Not lost. Definitely not covered from head to toe in mud and shit.
He’s here on his throne, looking down on a mere peasant like me who smells like manure.
“Did you do that on purpose?” I run both hands through my sopping hair. “Just to pay me back for the shower?”
And now I’m talking to a freaking cat. He stares at me, some might say maliciously, and if a cat could grin in triumph, he’d win first prize.
“You know this means war,” I declare. “And now I have to go shower.”
He ignores me, snuggles back down onto the plush throw he’s made his own, and closes his eyes. I guess I can see how he got his name.
Mr. Snuggles just gave me the cold shoulder.
Cat: 1.
Human: 0.