Chapter 8 Claws & Effect Beau
Claws & Effect
Beau
A fifth pass of my cloth over the perfectly polished marble countertop doesn’t make any visible difference, but that won’t stop me from doing it a sixth time while I wait for JJ to appear.
If he’s not down here in two minutes, I’m going to have to drag him out of his room, and I hate going in there.
It’s a total catastrophe. Kind of like Cece’s when we were kids.
I’m sure it’s just as bad now. I could ask Dev, but then I’d have to admit he spends time in my sister’s room.
She used to tell me it wasn’t my business since I didn’t have to live there, but she never understood. Just knowing that chaotic nightmare is under the same roof as my room puts me on edge.
I glance at my watch again, putting the cloth away and then pulling it back out again.
“Beau.” JJ sounds nothing like his usual boisterous self. Usually, I have to remind him to use his indoor voice. The subdued, almost pained tone is ominous.
“JJ.” I finish my seventh wipe, place the cloth carefully back on its designated hook under the sink and spin around as I’m standing up.
My stomach plummets. JJ looks like crap. His brown eyes are glassy, hair damp and even messier than usual. And he’s still in his pajamas. The ones that have rocket ships all over them as if he’s still a kid. I hope he doesn’t wear those when he has girls over.
“Why aren’t you dressed yet?”
“Beau, man…” He runs a hand through his hair. “I feel like crap.”
“Don’t say it, JJ. Don’t back out on me.” None of the other guys could make it to the volunteer thing today, but JJ was excited about it. “Were you drinking last night?”
His gross, phlegmy cough rocks his body forward.
There goes that theory. If he’d been drinking, I would have forced his hungover ass to pull himself together and follow through on his promise.
But if he’s sick? No thank you. He can keep those germs away from me.
I do not have any spare time this year. I’m not getting sick.
“Only if you count Nyquil. I drank like five glasses trying to ward this thing off.”
“Fuck, JJ. You’re insane. You’re not supposed to drink more than one.” Trust JJ to overdose on the gross lemon mixture. He never does anything small.
His coughing eases up long enough to straighten his back, and he shrugs. “It was worth a shot. I think I can still make it. I’ll go get dressed. It’ll only take me a couple minutes.”
“Forget it. Stay home. Look after yourself and get better.”
Is there any way I can skip out on the day now? I was counting on JJ to provide a buffer between me and Wilder.
“Aww. You care.” His lips twist up in a weak half smile.
“No, I need you to get better so you can be there for our next game. Gowen is nowhere near ready to take your place in a big one.” Not to mention I don’t want his germs closer than the six feet currently dividing us.
“You care about my health and you think I’m a good goalie? That’s even better. I’m sure I’ll get better much faster knowing that.” His smile has exploded into a full grin. I can’t decide whether it looks more delirious or deranged.
I sigh. “Yes, I care about you. As a member of my team.” That’s the most he’s getting out of me. “Now go back to bed. I don’t want you getting anyone else sick. I’ll grab you some lunch and supplies while I’m out.”
“And more Nyquil?”
“Absolutely not. You’re cut off. Now off with you. Back to bed.”
He’s still hanging out in the doorway, and I’m not risking my health to squeeze through.
I wave a hand at him. “Go on.”
“Yes, Captain,” he groans, swiping a hand over his forehead.
I hang back in the kitchen until I hear him stomping up the stairs.
Great. Now I’m going to have to go face her alone.
Surrounded by smelly animals. It’s not like I’m a monster.
I get the appeal of cats and dogs. Just don’t want them in my house.
They’re all wet tongues and shedding hair. Not to mention the smell.
Is anyone else at home? Unlikely. The place is rarely this peaceful when the guys are home. Normally I’d chill out. Absorb the peace and solitude to recharge my batteries. Not today.
A brief tour of the first floor is unsuccessful, so I find myself standing in front of Cole’s bedroom door. No one answered at Grant or Dev’s, so this is my last resort.
Hope swells as the door swings open with a creak. Have to get some oil to fix that. Cole’s dark hair is mussed up, and he blinks sleepy eyes at me. “S’up?”
“Any chance you can come with me for that volunteer thing at the shelter? JJ is sick, so he’s a no-go.”
Cole’s mouth pulls back in a wince, and the iota of hope evaporates, to be replaced with resignation. “Sorry, man. I’ve got plans with Jazz.” He rubs a hand through his hair. “If I’d known earlier… I probably could have brought her along.”
I shake my head. “No need to apologize. I’ll survive.”
His eyes narrow, studying me with a little too much intensity. “You’re going with Luna?”
The name is a bit of a shock. Everyone calls her by her last name, which suits her. “Yeah. Off to become a social media star. Yay for me.”
His lips twitch as if he’s trying to control a laugh at my expense.
“It’s fine. Laugh all you want. I’ll catch you later.”
“Good luck,” he says to my retreating back.
Not sure there’s enough luck in the world to keep this from turning into an epic disaster.
Paws For Thought Cat Rescue is a squat, white building outside of town.
It’s set on a large tract of snow-covered land with a handful of wire pens out back, and a stretch of evergreen trees in the distance.
There are no animals outside at the moment.
In front is a spacious parking lot. I always have to check out the parking situation before I drive to a new place.
Driving with a pit of anxiety in my chest is never good.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting in my car studying the place when a tap on the window startles me out of my thoughts.
Wilder is peering in my window. She’s got on a bright red hat with a feathery brown pompom on top.
Not what I would have expected of her. I thought she’d be the type of person who would sacrifice comfort to avoid wrecking her perfect hair.
I startle into action, popping the trunk before I get out. She backs up so I can push the door open without knocking her over.
“Thought you were planning on staying in there all day. Hate to break it to you, but you’re not going to be much help from inside your car.” Her judging eyes skate over my luxury SUV. Her tone implies she doesn’t think I’m going to be much help even if I make it inside.
“I just needed a minute.” I pass her the takeout tray of coffee. “Not sure what you like, so I got two Americano Mistos. One is soy milk, just in case you’re not into dairy.”
I can feel her eyes on my back as I head behind the car to pull my bags out of the trunk.
“Umm,” she says. “Thank you?”
The bag of cat food I bought is massive, so I sling that over my shoulder first, then grab the handled bags. I don’t feel like making a second trip, so I gather them all up, dividing them between my hands. The plastic bags dig into my palms.
“What did you do?” She’s eyeing my loaded arms as I hit the button to close the trunk.
“They had a notice on their website of what donations they need the most, so I hit the pet store to stock up.”
The snow crunches under my shoes, and I take my time, not wanting to slip on an invisible patch of ice.
“Oh. Well, that was nice of you.”
I shrug, and she falls into step beside me, finally getting over her surprise that I’m not a complete asshole.
“I was thinking maybe we could do a donation drive at one of our upcoming home games. Collect pet supplies and money donations for the shelter. Since we’re here today, maybe you can mention it in your video.
I’m not sure of a date yet, but I sent the info to Sin.
She’ll let us know when she can get it together.
The guys will definitely help gather and carry it over to the shelter. ” Even if they all abandoned me today.
“That’s a fantastic idea.”
“Don’t sound so surprised, Wilder.” When I turn around, she’s contemplating the white cup clutched in her red-mittened hand.
“I’m not surprised. I just didn’t think you were an animal person. You didn’t sound all that enthusiastic when I told you the volunteer job was at a shelter. That’s all.”
“I don’t dislike animals. My sister Cece recently acquired a ferret and two guinea pigs. They’re growing on me. I just don’t particularly want one in my house. I don’t like mess.”
“Oh, but when they’re your pets, it’s not the same.
You love them so much you don’t mind when they pee on your backpack.
It’s the same thing everyone says about having kids.
Even if you’re not really a kid person, you still love your own.
Not so sure about that one, though. I’ll stick to cats for now. ”
“Did you have any pets growing up?” They say you should get to know your enemy, and even though I’m starting to think she’s not quite an enemy, I’ll still be better off if I get to know her. Since we’ll be working so closely together this semester.
“We have two cats. Winchester and Castiel.”
“Supernatural fan?”
“Yes. One of my best friends in high school was obsessed with the Winchester brothers, and she dragged me along for the ride.” She turns around to study me again, but her eyes are softer this time.
I’m starting to feel like some kind of zoo animal around her.
Every time she looks at me, there’s confusion on her face.
Like we’re not quite the same species, and she’s trying to figure me out. I feel the same way about her.
“Nice. My sister was into the graphic novels, so then she made me watch the show. It’s kind of our thing since I’m not so comic book obsessed as she is.”
“She’s into comic books, and she has fuzzy pets. Nice. She sounds cool. Are you sure she isn’t available to help me out here? It would be a win-win.”
“She would love that, but no, she’s pretty busy at the moment.
” Spending time with my best friend. “Plus, she’s not on the hockey team, so I don’t think that would do anything for our public image.
” Gotta bring her back to our purpose. Remind her why we’re here.
This is all an illusion. A show we’re putting on for a potential donor.
This personal talk is putting me off balance.
I don’t know what I’ll do if my dislike softens to like.
That, plus the physical attraction, would be a dangerous combination.
“Too bad.”
“Lulu! So good to see you.”
I’m kicking snow off my sneakers as a dark-haired guy steps over to give Wilder a hug. I glare at my feet. Should have worn boots. Icy snow crept down the sides, and now I’m stuck with frosty wet socks. Fantastic.
“And this must be Beauregard. Pleasure to meet you.”
Beauregard. Fuck. I can’t stand it when people use my full name. The guy is staring at me with an interest that’s a little too personal.
“Beau. Call me Beau.” I stick out a hand, shifting back on my heels before he pulls me in for a hug.
He seems to pick up on my signals, grasping my palm in his for a firm shake.
Hugs from strangers are not for me. Even handshakes are a struggle, but they’re unavoidable in the business world, so I’ve learned to tolerate them.
“I’m Damien, the founder, CEO, owner, and manager of this fine establishment. Welcome.”
His dark hair is shot through with silver threads at the temples, and he’s too well dressed for an animal shelter.
Not everyone would notice. But the immaculate fit, and expensive fabric tailoring of his dark grey slacks scream custom tailoring.
They’re paired with a pale pink dress shirt and matching grey tie with pink flamingos scattered over it.
But then I glance down at the pristine white sneakers I’ve got on my feet and shrug. Who am I to judge?
“Follow me.” He spins around.
Luna follows my gaze down to my shoes, and her mouth twists at the corners. Speaking of judging someone for their clothes. I can’t resist leaning in to whisper in her ear. “Lulu?”
The face she gives me looks like that grumpy cat from the memes. “Don’t even think about it.”
Damien turns around. “What was that?”
“Nothing, Damien. Lead the way. I think Beauregard is getting tired carrying that heavy bag. He must not have been keeping up with his workouts.”
“I…” Her laugh cuts off my response, and I shake my head.
There’s a hint of eau de furry critter in the bright white lobby. But once we pass through the swinging door into the back room, it gets so much more intense, overwhelming my senses. But I’ve smelled way worse in the hockey dressing room, so I suck it up, swallowing hard.
“You can put that bag down in the supply room here. And don’t worry, I know Luna is messing with you.
You look more than strong enough to handle that load.
In fact, if you’re going to make this a regular thing, I’ll invite you over with some more of your team to help unload our next food delivery.
The driver always dumps it in the hall, and my skin is too soft to be hauling food bags. ”
Wilder looks at me again, eyes falling to my hands, and now she’s smirking. “Sure.” At this rate, I’ll be committing my life to this damn place just to spite her. Maybe that’s her game.