My mouth probably gaped open, but I didn’t get a chance to speak.
“They don’t allow pets either and I don’t feel like being chauffeured around until we find one that does.”
“You expect me to take your cat home with me and watch her for you?” I asked, a little surprised and a lot offended.
“It’s just for tonight. I’ll find someone to take her off your hands tomorrow after I’ve had a stiff drink and a good night’s sleep.”
“You’re getting rid of her?”
“I told you, she’s not mine. I got her for…” His voice trailed off. “She was a mistake.”
I winced, wondering if he was still talking about the kitten.
“Do we have a deal?”
I chewed on my bottom lip as I considered it. I liked the kitten and it wouldn’t be much of an inconvenience, but it really bothered me that he was just going to get rid of it so easily. Even now she meowed and looked to him expectantly.
“No.”
His jaw flexed.
“I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
I imagined this usually worked for him – getting what he wanted by paying. His handsome face and the confidence oozing from him probably didn’t hurt either. Gone was the broody, heartbroken man who’d got in my car and in his place was this arrogant guy who thought he could bark orders at me. Frankly, I preferred the former version.
“I don’t want your money.”
“What do you want? Tickets to a game? A media pass to meet the players? I could make a call to get you in just about anywhere in LA.”
I shook my head. “Is there someone you can stay with? A friend? Teammate? I could drive you to their house.”
“I trashed my phone. I don’t have anyone’s number, and I’m not showing up on their doorstep like a stray puppy. Can you take her or not?”
Picturing him so upset that he’d busted his phone reminded me just how much he’d been through. He could really rile someone up and make them forget why they were doing a good deed in the first place.
“What about the shelter?”
“Nah, Chance called Aubrey before you. They’re completely full.”
I’d taken animals home with me lots of times. With Aubrey working at the animal shelter, there was always overflow or special cases and I was eager to help. I liked taking in unwanted, unloved things, but this felt different.
“Why don’t you both stay at my place tonight?”
“You want me to stay at your place?” He almost smirked, that dimple in his cheek making a brief appearance.
Annoyed that he thought this was about him, I met his gaze head-on. “Trust me, I’m a bigger fan of hers than yours right now. But she’s clearly attached to you whether you like it or not. You can’t just hand her off to some random person. You and kitty can stay at my place for the night. I have a spare room and I’m not allergic. Now, get in.”
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and stared straight ahead. I was quite proud of myself for speaking so firmly. Finn didn’t know what he needed or wanted right now. Decisions made in his current state of mind were skewed at best. He needed someone to step in and tell him when he was being an ass, and here I was in the right place at the right time. I could help him, stop him from making rash decisions like giving up the most beautiful cat I’d ever seen.
He sighed and got in and I drove away, determined to shove any frustration away and be considerate of what he was going through. Firm, but considerate. Exactly like taking in a stray puppy, though I’d never say that to him.
When we arrived back at my house, I pulled the car into the driveway and killed the engine.
“Come on in and I’ll help you get settled.”
He nodded.
Inside my small house his presence was odd and a little overwhelming. I pushed on, showing him to the spare room. It was on the opposite side of the house from the master and had a bathroom across the hall. Perfect for guests, though I’d had few use it.
“If you need anything, I’m at the opposite end of the house. I’ve gotta get to bed, but make yourself at home. You can watch TV in the living room or if you’re hungry, help yourself. There’s not much, but you’re welcome to it.”
“Do you have any Macallan?” Finn walked into the room and set the carrier and his bag on the floor.
“Macallan?”
“Scotch, liquor, beer, wine would even be okay I guess.”
“Oh, uh. No.”
“You don’t have any alcohol?”
“Nope.” I tried for cheery and upbeat but didn’t quite nail it. “There’s some sparkling water in the fridge or I could make you some coffee or tea.”
He ran a hand through his dark hair. “Who doesn’t keep any alcohol in the house?”
I took a deep breath. “An addict.”
He studied me closely and then nodded slowly.
“Let me know if you need anything else.”
I was two steps down the hall and out of view when his gruff voice followed after me, “Thank you.”
Before I could respond, the bedroom door shut.
Adele
What the hell had I done?
I closed my bedroom door and leaned against it. Finn might have been on the other end of the house with two shut doors between us, but I felt him everywhere. In the walls and under my skin.
It was just one night.
My phone chimed with a text alert from Richard. Instead of texting back, I called him to say good night.
“Hey,” he answered. “I was just getting into bed. I’ve got an early meeting.”
“I know. I just wanted to hear your voice. It’s been a long day.” I started my nighttime ritual as if it would trick me into believing it was just any other night.
“Oh.” Richard’s voice was laced with concern. “Everything okay?”
When I was done telling him about Finn crashing at Chance’s last night, CJ being allergic, and then driving Finn around and finally ending up back at my place, I forced my mouth shut and waited for his response.
He was silent for several long seconds before he spoke. “So, he’s staying at your house?”
“Yeah. Just for tonight.” It felt like I was repeating it to myself as much as him.
“Finn McCash is sleeping in your house and you didn’t think to talk to me about it first?”
I pulled my hair back and turned the faucet on. Staring back at my flushed face, I did my best to reassure us both. “It’s no big deal. If Chance trusts him, then I do too.”
“Chance was okay with this?”
“Well, actually I haven’t told him yet, but I don’t see why he would have a problem with it. The guy was in a bind, what was I supposed to do?”
“He’s a rich guy with lots of friends, I’m sure he could have figured something out for himself.”
“His fiancée just left him at the altar and ran off with his teammate. Have a heart.”
Richard sighed loudly into the receiver. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to come off as cold, but I don’t like the idea of you being alone with him. A guy like that is used to partying and doing God knows what. I worry about you around someone like that. He probably goes through women like underwear. Be careful.”
I snorted, put the phone on speaker and set it on the counter before I rubbed the peppermint-scented soap on my face. “I’m perfectly safe. You’re the one who’s always saying you don’t like me living alone.”
“I meant I wanted to be there, not that I wanted you to invite strange men to stay over.”
I bit back a smile. Jealous wasn’t a side of Richard I’d ever seen and as misguided as it was, I appreciated his concern. “He’s not a stranger. He’s a friend of my brother’s. I’m getting ready for bed and I’m sure he’ll be gone by the time I get off work tomorrow.”
“Lock your bedroom door just in case.”
“You’re not serious?” I giggled, but he stayed silent until I relented. “I highly doubt Finn McCash is going to try and
slip inside my bedroom tonight, but if it makes you feel better, I’m locking the door right now,” I spoke flippantly over my shoulder toward the phone as I padded across the floor.
But as the lock clicked into place, my heart raced at just the idea of Finn on the other side – no matter how ridiculous.
The next morning, I tiptoed through the house. I did my morning gratitude list while I drank my coffee and all the while a nervous energy hummed in my veins knowing Finn was just down the hall.
I was rinsing my mug when I heard a quiet meow. I walked toward the spare room, pausing a few steps away and waited for the sound again. When it came, much louder this time, I winced and quietly shushed her.
An adorable white paw appeared under the door. She stretched as far as she could and felt around on the wood floor and then did the same with the other paw, all while meowing at me at an increasingly loud volume.
Caught between invading Finn’s privacy and stopping the kitten from waking him, I finally opened the door just enough to let her slip out. She showed her appreciation by rubbing against my leg and I picked her up and headed to the kitchen.
“Good morning,” I cooed at her.
I grabbed a bowl and filled it with water and then set it and kitty on the floor. Last night when I’d texted Aubrey to check on CJ, I’d learned that kitty was supposed to be a wedding present to his fiancée. I felt a little guilty about not agreeing to take the cat initially and letting Finn forget about her. A constant reminder of his ex as a pet – yeah, that was hard even for me to swallow.
I hadn’t told Aubrey that I’d brought Finn and kitty to my place. After the way Richard reacted, I figured telling them in person was best. The people in my life were always worrying about me, and while I appreciated it, I could take care of myself.
I crouched down next to kitty to pet her. “Did you sleep well?”
“She didn’t sleep at all. She spent the entire night terrorizing me instead.”
When you’re expecting a gentle purr and a gruff male voice answers instead, it’s unnerving. Which is the only excuse for the words that came out of my mouth.
“Holy fucking shit.” I stood lightning fast and spun around to find Finn – hair mussed, shirtless, gray sweatpants – basically every woman’s fantasy. “You scared me.”
“Surprising since you just came into my room and woke me up.” He jabbed his thumb over his shoulder toward the spare room.
His morning voice sounded like sex and my body reacted of her own accord. Long-distance relationships were hard. It’d been too long since I’d heard a husky, male voice only seconds after waking up.
“I didn’t come into your room. I opened the door so kitty could get out. I was trying to keep her from waking you up.”
“Same difference.”
How two words could annoy me, I didn’t know. “She was meowing something awful. I think she’s hungry. Do you have her on a feeding schedule?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, the movement making all sorts of muscles in his upper body stretch and flex. The blank expression told me he either didn’t know what I was talking about or thought I was bananas.
“Have you ever owned a cat?”
He shook his head.
“A dog? Fish? Any pet?”
“No.” He bristled. “But I’m sure I can manage for a day or two.”
“I didn’t mean to imply…” I stopped myself because that’s exactly what I’d been implying, and it was completely unfair of me. I grabbed my purse and gave kitty one last pet. I think I was sadder about him getting rid of her than he was. Then again, I hadn’t bought her for someone that had betrayed me. “I’ve gotta get to work.”
“It’s still dark outside.”
“Yep,” I said without bothering to glance out the window.
“What is it you do?” He did a once over of my outfit that somehow made me feel bare despite the long skirt and blouse I wore. “School teacher?”
“I’m an executive assistant at an accounting firm.”
“Executive assistant,” he said it like he was trying out a new word.
“Are you making fun of me?”
“Nah, sorry. Corporate words are such a mouthful. I never understood why they have to be so pretentious. Chief Executive Officer, what a bullshit title.”
I laughed despite myself and he smiled back. It was the first genuine smile I’d seen out of him and as soon as I had the thought, it disappeared. Pity.
“Anyway, thanks for letting us stay last night.”
“You’re welcome. If you’ll just lock the door on your way out?”
He nodded, and I took one last look at kitty and left.
The small accounting firm I’d worked for the last three years was like a haven. The beige walls and ugly carpets were reassuring in a way that I couldn’t explain. Nothing changed around here and that made me feel secure.
Flipping on the lights as I entered the office, I went straight for the break room to get the coffee going before people arrived. I was the first one in and often the last to leave, but I didn’t mind. It gave me a chance to put everything in order. Lights, coffee, water the plants, feed Harry’s fish, and then check messages.
All that before seven-thirty a.m. When DJ’s assistant arrived a few minutes later, she dropped a coffee at reception.
“Good morning,” Bobbi said cheerily. “Is he in yet?”
“No, you’re the first one.”
She shrugged off her coat, dropped her purse on the counter, and dug through it for her lipstick.
“How was your weekend?” I asked, knowing she’d have something eventful to tell me. She was always going somewhere, trying new restaurants, and meeting new people.
Her eyes lit up. “Saturday night we went to a new club opening in LA. You’ll never guess who we ran into.”
“Who?”
“Charlie Hunnam’s girlfriend. At least, I think. It was dark and really crowded.”
“And Charlie?”
“Not with her.”
I laughed and she shrugged.
“What about you; how was your weekend?” She touched up her lipstick and fixed her blonde hair into a braid.
I hesitated to tell her about Finn, but some part of me wanted to confide in someone I knew I could trust. Having a brother that was a famous soccer star, even if it was only for a short while, meant those around me didn’t typically get worked up over fame and status. Bobbi would be excited, but I knew she’d never tell a soul.
“Actually, I met a celebrity this weekend, too.”
“How and where?” I tried not to be offended by her shocked expression. She wasn’t wrong to be surprised. The few places I frequented weren’t conducive to celebrity sightings.
When I finished telling Bobbi the story of how I met Finn, her face beamed with excitement. “So, he didn’t get married?”
“Really? That’s the first thing you have to say after hearing that heartbreaking story?” I tossed a pad of Post-Its in her direction. “You could sound at least a little sad about it.”
“One more smoking hot eligible bachelor in LA – no, I’m definitely not sad about that. What’s he like?”
My mind wandered back to the first time I laid eyes on him. “Sad. Angry. He bought her a kitten as a wedding present. This adorable white Bengal that is totally attached to him. You should see them together.”
Her smile widened and she looked at me with a smug knowing look. “You like him.”
“Please. He’s arrogant and a total mess.”
I’d stopped being attracted to my brother’s friends and teammates about the time I realized the only way to get their attention was to be willing to accept you’d only have it for a short while. Even the worst version of me had wanted more than one-night stands.
“Fair enough. I know you prefer your men stuffy and boring.” She hung her head and snored.
“Someone already sleeping on the job,” Harry’s voice startled us, and Bobbi straightened and grabbed her purse an
d coat off the counter.
“Good morning. Happy Monday.”
“’Morning Bobbi.” He looked to her and then me. “Adele.”
I took a seat behind reception. “Good morning, Harry.”
Harry, my ex-boyfriend and a partner at the firm, smiled a little too big and a little too long before passing by toward his office.
Bobbi held in a laugh and smiled at me as she followed behind him. Working with my ex-boyfriend was awkward at times, but every time I thought about leaving it just felt wrong. Harry had taken a chance on me with no experience and it wasn’t much of an exaggeration to say he’d been a part of why my recovery had been successful.
I’d needed someone to believe in me, a distraction – a new goal and a new life. He’d given me all those things. Our relationship hadn’t lasted, but we managed to work together with only a hint of underlying tension.
My days at the office were mostly centered around helping others do their jobs successfully. I answered phones, filed, printed, managed schedules, and basically kept the office running so everyone else could focus on clients. Occasionally I got to help out with bookkeeping and assist the staff with clerical work. Those days made all the others worth it.
At six o’clock I emptied and cleaned the coffee pots, restocked paper in all the printers, and then knocked on Harry’s door.
“Come in.” He glanced up and smiled as he removed his reading glasses.
“Do you need anything before I head out?”
“That time already?” He rubbed his nose where the glasses had been and then raked his hand through his hair. “No, I’m good. See you tomorrow.”
I was grabbing my things from the desk when Bobbi walked up with her coat on and purse in hand.
“I thought you’d already left.”
“No, I was stuck on a conference call with DJ and some clients in Oregon.” DJ was another partner in the firm notorious for scheduling meetings after five. He’d gone through a lot of assistants because of it, not to mention his brash personality. Bobbi was my favorite of all that had come and gone and was a good fit for him too. She wasn’t one to let anyone take advantage of her.
Jilted Jock : A Hero Club Novel Page 3
