by Aria Ford
“If you could just take him out,” I said, without turning around. “That would be great.”
“Um,” he said shakily. “Sure. Yeah, I can do that.”
I heard the latch on Bob’s cage move and then the door swing open. Bob meowed and then hissed loudly, making Ryan jump backward. When I turned around, Ryan’s face was red, and his eyes were wide with anger. I laughed and walked over to the cage. Slowly, I reached inside and pulled Bob out.
He was big and grey with wide eyes. When he looked at me, I could tell he was scared, but I held him against my chest for a few seconds just to calm him. Once he was ready, I laid him on the table and gently stroked his fur while I turned my attention to Ryan.
“Why the hell do you have a cat?” I asked.
“I wanted one.” He shrugged, still slightly red from his interaction with Bob. “I thought having a pet would be nice. You know, everyone should have a pet.”
“Oh?” I asked with raised eyebrows. “They should? Because last time I checked, you hate cats.”
“I do not,” he said, feigning offense. “Why would you say such a thing? And in front of my cat too. Geez, Jacqueline. Really?”
I narrowed my eyes and tried not to laugh. After I left the diner, I never thought I’d see Ryan again. He wasn’t the kind of guy to make much effort when it came to apologies, so I didn’t expect him to try. I especially didn’t imagine he would show up at my clinic with some random cat.
“Is he even yours?” I asked with suspicion.
Ryan laughed. “Of course, he’s mine. I adopted him this morning.”
“Where?” I asked.
“The shelter over on Monroe,” he answered easily. “They said he’d been there for years, so I got him for free.”
“Ah,” I said, nodding. “Justina gave him to you.”
“You know that woman?” Ryan asked, a look of fear passing over his face.
“I do,” I said. “We work closely with all the local shelters.”
“Oh,” Ryan said. “Well, that’s nice.”
“Justina is great,” I said, clearing my throat and turning to face Bob. “If she gave you Bob, then she thinks he’ll be a good fit. She always takes the time to really match a pet with an owner. Not many shelters do that.”
“Yeah, she was definitely something,” Ryan mumbled.
“Since he came from Justina, I’m sure Bob is fine,” I continued. “But I’ll give him a quick check, and we can set up his next appointment. From what I see, he’s about five years old. That means he should be up to date on shots, but I’ll check his paperwork to be sure. Did you bring it?”
“Right here,” Ryan said, handing me a folder.
“Thank you,” I said, taking it and laying it on my clipboard.
“So, he looks okay?” Ryan asked. “Healthy?”
I nodded. “He’s fine.”
“Good,” Ryan said. “I would hate to have to take him back already.”
I looked up sharply. Ryan was grinning, clearly trying to get a rise out me. I just rolled my eyes and looked back down at Bob. I ran my hands over his back, feelings his bones and joints slowly. He wasn’t a young cat, but he also wasn’t old. He was in perfect health, and I just hoped Ryan would take good care of him.
“Listen,” I said seriously. “Having a pet isn’t a joke, okay? You can’t just leave him to his own devices. You have to take care of him.”
“I do?” Ryan asked with fake surprise. “And here I was, thinking I could just install a kitty door and let him loose.”
“Not funny,” I said.
“You mean, he won’t hunt for his own food?” Ryan asked with wide eyes. “Damn, I hoped he might bring me a bird or two. You know how much I love pigeon stew.”
“Shut up,” I snapped. The corners of my mouth twitched upward, but I kept the smile off my face. I was still angry with Ryan for how he treated me at lunch. His jokes were wasted on me.
“Jacqueline, he’ll be fine,” Ryan promised. “I swear, I won’t kill him. If he stops hissing at me, I may even buy him a toy.”
“Okay,” I said, ignoring Ryan’s jab. “He’s good to go. I think we should see him back in about six months.”
“That long?” Ryan asked.
“Yes,” I said, nodding. “Six months. In the meantime, we’ll get you set up with a food sample for him. He can pretty much eat any cat food at this point, but we always give out samples to new patients.”
“I’m going out tomorrow night,” Ryan said suddenly.
“What?” I asked, taken aback by his sudden subject change.
“Tomorrow night,” he repeated. “I’m going out. I don’t know anything about this city, so I need to explore it a bit. You should come with me.”
“Yeah,” I scoffed. “Like that’ll happen.”
“Come on,” he said. “I’m sorry I was a dick, okay?”
I laughed. “That’s your apology? Seriously, Ryan?”
“Jacqueline,” he said. “You are the only person I know in Richmond, so please stop hating me long enough to show me around. Just for one night. Please.”
“No,” I said firmly. “But thanks for the business. Bob’s a cute cat.”
With that, I turned to leave the exam room. Ryan sighed and moved to put Bob back in his cage. Bob didn’t hiss this time, but he wiggled away from Ryan, making it harder for him to put him inside. Just as Bob was safely locked away, I stepped out into the hallway and hurried toward the front desk.
“You’re impossible,” Ryan called, following quickly behind me.
“Just busy,” I said. “Good to see you, Ryan. Thanks for stopping by.”
“Jacqueline!” he said as I disappeared around the corner.
Safely tucked away behind the front desk, I grinned to myself. Ryan was still standing right on the other side of the wall, sighing repeatedly. I knew he could tell I was still there, but he couldn’t see me. I fought the urge to laugh as he finally gave up and walked back into the waiting room. From where I stood, I could see him step up to the front desk, but he couldn’t see me.
My receptionist, Heidi, signed him out and gave him his free samples. After he paid, he lingered by the desk for a few seconds.
“Is there something else I can help you with?” Heidi asked politely.
“No,” Ryan said, shaking his head. “Just looking for this.”
He grinned and plucked one of my business cards from the stack on the counter. I groaned and leaned my head back against the wall. Leave it to Ryan to find a way to contact me, even when I wished he wouldn’t. As he tucked the card in his back pocket, I remembered that my personal number was typed out on the back.
When I ordered the cards, I thought it would be sweet to include my cell number. Most pet owners got nervous easily. Having my personal number gave them a sense of peace, which I felt was important. I never regretted that decision until now. Ryan glanced around him one last time before turning to leave.
“See you tomorrow, Jacqueline!” he yelled loudly. I jumped, as did Heidi and a few people in the waiting room. Ryan laughed loudly and stepped outside.
Heidi turned around to face me with a confused look on her face. I just shook my head and rolled my eyes, not wanting to explain myself. Heidi shrugged and turned back to her work. Slowly, I pushed myself away from the wall and disappeared into my office. There were more patients to see, but I needed a minute to myself.
Ryan clearly hadn’t changed much since we were kids. After lunch at the diner, I knew he was still cocky as ever, but I thought that was the end of it. I left. I stormed out. I expected him to leave me alone. Instead, he adopted a cat and showed up at my clinic. I was frustrated and upset, but mostly amused. As annoying as Ryan could be, I couldn’t keep the smile from appearing on my face.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ryan
I tried to call Jacqueline once on Friday afternoon. She didn’t answer, so I gave up. I wanted her to show me around Richmond, but I refused to be annoying about it. If she wanted t
o see me again, she would. I left my number on her voicemail and tried to put her out of my mind. It was harder than it should have been.
She was Jacqueline, after all. Bradley’s dorky little sister with glasses that magnified her green eyes. As kids, Bradley and I made fun of her for it, but now I couldn’t even think about her without picturing those same eyes locked on mine.
She was beautiful in a way she hadn’t been before. Not only did she grow up well, but she grew into herself gracefully. She moved with a confidence not possessed by many. Part of me was proud of the woman she’d become, but a bigger part wished she was still the same, awkward teenager I once knew. It would have made my life so much easier.
If I was honest with myself, I never truly thought of Jacqueline as my sister. Bradley was my brother, and for a time, I thought of his parents as mine. They took me in, they tried to turn me into a better person, but they gave up quickly. Sometimes, I wished they hadn’t bothered. Still, my time with the Keeton family brought me closer to Bradley.
He was my brother, my best friend, and my confidant. I didn’t know what I would do without him. Jacqueline was different. We never formed any kind of bond. She was always just … around. It was almost like she existed in the background of my life with Bradley, never quite important enough to pay much attention to.
We were polite to each other back then. When I wasn’t helping Bradley tease her, I tried to be nice. Now I didn’t know how to feel about her. I tried to think of her as a sister, but it didn’t work. Her sexy figure kept creeping into my mind, making it impossible to think of her as family. When she snapped at me at the diner, I was annoyed and slightly angry, but there was something about her that lit a fire inside my gut. She refused to take my shit, and that, more than anything, was a huge turn on.
As night fell, I tried to push my thoughts of Jacqueline to the back of my mind. I read about a club in downtown Richmond that I was eager to check out. Knowing myself, I knew driving wasn’t an option, so I ordered an Uber. When the driver arrived, I hurried outside and climbed in the backseat. We didn’t speak the entire way to the club, but I didn’t mind. I was never much for small talk. When we pulled up to the club, he nodded at me in the rearview mirror as I opened my door and jumped out.
The club looked normal. There were two bouncers standing at the doorway, checking IDs. As I approached, they both nodded me through without a word. I always looked older than I was and had almost never been carded. My scruffy face only made me look older, so I wasn’t surprised when I could walk right inside.
Glancing around me, I saw that this club wasn’t anything special. The music blasted so loud, I could barely hear myself think. Groups of people crowded together on the dance floor, moving along with the beat. I moved immediately to the bar.
“Shot of whiskey,” I ordered, yelling over the music. “Whatever kind you got.”
The bartender nodded and poured me a glass. I slapped my credit card down and picked up the glass, taking it down in one gulp.
“Another,” I said, placing the glass on the bar.
After five shots, I ordered a beer and moved to the dance floor. Dancing was always easy. Moving my body to the beat allowed my mind to wander. It wasn’t long before a few women came over, rubbing their bodies against mine. I danced with each of them, placing my hands on their hips and letting my eyes travel over their curves. They were all gorgeous, sexy women, but they couldn’t hold my attention. I quickly excused myself and hurried back to the bar.
“Another beer,” I called out. The bartender nodded and poured me a draft. I took the beer and walked a few feet away, scanning the club slowly.
“Not much for dancing?” someone asked from beside me. I glanced over to see a petite redhead smiling up at me. She was adorable, with freckles on her nose and a cute figure.
I shrugged. “Not really. Not tonight anyway.”
“I saw those girls surround you,” she said, laughing. “It looked like they wanted to eat you up.”
“Most do,” I said without emotion. She stepped closer to me.
“Can I buy you a drink?” she asked.
“Already have one, but thanks,” I said, holding up my beer for her to see.
“The next one then,” she offered. “We can just talk until then.”
I looked at her again, trailing my eyes down her body. Her breasts her tiny, but her ass was amazing. I could have stared at it all night, but I didn’t. I looked back at her face, preparing to reject her easily. She was a cute girl, but not at all my type.
“Listen,” I began, but I didn’t get a chance to finish. Someone shoved me from behind, sending me flying forward. I caught myself before I could knock the redhead down. Spinning around to see who pushed me, I felt my face flush with rage.
“What the fuck are you doing?” some guy screamed, inches from my face. “That’s my girlfriend, you piece of shit!”
“Dustin!” the girl yelled. “Get out of here. We aren’t together anymore!”
“Look, man,” I said, holding up my hands in a placating gesture. “I’m not interested in a fight.”
Without warning, his fist swung at me. My head jerked to the side instinctively, avoiding his ham-fisted jab. I threw my beer to the ground and tackled him. My training took over, and I immediately pummeled his face. It took the strength of both bouncers and the bartender to pull me off him. They didn’t let me go until we were outside.
“All right!” I yelled, yanking away from their grasp. “I’m out! Enough.”
“You’re drunk,” the bartender said. “Your night’s over.”
“Is there someone we can call?” one of the bouncer’s asked. “If we don’t call someone, we have to call the police. That’s the club’s policy.”
Without a word, I pulled Jacqueline’s business card out of my pocket. I handed it to the bartender and pointed to her cell phone number on the back.
“Okay,” the bouncer said with a nod. “I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared inside to call Jacqueline. The other bouncer stood close to me, making sure I didn’t leave. It wasn’t long before Jacqueline pulled up in front of the club. She rolled down her window so I would know it was her.
“Get in,” she ordered.
“Well, gentlemen,” I said to the bouncers. “It’s been fun.”
I stumbled to Jacqueline’s car and fell into the passenger seat. Jacqueline looked at me with disdain before she drove away. We made it to my apartment quickly, and she helped me inside without a word.
“Are you still mad at me?” I asked as we stepped into the living room.
“You’re drunk,” she said.
“That’s not an answer,” I argued.
She sighed. “Get some sleep, Ryan. I have to go.”
I don’t know what came over me, but before I knew it, I kissed her. Her lips felt amazing against mine. I pulled her close and sighed deeply, my lips still pressed firmly against hers.
She yanked away from me and stared at me in disbelief. Her face was flushed, but she didn’t seem angry. If anything, she just looked confused. I smiled shyly and tried to kiss her again, but she moved away before I could.
“Lay down with me,” I said softly.
“What?” she asked. “What the hell, Ryan?”
“We won’t do anything,” I promised. “Just come to bed with me. Please.”
At first I was sure she would say no. Her eyes flashed dangerously, and she glanced at the front door. I expected her to storm out, just like she did at the diner. Instead, she sighed and turned back to face me. There was something behind her eyes that I didn’t recognize. It might have been desire or just pity. Whatever it was, she nodded and followed me into my bedroom without a word.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jacqueline
As the sunlight blasted through Ryan’s uncovered windows, I opened my eyes to see him lying next to me with his face pressed into his pillow. He was on his stomach, and I could see every muscle of his back, moving up and down wi
th each breath he took. The sight made me swallow hard and turn away. I shook myself, remembering that Ryan was family. My attraction to him could not continue.
Slowly, I pushed myself up and threw my legs over the side of the bed. I sat there for a second, adjusting to being awake, before I readied myself to leave. Just as I was about to stand, Ryan shifted beside me. When I turned around, his light-blue eyes were wide open.
“Where are you going?” he asked sleepily.
“Figured it was time for me to leave,” I said.
“Why?” he asked, sitting up quickly. He moved fast for someone who was drunk just hours before. He barely seemed to have a hangover.
“Why did you get so drunk last night?” I asked, not answering his question.
He sighed. “A lot of reasons. I don’t even know where to start.”
I frowned and turned completely around, curling my legs beneath me on the bed. “The beginning?” I suggested.
“Why do you want to know?” he asked suspiciously.
“Because I’m the one who picked your drunk ass up last night, remember?” I snapped.
He nodded. “I appreciate that.”
“Plus,” I said, my tone softening. “I care about you, Ryan. Despite my anger and despite how irritating you can be, I’ll always care about you.”
Ryan’s eyes were locked on mine, and I saw something stir behind them. I bit my lip and looked down at my hands, waiting for him to speak and break the awkward tension between us.
“It’s been hard,” he finally said, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “Adjusting to civilian life isn’t easy. I knew it wouldn’t be. They tell us that all the time, but I just never imagined it would take this long. Most of the time, I still feel like I’m a SEAL, like I’m on some mission that I don’t yet have my orders for.”
