Jilted Jock - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,8

be right back. When he returned, the thin line of his mouth told me he’d been turned down again.

He flung the door open, but instead of getting in he hovered with one arm on the top and the other on the passenger side door. “Listen, I need you to take the cat.”

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