Page 48 of Hooked On Him

“Because my mom is allergic to cats. And Snicklefritz is like Levi’s baby. He won’t leave him at a boarding place or give him up. He would rather die,” Charlie explains, his face serious.

I do know how much that cat means to Levi. He's always talking about him and showing me photos. Who knew cat dads were so hot? Something about the way he lights up when he talks about him is adorable.

“Anyways, if you know of anyone who’s renting out a room that allows cats, let him know.”

“Where’s Snicklefritz right now?”

Charlie snorts. “The garage. And because Levi won’t leave him in there alone, he’s currently sleeping on a camping cot.”

My brows jump. “What the fuck?”

“Hey, he can go in the house, he just won’t.” Charlie laughs. “It’s the cat that's not allowed in there. Hence why he’s looking for a cat-friendly place to live.”

“I feel like shit,” Cole sighs. “I wish I could help him. I asked if he wanted us to get a place together in the meantime, but he said no. And I know it’s because he doesn’t want to inconvenience me. Sometimes, I wanna shake the fuck out of him.” Cole shakes his head.

The conversation shifts from Levi to something else, but my mind is still on what Charlie was talking about. There’s no way I’m letting Levi or his fur baby stay in a damn garage.

The guys ask if I wanna go out for drinks, but I decline and head for the library. Finding their computers, I bring up an editing website and make a flyer.

Reading it over, I grin.

Male. 22. Fully furnished room for rent. Shared living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

Washer and dryer included. Walking distance to the university and other amenities.

Looking to rent to another male student.

$800 a month for rent. Pet friendly.

If interested, please call 709-555-5555.

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I also include some photos I took of my place when I first moved in. It doesn’t show the spare room, but it does show all the common shared spaces.

Sending the file over to the printer, I wait for it to print and grin as I look at the only copy.

I only need one.

I’m looking for a roommate. But not just any roommate. So I only need to put the flyer up in one place.

With a satisfied grin on my face, I leave the library and hop in my car. Ten minutes later, I show up at O'Connell's.

My guard is up, careful not to be seen by Levi or anyone who will let him know I’m here. There’s a reason why I didn’t put my name down on the flyer. I don’t want him to know it’s me.

The number I used is the one I used to give out on the dating site I joined for a few months after I came out and thought diving into the dating pool was a good idea.

If you’re wondering, it wasn’t.

Thankfully, the place seems to be pretty busy tonight, so I manage to slip in and head towards the bulletin board over by the jukebox. Taking one last look around to make sure no eyes are on me, I pull out the flyer and quickly pin it to the board.

I’m on my way out when I hear Levi’s laugh and pause.

Like a sailor hearing a siren, my gaze goes right to him, and my back stiffens. He’s standing by a table of mostly guys and looks to be taking their order. One of the guys says something, a big smile on his face. It makes Levi laugh again, and my blood fucking boils. Who is this fucker, and how dare he look at my man like that?

Yeah, change of plans. I’m not fucking going anywhere tonight.

The familiar loud shouts have me looking over to see my team. Looks like I’m hanging out with the guys after all.