Page 29 of This Time Around

“I like your house, Milo,” he said as he followed behind me. “It’s cozy and inviting.” I’d worked hard picking furniture and a color scheme that would make the house feel stylish and cozy. I sure as hell didn’t let Peach pick out the décor. There wasn’t a disco ball or sequined pillow in sight, much to her chagrin. I chose neutral, light-gray furniture with plum and black accent pieces.

I flipped on the bedroom light switch and saw that Alli Cat was sleeping in a ball on my bed. She raised one eyelid and there was so much attitude in that oddly colored orange eye that I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. That cat was born to be mine.

“What the fuck is that?” Andy asked when he saw her lying on my bed. “That’s not a cat, that’s a…”

“She’s part calico and part Maine coon. Her size comes from the Maine coon heritage, but you can see the calico in her black and orange spots mixed in with the stripes.” I approached the bed, but Alli Cat paid no attention to me. She raised her head and met Andy’s shocked gaze.

Of course, she loved his attention. Alli Cat slowly stood and stretched her big body dramatically so Andy could see how tall and long she really was.

“Amazing,” Andy said in awe. “I’ve never seen a cat like this. She’s bigger than a lot of dogs.”

“Sassier than any human to ever live too.”

Alli Cat pinned me with a glare, making Andy chuckle.

“I see you’ve met your match, Milo,” he said. Then he lowered his voice and said, “Come here, pretty baby. Let me pet you.”

I ran over and threw myself on the foot of the bed where Andy waited for Alli Cat. “I’m here.” My cat wasn’t having any of that crap. She walked over top of me to get to Andy, swishing her big tail in my face and purring louder than a small engine. “Get your furry ass out of my face.”

“Well darn, I was hoping you liked to shove your face in a furry ass,” Andy said. I raised my head and saw he was wearing a cute pout as he scratched Alli’s ears.

“I need to feed the beast then lock her out of the room. I can’t have her stealing all your attention,” I told him.

“Oh, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

I rolled out from under the cat and went into the kitchen. I knew as soon as she heard me open the can she’d abandon Andy and come running. I turned and expected her to be at my feet, but she was nowhere in sight.

“I don’t believe this,” I said, marching back to the bedroom. “She never misses a meal.”

“I think your cat has a crush on me,” Andy said proudly. “Let’s go eat, pretty baby.”

He started walking to the kitchen, leaving Alli Cat and me to follow behind him like little pied pipers. I wanted to be called pretty baby too. Fuck, I could purr and arch against him. I’d already done it twice that night, but I’d go a third time if needed.

“How much do I give her?” he asked, taking the can and spoon out of my hand.

“A little scoop of dry food on the bottom, and then a generous helping of the soft food. She’s very spoiled.”

“You don’t say?” Andy asked, gesturing to where the cat wove in and out of his legs. “I’m glad that I won’t have to sleep with one eye open.” He again eluded to spending the night, and I had to admit that I was warming up to the idea. The last thing I needed to do was get lost in my own headspace.

Andy handed me the can of food, and I placed a plastic lid over the top and set it in the refrigerator. I expected him to grab my hand and drag me back to the bedroom, but he leaned over to pet the cat.

“She doesn’t like to be touched when she’s eating,” I said. “It must remind her of her days at the shelter.”

“She doesn’t, huh?” Andy said, rubbing a hand over her long back. Alli Cat arched her back like a slut beneath his touch instead of hissing at him.

“That’s a first,” I announced.

“I was your first in many ways,” Andy said, straightening up to look at me. His pale-blue eyes appeared lighter, almost iridescent, the more aroused he became. “You learned to trust me with your body, Alli Cat trusts that I won’t hurt her either.”

“Now, I just need to trust you with my heart again.” I meant that to sound lighthearted and teasing, but I knew it fell short when Andy flinched. Hurting Andy was the last thing I wanted to do. He’d bled his soul for me, and that was a shitty way to repay him for his trust.

“How do you suppose I do that?” Andy inquired as he walked to me.

“Time and patience,” I said just as he placed his hand on my waist and pulled me to him.

“You’re not the only one afraid to trust again. I think there’s more that you haven’t told me about why we broke up. Care to tell me now, Milo?”

“All right, fine. Tit for tat, it’s only fair.” I blew out a nervous breath because I hated to relive this memory. I only dug it out when I felt myself weakening toward Andy after his return home. This time, I was digging it out to hopefully excise the painful reminder for good. “We’ve already discussed that you turned into an arrogant asshole after you were offered the scholarship.” Andy rolled his eyes. Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best lead-in, but I wanted to let him know where my headspace was. “You had explained to me that you couldn’t be out to your team, and I really did understand your reasons, even if it hurt really bad. You said we would find a way to make it work, but your actions said otherwise.”