Page 8 of Hell's Kitten

I shrug. “S’okay.” I had to make sure he was all right, but that feels a bit much to tell him in the moment.

Really, Ishouldgo back to work. I know Leah isn’t on her own, but I’m the boss. I never leave them in the lurch. However, I can’t seem to get up and abandon this little kitten, not when he’s looking so lost.

“Why, then?”

He blinks those pretty eyelashes at me. They’re so long. “Why what?”

“Why are you crying?” I clarify.

“Oh,” he says softly, wiping his hand across his face. “Uh…my life kind of went to shit in twenty-four hours and my head is still spinning.” He laughs, but I get the feeling that it’s not all that funny. “I thought a dream job in your amazing café would fix everything, but that’s not how life works.”

I lick my lips. “You think the café’s amazing?” I ask quietly. I’m not an idiot. I know very well how popular the joint is. But hearing this sweet boy say so warms my cold, dead heart.

“Oh, yeah,” he says with such enthusiasm. His face is still damp, but his eyes are suddenly sparkling. My poor heart is defenseless against it. “It’s so cozy and I saw how well you’re looking after the cats. I know you said you’re the manager, but like, did you decorate it all and stuff yourself?”

“Yeah,” I said, feeling a smile twitch at the corner of my mouth. People always think it’s so weird that a guy like me would pick out doilies, but I just chose everything I thought my nana would like, and that seemed to be the right answer.

The kitten nods thoughtfully. “You should be proud.”

We sit awkwardly for a minute as I scramble around for something to say. All I know is that I want to know more. I wantto knoweverything.Even if the logical part of my brain is telling me that this kid doesn’t need my grumpy ass in his life.

“So…you need a job?” I find myself asking instead.

He nods and sighs. “Yeah. As fast as I can, if possible. I need to find an apartment, too. Sorry, you don’t care about all that.” He laughs ruefully. “Like I said, this has all happened really fast, and I’m definitely still trying to wrap my head around it.”

Oh, no. All my Daddy instincts are kicking off like someone just blasted a siren. For a moment, I struggle to find words, any words.

“What happened to your old apartment?” I manage eventually.

He pulls at his fingers and tries to smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “There wasn’t one, it turns out. Long story short, I’m new in town because I’m supposed to be starting college, but my boyfriend broke up with me so now I’m sleeping in my car and I don’t know what to do because apparently he was never my boyfriend this whole time. We were just fucking every once in a while, and I just imagined the whole loving boyfriend part. So…” He finally stops and takes a long breath, giving me a chance to process all that word vomit. “Sorry, that wasn’t really the short version at all. Oh, and he was cheating on me. Or I guess he was cheating on that guy with me. I’m not entirely sure.”

I grit my teeth and resist the urge to break something. I hate always being right. But the world is full of selfish pricks who just take what they want and trample on nice people as they do so.

He shakes his head and hugs himself. “Wow, I’m sorry. You’re a total stranger. You don’t need my problems. Look, it’s fine. There are plenty of more places to look for a job and?—”

“What’s your name?”

He blinks at me. “Huh?”

“What’s your name?” I ask again. “I’m Nim.”

“I know. It’s on your badge,” he says, jutting his chin at my chest. My jacket is actually covering it right now, so he must have noticed back at the café. “Uh, I’m Jessie. Jessie Garras. Nice to meet you, Nim.”

I stick out my hand, waiting patiently until he gingerly shakes it.

“There we go,” I grunt. “Not strangers anymore.”

I release him, and he lets out a startled laugh. “Oh, okay, then,” he says with a shy smile that melts my heart. “It’s nice not to be completely alone in this town. Thank you for listening.”

I open and close my mouth a couple of times. I don’t want to overstep or interfere, but this boy doesn’t have anyone looking out for him. In fact, it feels like the opposite.

“So you don’t wanna go home?” I prompt. Maybe hecan’tgo home.

He drops his head and swings his feet. “I’d rather not. Not because it’s bad! I love my mom. It’s back in Cincinnati. I’ve waited five whole years to go to college. If I can just get on my feet, I’d love to give Paddle Creek a real shot. My ex shouldn’t get to ruin my life like that.”

Part of me is relieved. Not that anything’s going to happen, but I didn’t think he looked eighteen. I’m much happier talking to a twenty-three-year-old. Also, that he’s not afraid to go home. He’d just rather not give up on here just yet.

“Are you staying at the motel?” I ask. He’s going to tell me to fuck off with all these questions soon, I’m sure. I would. But actually…he sort of puffs up. Like he’s not used to anyone paying attention to him.

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