Page 12 of Fire Me Up
Gael moved closer to examine the enclosure. “You built this? Seriously?”
“It’s not a big deal.” I jammed my hands into my pockets. “Just some scrap materials and stuff I found at the pet store. The big hammock was on sale. And the scratching post.”
Gael touched the climbing structure, testing its sturdiness, then walked around the side of the cage. “This is amazing. He loves to climb. And there’s another hammock back here!”
“Three of them. I read somewhere that cats like hammocks. There’s cat grass, too. Does he like cat grass? I thought it might help him feel settled and comfortable.” I really needed to stop saying crazy things, but the word vomit kept coming. “There are food bowls, too, and a litter box back there, in that cubby. In case he needs it.”
“This is so cool!” He reached up and scratched his cat’s head. “Do you see this, buddy? Uncle Dylan loves you, even after you knocked down all those bolts and washers.”
Uncle Dylan loves you. Why did that hit so hard? My cheeks were so hot that I suspected I was bright red, but fortunately, Gael was focused on the cat.
Gael set his cat backpack on the floor next to the door to the cat enclosure. The orange tabby sauntered out, tail high, surveying his new domain with typical feline judgment.
I crouched down, pulling out one of the lickable treats Gael was always giving him. Bacon sniffed the air, his attention immediately captured by the treat. I opened the trapdoor I’d made near the food bowls and squeezed some treat into the little bowl.
“That’s his favorite flavor. You really know how to impress him.”
I ignored the way the deep rumble of Gael’s voice made me shiver as I latched the door behind the cat. We both watched as Bacon explored the climbing gym. Within minutes, he’d climbed to the top perch, batted at the hanging toys, and finally settled into the hammock with a contented sigh.
“He actually likes it.” I couldn’t keep the pride out of my voice.
“Of course. He loves it.” Gael stared at me, his brown eyes warm, a wide smile on his face. “Thanks. This was really kind of you.”
I ducked my head. “It’s just a cage.”
“It’s thoughtful. I can see how much work you put into making sure he’s happy in there. I can’t believe you finished this all in a day. You’re really talented.”
Why did he have to be so… Gael? I would have been better off if he’d mocked me for it, or turned it into a joke, but his praise was doing something funny to me.
I needed to breathe. I needed to get out of here, because the way he was beaming at me was doing something weird to me. Making me want to get him to smile like that always.
“Um, I need to check on something before class,” I said quickly, making a beeline toward the bathroom. I locked myself in a stall and leaned back against the stall door, taking deep, slow breaths, wishing I could just hide in the bathroom until Gael was gone.
But class was starting, and I needed to be there to greet my students, so I splashed some cold water on my face and headed back toward the instruction shop, frowning as I approached the open door and heard quiet voices.
“See what I mean? It’s pretty easy to tell if a guy has a crush on you back.” Liv’s teasing voice was pretty easy to recognize.
“It’s fine, Liv. He doesn’t even like me like that.”
“What? Most people don’t build luxury penthouses for cats they barely know,” she said. “Unless there’s something inspiring them. Just tell him you’re bi. What’s so hard about kissing another guy?”
I peeked in and watched Gael tug on his hair. He looked flustered. “Girls are easy. I always know when they’re flirting with me. Guys are… I don’t know. They’re just so… intimidating?Cute? Like how do I know if a guy is into me like that? What if I flirt and they’re not into me like that?”
“Look, Dylan’s gay, and he’s nice. Maybe he’d be into helping.”
Gael’s voice went quieter, and I couldn’t quite hear what he was saying, but my cheeks were as hot as his looked. I hadn’t blushed this much since I was in grade school.
A sound at the other end of the hall made me realize I was intruding, and that I needed to get into the classroom before the other students saw me peeping on Gael from the hallway. I made plenty of noise as I opened the door, and Liv and Gael both instantly went quiet.
Liv sipped her coffee, looking between us with unholy glee.
“Liv, I swear to God—” Gael started.
“I’m just saying,” she said.
“What?” I was aiming for casual, but missed it by a mile.
Liv shrugged. “Nothing. I’m just glad you guys are becoming good friends. Who would have known that my best friend and my brother would hit it off like this?” She backed toward the door. “Anyway, I’ll leave you two. Class doesn’t start for twenty minutes, plenty of time to give Gael his first kiss.”
