Page 6 of Jilted Jock
I closed my laptop and set it on the coffee table. “Of course, is everything okay?”
“Aubrey is at the shelter and I need to take Finn to a hotel.”
“O-kay.” Why was Finn even still there?
“We think he’s allergic to the cat or maybe he’s sick, but I don’t think so.”
“The cat?”
“Finn’s cat.”
“He’s allergic to his own cat?”
“Not Finn.CJ’sallergic.”
Right. That made more sense. “I’ll be right down.”
I walked into Chance’s less than five minutes later. Finn paced the entry way, bag thrown over his shoulder. We locked eyes and my face heated. That tortured expression hadn’t left his face, but without the drunken haze around him it was so much more intense.
I looked away first and down to the adorable kitten circling his feet.
“Oh my goodness.” I rushed to get a better look. “She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”
Finn stared at me with a blank, uninterested glare. “She’s not mine.”
The kitten was absolutely beautiful. A Bengal, white with exquisite spotting like a leopard. I ran my hand over her head and down her back and she meowed and nudged my hand for more.
“Where’s the nearest hotel? You can just call me an Uber.” Finn’s voice, agitated and rough, sent chills down my spine.
“It’s fine, mate,” Chance said. “Adele will stay with CJ and I’ll take you.”
The kitten darted off and I went to where CJ sat on the couch and squatted in front of him. His eyes were red and glassy, and he held his stuffed goat, a mini replica of the family pet, tight against his chest. I knew he was out of sorts by the fact he was sitting still, but when he lifted his head and met my smile, my heart broke.
“Not feeling well?”
He sniffled. “Want Mommy.”
Chance swooped in and sat beside his son. “She’s going to be home real soon, little man. Aunt Adele is going to stay with you while I take Finn and kitty to a hotel.”
CJ snuggled up to him and ditched his stuffy to wrap his arms around his dad and started crying. “Nooo,” he whimpered.
My brother very rarely looked conflicted, but the pained twist of his features told me he didn’t want to go anywhere either.
“I can take Finn to the hotel,” I offered.
Chance picked his head up and before he could mask it, I saw the relief in his expression. Followed quickly by the shake of his head. “No, it’s okay.”
I lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “It’s fine.”
My brother’s reluctance was clear. His lips flattened into an uncertain, apprehensive grimace.
“It’s really no problem. I brought my car.”
“Alright, yeah, that would be great if it’s okay with Finn.”
Finn’s scowl deepened, but he shrugged those broad shoulders.
“Thank you.” My brother smiled appreciatively.
