Page 5 of Waiting on Life
That would be something to think on tomorrow. I’d been up far too long without any sleep, and if I didn’t get a few hours now, I wouldn’t make it in for opening in… shit, three hours. I stripped off my clothes and tossed them onto the pile to be washed later in the week, assuming I found time. Though Iwantedbed more than anything, Ineededto get clean. I was rank, even to myself.
It was a supreme effort to get into the shower. Every muscle ached from carrying cases of beer and kegs for the tapper, and running to the storeroom for more limes. The whole night had been one of continuous motion, and I was dead on my feet. Even the water beating down on my battered body didn’t help. Nothing short of about thirty-six hours of sleep would. But, since that wasn’t likely to happen any time soon, I had to hope it would at least make me hurt less in the morning.
After the world’s most useless shower, I shuffled off to the bedroom, looking forward to climbing in. Of course, I found out my bed was already occupied.
Waldo was sleeping on my pillow, and the ungrateful bastard didn’t even bother to look to make sure I wasn’t a robber. Wait until he saw his half-portion of food tomorrow. That’d teach him who the boss was. Of course, Waldo already knew it was him, but it made me feel better to think I had a little control in my life.
“Get off my pillow, you treacherous bastard,” I growled.
He opened one eye, peered at me, yawned, and then went back to sleep.
I didn’t have the energy to fight for a space, so I grabbed a blanket from the closet. “Fine, the couch is comfortable too.”
I stormed into the living room and put lie to my words. The couch was lumpy and the middle cushion sagged. I’d found it alongside the road, and since it was better than what I’d had at the time, I lugged it home and, because the elevator wasn’t big enough, hauled it up six flights of stairs. The only way this couch was leaving would be out the window.
I lay down and dragged the blanket over me. It didn’t take but a few moments for me to drift off. Of course, anyone who has ever been owned by a cat would know what happened next. Waldo jumped on top of me, then kneaded my chest until he was satisfied, and afterward he curled into a ball, his head tucked under my chin. I hated that I loved it so much. Reaching up, I rubbed a knuckle over his head.
“Love you too, you pain in the ass.”
And that was how I woke up in the morning too.
Waldo protested when I nudged him down onto the floor. He made to scramble back up to his perch, but I moved faster.
“Sorry, but I need to get ready for work.” I knelt down and stroked a hand over his head, delighting in the purr. “You’re going to have to be patient with me for a while, okay? I need to work some extra hours until I can hire someone and—”
A whiny yowl, my usual cue to serve his majesty’s food.
I stood, doing my best to ignore the aches in my back, and went to give him his morning kibble. I thought about my threat of a few hours ago to only give him a half-portion, but when I looked down into those pleading eyes, I lost my resolve.
“You’re so fucking lucky you’re cute,” I grumbled as I put down his bowl with a little extra food. “Be good today. Get your pipes ready, because I’m going to be very late tonight, so you can be prepared to jump me when I get home.”
Of course, he ignored me, instead intent on his food. That was fine. He had been way too skinny when I found him, and the vet said she was sure I’d love him back to a healthy weight. She must have been psychic.
I dressed quickly, then slipped out the door. As I locked mine, from behind Kyle’s door came the beat of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts singing about how much they loved rock and roll. My estimation of Kyle went up a few more notches—he had good taste in music. Just before I headed for the elevator, the door opened up and a man stepped out. He was about six foot and clean-cut, with dark mussed hair and pale blue eyes. For some reason I was disappointed.
“Oh, let me guess. You’re Toby.”
That surprised me. “Yeah, and you are?”
He held out a hand. His grip was firm, but not one of those where they tried to show you they were the alpha dog. “Pete Jenkins. I’m Kyle’s roommate.”
That niggle of disappointment evaporated when I discovered that the guy wasn’t a hookup, but a friend. Of course, who’s to say he couldn’t be both? And why the hell did I care? Kyle could do whatever—whoever—he wanted to.
His gaze rolled over me, and I felt like a bug in a jar. “I can see what Kyle meant.”
My stomach ached to know that Kyle had been talking about me. After the way he was looking when the elevator closed, I’m sure I was in for that nose-in-the-air look so many people thought they could give me. Well, not today, Satan.
“Yeah, well, whatever. I have to go.”
I turned and stormed down the hall, all twisted up in knots. Why did I care? I didn’t know Kyle, and I doubted I’d be seeing much of him in the future. And plus, he was ahe,for fuck’s sake. I wasn’t into dick. Hell, if I had to label myself, I’d say lesbian, because I was totally into women. And I had said that to my sister once, and the cold shoulder I got made sure I never said it again. Still, dick never did a thing for me, and I wasn’t into guys, so it was best to put Kyle out of my head and look forward to the day ahead.
I’m sure it would be fun.
Kyle
The day hadn’t gone well. Several hours spent sending out applications, following up on ones I’d mailed previously, and still no closer to finding a job. For Pete to tell me he’d met Toby and told him what I’d said? That was a helping of chocolate sauce on the shit sundae that my life was in danger of turning into.
“You didwhat?” Oh God, I was so mortified. “I can’t believe you.”
