Page 60 of Be Your Somebody
Unknown: Surprise, surprise. It’s your dad. Did you guess it was me? Of course you didn’t, you ain’t as smart as you think you are. Listen, I’ve gotten into some hot water lately and you need to come bail me out of trouble with the guys. Be a good son and help your old man out.
My phone slips out of my hand and onto my bed with a soft thud. I feel like I’ve been locked in a small room and someone pressed a button, causing the walls to close around me. I collapse onto the floor and can’t seem to catch my breath. Why does he always do this to me? My life is finally going well, I’m finally making all this progress, and one text threatens to take it all away. My vision begins to blur as all of the previous texts begin to make sense. It’s been my dad all along, waiting for the right moment to announce himself. I’m not going down this road again, so I send my reply.
Me: I’m not fucking help you out. Lose my number and go ask one of your “buddies” for help.
Instead of obsessing over my negative thoughts, I block the new number again and head towards the shower, hoping the hot water will calm my racing heart. The shower helps slow my heart rate, but does nothing for my foul mood. I still intend on moving forward with my mission of getting Avery her dream cat. I find the number I need in notime and my heart beats aggressively in my throat with each ring that sounds on the other end of the phone.
“Thank you for calling The Furry Hearts Sanctuary.This is Tanya speaking, how can I help you?”
“Hi, my, um, girlfriend works there. She told me about a cat named Mauve that’s in the shelter. I was wondering if she was adopted yet?” My heart beats in rhythm to the rapid keystrokes of a computer. My patience is like an outdoor ice rink in the spring, one step and you’re falling through it.
“Oh yes, that cat is still here. I can put you through to our adoption counselor, Avery—"
“No. Please don’t. This is a surprise for her. Can I go through this adoption another way?” My voice cracks at the last word. Tanya holds my hope in her hands. She remains silent, most likely thinking of a polite way to say no. What she says next surprises me.
“I mean, normally we don’t do something like this, but for Avery, we will. We just love her and she’s been torturing herself for far too long.” I pump my fist into the air, thankful she can’t see me on the other end. We start to go through the paperwork over the phone and I take out the credit card my grandparents let me use while I’m not working to focus on my sobriety.
“Okay, great. I have everything. The only concern I have is if this is a surprise, how will you keep it from Avery?” she asks.
“Shit.Sorry, I mean, I didn’t think about that. I uh—” Damn it, why didn’t I think of that? How am I supposed to get this cat for her without her knowing? My brain hurts with all this plotting and planning. That’s when Tanya interrupts my thinking.
“I can send her home early today. I mean, we aren’t all that busy. If you can have someone come get the cat and take her home, then surprise her somehow? Would that work?”
I immediately think of Asher. He’s been one of the best surprises that has come out of my reconnection with Avery. Well, him and Max. Those two are a package deal. “Tanya, you are a genius. I can send my friend Asher to pick up the cat once Avery gets home. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.” I share my plans of taking her out and then going with her to the shelter under the guise of wanting to see the cat in person, knowing full well it won’t be there.
“You’re welcome, that sounds like a fantastic plan. I’m so thankful to be a part of it. I know she’s going to a great home. I will talk to Avery as soon as I get off the phone with you. Cas?” she asks.
“Yeah?”
“You’re one of the good ones. Avery’s lucky to have found you.”
“It's more like she saved me. Thank you so much, Tanya. I appreciate your help.”
As soon as we hang up, I’m opening my text threat with Asher to ask for his help. That’s when I notice my camera sitting on my nightstand. I grab it and as soon as I turn it on, it fills with photos of Avery. During my friendship bootcamp idea, I wanted to document every moment. I had no idea what I was planning to do with it. I still don’t. The aforementioned list is in the top drawer and I know that whatever I decide to create it has to include this list.
I look up creative photo ideas on Google and the results are overwhelming. I scroll for what feels like five minutes when I finally stumble upon the perfect gift. It's a photo album covered in music notes. I quickly hit purchase on Amazon and select same day delivery. This is perfect. I can put the list in the front slot and the rest of the photos will go in the remaining slots. The photo album will have plenty of extra spots to put our future moments into, preferably one with her in a floor-length, white gown. I’ve never really thought about Avery and I making it to the aisle, but that’s because I never thought I’d stand a chance with her. Now that things are different, of course I want to marry her. She’s it for me, always has been.
I return to my text app and send Asher a quick message, letting him know of my plan and asking for his help. His confirmation comes not even five minutes later.
Everything is all set, so I grab my camera and head downstairs. I have my keys in hand, and the second I’m out the front door, I feel eyes on me. But when I look around, no one is there. I instantly think of the text I got moments ago and wonder if the two relate to each other. It can’t be a coincidence, right? I close out of that tab in my brain before heading to Avery’s, where I wait for her to come home.
Chapter 37
Cassidy
Who doesn’t love cats and tacos?
Afteraboutthirtyminutesof waiting, her car pulls into her driveway and her eyes lock onto mine. Avery’s out of her car within seconds and is running full force at me. I go to meet her halfway and brace myself for the impact, but I fail miserably. We both go tumbling into her yard and her lips crash into mine before I can say hello.
“Cas? What are you doing here?”
“Well, hello to you, too, freckles.” I chuckle.
“Oh, sorry, hi. Now, what are you doing here?” she asksagain.
“Taking my girl out. I’m thinking we go to your favorite taco place, and then you can show me the cat you love so much. You in?” I keep my voice as steady as possible, knowing Avery can tell when I’m up to something. She just knows me that well.
“Really? Ahh okay! Let me just change out of my work clothes and we can go.” She’s off of me as quickly as she crashed into me. It takes her ten minutes to get ready and out the door before we head out.
