Page 16 of Interference

He studied me uncertainly, and I thought for a moment or two that he was going to insist on leaving. But slowly, he deflated, and his voice came out timid as he asked, “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely sure.”

He held my gaze. Then he relaxed a little more, and a disarming smile came to life. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.” He motioned toward Lily. “We both do.”

I managed to keep my relief out of my voice as I said, “Don’t worry about it. Oh, and I was mentioning breakfast because I’m happy to make enough for both of us. If you aren’t up by then, and I’m gone when you get up…” I gestured around my kitchen. “Have at it.”

Wyatt blinked. “Seriously?”

“Well, yeah.” I shrugged. “I’m not going to invite you into my house and not feed you.”

He stared at me, and I caught myself wondering how long he’d actually been homeless. How long did it take before basic human kindness became that much of a novelty? Jesus Christ, that was a horrible thought.

I didn’t ask, though. He looked so tired he was ready to collapse; he didn’t need me interrogating him. And I really did need sleep if I wanted to be functional at practice tomorrow.

“Anyway,” I said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Right. See you in the morning.” He called to Lily, who was instantly at his side.

“Hey, boys?” I snapped my fingers twice. “Bedtime!”

Both cats immediately jumped off the cat tree with heavy thumps and galloped past us.

“Wow.” Wyatt watched them thunder toward the stairs. “You’ve got them trained.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “They get treats at bedtime. I assure you, they’re not the ones who are trained.”

He just laughed. We headed down the hall, and at the stairs, I said, “Good night, Wyatt.”

His smile was the most amazing thing I’d seen all day. “Good night. And thanks again.”

Then he was on his way downstairs to the laundry room, Lily’s nails clicking on the steps behind him.

I continued up to my bedroom, where both cats were waiting expectantly on the bed. Bear chirped at me, purring loudly and kneading on the comforter, while Moose just gave me that look that said I’d hand over the treats if I knew what was good for me.

I knew better than to surrender their snacks until I was about to get into bed. If I did it now, then when I got into bed, they’d both try to gaslight me and convince me I’d callously denied them their treats. Well, Moose would. The few minutes it took me to brush my teeth and get undressed may actually have been enough time for Bear to forget.

Once I’d gone through my routine, having cruelly left them to starve for almost five whole minutes, I finally had mercy and gave them their treats. Then I plugged in my phone and climbed into bed. Moose stretched out on the side that had been unoccupied for going on six months. Bear curled up by my feet.

I usually passed out pretty quickly—my sport and my workouts had that effect—but I spent a little while lying there in the dark, thinking about everything that had transpired tonight. I couldn’t explain why I’d taken in Wyatt and Lily instead of just putting them up in a hotel or something. I couldn’t articulate in any rational way why I didn’t worry he’d do something unsavory now that he had access to my house.

I mean, I could believe with my whole heart and head that my cats were safe. Lily clearly wasn’t aggressive, and I didn’t imagine there was any universe in which Wyatt was a threat to an animal. Not after what I’d seen at the clinic. Not after I’d realized he wasn’t just pleading with the clinic to take in his beloved dog to keep her safe—he was signing up for a night without his service dog. If they’d taken her in, he’d have been out there alone, facing the bitter cold and the demons she was there to help him cope with.

So no, I didn’t have any reason to believe he’d ever lay a finger on Moose or Bear.

I couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t steal anything, but I didn’t believe he would. If he did… Well, I stood by what I’d said at the clinic. The choice had been to either leave him out there to possibly die in the cold, or risk my property being damaged or stolen. If anything happened to my stuff, that was what insurance was for. At least I wouldn’t be the reason Wyatt or Lily died out there tonight.

And what could I say? I didn’t mind some actual company. I hadn’t been able to have visitors at the house since Simon had left because we didn’t want anyone to know he’d moved out. No hanging out here with my teammates. No friends or family coming to stay. It had just been me, Bear, and Moose in this too-big house.

So, yeah. I was glad he was here. As I slowly started to drift off, I was glad Wyatt had agreed to stay until Lily finished her medication.

She’d be safe. He’d be safe.

And if only for a little while, my cats and I wouldn’t be alone in this house.

Chapter 6

Wyatt

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