Chapter 4: Ryker
God damn it. Where's the fucking lint roller?
"Leo, we've got to talk about all this shedding when I get back," I grumble at the black cat who's perched on the window sill. Though his fur is barely noticeable on the button-up shirt I'm wearing, I can see it and that's enough to drive me crazy. "Do I look nice or should I change?" I ask my feline friend.
He looks at me with those yellow eyes and blinks a few times before returning his gaze to the front yard. "Wow, thanks for the pep talk." Sometimes I don't remember why I got Leo. My mom was pestering me about getting a companion. She wanted me to get a dog, but I didn't think my long hours were conducive taking care of a pet that needed daily walks and multiple bathroom outings throughout the day. When I went to the animal shelter, Leo was the only one who didn't get up and vie for my attention. As someone who frequently gave zero fucks, I related to him on a spiritual level.
"I'm going to bring a girl home tonight, Leo. Try not to get your hair on her stuff. Or, you know, whatever." I don't know why I try to tell him what to do. He is going to do whatever pleases him, whether it is what I tell him to do or not. "Just don't like her better than me, okay?" I walk over to the little fluff ball and give him a pet, risking getting his fur all over my ensemble yet again. "She's a nice lady. I think she likes cats, or maybe she's allergic. Or was that Nathan? God, I hope that's Nathan. I don't want to have to choose between the two of you."
Leo gives a small meow and flops down on the window sill so I could pet him all over. Despite being the least interested cat in the animal shelter, he loved being loved on on his own terms. "I know I've brought home some questionable women in the past, but she's a good one. I promise. She loves pizza and would probably share some with you, she's funny, I think she'd give you lots of pets on the nights when I'm not home." I ramble on as I rub him all over.
I must have drifted off into my own little world because Leo had gotten tired of me petting him and now he wanted to play, only he didn't tell me he wanted to play. He insisted on it by digging into my arm with his claws and playfully biting my hand. "God damn it, Leo!" He wraps himself around my arm like a sloth, except he's shedding everywhere and his claws are going to start drawing blood if I don't remove him.
As I detach myself from the situation and grab the lint roller for a second time that evening, I give Leo a well-deserved scowl. "You could have just said you didn't want to be petted anymore," I roll my eyes. What a little snake.
I'm not typically the type to get nervous, but as the smell of the lasagna fills the air and I think of all the ways this date can go wrong, a pang of anxiety shoots through me. She's my best friend's little sister. Is this really a good idea?
I check my watch. There's 15 minutes until I'm supposed to pick her up. Good idea or not, I can't cancel now, that'd just be rude. "Leo, call me if you see anything suspicious and take the lasagna out if it starts to burn. Otherwise, I'll be back in half an hour." At least with Corinne here, she can act as a buffer between Leo and I. We haven't been getting along lately. He's been moody ever since the whole neutering incident a month ago. Some people just can't let things go.