Page 95 of Before It Was Love

“Don’t apologize.” She shoves Rogue’s cage at me. “Just take him and get out of here before anyone else hears you.”

I hand the empty cage to Sophia in order to accept Rogue’s cage from Sarah. “Thank you.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she says as she shuts the gate.

“It worked!” Sophia squeals.

“I can hear you!” Sarah yells from the other side of the fence.

“It worked,” Sophia whispers.

“Let’s go before we get caught.” I hurry down the alley. I break into a run when we reach the parking lot.

I set Rogue’s cage on the backseat and snag the other empty cage from Sophia before urging her to get into the truck.

“That was easy,” Sophia says as she buckles herself in.

“Almost too easy,” I say as I drive out of the parking lot.

Rogue chitters in his cage.

“Are you hungry, little guy?” Sophia hands him a marshmallow and he immediately settles down. Maybe she is the raccoon whisperer.

“What are you going to do with him?” she asks.

“Keep him for a week before returning him.”

“Maybe I want to keep him longer.”

“You— Shit. Hold on. Sammy’s out.”

I screech to a halt. Sammy doesn’t even lift his head. Probably because he’s fast asleep.

“Sammy. Sammy. Sammy,” Sophia mutters as she opens her door.

“Wait! The police are already here.” I point to the patrol car rushing our way with lights flashing. She doesn’t listen and walks toward the seal.

The patrol car stops and the officer steps out.

“Hey, Lucas,” I greet.

“Sammy being a nuisance tonight?”

“Sammy’s never a nuisance, are you boy?” Sophia coos to the seal.

Rogue must hear her voice because he begins hissing and screeching. Lucas freezes. “Do you have an animal in your truck?”

He doesn’t wait for an answer before prowling to the open door and peering inside.

“Damnit, Flynn. Now I have to arrest you both.”

Sophia holds out her hands. “Do what you have to do, officer.”

She may think this situation is funny, but I know for a fact her big brother will not be amused with her arrest. Especially when he finds out Sophia was with me.

Shit. I guess the time to come clean to my best friend has arrived.

Chapter 29

---