Page 103 of Waiting Game

Even better, people are waiting to come in and drinks soon flow.

Everyone’s excited and enthusiastic about not being fired, which gives the bar much-needed energy.

At eleven-thirty, I’m happy to leave with a game plan in mind.

Of course, that’s when life has to fuck with me because when I get back to my apartment, Cupid doesn’t greet me at the door.

I try not to freak out, but shealwaysgreets me. It’s her thing. She’s perennially pissed off that I stopped taking her with me after that one week of visits to Chuck’s and she’s determined to make it known that I’m an atrocious pet because, in her eyes, she’s the owner.

Dropping my stuff on the floor, I race around the rooms for her favorite hiding spots but don’t see her.

It’s only when I remember her penchant for scuffling with Curtis over the spot where I stack the clean towels that I find her.

She’s struggling to breathe, barely responsive, and at that moment, so am I.

LATER THAT NIGHT

KillerCatQueen7: I’m so sorry but I won’t be able to make this session.

GretzkyWannabe42: Is everything okay?

KillerCatQueen7: I’ll be online tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding.

CHAPTER 19

COLE

All You Want - Dido

I missed her last night.

How fucked up is that?

I’m awake at 5:45 and sitting in front of my computer, waiting for her light to turn from amber to green.

When she comes on, she looks raw.

Complete with wig and cat ears, she’s wearing sleep shorts and an old tee. Not her usual uniform. But it’s her eyes that clue me in more than anything—they’re red and puffy like they were that day I first met her.

Me: What’s wrong?

My fingers race across the keyboard as I rush to get the message out.

Her bottom lip quivers. “My cat’s sick. She had emergency surgery last night and they haven't updated me yet about her status this morning.”

Me: Fuck.

“Yeah.” She shoots me a sad smile. “I’m really sorry that I missed last night’s session.”

Me: You don’t have to be sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry that your cat’s sick.

Me: Which cat?

“Cupid.”

Me: You never did tell me why you called her that.

"Because it suits her. She’s how I found two of my other cats.” A soft sniffle escapes her. “She’s my oldest.”

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