Page 29 of Pack Scratch Fever
“You’ve got to get this under control,” I tell him. “Whatever is going on with that job…no amount of money is worth this.” I motion to him.
He scowls. “I’ve got everything under control.”
Avery scoffs and reaches for his laptop that’s on the coffee table. “No offense, Poe, but you’re lashing out at cats. That’s the sign of someone who doesn’t have any control over any aspect of their life.”
Poe crosses his arms, sighs, and leans against the wall, closing his eyes. “Shit,” he mutters.
“You owe her an apology,” I add.
He shakes his head, his eyes still closed. “Absolutely not.”
Avery opens the website to the rescue, and I make a face at the lime green background.
That has to change as soon as possible.
“You have to apologize to her if we’re going to ask her out,” Avery says simply, scrolling through the pictures of the cats again.
There’s a moment of silence.
“What?” Poe finally demands.
“Maddox and I have decided,” Avery says simply, staring at his laptop screen. “I’m going to offer to do a photoshoot for the cats, and he’s going to rebuild the rescue’s website. We’re also all going to volunteer at the rescue because of how much she’s helped us.”
“And because she’s going to be our Omega,” I add, “unlesssomeonemesses it up.”
“Absolutely not,” Poe says.
I anticipated this reaction, so I just shrug. “Majority rule, bro,” I say. “Just because you’ve decided to ruin your life doesn’t mean we have to.”
A moment of silence fills the space.
“Shit, Maddox,” Avery says quietly. “You don’t have to go that far.”
“I saidno,” Poe growls, his eyes cold. “She’s not a match for us.”
“That Mister Whiskers needs an entirely new headshot,” Avery says to himself, and Poe tilts his head.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Poe sighs, exasperated. He pinches the bridge of his nose and exhales slowly.
“You can’t claim she’s not right for us when you barely even know her,” I snap. “She’s all but a perfect scent match.”
“And?”
“And I’m saying that we’re going to pursue her, and you’re going to have to fucking deal with it.”
“But she’s acat lady,” Poe insists.
“And you’re acatnip gentleman,” I mock. “Now hurry off to bed, Salad Boy, before I beat your ass.”
“No fighting,” Avery warns.
My threat is empty. Poe is bigger than both Avery and me, and he would likely win in a fight.
But if he keeps acting like this, I have a feeling we’ll end up brawling, eventually.
He may be miserable, but I’ll be damned if he makes us miserable along with him.
Also, he’s my best friend.
