Page 98 of Rival
While Jaxon disappears with her, Mason and I begin our clean up. I can’t help glancing over a few times, debating if I should ask if he and Jaxon want to grab a drink or something. It’s not that I love these guys, but if I’m being honest, they’re growing on me.
In another life, I could actually see all of us being pretty good friends. My daily routine has always been sort of what’s expected. The normal. I followed my older brother around for as long as I can remember, which is the only reason I ever ended up over at Clayborn’s in the past few years.
As much as I hate myself for giving that fuck any of my time, I’m thankful I was there, or God only knows what would have happened to Edith that day.
It’s been fucking weeks since we last saw her. I’m certain the cops at the station are sick of hearing from us, asking for status updates on Clayborn’s case. They’ve got what they need for the most part, but now we’re just waiting for a date before the judge.
Complete bullshit, if you ask me. But apparently lawyers have schedules they need to work around. I’m itching to have Edith standing in front of me so I can make sure she reallyisokay.
Christ, I miss the fuck out of her.
Glancing again at Mason, I let out a long sigh.
“If you stare at me long enough, you’re gonna make me think you’ve got a crush. What do you want, Griff?”
Surprised by the nickname, I ask, “Wanna grab a drink?” Before he answers, Jaxon walks back in. “You too, Jaxon. Drinks?”
“I’m not really a drinker,” he mutters, then gathers his tools, shoving them into a bag.
Mason barks out a laugh. “I’d argue that, but we all saw how poorly you handle your liquor, so I’m not actually surprised.” To me, he adds, “I gotta head back to my farm. Got shit to do tonight before heading home.”
“Need a hand?” The offer is out before I think, and Mason lifts a brow in surprise.
Jaxon moves in next to me and jerks his chin toward Mason. “I’ll give you a hand, too. Don’t have anything else going on tonight.”
I have to give Mason credit. Although he looks annoyed as fuck with us, he simply nods once. “You know where I live. Griff is shovelin’ shit.”
Snorting a laugh, Jaxon smiles, and I realize it hasn’t happened a lot since being around him lately. Neither has Mason, for that matter, not that the asshole ever did smile before. Edith being gone has taken a toll on all of us. Hate to admit it, but this is going to be tough when she comes home with a baby belonging to onlyoneof us.
I’m still gonna stick around. There’s nothing wrong with being with a woman who’s got a baby daddy. People do it all the time. I just need to convince her shewantsme around.
It’s not long before I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with Jaxon in a barn, watching as a tiny, furry kitten attacks the hell out of Mason’s legs. He just keeps walking like it’s completely normal.
Jaxon is completely stunned, and I want to ask what’s up with the little devil, but I feel a soft bump against my ankle. Dipping my chin, I get a glimpse of two more kittens who are now rubbing up against Jaxon’s legs, since I wasn’t quick enough to give them attention.
Squatting down, he scratches their heads while cocking his head at Mason. “What’s with the zoo in here?”
“It’s Edith’s zoo. Fuckin’hellBilly! Knock it the fuck off, you demon!” As pissy as he sounds, he’s toeing the spitting and hissing kitten gently with his boot to push him away.
Instead of running,Billythe cat literally lunges for Mason’s leg and starts clawing his way up until his nails are dug into his side. Mason shouts more curses, but again, gently unhooks the little daggers embedded in his skin.
Marching to us, he shoves the kitten against my chest. “Here. If you think he’s so funny, you can enjoy the nightmare of Billy the Kitty all you want.”
I didn’t realize I was chuckling until Jaxon’s dancing eyes meet mine and we both burst out laughing. Prepared to be clawed, I cradle Billy to my chest, but the little fucker immediately starts purring and settles right into my hand.
Drawing his brows together in confusion, Mason plants his feet and jabs a finger toward us. “How the hell did you get him to do that?”
Raising a brow, I scratch a single finger under Billy’s chin. The damn thing is purring so loudly I can feel his vibrations deep within my chest. Waving my fingers at Mason, I grin. “Guess I’ve got skilled hands.”
“He probably just thinks you’re a dick,” Jaxon adds helpfully, still laughing to himself. “What do you need done here?”
Bumping him with my elbow, I get his attention. “It’s ‘cuz heisa dick.”
“I gotta get Austin out for a bit and clean his stall. Jax can handle that, I think.” Mason is grumbling, but I catch the twitch in the corner of his mouth as he pushes past us, picking up one of the other kittens on his way out. That one climbs right onto his shoulder and they walk away as if they’re used to their routine.
Following Mason, I continue petting Billy as I ask, “So, what’d you mean when you said this was Edith’s zoo?”
Without turning around, he calls out, “Girl kept showin’ up with a kitten in tow every day she came over. One right after the other.” He stops in his tracks to face us, something odd written on his face, as if he’s lost in thought. “Mentioned she couldn’t keep them at her place because her dad wouldn’t want pets around. That’s how she started workin’ here. To house them in the barn.”
