Page 174 of The Head Game

“Obviously.” Nico smoothed a hand over the cat’s back. “That’s her name.”

“Well, if she has a collar with a nametag, then she probably belongs to someone.”

“Oh, no. There’s no collar. I just named her that. That’s what she looks like to me.” Nico rubbed the cat’s chin affectionately. “Don’t you, Miss Muffins?”

Dear God, Nico was using the baby-talk voice. What in the hell had happened in the hours August had been gone?

“You let a stray cat into my house and named it Miss Muffins,” he asked, still in disbelief.

“Well, I didn’t know she was a stray but I figured I’d call her that until I knew what her name was.” Nico beamed. “I’ve always wanted a cat though.”

“Uhh, what about lice?”

“I checked her over carefully,” Nico protested. “No fleas. No lice or eggs, I promise.”

August squinted suspiciously. “Is this cat going to go back to Toronto with you?”

“Well, probably eventually. I’ll take her to the vet first though to get her all checked out.”

“You mean I’ll take her to the vet. You can’t drive yet.”

Nico gave him a winning smile. “Miss Muffins would appreciate it.”

August looked up at the ceiling. “Dear God, what has my life become?”

“Infinitely better with Miss Muffins and I in it.”

“Sure, we’ll go with that,” August muttered. “I don’t even like cats, Nico.”

He scoffed. “Yeah, whatever, you softy. You feed strays. You must like them a little.”

“There’s a difference between helping out some homeless animals and inviting them in to stay!”

“And now there’s one less homeless animal on the streets.” Nico beamed. “We did something good today, Auggie.”

“You did something,” August reminded him with a laugh because he found himself unable to resist Nico when he was all bright and happy. “I had nothing to do with this.”

“And yet we all benefit.”

“Any other major life changes happen while I was out?” August asked as he dropped onto the couch next to Nico, warily eyeballing the cat.

“I redecorated the bedroom and joined the circus.”

August squinted. “Nico …”

“I didn’t join the circus. Clowns are …” He shuddered.

“And the bedroom?” he asked warily.

“Exactly the way you left it this morning. You should call Charlie and let him work his magic on your place.”

“Well,” August said with a sigh of relief. “I might, except I think he’s out of my budget since I am currently unemployed.”

Nico shrugged. “You wanna be my sugar baby?”

“I absolutely do not.”

Why did people keep suggesting that?

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