Page 30 of Player Problems

“It’s the specific to me part I’m struggling with,” I mutter, but he just looks more amused. I feel like I’m missing something, but can’t begin to guess what. We never had any pets growing up so I can’t really say if I’m a cat or a dog person, but neither one has ever offended me. Isla always had dogs growing up and they’re cute. I’ve had other friends with cats, and they’re soft. Nice to pet, I guess.

Baylor chuckles as he holds the door open for me and ushers me in. “Come on, we can eat first and then go play with the cats. I think you’ll find them quite relatable.”

What does that even mean?

I don’t bother asking since at least the point of this ridiculous adventure seems to have been resolved. For now at least, the dark cloud that was hanging over him seems to have disappeared.

Our food is served quickly and our waitress runs us through what to expect when we go in with the cats once we’re done eating. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s delicious and the perfect thing to hold me over until I get home. The whole time Baylor bounces in his seat like a little kid and it’s hard to keep my demeanor calm and not smile at his antics. He’s even got me slightly excited by the time we finish our sandwiches and get up to wash our hands. He pushes me out of the way to pay for not only our meals, but our entrance to hanging out with the cats in their little room.

I roll my eyes, but his grin is enough to make me keep my mouth shut and just let him enjoy it. As we dry our hands andone of the employees leads us over to the screen door that leads to the playroom, a kitten as excitable as Baylor launches up the metal screen door and climbs its way up until he is at eye level and gives a soft meow full of curiosity.

My mouth parts open in surprise as a small laugh escapes at the energetic kitten’s antics. The employee apologizes and she and Baylor banter lightheartedly about the cat who apparently just learned that trick this week. What a clever little one. She slowly pushes the door open and I hold my breath, hoping the kitten doesn’t fall off.

The worry was unfounded, and I relax as the employee gently lifts him off the door and sets him back on his paws as Baylor closes the door behind us. The little climber rubs against my legs, weaving in and out of them and I look up to Baylor in confusion.

“What are we supposed to do now?” I whisper.

He chuckles, but leans down to scoop up our adventurous buddy and puts him in my hands. My eyes widen in surprise but the kitten curls into my chest, rubbing his head against my chin. “You just pet and play with them. Don’t let them scare you, Tor,” he teases. “They only use their claws when they need to. Kind of like someone else I know.”

I’m not even listening to him anymore as the little ball of white and orange fur in my hands starts to purr so hard he’s practically vibrating in my hands.

“That’s Potato,” the employee says. “He’s our youngest.”

I scratch behind his ears and he preens, his gray-blue eyes lifting up to look at me and blink slowly. Something in my chest melts and it’s not an exaggeration to say I think I would die for this little baby.

Large hands fall to my shoulders making me flinch and the little babes hisses in response. Baylor laughs and steers me away from the door that leads back to the café and further into the catplayroom. I tear my eyes away from Potato and look around the rest of the room for the first time. It’s a clean and open space and a lot larger than I had initially thought from the way it looks outside. The biggest cat post I’ve ever seen takes up the center of the room, but calling it a cat castle might be more accurate. Along the walls are plenty of chairs and small tables for the handful of other customers here, but more impressively there are even more cat posts, beams on the walls, and plenty of toys.

There must be close to twenty cats of all different colors and sizes all doing their own thing. Some lounging, others running, a few of them already with other customers. “We can sit down and meet all the other cats,” Baylor explains, his excitement even more prominent now as he scratches Potato’s head. The kitten must have forgotten the scare he gave both of us only moments ago or he’s quick to forgive with the promise of head scratches. He preens under Baylor’s touch.

I nod my head, surprised by how much I like the small weight of warmth in my hands, cradled against my chest. Some of the other cats are now coming over to inspect the newcomers. I look around and shrug when I notice the employee has drifted away from us, and sit where we’re standing.

Baylor snorts. “Sure, I mean why use chairs anyway?” I don’t see him pulling up a chair though. Nope. He plops his big ass right next to me. Potato settles in my lap, stretching his long, thin body out and resting his head over my thigh and promptly falls asleep. It takes no time at all for other cats to come and investigate and before I know it, Baylor has four cats climbing all over him and he’s laughing like it’s the best day of his life.

Potato stays asleep through the whole ordeal, not even stirring when other cats come and check me out. A few even start playing with my hair as it swishes around my back, making Baylor cackle. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man smile so openly and freely as Baylor is surrounded by these little fur balls. Healmost reminds me of Isla with the way his excitement infuses my own and my lips tilt up despite themselves.

The employee wanders back our way and hands Baylor a little photo book. “Here’s our catalogue of all the kitties we have here right now. It should be mostly up to date with photos and details so you can put names to some of these little guys.” Baylor thanks her and she nods, batting her eyes under his attention. “I can also walk you through the adoption process if you’re interested,” she starts, her eyes flicking over to me where Potato still sleeps soundly in my lap. “Seems you’ve made a friend, Potato.” The kitten stretches out his paws, showing his all white belly, just begging for scratches, but doesn’t open his eyes. She meets my eyes with a smile. “He always is curious and very friendly with everyone who walks in,” she starts, her words making me sad for some reason, before she continues, “but he usually loses interest quickly and moves on. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him stay with one person for so long.”

“How long has he been here?” The question pops out before I even have a chance to think about it.

I catch sight of her name tag that says Jules as she leans forward to rub his belly. “We’ve had him since he was a newborn, but he’s only been available for adoption for a week or so. He was still too young before.” She laughs a little. “Some of us may have been a little attached as well. He’s a sweet kitty, but he deserves a forever home.”

Baylor drifts away from me as Jules tells me more about the café and her time working here. Potato perks up when I run my fingers along his back until he flips around and begins to attack my fingers with his paws.

“He’s a very playful one,” Jules says. “Great with people and other pets.”

I shake my head, half playing with the kitten, and half watching Baylor as he walks around the room, checking out all the less social cats. “Oh, I don’t have any pets.”

“Are you considering adoption today?” she asks, and I watch Baylor lean down, putting himself face to face with a black cat across the room.

“No, not today.” But even as the words pass my lips, my grip on the kitten tightens.

She smiles but doesn’t comment as Baylor makes his way back to us, the black cat cradled in his large arms. Jules mouth parts open as he approaches.

“What’s this one’s name?” he asks as he falls back to my side. “I didn’t see a black one in the little book.” Of course he would have the book memorized.

Jules runs her fingers through her hair. “Oh, umm. She doesn’t have a name yet,” she admits, slightly embarrassed. “She only just got back from the vet a few days ago and hasn’t really let any of us near her. We were trying to give her time to adjust.”

The cat she’s describing is nothing like the cat in Baylor’s arms as she purrs in contentment while his fingers slide through her black fur.

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