Page 32 of Player Problems

“Look at the options,” she encourages. “You have twenty more minutes.”

As she walks away, Baylor takes the tablet. “What would Isla say?” he asks.

Oh, I can only imagine how ecstatic she would be to meet this little guy. My little Potato. “We’d be in more danger of her coming here and adopting the rest than her being upset by him.”

His throaty chuckle draws the attention of one of the other girls sitting at a table nearby. “Lease?” he continues.

I give him a pointed look. “It’s the Wild West.”

“Fair,” he concedes. “I don’t think any of the guys would be mad. I’m not sure about the lease though.” He rolls his lips back and forth, thinking.

“Who do you live with?” I know there are several hockey houses on the other side of the square and he lives with Wells, but there are typically four to five players to each house.

“Wells, James, and Beau,” he answers.

Hmm, don’t know who James is but I get the feeling I should. “Bet Beau would know.” Dude is smart as fuck. Not that he makes it apparent in any way, but we’ve shared a couple of classes over the semesters. We always agree to be partners on projects now ever since we realized how well our styles work together.

“You have a point,” he agrees, already pulling out his phone to dial his roommate. I think I’ll surprise Isla.

Wait.

When did I decide to actually do this? I look down at the small kitten. Fuck it.

I’ll figure it out.

Isla really will love him.

“Hey, bro. Yeah, whatever,” Baylor blows off whatever Beau must have said. I think he forgot he was avoiding his friends all day. “What’s the pet clause on our lease?”

He nods along to whatever Beau says. “Cool, I can do that. Thanks, bro.” He grins as he hangs up and he looks so happy, I don't even point out that Beau was still yelling at him or that his phone is lighting up with another call.

“Are we adopting kittens?” I ask.

“Fuck yeah, we are,” he exclaims and we both laugh. This is probably the single most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done, but it feels right. Potato is already a part of me.

“You have to give her a name then,” I tell him and based on the smirk he tosses my way, I can only assume he’s spent all afternoon thinking over options.

“Torryn, meet Karma.” He holds her up proudly and I kiss her white spots and she paws my nose lazily.

“I like that. Karma–” My smile drops and I click my tongue, pinning him with a disbelieving stare. “Karma is a cat? Are you fucking kidding me?”

He rolls his lips and tilts his head, obviously proud of himself. “No comment.”

I smack his shoulder. “You, Baylor Levine, are a secret Swiftie?”

“It’s not a secret, baby.”

Isla

He’s with Torryn

Wells

Again?

She just texted me. Said it seems like he’s upset and avoiding you guys but wanted you to know he was okay

Are they going to your place?

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