“Mmm.” Drew finally looks up, eyes flicking between us. “Bold claim for two people who disappeared into a bedroom at, what—eight this morning?”
I smile sweetly. “Self-care is important.”
Drew squints at me. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
Sebastian clears his throat. “We had a conversation.”
Drew makes a face. “Sure you did.”
Before Sebastian can respond, Mr. Pickles trots into the room like he owns the place. I vaguely remember him curling up in his cat bed when he followed us into our bedroom. But after that, I was a bit distracted.
The cat hops onto the arm of the couch, tail flicking once in a way that feels pointed.
Drew recoils. “Absolutely not. You stay right there.”
They lock eyes like rivals. I swear Mr. Pickles narrows his eyes.
“That thing hates me,” Drew says.
Mr. Pickles chirps, clearly annoyed by being called a “thing.” He deliberately moves closer, his fur standing up, eyes locked on Drew.
“He doesn’t hate you,” I say. “He’s just… selective about who he likes.”
Sebastian smirks. “You did call him Hellcat earlier.”
“That was accurate,” Drew mutters, shifting away as Mr. Pickles inches closer. “He pissed on my bed.”
“That was stress,” I say firmly. “And possibly revenge.”
Sebastian bites back a laugh.
Drew points at him. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“I am,” Sebastian admits. “I rarely get to be on the winning side of domestic chaos.”
Mr. Pickles hops down and immediately rubs against Sebastian’s leg.
Drew glares. “That cat is evil.”
Sebastian looks down, then crouches slightly and scratches behind the cat’s ears. “He is not.”
Mr. Pickles melts at Sebastian’s touch. A full-body surrender.
I cross my arms. “Wow. He’s a little traitor.”
Sebastian looks up at me, sheepish. “He likes calm environments.”
Drew snorts. “Is that what you call it?”
I sigh. “Enough insults. Wanna play a board game?”
Drew and Sebastian look at me, then at each other, before shrugging.
“Sure,” Sebastian says.
“As long as you keep the hellcat away from me,” Drew adds.
Ten minutes later, we’re sitting around the coffee table with snacks, drinks, and Monopoly. Drew insists he’snotcompetitive even though he absolutely is.
