Page 20 of Hot Under the Collar

“Sure. Thanks.”

Mike was already taking off his shoes, easing into the couch cushions, and throwing the blanket over his legs. “Is it okay if the TV’s on while I sleep? I kind of need the noise.” He yawned as he settled in. “And it’s a little cold in here.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

He grabbed the remote and turned on the television, switching to some channel that replayed funny social media clips all day. But he could already tell it was going to be a battle of preferences while Mike lived here. Leo liked his sleep dark, cold, and dead-quiet, like he was hidden in a cocoon. He never understood how some guys at the station rested so well during slow shifts. There were always dishes clanging, murmurs from the common area, washing machine buzzers, and laughter competing with the quiet. He brought earplugs to his shifts but, otherwise, just wrote off the possibility of sleep at the station.

When he pulled his phone out of his pocket, he saw several missed messages and calls. He stepped into the hallway to take care of them. But where to even start? Something about needing to feed mama cat kitten food instead of Fred’s food. Something about Ethan and Cali going out for supplies and wanting to swing by his place. Something about the vet’s office being closed until they hired a new vet.

Leo sighed with frustration as he scrolled. One of his coworkers even texted to ask if the kittens were okay. Apparently Minka had been telling everyone at the café about the litter this morning.

Lynne had been surprisingly quiet since Leo left O’Donnell’s, though. He wanted to call and check in on her first, but his fingers hesitated over her contact info. If he called now, without food or supplies, without readying the apartment for Mike, without a plan for what time he could head back to help, he’d just be toying with Lynne. So he dialed Ethan’s number instead and told him he’d meet him and Cali in the alley behind his apartment once they were done shopping. Then he spent some time powering through laundry, stocking his fridge and pantry with groceries he thought Mike might like, and stripping his identity from his bathroom just enough Mike could utilize the space, too. Mike was still sound asleep on the couch when he finished, so he wrote him a note about where to find things.

Still nothing from Lynne yet, so he dialed her number.

“Your hoodie helped me lure Fred upstairs,” she told him. “He’s sleeping on the couch as we speak. But I still can’t convince mama cat.” Her voice sounded frail and defeated. “What if I can’t get them all upstairs before I open tomorrow, Leo?”

“I’m headed over soon. We’ll figure it out. Glad Fred’s upstairs for now at least. Just watch your window screens. I don’t know if he’s talented enough to scale down a drainpipe to the first story, but I wouldn’t put it past him.”

She huffed. “You’re in luck. No screens. Actually, I’m not sure these windows open anymore.”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “Um, that’s a code violation. But, also, I’m relieved to hear Fred won’t slip out while we’re managing this.” His brain momentarily tripped over the word “we.” It had been a long time since he’d said that about the two of them. “We,” as in the book club? Yes. “We,” as in The Nine? Yes. But “we,” as in just him and her? He didn’t realize how much he missed the feeling that word gave him. “On my way, with the stuff, of course.”

“Great. See you soon.”

When Leo stepped inside the apartment to grab another ARFD sweater, he took one more glance at Mike. The worried wrinkles in his forehead had softened, and his mouth hung open as he snored. The blanket was tucked right beneath his chin, but one of his hands was loose and peeking out from underneath its edge. He slept like someone who’d finally outrun whatever was chasing him.

It might not be gone forever, Leo thought, but at least someone was safe tonight.

He glanced down at Lynne’s name on his phone screen one more time and grabbed the bags of supplies. He knew where he needed to be.

8

Lynne (Now)

She didn’t intend it, but when Leo arrived, he found her sitting on the floor near the utility closet with her head in her hands. “Oh, I didn’t even hear you come in,” she said when she noticed him standing there.

“You look like you could use a break.” He set down the heavy bags and wiped his hands on his sweatpants. She was relieved to see Ethan and Cali had gotten Leo everything they’d need.

“No, it’s okay,” she assured him. “What I really need is to get this litter upstairs. Every time I breathe in Mama’s direction she hisses at me.”

Leo glanced at a content mama cat in the cardboard box and back at Lynne. “You need to eat something. I’ll cook dinner. Burgers okay? It’s one of the few things I can whip up fast.”

She wanted to object. She wanted to just get this hard part over with now that he was here. But her tired body and frustrated mind wouldn’t let her. She hadn’t had anything to eat all day—and consumed way too much coffee. He was right.

“The patties are in the fridge on the left,” she said, pointing. “Spatula right beside the grill, of course. But can you make mine a cheeseburger?” she asked. “With extra cheese?”

His dimples flashed before he turned back to the stove—unfair, really, considering the day she was having. “Comfort food, coming right up.”

She cradled her head with her hands again, making sure to cover her eyes. This was a good idea, she thought. Just in time. She was probably headed for a headache and a terrible night of sleep before he arrived. Within a few minutes the entire hallway smelled of smoky, charred beef, and her mouth watered. Even mama cat lifted her nose toward the ceiling and sniffed.

Leo peeked around the kitchen corner and called down the hallway. “Buns? Not yours or mine, of course. I know where those are.” He winked.

She shook her head disapprovingly at the joke, but a tired chuckle still cracked through her. The feeling of it flooded her entire body with some relief.

“I want the good stuff,” she called back through the noise of the air vent and popping fat. “Pretzel rolls are in that airtight container on your right. See them?”

He turned. “Yeah.”