Page 321 of Breathe Like Hell

“‘Course. Here—” He slipped through the door to the back office, then returned with an old blanket and plastic water bowl. “Haven’t had time to buy much stuff, but this is where she’s been sleeping and drinking, if you want to take this stuff with you—until you can get the right stuff.”

“Yes. Thank you. Are you sure you want me to take her?”

“I’m absolutely certain. She likes you better anyway.” The corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled.

“Glad you’re finally admitting it!”

“You got me.” He held his hands up in mock-surrender.

I carefully scooped Bug up in the blanket, tucking her in the crook of my arm like a baby. She wiggled for a minute before settling. Then, I looped the keychain around my finger and grabbed my slushy and cat food, taking a sip of my drink and feeling the artificial cherry sweetness melting cold over my tongue.

“Thank you, Eric,” I said sincerely. “I will see you around. Maybe with my own car.”

“I’ll be lookin’ forward to it, butterfly. I think they’re waitin’ on you.” He nodded out to the parking lot, where Mason and Micah were both staring in the direction of the gas station.

“Bye!” I called over my shoulder as I pushed out the door, the bell chiming above me.

Mason and Micah were watching me intently as I headed towards them across the crumbling parking lot, their focus zeroing in on the bundle in my arms. I handed Mason my cup and other stuff as I approached, then opened the door and hopped into the cab, sliding into the middle.

Both men joined me in the truck.

“We own a cat now,” I informed them. “Her name is Bug.”

“Bug, huh?” Micah questioned, looking down at her on my lap. Her expressive eyes were wide, taking in her new surroundings, her body curled up tight against mine.

“Yes. She’s very sweet.”

“I like it.”

Mason leaned over, shifting the blanket with his finger to see her face better. “Hi, Bug.”

“Could we go to the pet store before we go home?” I asked, peering up at Micah as he stuck the key in the ignition and started the engine.

“Anything for you, Masters.” He leaned over and kissed me on the forehead, then returned his hands to the wheel and we started to move.

I smiled, mostly to myself, as I tucked my feet up on the seat, petting Bug’s face gently. She closed her eyes when I brushed my fingers along her forehead, the low rumble of the truck mixing with her purring.

Happiness had always been such an elusive feeling for most of my life, always slipping through my fingers before I could really grab onto it. I used to think it would be that way forever. But I was happy now. With Micah loving me from one side, Mason loving me from the other, and Bug in the middle.

My eyes flicked upward, to the visor, tracing the faded letters, right beside the fresh ones.

If I knew now what I knew then, I would do everything exactly the same.