Page 32 of Leo and His Love Bunny
I give a small wave to Rev. Greenbrier, who hasn’t attempted to open his mouth since the last time Miss Cordelia told him to shut it. I nod to Miss Cordelia and say, “Have a good day,” as I turn and walk out of the office. I meant what I said back there. I want Whisker Hollow to be an amazing place, and I want to be part of the reason that it is.
Chapter 14
Leo
I’m smiling when I leave the apartment building the next morning to head to the gym with Cal. Having a paper airplane contest with Nora was one of the most fun non-hockey things that I’ve ever done. She was sweet and funny and totally unimpressed by my superstar status. I felt like I was hanging out with a good friend. Only, it felt like more too, although I couldn’t explain that exactly.
And while she wasn’t impressed with my superstar status, she still respected me without being flirty or clingy. Like she respected me for me. Although she did get a little speechless over my biceps, but I found that I didn’t mind that. Not at all. In fact, I think I liked it.
It’s six AM, and neither Cal nor I are very talkative as we walk along. I’m mostly in my head because of being with Nora. Typically I don’t have too much trouble getting up early in the morning. I’ve been doing it all my life. Early morning hockey practices, early morning workouts, early morning physical therapy. I just came to grips with the fact that a lot of the things that happen in my life are going to happen early in the morning, and I could either be annoyed about it, or I could learn to like mornings.
I hate being annoyed, so I learned to like mornings.
And this one is especially good. Because of my memories of the night before. Even though I know that they’re not going anywhere. I am starting a whole new chapter of my life, and I don’t have time for a relationship. It would have derailed everything that I’ve already done in my life, and as I pivot from being an athlete to being a inspirational speaker, I still don’t have time. Maybe once I’m well-established.
Regardless, I’m thinking about Nora as she suddenly appears before me. Two or three blocks ahead and with her eyes cast down to the sidewalk.
I’ve never seen her early in the morning, and it feels odd. Especially given her dejected way of walking. Apparently I’m the only one with the happy feelings from the time we spent together the night before.
That irritates me a little. I want her to enjoy our time just as much as I did.
Cal doesn’t notice, thankfully. He’s too busy talking about something I’m not paying attention to.
“Do you want to?” he asks and pauses for about five seconds before I realize that he is talking to me.
I go through my brain, trying to figure out what he’s asking me.
“Do I want to what?” I ask as Nora disappears into her bakery.
The gym is a block before it, and there’s no way I’m walking by. Unless I drag Cal with me, and I don’t think I want to do that. People are going to be linking us anyway. I don’t want to act like I have some big crush on her. Even though I want to.
Does that mean I do?
“Adopt an anteater. Were you not paying attention to anything I said? Did you see the website I showed you?”
“What website?” I ask, wondering if it would be too terrible if I ask for us to grab a latte or something before we go to the gym. Neither one of us ever drinks anything but water before our workouts, so it definitely would not go unnoticed.
“The one I showed you about the anteaters. Remember? There’s this family who was in Central America, and they realized that anteaters were an underrepresented species of animal. So they started a thing, and for a few bucks a month, you can donate to their foundation and adopt your very ownanteater. They’ll give you daily updates, and you can even have the videos sent to your email address once a month if you make a Big Package pledge. Are you listening this time?” Cal asks, sounding excited.
I’m pretty sure he just asked me if I wanted to adopt an anteater. He’s been into anteaters for years, but this is a first.
“Cal. This is pretty off the wall. Even for you.”
“No, really, dude. It’s so cool. I mean, come on, who doesn’t want an anteater as a pet?”
“But you wouldn’t actually have it as a pet. It would live in a different country,” I say, feeling like I’m the adult in this relationship.
“Listen, you don’t have to have an animal living with you in order for it to be your pet.”
I stop and turn.
He stops and gives me a quizzical look. “What?” he asks, his phone still up and his other hand spreading out with the universal signal ofwhat’s the matter? What did I do?
“It’s a scam, Cal. They just want your money. They’re not actually going to support anteaters.”
“No! It’s not a scam! It’s legitimate. I’ve researched it. I slept on it all night, even though I wanted to adopt an anteater yesterday, and I know this is one of the things I’m meant to do.”
“Adopt an anteater? That’s your purpose in life?” I ask, lifting my brows, wondering how in the world I can knock some sense into him.
