So, I’d had to take him back to the alley. No one in town wanted a scruffy grey tabby with half an ear missing and attitude. I loved him though. He might not live with me, but Chester was still my pet.
When he was hurt, I took him to the vet, and made sure he had something to eat every day. Even if it was a stick of beef jerky. He was my only friend, after all.
How sad was that?
After I paid for everything, I said goodbye to Ted and left. Headlights lit up the sky as I walked out and headed for the alley, excited to see Chester’s furry grey body.
I squinted against the burst of light from a sleek black town car pulling up. A vehicle like that was too shiny and nice to belong to anyone from Worthington, which I lovingly referred to as the armpit of America.
I didn’t pay much attention to it though. The store was a popular meeting spot for dealers, hence the two stoners still loitering. And that was a business I had no interest in getting involved with.
Happy to leave them to their business, I ducked into the alley, looking for the crate under the flickering light by the back wall. That’s where I’d set a bed up for Chester. Just because he lived on the street didn’t mean he had to be uncomfortable.
An enthusiasticMeowrolled up at me from a box behind the dumpster. My lips curled at the piece of wilted lettuce on the top of Chester’s head. He’d been dumpster diving again.
That wouldn’t make for very pleasant smelling cuddles. I swear that cat tunneled his way through the piles of rancid garbage.
“Hi Chester.” I bent down, flicked the lettuce off his fur, and scratched behind his scarred ear. “You hungry, buddy?”
His response was to rub his furry body against my calves, as he weaved his way through my legs. My jeans were definitely going to need a wash. I could smell him from here.
“Okay, okay,” I chuckled. Chester could sleep in a bed of fish guts and he’d still smell better than Ralph. “Here you go.”
I sat on the ground and watched Chester eat, while running my fingers through his fur. When I’d first stumbled across him, he was skin and bones. There was barely enough meat to call the ball of fur a cat, and he was completely feral. Growling at me as he scarfed down his food so fast I thought he’d choke.
We had an understanding now. I’d feed Chester, and in return he’d give me some affection. I just wished I could also give him shelter.
Though I had to admit, the alley had its advantages. It was safe back here, tucked away from the cruelty of the world. Maybe I should move in with him? No one would look for me here, and we could share a sleeping bag.
But then who would protect Mom?
Blowing out a huff of air, I gave Chester one last pet and rose to my feet.
His little head lifted up with a loud, “Meow.”
“I know, but I have to go.” I held up the bag in my hand. “Ralph gets grumpy without his supplies.”
Ralph was always grumpy, but without his beer and smokes he was downright mean.
As if he could sense my apprehension, Chester’s back arched in Halloween cat pose and he released a loud hiss.
“At least you have an alley to hide in,” I grumbled, and spun on my heels.
My heart instantly flew up into my throat, lodging there with the words on the tip of my tongue. My nose was inches away from a broad chest. So close, I could feel the heat of another body warming my face.
It was him. Diner asshole. No one in this town wore a suit, let alone one so perfectly tailored.
“You shouldn’t wander around alone in alleys.” A deep voice reverberated through the alley, echoing around the dark space and drowning out Chester’s quiet hiss. “There’s no telling who will find you in the dark.”
Part of me thought it was just my subconscious messing with me again. Imagining his piercing gaze following me when there was no one there.
For days I’d felt him. Seen his face out of the corner of my eye, taunting me with a malicious smirk. The same one I was staring at now. Thick lips framed by a coating of dark stubble. Cruel and beautiful at the same time.
I licked my lips and took a tentative step back. There was obviously a logical reason for him to be here. This was a store after all. Maybe he had to pick something up? My eyes fell down to his hands.
No bag.
“Are you lost or something?”
