(Blood and Bone, #2) Sin and Swoon(5)

I am still cold from seeing the weird image that doesn’t feel like a memory, but I can’t explain where else it might have come from.

“I said you can’t have him in here. It’s my room too, Ash. This is shit.”

I open my mouth, but Angie is instantly behind her. “If ya want, we can change roommates. Mine hates the bagpipes, and she can’t stand the way I sing The Stones. If you can live with that, then we can share and they can share.”

She’s like a guardian angel popping up, like the other cat bringing me to Binx. It’s all so perfect; I have to wonder if I’m dreaming. I nod. “I don’t care about singing.”

“Wow, a match made in heaven.” Michelle rolls her eyes and storms off, shoving Angie with her shoulder as she leaves.

“She’s pleasant. Reminds me of a slag from my hometown. Another gem of a lass.” Angie’s eyes go to the photo on my bedside table. “Mother of God in heaven, who is that sexy beast?”

I scowl, looking back to make sure we both are seeing the photo of my brother Simon. I wrinkle my nose. “That’s my twin brother.”

“Does he go here too?”

I shake my head. “Portland State.”

“That’s not too far. What—an hour and a half drive?” She folds her arms across her ample chest. “He should come visit.”

“It’s three hours.” The chill crosses over my spine again as I shake my head. “And he’s pretty busy.”

She shrugs, clearly not discouraged. I want her to be. I want to discourage her and convince her he isn’t the right type of guy for her. He’s a player, I think.

He’s always been the one who gets in trouble and lies, dates more than one woman at a time, and uses his status as a sports star to get what he wants.

“Well, let’s pack you up so Leona can move in here and you can move in with me.”

I scowl again. “Did you ask your roommate already?”

She nods. “I saw yer roommate bitching about ya down the other hallway. She called ya a crazy cat lady and said she was telling if ya brought the dirty cat to the room.” Her eyes turn to Binx in his new nest made of my pillow. “I knew he would be out before ya could even enjoy a good snuggle. Did yer parents bring him for ya?”

I shake my head. “He found his own way here from home.”

“He’s a special cat.” She walks to him, picking him up with my pillow. “How far is it from home?”

“Half an hour drive.”

She gives me a look. “Surely he didn’t walk that far to come find ya.”

I shrug. “He must have. He’s here.”

“He must have been in the car, hiding in yer bags.” She winks, but I don’t think it’s funny that he’s here. I’m still panicking that he was out there alone and scared and looking for me. I can’t think about the things that might have happened.

She chuckles and starts packing my side of the room in the totes I had used to bring all this stuff in here.

It takes us all evening to trade rooms. Angie natters and sings and never really stops talking or moving. I feel like I should join in on the conversation, but I don’t. I don’t know why. I guess I don’t feel much like talking.

She places the picture of my brother on her side of the room and stares at him longingly. “That is a mighty fine bloke. I think for saving your adorable cat, I should be rewarded with meeting him.”

I roll my eyes and grab my phone. I send him a text.

Come visit me.

He texts back right away.

Can’t. Have practice all week. How’s Saturday?

Good. Come then.

Done, but if this is some bullshit about your cat, I’m not helping look for him. I told Mom to let you take him.

I add a tongue-sticking-out emoji.

He’s here already. Found his own way to me.

See you Saturday, crazy cat lady. <3

It makes me smile to be called that. I already know it’s true. I’ll be a crazy cat lady to the death. It will likely be the reason I don’t marry, but I don’t care. “He says he’ll come Saturday.”

She grins wide. “Excellent. Now I need to lose five pounds before then so I can steal that gray dress of yours. The Victoria’s Secret one.” She jumps up and walks to my open closet, holding the slinky dress against her body. Her breasts are much larger than mine so the dress looks like it might not cover everything. But then again, that might be her desire. If I had her boobs I would rock them, and the gray dress is a prime example of how I would go about it.

The thought makes me uncomfortable, but I push it away. The weird, self-conscious quiet girl I have become here is driving me insane. I had more confidence than this in my pinky before I left home, and it’s not like I grew up in the sticks. “Be right back. Can you make sure he’s okay?” I point at the cat.