Inside was everything you could possibly ever need for a pet and then some. Andrew took the lead, pushing a cart and grabbing all sorts of wet cat food in different flavors. He told her that he was aiming for a month’s worth. She swallowed at the amount. That was more then she planned. She was aiming for two weeks, until the next paycheck. Zachary was throwing cat toys in without even check their prices and she tried to get him to stop only to get picked up and relocated to the collars and leaches section.
“You should get a harness and leash along with the collar in case you have a cat that likes to go out.” He pointed around to the different items around the aisle, his voice a low growl.
“Yeah,” she mumbled. She started looking through everything and landed on a really gorgeous teal. Teal paired with blues, pinks and black was her favorite. It reminded her of space and the such. She was secret a space geek and she had no shame. It was part of why she liked the diner. It was based on a painting (she was a painter) about the night sky (she loved space). Perfect fit really. She had considered it a sign when she ended up in Wild Junction.
She tossed the collar (that had a bell), leash and harness in the cart. She took a long at the cart, while both of the guys only stared at her.
“This is just too much,” she finally told them. “I don’t think I-”
Zachary pushed the cart and Andrew grabbed her elbow. What was happening? She looked up at him and hissed.
“I can’t afford all that,” she punched him lightly. Hopefully he wouldn’t fire her for that. They were trying to be friends right?
“You don’t need to,” he whispered back, leaning down to deliver the message directly in her ear. “You just worry about the cat you’re about to have.”
She stumbled to a stop and Andrew just kept walking. She saw Zachary pull out a black credit card and gaped. The total was nearly five hundred dollars? How did they get that much cat stuff? She was thinking like two toys, two weeks of food, litter box with litter, and the collar.
“Excuse me?” She blurted out. “I don’t -”
“You’re welcome,” Zachary growled. “I like animals and any new pet should have everything. We even got a carrier in case the cat needs to see a vet or for any car ride.”
Ah, that’s what she had forgotten on her original list. The carrier. She glared at Zachary and bit her tongue. A two hundred and fifty dollar cat tree was still not on her list though and yet it was there in Andrew’s arm. His really nice arms.
“Thank you,” she finally mumbled as they walked to the SUV. This shit was embarrassing and she suddenly want to just steal their vehicle and leave them there. Now they were going to watch her go all soft picking out a cat. “You really didn’t need to do that.”
“We wanted to,” Andrew told her patiently, smiling gently. “We like cats and we want which ever one you pick to have the best stuff. Plus, I’m just happy you asked me to come so I’m paying you back for that.”
She nodded slowly, heat rising over her face. She looked at herself in the side mirror and saw she was incredibly red. Wonderful.
“Seriously?” She bit her bottom lip.
“Yup,” Andrew grinned. “Just let us be nice, Zachary needs the practice. And I like to think that friends buy friends things without complaint so I’m teaching Zachary that.”
“Fuck you, Andrew,” Zachary growled from the back.
They pulled into the animal shelter in silence. The guys were both excited in their own way. Andrew was grinning and Zachary had a smirk as she climbed out. Once inside, a kind woman led them back to the cat house. Riley took a deep breathe before stepping inside.
There were cats every where. Dozens of them and they were on everything. Cat trees covered in cats, several litter boxes with cats in them doing their thing, and several running up to her for rubs. Zachary and Andrew stood outside, using the excuse that she was the one picking out a cat so they didn’t want to go in and bother her.
She stood there for a long time until her eyes fell on a small little thing curled up on of the trees. It was tiny and the lady had said no kittens were in the main cat house, so it must have been fully grown. All black except one white burst on it’s chest, it meowed loudly when she got close. It bumped her with it’s head and she was lost.
This cat was it for her. She picked it up and it rolled over in her arms, curling into a cuddly ball. She bit back tears at the adorable thing. A quick check told her that it was a girl and she immediately knew a name. Star. Star was a great name for little girl with a white burst on a pure midnight black coat. The woman just stood smiling at her as Riley turned to her.
“This one…” Riley whispered. “I don’t know if you name them here, but her name is now Star and she’s going to be mine.”
“Alright!” The lady was incredibly cheerful now. “Did you bring a carrier to take Star home?”
Andrew must have heard, because he went running back to the SUV and came back only a couple minutes later with the now fully built carrier. He stepped inside and Riley was stunned by how every cat suddenly wanted his attention. Only Star continued to even care Riley was there. Yeah, she definitely chose the right cat, the one that doesn’t fall for the hottie in plaid. Go girl. More willpower then Riley had for the two sexy men driving her around today.
Once Star was loaded up, they moved on to paperwork. There wasn’t much of it and fifty dollars later, Star was Riley’s newest and only family member. She was already madly in love.
“So, Star.” Andrew grinned at her as they all got back in the SUV. Riley opted for the back, to sit with her new best friend. Zachary actually seemed upset he couldn’t sit in the back with the cat.
“Yeah, because she had this little white marking on her chest. It’s cute.” Riley mumbled quickly.
“It’s a good name,” he nodded to her at that. “Let’s get you and Star home. It’s nearly ten in the morning.”
She gave Andrew a thumbs up and once they made it back to the apartment, the guys took all the bags and boxes to her front door and waited. She got the door unlocked and stared at them. She held a meowing Star and just watched them while they both looked to each other.
“Have a nice day?” She looked between them both.
“We’re going to help you set up,” Zachary growled, grabbing the cat tree and stepping around her. “Whether you like it or not.”
Andrew kept grinning, grabbing the cat carrier from her and following Zachary inside. She stood quietly with the bags and sighed. Men. At least she wouldn’t have to put all the stuff together. They bought it, so it seemed fair they build it.
But now they were in her apartment… with her sketchbook. She grabbed several bags and began shuttling them inside quickly. Zachary was already on the floor piercing together the new cat tree. Andrew was holding Star, now out of her carrier and looking very upset with the activity of being held by Andrew. The carrier was tucked away in the corner by the television. Riley took a moment to see how small apartment was with the two giants in it.
“This is home,” she whispered self-consciously.
“Decent place,” Andrew nodded to her.
“It’s an apartment in the Dump,” Riley cocked an eyebrow at him. “Don’t lie to me.”
“True…” Andrew trailed off, looking around. She shut the front door and he put her new cat down. Star immediately ran to her and circled her legs, rubbing. Riley couldn’t stop the smile that broke out at the sight. She definitely picked the right cat.
It took nearly an hour for them all to settle in and get everything placed out. The cat tree was an instant hit with Star and they placed it on the other side of the TV. The litter box was stationed discreetly in her living room as well, on the floor near the back wall. Toys were scattered everywhere and she got the collar on Star after a small fight with the cat.
When they were all done, Andrew pulled her in for a hug.
“Want to grab a bite to eat? Let Star get settled on her own for a moment?” He was leaning down and talki
ng her ear. Why did all these all guy do that? It was sexy and seductive and did horrible things to her self-control.
“Uh, sure,” she mumbled in his chest. She wasn’t sure what to do with the hug so she patted his back twice. Zachary was watching them intently and Riley felt another blush spread over her face. Andrew left an arm thrown over her shoulder for a long time as they all looked at each other.
“Let go back our place, Andrew will make something for lunch,” Zachary growled, stomping out of the apartment, making the floor shake. Andrew lead her out without much else to say and Riley said a quick good bye to Star. The cat was already napping on the top platform of the cat tree, completely uninterested in everyone. Riley was jealous that Star had an easier time ignoring hot guys then she did. Totally not fair.
Riley was able to lock her door before Andrew continued to drag her back to the SUV. Suddenly, with her in the front seat again, they were on their way to the Kingson Estate. They passed Haley in her truck and Riley tried to duck for cover. Haley would be furious that Riley was out and about with these couple of boys. Haley had been adamant. Do not get involved with them under any circumstances. Too late, Riley thought to herself, much too late. She wasn’t paying attention as they pulled into the driveway and up towards the house.
The Kingson Estate mansion was massive and Riley sputtered at the sight of it.
“Wow,” she whispered reverently.
“Yeah, it’s a nice place,” Andrew chuckled. “I still do that do when I see it sometimes.”
“But…” she looked over at him. “You grew up here?”
“I wasn’t a kid with money like the others,” Andrew gave her a smile and she saw he was self-conscious. “I was the stray they took in.”
“Don’t say it like that, “Zachary growled. “We liked you, we were kids and we didn’t give a shit about money. We still don’t, you know that. Plus, you were Brenton’s friend long before I was.”
She watched Andrew shrug and thought about that for a minute. Andrew was the ‘regular guy’ of the group then. She wondered if Troy and his brother were the same as Zachary or Andrew. She hadn’t met the last one yet either, Brenton Kingson, the guy who inherited this place. The one she hoped would be ugly as sin so she had one safe on in the group.
They pulled into the garage and Riley gaped at the selection. They had three black SUVs in total, Andrew’s gunmetal pickup, a candy apply red convertible, and seven motorcycles of different varieties.
“Who has this many modes of transportation?” She waved her hand at it as they got out of the SUV.
“Five guys with too much money,” Andrew chuckled. “And we all ride, so we all have our own motorcycle. That inflates it a bit.”
“There are only five guys and there are seven motorcycles.” She pointed out, staring at Andrew in disbelief.
“Troy and Gabe build custom bikes, so two of those are probably in testing and got parked in here.” Andrew grinned at her and threw that casual arm over her shoulders again, leading her inside.
They built custom motorcycles? Christ, she was out of depth here. She was a waitress. This was her boss and his rich-as-fuck friends. She shouldn’t be here and it was too late to run away.
In the giant kitchen (it was seriously bigger then her living room), she sat down at the bar and shrank as much as she could. Andrew immediately began making really good looking sandwiches, asking her about her preferences. Zachary disappeared to go do something and mumbled that he would be back.
“It’s only me, you, Zachary and Gabe today,” Andrew mentioned casually. “Brenton and Troy had to go into Denver for their own things and won’t be back until dinner.”
“Well, I need to be home by like five,” she chuckled nervously. “I’ve got plans tonight with Haley and Phoebe.”
“Oh?” He looked to her and was suddenly very interested.
“Yeah,” she waved a hand around while she spoke. “We’re going to Rocker’s for drinks and dancing. Girl’s night kind of thing.”
“Sounds like fun,” he grinned. “Maybe I can convince all the guys we need to go out and do something. It is Friday night,” he winked at her and she blushed furiously.
That wink said too much. Way too much.
“Go out where?” Gabe walked in, looking at Andrew. He was still gorgeous and away from Troy, he seemed like less trouble. He kept his straight black hair a little long, sweeping over his emerald green eyes. It looked incredibly soft and she wondered what it would feel like to run her hands through. The thought made her bite her bottom lip and she saw Gabe take a long breathe in and turn his head to her. Andrew was only watching her, a small smile on his lips. Weird? Did she smell bad?
“To Rocker’s,” he eventually told Gabe. “Riley here is going out with her girlfriends. We could meet up with them, have a drink and listen to some music.”
Gabe still had his eyes on her and then a lazy Cheshire Cat grin broke out on his face. Definitely still trouble in this man.
“Sounds like a plan,” he whispered, walking over to her. He leaned on the other side of the bar and got close to her face. She refused to back off herself so suddenly they were an inch apart. Riley hoped her breathe didn’t stink. “We haven’t been introduced yet. You ran off on Wednesday when I went to the diner with the guys. I’m Gabe Walker, Troy’s older brother.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said firmly, trying to will her heartbeat to slow down. “How much older?”
“A month. We’re half-brothers technically but no one cares about that distinction.” He leaned a centimeter closer. She fought the urge to move back or forward. This guy had no concept of personal space but she didn’t back down from shit like this. It just wasn’t in her.
Suddenly, he yelp and pulled back. Zachary was behind him with a wooden spoon.
“Back off,” he snarled at Gabe who shrank an inch at it. He nailed Gabe again on the back of the head.
“No reason to be violent, Zachary,” she laughed. “I’m fine.”
Gabe and Andrew looked at her like she had grown a second head while Zachary only gave a violent looking smile and leaned over to her, taking Gabe’s spot.
“Yeah, you are,” his eyes darted down to her chest. “But Gabe knows better.”
“Then you should too,” she hissed softly, a taunting smile on her lips. This guy was obviously one who like to be in charge. She wondered if he was the normal ring leader of the group.
He only nodded, backing out her space. His expression didn’t change however and she wondered what she just got herself into. These guys were different, strange. Maybe it was the money that made their behavior so weird? If not for Andrew, she would have run out of the room. He was at least a little normal.
They ate lunch and she listened to them talk about when they grew up in Wild Junction. She didn’t learn much. They all lived here with Brenton and his family most of the year and were home schooled. They all decided to stay permanently when the accidents happened. It was like they were telling her a press release version of their lives and she didn’t know if she could expect more. It wasn’t really her business.
It was nearly three when Andrew decided to drive her home. It was quiet ride but when the got to her apartment, he stopped her.
“Wait,” he whispered, taking her hand. She looked over to him, eyebrows raised. “I just wanted you to know that you can always come over. If you need anything or Star needs anything, call me. I know you have Haley and Phoebe but I don’t like you only having them in case you need help or a ride or even a friend to hang out with.”
He was just so damn nice. How could she avoid this guy when he was so nice?
“Thanks Andrew,” she gave him a smile. “I might like to have another friend.”
“I’d love to be considered one,” Andrew grinned now. “See you at Rocker’s tonight.”
“Yeah, maybe,” she mumbled, nervous now at the thought.
She jumped out quickly and ran up her stairs. These guys were getting to her
. Too many of them, too much of them, too often. They were cocky, arrogant and then incredibly sweet. It was awful and she couldn’t risk getting close to yet another guy, let alone a pack of them. She’d barely known any of them a week.
Except Andrew, he was a sweetheart. Maybe too much of a sweetheart?
Tonight, she was going out and getting some action from a tourist that she wouldn’t need to see the next day. That might clear her mind of the outrageous men who were quickly storming into her life trying to be friendly.
Zachary
Zachary sat quietly in their den with Gabe. He couldn’t get her out of mind, this little Riley Stern.
“She really doesn’t know anything,” Gabe mumbled incredulously. Zachary growled softly, shifting his position a little.
“Yeah, she’s clueless about it all.” He couldn’t believe it either. He’d never heard of a half-breed knowing absolutely nothing. Normally, the shifter parent would slowly bring them in but she didn’t have that. He was sure it happened sometimes but he’d never met one and now they had one in Wild Junction.
Shit, she responded to them like a shifter would. She was a mix of defiant, looking for place in the pecking order and submissive to the more dominant personalities. She reacted naturally to everything they threw at her and when they invaded her personal space, she didn’t back down. That took a spine of steel when it came to this group.
“She didn’t even break eye contact,” he mumbled to himself, remembering how both he and Gabe were in her space and she barely blinked. “I wonder how Brenton is going to feel about this.”
“About her or going to Rocker’s?” Gabe laughed. “I never took Andrew as sneaky but he’s playing this hard. That was slick, committing her to seeing us at Rocker’s.”
“Both, since you know Brenton wanted us to keep our distance.” Zachary smirked. “We failed.”
“You failed what?” Brenton’s voice entered the room and they both looked at him. He was wearing a typical navy blue suit on his six foot four frame. His brown hair was done perfectly, all business professional.
Wild Pride (The Kingson Pride Book 1) Page 6