Page 131 of No Need to Run
Drew winces. “Okay, maybe not insane.”
He shakes his head, then looks at me. “Why isn’t Mr. Pickles hissing at you? You’re holding it.”
“Because I don’t live with him.”
“Holy hell,” Drew mutters. “I guess the judgmental bastard does like me.”
I laugh, scratching the kitten’s ears. The purring grows louder as it becomes boneless in my arms. Safe.
Drew watches me for a long moment.
“You were in the bushes.”
Ah.We’re back to that.
“I told you,” I reply calmly. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“And your solution was to walk past our house?”
“Yes.”
“And hide in the yard?”
“I wasn’t hiding.”
He stares at me. “You were absolutely hiding.”
I tilt my head slightly. “I prefer the term observing.”
He freezes for a couple of beats before exhaling a quiet laugh. “I should be concerned.”
I shrug, a small smile on my lips. “Probably.”
I meet his gaze, calm and certain.
“Why do I suddenly feel like I’m taking after my brother?”
“Maybe... you’re more alike than you think.”
He frowns, trying to work through that.
He reaches out, pulling a piece of the shrub from my red hair. His fingers linger for a second too long.
I don’t move.
Behind us, Mr. Pickles slams his paw against the glass again.
Drew turns and points at Mr. Pickles. “Stop that.”
“Poor thing,” I coo, still stroking its fur. “So skinny. You’re probably hungry.”
Drew watches us. “I can try to go inside to get some food.” His eyes dart nervously to Mr. Pickles.
“No, don’t do that.” I try to suppress the giggle. “He probably won’t let you back out.”
Drew nods, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I hate leaving it out here,” he says quietly. “Hungry... and alone.”
I meet his eyes.
