Page 12 of Ruck Me Harder

We both love and hate adoption fairs. It’s good for the animals that find new homes. It’s depressing for the ones that don’t.

After a few minutes’ discussion about what I’ve done and what still needs doing, Jennifer shoos me away.

Clocking out, I grab my leather jacket and shrug it on before making my way back to Shadow. She’s curled into a ball in her cage, but as I approach, she perks up, meowing and dancing in front of the cage door.

Opening it, I scoop her out and tuck her into the front of my jacket, carefully zipping her in. I think I hear what sounds like a sigh and an “aww” from one of the rugby players behind me, but I carefully ignore it. I’m not doing this for her, whoever she is.

I’m doing this for myself.

My motorcycle is parked out back. I pull on my helmet and Shadow pokes her head up in the collar of my jacket. When she gets bigger, I can put her in a sidecar, but for now, this is safest for her.

The bike rumbles to a start and she meows excitedly, kneading my chest. I pat her clumsily over the jacket.

With one last look over my shoulder, I see the rugby players staring. My sister is amused, Susan is shaking her head, and if I’m not mistaken, the team’s photographer just took a picture of me.

My eyes flick to Vivienne. She’s scowling again, her arms crossed over her chest.

Inside my helmet where nobody can see, I smile. She looks so fucking pissed. I love it.

six

. . .

Viv

I need a drink.

That’s my first thought, and the fact that I don’t hesitate is enough to give me pause. Alcohol is not the solution to my problems; it’s the cause of it.

“Do you have what you need?” I ask Eden, who nods. “First round’s on me.”

“Thanks, Viv,” Andi says, giving me a happy smile. “Top shelf, right?”

I roll my eyes as we head to the pub down the road.

She grins, linking her arm through mine. “So tell me. Was that hottie everything we thought he would be?”

“What hottie?” I ask innocently.

“The guy you couldn’t stop salivating over.” Kiana fans her face. “When he came out with that kitten, I think my ovaries combusted.”

Cari gags. “Gross. That’s my brother.”

“I was not salivating,” I tell her evenly. “I was working. As were you.”

“Uh huh. Working,” Eden says, clearly amused. “Is that what you call it, hiding away in the back room all by yourself?”

Fuck. I should have been out front, doing things that were worthy of being photographed. I want to do good deeds for the sake of doing good deeds, yes, but I also need them to be documented. If I want an endorsement campaign, I can’t hide away.

“Don’t worry, I got the photos I need,” Eden continues, holding up her camera.

“Including the dude on his bike?” Andi asks.

Eden smirks. “I think I’m going to start a calendar. Hot guys holding small animals. It’ll be a hit.”

I scowl. “Don’t they have to sign a photo release for that?”

Kiana laughs. “Yeah. That is what you’re concerned about?” She shakes her head. “We have got to sort out your priorities.”