Page 33 of Ruck Me Harder

She knows about my other job and my gymnastics; she has to, because she helps me schedule around my other commitments.

“Do you need some time off?”

I shake my head. “I’m already taking time off for Worlds.” If I make the team, that is.

“You can take some more time,” she says hesitantly.

We both know the shelter runs on bare-bones staffing. It’s not fair to the other staff and volunteers if I take any more time off when I’m perfectly capable of working. I’d rather save the special favors for when I truly need them.

“I’m worried about you,” Susan says. “You’re going to burn out.”

“I just—I need something,” I tell her honestly. “I’ve been trying for some brand partnerships. Nobody wants me to endorse their products. I don’t know what to post on social media. Both Al and Cari are so much better at it than me.”

“Can you ask them for help?” She nudges me. “Maybe your fans want to see who you are.”

Choking out a laugh, I shake my head. “Who am I? I don’t even know that.”

Shadow, hiding in my hoodie pocket, sticks out her little head and gives a soft meow.

Susan laughs. “Has she been there this entire time?”

I nod. “She doesn’t let me put her down for very long.”

She’s growing fast. I won’t be able to carry her around in my hoodie for much longer.

“You’re going to spoil that damn kitten,” she says with a smile. “What are you going to do with her while you’re at Worlds?”

With a sigh, I gently stroke the top of the kitten’s head. “I don’t know.”

“You know as well as I do that separation anxiety like hers gets worse, not better. You’re prolonging the inevitable.”

“I just don’t want to disappoint her,” I admit.

Susan pins me with her stare. “She’s a cat. She’ll get over it.”

With a soft grunt, I don’t disagree. Doesn’t mean it’s not on my mind.

As I do a new adoption intake and help a dog find their new forever home, I can’t help but wish I had that too. I love living with my siblings in our childhood house, but I don’t feel at home there. It’s just a place to live. Too much of my life is in flux—the upcoming end of my gymnastics career, not knowing if I’ll apply to vet school this year.

The bell above the door chimes, and I force myself to leave the back room and head into the lobby. We don’t get a lot of adoption inquiries this late in the day, mainly people whose pets have gone missing, and there haven’t been any new arrivals in the last forty-eight hours.

But when I see the person in our lobby, my mouth goes dry.

Vivienne is hovering awkwardly at the end of the reception desk, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets. Her hair is tied up in a ponytail, light makeup on her face. She’s wearing dark jeans, a soft cotton T-shirt, and a lightweight puffer jacket with knee-length black boots. Effortlessly casual but put together at the same time.

She looks absolutely fucking gorgeous.

“What are you doing here?” The words come out before I can pull them back.

An awkward smile tilts her lips. “Isn’t that my line?”

My stomach flips at the lack of vitriol in her voice. I choke out a laugh. “Yeah. I think so.”

She swallows, apprehension on her face. “I was wondering…”

Impatiently, I wait for her to finish her sentence. “Yeah?”

She looks at something over my shoulder, like she can’t quite bring herself to meet my eyes.