36. Cat

36

CAT

The bookstore was growing busier by the day as the days got colder. Taking a break from my training, I offered to help Cleo restock the shelves. With a stack of used mystery novels in my hand, I wandered down each aisle and slowly slotted the books into place.

"Remember the Dewey Decimal System!" Cleo hollered from the register.

Rolling my eyes, I nodded. "I got it on lock, I swear." I wasn't entirely sure I was true. But I knew if I was wrong, no customer would notice.

Once my stack had depleted, all of the recent donations filed away into their new homes, I wandered around to the register and smiled at Cleo.

They narrowed their eyes at me suspiciously. Worried about my shoulder, they were watching my every movement going into Championship weekend. We were less than a week away, our team having crushed the playoffs easily.

"You okay?" Their forehead wrinkled.

Performatively making a wide circle with my arm to test it out, I nodded. "Feels strong." But I leaned on the wood counter and winked. "You weren't so worried about the shoulder when I was carrying you to bed last night."

Cleo took the book in their hand and smacked my bicep lightly. "Lower your voice." A deep blush took over their cheeks as they tucked a blonde strand of hair behind their ear.

Before I could reply, I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Cat Collins?" An excited voice came from behind me.

Whipping around, I smiled at the nervous fan. "Hi, how are you?"

"I'm just a huge fan, I just wanted to say hi. I'm driving down from Sugarties on Saturday for the Championships." The woman rocked on her heels.

Clicking my tongue, I nodded. "Thanks for the support. We really appreciate it." I looked over at Cleo who didn't seem to know how to react. "I didn't catch your name."

"Donna." The woman stretched out her hand to shake mine. "It's really an honor, I've watched you for years."

I waved my hand. "That's really sweet of you. Do you play?"

With a humble shrug, Donna looked down at her feet. "I used to."

Excited, I turned to Cleo. "Well, this is perfect. This is Cleo, they are super involved in the rec league's organization. I bet you have a team near you." As I turned to Cleo, I wrapped my arm around their waist. We hadn't talked about any labels just yet, but I could sense their concern.

The fan interactions were always odd for them, unsure how possessive of me they needed to be.

"Oh, perfect!" Donna shook Cleo's hand. "Could I have some sort of contact information for you?"

"Of course." Pulling out a post-it note from under the counter, Cleo wrote down their number and handed it back to Donna.

Sighing, Donna put the note in her pocket. "It was great to meet you both, thanks again!" She walked out of the store, the bell above the door announcing her departure.

Once she was gone, I turned my attention back to Cleo and stepped closer to them. "A little jealous, are we?"

Rolling their eyes, Cleo licked their lips. "You're a hot commodity, Catherine. But you did a good job."

"Well, that's a relief." I winked as I pulled them into me, planting a kiss on their lips. All I wanted to do was make them feel reassured, and remind them that I would be here no matter what.

But as I pulled away, I caught a glimpse of the calendar behind Cleo's head. We were just a few days away from the Championships. And despite it being a rec league game, it could be the most decisive game I'd ever played.

And whatever happened would affect mine and Cleo's lives forever. My stomach turned at the thought.

I hope I've done enough to prepare.