Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

My face falls. Damn. I know Tina loved her cat but I’m unsure why it caused this reaction.

Nat says, “There is more to this you don’t know. Bear wasn’t just any cat. He belonged to someone Tina loved very much. He was all she had left of that person and now he’s gone and Tina feels disconnected. ” My brow furrows. She continues quietly, “Tina carries a lot of baggage. You’d never tell by looking at her now but she’s had a tough time over the past five years. Be patient, Nik. She’ll let you in, just treat her with care. ”

I’m surprised.

Tina seems like the most together person I know. Finding out she’s had it tough breaks my heart. I’m desperately curious now but I won’t ask. It’s Tina’s story to tell.

I nod and say, “I’ll send Ghost over to the apartment to get Bear. ”

Nat nods and goes back to the ‘chill out’ room to be with Tina.

My poor girl.

This was a bad day for her. I’d do anything to make it better.

***

Ghost returns from Tina’s apartment glowering.

Fuck me. This is not good.

He closes the door to my office and I know it’s worse than what I thought.

He sits down putting a leg on his knee and shaking it. He says, “Cat was decapitated. ”

My body stiffens.

What the fuck?

Ghost continues, “Body was strung up by its tail on the back porch like a lantern. I spoke to Nat. She knows. No way is she telling Tina. She mentioned that Tina said some shit to Omarr. She dissed him. A few times. This looks like a message to me, brother. ”

It was. A very clear message that read Don’t fuck with me.

I nod. I only have one choice.

I have to kill Omarr.

***

For the first time in two years, I closed Safira early. Nat called Mimi and told her not to come in for her shift. I’ll still pay her, of course. It’s not her fault I broke down today.

Nat drives me home in my car, she orders Chinese food but I can’t stomach it. I just want to go to bed and pretend today didn’t happen.

Bear is gone.

My only link to Mia is gone. And I know he went in a bad way because no one will tell me about it. Nat told me Ghost picked him up and took care of him.

I can see someone’s tried to clean blood off my back porch. Thinking of Bear in pain makes me want to retch. He was the best cat and a great companion. All those lonely nights felt okay as long as Bear was purring around the place. The apartment feels empty without him. I walk passed his food bowl. There will be no feeding him tomorrow. I will never see his feed me dance again. Or hear his sweet meow. Or cuddle him.

Nik asked me if I wanted to stay with him tonight but I refused. I wouldn’t be great company and I’m thankful he didn’t push. The last thing I need would be to get angry with him. I need space.

He got me.

Today was a really bad day. And I’m over it.

Time to hit the hay.

I excuse myself without eating and kiss Nat on the cheek.