Daniela came out from her room and saw me. Her face fell as her eyes tracked the tears falling down my cheeks.
“Oh my god Lorrie! What happened?”
I took a deep breath and sat down on the futon. She took a seat beside me and took my hand in hers.
“So I was in the bathroom today and I heard some girls gossiping . . .” I sighed deeply.
“Oh no,” Daniela said. “They weren’t talking crap about you were they?”
“No, worse. They were talking about how they went over to Hunter’s apartment to play with the kittens.”
She looked at me as though she were expecting me to go on. “Umm . . . am I missing a part of the story? Kittens are kind of made to be played with.”
“They were saying how cute the kittens were and how it made Hunter so much hotter. Then Hunter got them to give him a blowjob . . .”
“Oh Lorrie, I’m so sorry . . . Wait, did he use the kittens as bait to get him a blowjob?”
The reasoning sounded ridiculous when I heard it out loud, but it was a difficult conclusion to ignore. “I . . . I don’t know!”
“Oh my god!”
I opened my mouth to respond but was interrupted by a knock at the suite door. Daniela got up from the futon and cracked open the door.
“Is Lorrie here?” I heard the voice behind the door say. It was Hunter. He must’ve come to my dorm since I refused to answer my phone.
Daniela looked at me, eyebrows raised. I could tell her to shut the door in Hunter’s face, but I decided that I should at least hear him out. Maybe he had a good explanation for what those girls said and I was just overreacting. I begrudgingly nodded.
“Yes, she’s here,” Daniela said.
“Can I come in?”
Daniela checked with me. I raised my brows.
She looked back at Hunter.
“Please?” he said.
I nodded and Daniela opened the door for him. “I’m going to leave you two alone,” she said. She turned to me. “I’ll be in my room.”
She walked out of the common area and closed her door.
Hunter entered the suite, lacking the usual swagger in his step. He was shuffling his feet like a zombie. I couldn’t be sure but I interpreted it as the distinct walk of a guilty man. He eyed me carefully, confusion on his face, his mouth a thin line. He was wearing a brown leather jacket over his usual gray hoodie, dark jeans that hinted at the powerful legs beneath, and tan winter boots with traces of snow clinging to the laces. The backpack slung over one shoulder seemed full of books.
“You sure came over here quickly,” I grumbled. Seeing his gorgeous self in person made me think about how those girls must’ve felt when they were giving him head. I grabbed a futon pillow and squeezed it angrily over my chest.
He squinted to get a better look at me almost as if he’d just woken up from a nap. “I came as quick as I could.”
Hunter shifted on his feet, adjusting his balance. Although his speech seemed fine, I was beginning to suspect he was inebriated. “Have you been drinking Hunter?” I snapped. “It would certainly explain a lot.”
“No, no . . . I’m just tired that’s all.” He sighed. “I was studying in Wheatley when I texted you,” he said, sounding frustrated. “Lorrie, what’s the matter?”
God, I could barely even look at him. Hunter wasn’t just a weirdo; he was a sick person. “It’s hard for me to even look at you after what you did.”
“Huh? What the hell? What did I do?” His shuffling feet came to a stop near the TV. He kept his distance.
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know. I fell for your bullshit before, I tried not to listen to the rumors about you. Maybe I was just stupidly naive to think you were a decent guy despite all the red flags, but now it’s all clear to me. Congratulations, Hunter. You’re a fucking asshole.”
“What the hell, Lorrie. If you’re going to accuse me of something, say it for god’s sake!”
I threw my pillow at him but he casually swatted it away. “You used kittens to get a blowjob!” I screamed.
His sleepy eyes widened. “W-What?!”
“I heard two girls saying you invited them over to pet the kittens and they gave you a blowjob.”
“Dammit, I thought you said you didn’t listen to rumors,” he snapped. “Who did you hear that from anyway?”
“It wasn’t a rumor Hunter!” I shouted. “It was a first-hand account! I was in the bathroom and I heard them talking about how they went over to your place to see the kittens and how hot you looked with Rampage. They said they both went down on you at the same time—I don’t even know how that’s possible!” Just saying it almost made me gag. “Go ahead, tell me it’s not true. Tell me I’m being delirious and creating imaginary cats and imaginary blowjobs in my head. Tell me I’m wrong.”
His mouth was a thin line. “I told you I don’t like talking about that kind of personal stuff. I keep my sex life private.”
His obvious deflection made me seethe. “Jesus Hunter! If that’s not an admission then I don’t know what is. You make me sick! To think you were using them . . . using poor Taylor, Georgia, and Frida to get your cock sucked. Somebody should send you to prison where you can fight all day and have your balls rot off.”
“Lorrie!” he yelled. He leaned an elbow on top of the TV to brace himself and rubbed his forehead with his other hand. “Let’s get one thing straight: I did not use the kittens to get me a blowjob! And I never would. It’s so ridiculous, are you even listening to yourself? It pisses me off to even think about it, let alone have you accuse me of it. I don’t need kittens to get me a blowjob. Girls would give me head even if I had a fucking pet rock!”
“Oh wow. The true Hunter shows his colors. So that’s what you’ve been hiding in your closet huh? You’re an egomaniac and a sexaholic. The compassionate-loner-weirdo thing you have going on was all a facade.”
“Dude, Lorrie. I’d never tell anyone details about my sex life. I just told you that because we’re friends and you’re accusing the hell outta me! What’s your deal anyway? Why are you so worked up over me getting a blowjob? You were the one who wanted to just be friends. Are you telling me you’re jealous?”
“You wish!” I yelled, my face heating from embarrassment. “I admit I might’ve been attracted to you before Hunter but after this . . . after this I don’t even know if I want to be your friend.”
“You don’t mean that,” he said somberly.
I threw my hands up in frustration, beginning to realize that I was more mad about the fact that Hunter got a BJ than the silly idea that he exploited the kittens. “Goddammit Hunter! Why did you get a blowjob from those two girls? Jesus, it wasn’t even just one girl, it was two at the same time!”
“Lorrie . . . what they did wasn’t really . . . it didn’t mean anything to me. They don’t really mean anything to me. Not like you mean to me.”
“Wow, now you have two accolades: Not only do you apparently have the biggest cock on campus, you’re also the most insensitive guy on campus! I was pissed off at those girls before, but now I’m starting to feel bad for them. You used them.”
“It isn’t like that!” he shouted but then his voice softened. “They knew what they were getting into. I’ve always been upfront with girls about any arrangement we have. We were all consenting adults. There were no mixed signals.”
“Whatever,” I scoffed. “How many girls have you seduced since the beginning of the semester?”
“. . . I’ve only been with two girls—Lauren and Teri—they were the ones that came over and saw the cats. And to be clear: we didn’t have sex. I knew it would upset you, so I didn’t have sex with them. God, I can’t believe I’m even telling you their names. I’m breaking my rules for you, Lorrie.”
“You can break your dick while you’re at it.” Seeing no other pillows around, I settled for crossing my arms over my chest. “You thought having sex with them would upset me and so you settled for a BJ? Seriously, what goes through that
fucked up brain of yours Hunter? You think I see imaginary cats? Well, I think you see imaginary logic.”
“I’m sorry, Lorrie. I needed to feel something . . . I wasn’t in a right state of mind. I’m a bit of a mess right now. It’s stupid but it’s the only thing I know that helps . . . I’m just trying to put myself back together.”
“What are you talking about? You seemed fine just a few days ago when you met my aunt. How could you go from flexing and making jokes to a Danny Downer? You know what, nevermind. I don’t know and I don’t wanna know. We discussed it before: we both have issues that we don’t want to share. And that’s fine. All I’ll say is this: I don’t care who you sleep with or who you don’t sleep with but get BJs from. We’re just friends, so why should I care?”
“Well I care! I care about you. I care about what you think. I consider you more than just a friend, Lorrie. You’re a close friend. You mean more to me than any other girl. You’re like the female version of Gary to me.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means that you being upset with me is not something I can brush off. I can ignore the gossip about me, I can take the rumors. But I can’t take you being mad at me. How can I make this right, Lorrie? I fucked up big time. How can I make it up to you?”
Although I was still mad at him, my heart broke to see him so distressed over things I said. I sighed, realizing I really cared about Hunter and didn’t want to lose him as a friend. “Okay, I admit hearing you getting a BJ from two girls pissed me off. It still pisses me off. But that’s my own issue. Even though we’re just friends, I can’t help being a little jealous. It’s irrational, I know, and that’s my fault . . . I’m sorry for that. I have to find a way to get over it. You’re entitled to do whatever you want in your private life.” I exhaled deeply. “I’m sorry Hunter, I’ll try to keep my jealousy under wraps.”
He shook his head. “Alright, check this out, Lorrie. First thing I’m gonna do is make it up to the kittens by buying them Tiki Cat Gourmet. I’m also gonna get them one of those running waterfall dispensers. I’m gonna pamper the hell outta them. Just watch me. And second, I’m gonna cut that shit out with girls. It’s as much for you as it is for me.” He sighed. “I’ve been fucking up a lot, way before I even met you, and I need to get my shit together. I’m glad you’re here to give me a kick in the ass.”
I took a deep breath, trying to digest Hunter’s admission that he was a messed up person. I felt bad for causing to him to admit that. I also felt bad that maybe Hunter was being overly hard on himself. “Those ideas for the cats sound good. As for what you do with other girls, really it’s your decision. I don’t want to be a terrible friend to you. I’m sorry I said all those nasty things. Maybe I’m just getting stressed out about midterms coming up.”
He walked over and put his arms around me, squeezing me tightly. I squeezed him back just as tight. “You know what I bet will cheer us both up?”
I knew his answer but played along anyway. “What?”
“Rammmmppaaaaagggee!” he bellowed, his muscular arms spread wide and his voice deep.
Despite still being a little upset, I giggled; Hunter loved to pretend like Rampage could talk, but he always did it in that voice. The contrast between the little kitten and Hunter’s booming voice never failed to make me laugh. Rampage was definitely Hunter’s favorite.
“Do you think your roommate would want to come?” he asked.
I shrugged as Daniela’s voice came from her room. “Yes she would!”
Had she been listening to the whole thing? I turned and saw her emerge, purse in hand. Hunter looked at me.
“Okay, let’s go,” I said, eyeing my best friend suspiciously.
“Yay!” Daniela squealed. “Oh my gosh, I bet these things are so cute.”
“You have no idea,” Hunter said, standing up. “Get ready to have your chest explode.”
The squeal Daniela made when she saw the kittens was higher pitched than I thought was humanly possible. Hunter’s hands shot up to cover his ears, but I wasn’t so lucky. They stayed ringing for what felt like several minutes.
“Oh my god look at the little kittens!” she cooed. “They’re so tiny!”
She got down on her knees and tapped the rough wood floor. “Come here kitty!”
One of the kittens crept up to her unsteadily. They had just started being able to walk with any success a week or so prior. Before that, they had mostly squirmed, slept, and pooped. Now they’d added wobbling around on their feet to that list, and we were trying to get them to start using the litter box.
I looked more closely at the pattern on the kitten’s back. It had a little white patch on its brown fur shaped a little like a heart. That one was Taylor.
Taylor came up to Daniela’s outstretched hand and purred as she stroked her back. Some of the other kittens began to creep out from their sleepiness to see what all the commotion was about.
“How old are they?” Daniela asked.
I looked at Hunter, who shrugged. “We think they’re like five weeks,” I said.
She nodded. “They’re the smallest kittens I’ve ever seen. Can I hold her?”
“Sure. If she’ll let you. Taylor can be a little feisty.”
Daniela stuck her lip out and made a pouty face at me, then she turned her attention back to Taylor and picked her up. Taylor meowed in protest but didn’t scratch.
“See, she’s fine!” Daniela said.
I smiled, skeptical how long that would last. When I looked over at Hunter he was focused on his phone.
“Hey Lorrie, Gary wants to come over. That cool?”
“Why not?” I said.
He shrugged and tapped a reply on his phone. “I don’t know, just checking.” He put his phone in his pocket. “Now where’s Rampage?”
I shook my head and laughed. “If I didn’t know better I’d swear he’s the only one you ever pay attention to.”
Hunter walked over to the box and found a kitten with a white patch that went from between its eyes all the way to the base of its neck. He was a little sleepy but crawled up to him anyway and rolled on his back. That was typical Rampage.
Hunter scooped him and up and held him in his hand, the kitten’s head cradled in his fingers. He tickled Rampage’s belly and the little guy squirmed in approval, trying to grab onto Hunter’s finger with its tiny paws.
“I have enough love to go around,” Hunter said. “But just look at him? He’s just so adorable.” He held the kitten up for us to admire. Then Hunter’s face fell and he rushed to the litter box.
“God damn it Rampage!” he said.
“What?” Daniela asked worriedly. I already knew the answer .
Hunter plopped Rampage into the litter box, then got up to go to the kitchen sink. “He pooped on me!”
I giggled when Daniela turned to me in horror then down on Taylor. “They aren’t trained?” she asked me.
“Daniela, these kittens are little babies. Of course they aren’t trained. They’ve only been able to use the litter box at all for a few days.”
“So she could poop on me at any moment?”
“Yup,” Hunter said from the kitchen. “I don’t know how kittens so small can poop so much, but they do.”
Daniela wrinkled her nose.
“Hey Lorrie,” Hunter said, “can you come help me with the kitten milk? It’s just about time for them to eat.”
“Sure,” I said.
I got up at the same time as Daniela, who was gently putting Taylor into the litter box. Apparently she didn’t want kitten poop on her hands. I walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and pulled out the kitten formula while Hunter finished washing his hands. When I closed the door I saw Hunter had pinned a drawing to his fridge with a magnet.
It was the sketch I had done of a man with a fly’s head. He had said he liked it, but I didn’t realize he liked it enough to put it up in his apartment. The fact he had put it up made me feel good, both about my artistic abilit
ies and about Hunter’s feelings toward our friendship.
As I stood looking at the drawing, I felt him come up behind me. The warmth from his body made the light hairs on my arms stand on end. I felt my skin prickle at his presence.
“We didn’t leave any syringes in there, did we?” he asked.
“No, I think those are in the cupboard with the bottles.”
“Okay. Are you alright?”
I blinked and turned to him. His eyes were narrowed in concern. “Yeah, I was just admiring this awesome drawing on your fridge.”
His face relaxed into a smile. “Oh. Yeah, the artist is really something. I look forward to seeing more of her work.”
“I think she’s working on a series involving kittens.”
He grinned. “Sounds cool.”
“But if she’s going to continue that series, these kittens need to be fed,” I said, stepping around him and going to a cupboard to look for a sauce pan. We needed to boil some water to warm up the kitten milk and sterilize the rubber nipples.
I found one and got the water going on the stove. We returned to the common area to find Daniela gingerly petting another kitten. Judging by its fur it looked like Bones.
“Good lord,” I said. “It’s just kitten poop. You’re petting that thing like it might sting you.”
She turned to me and frowned. “I don’t want to get it on my sweater! This is dry clean only.”
Hunter scoffed. “I can get you a hoodie if you want to wear it while feeding them. Or a blanket maybe.”
“You’re the one who yelled when he pooped on you!” she said.
He shrugged. “Yeah, it kind of sucks when something poops on you. I do stuff all the time knowing it’s going to suck every once in a while. Doesn’t mean I don’t do it for the awesome parts.” He walked over to where Rampage had plopped down next to the litter box and picked him up. “Isn’t that right Rampage?”