Stay out of it

"No, uh, it felt really good," he confessed, smiling as he looked down. He didn't feel like it was too much over the line, but he also hadn't seen it coming. However his mind went back to something she had said, "wait, you dream about kissing me?" a soft and playful tease, his smile widening and becoming more mischievous as he laid here. She couldn't run from it now, because she had basically admitted to it. "Anyways .. next time I'd like for you to be awake when you do it," he said and was rather genuine about it.

He sighed, smiling as she was right, but he just really liked her. He scooted down so he could be face to face with her, lifting a hand to cup her cheek. "I think it's only fair if I get to do it back to you then," he muttered, searching her eyes. Would she be okay with this? He leaned in to her free cheek, nuzzling his nose lightly against her skin, breathing her in, smiling softly.
He was about to kiss her cheek as his phone started buzzing. His eyes opened, letting go of her to grab his phone from his pants on the floor. It was an unsaved number. Picking up he hoped it would be the shelter, "this is Rhys," he said, holding the phone to his ear.

The alluring voice made him roll his eyes, sitting up in the bed, breathing out in a sigh, "how did you get this number Elaine?" he asked. He had changed numbers a few times, so he wondered how she had managed to get it this time. He reached down, grabbing on to Emily's hand, entangling their fingers as he felt like he needed support. Him and Elaine hadn't had the best of relationship. In fact he would say it had been borderline abusive, and she only seemed to want to be around him because he was scary. "You know what, it doesn't fucking matter, don't call me again, alright."

Rhys grit his teeth. He could barely remember what he had done in his relapse weeks. That was the thing with addiction for him. He forgot himself, forgot time and space, and made stupid choices. He grit his teeth, "aight .. I'll meet with you .. don't be stupid about it," he said, but her last question sounded more like mockery. He looked down a little, "No thanks yo you," he said, no she had always encouraged his toxic behaviour. It was as if she thrived when he was low. "I'm free tomorrow."

"Your place," yeah, he wasn't risking her coming over to his place this time around. He felt Emily touching his chest, and he looked down to her. He wasn't quite sure how to feel, if he was being honest, but appeasing Elaine was easier than putting up a fight. Besides she was crazy, and if she didn't get her way she would try something stupid. He hummed at her promise, and if that was it he would hang up.
Breathing out in relief but also a slight groan he placed his phone down, leaning his head back to look up at the ceiling. "Sorry about that," he muttered, closing his eyes to take a few deep breaths.

And he couldn't wait to get it over with. After hanging up, he took a second to breathe before pulling Emily in closer. It was strange because usually when he felt upset, he would push everyone away. She told him not to apologise and yet he couldn't help it. He knew he didn't have the best life, and when he considered what he had done he might've needed to apologise further.
However as his phone rang, he picked it up, about to scold Elaine for wasting his time when he had already agreed to meet up. However he was met by the sweet woman, a bit stunned at first he cleared his throat, "yeah, we'll write them down," he said, putting the phone on speaker so he could type in his notes app. "Thank you so much for calling back, I'll call them up and see what's up," he told Rhonda. He looked to Emily with a more hopeful look and after saying his goodbyes to Rhonda they started calling around.

"Alright, well, I guess we better get dressed and go check them out," he said nodding to himself as he got up. He wanted to remain hopeful in this, so he reached a hand to her, helping her to her feet. "You'll get that kiss when we have the cat," he smiled. Being optimistic was the only thing they could do right now. Rhys got in to his pants, looking up the addresses and pulled on his shirt. He then went to grab his shoes, making sure he knew the way when Emily had finished. They could always get a shower later, but the more they waited, the harder it was going to be.
Once they were ready he went out to his bike, taking out the helmets and handing one to her. He assumed she knew how to do it by now, if not he would help her. He got on the bike, the motor roaring to life and probably waking the whole neighborhood. He just grinned, hoping he had woken up Dave as well. Once she was on, they were off, picking the cat that was waiting for surgery as it was the one closest to them.

He hummed in agreement, but didn't say much as they traveled to the first shelter. The cat was definitely not the one from the alley as this one was way different in fur and markings. The next was also not the one they had been looking for. Rhys opted to go to the last shelter as well, having Emily stay out by the bike as he went in. Getting a general description made him shake his head in defeat. It wasn't any of these cats. He came out to the bike, a frown on his face as they had now searched far and wide. "Not here either .. It's like the cat has disappeared into thin air," he sighed, shaking his head as he leaned up against his bike, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Right now there was only one thing on his mind. "Alright .. I guess I'll have to beat it out of that weasel," he stated, clearly talking about Dave.

"Oh, yeah, uh, you want me to drop you off?" He wouldn't mind a drive, and perhaps that was better than beating the living daylights out of Dave when he felt this angry. He looked to her, reaching out to touch her hand. He sorta needed that touch, but also felt a bit guilty just taking it. "I'll try to be civil with the weasel .. see of we can't get some answers," he said, shrugging lightly. Sure, if that didn't work, he could always take out his anger and frustration on him.

He scoffed, "I'll make him talk one way or another," he just said before they got on the bike. He simply dropped her off where she wanted to be dropped off, even if it was back at her apartment. Regardless he had some business to take care of in regards to Dave. He had also made sure to type in his number for her, so she could text him when she was done. It was strange how used to her he had gotten. The fact that they had spent almost a whole day together was kinda crazy. But he liked it a lot.
Arriving at the apartment complex, he parked the bike, heading up the stairs and knocked on Dave's door. "Just wanna talk," Rhys said, though he was trying to be calm about it, he was also very angry with that damned weasel.

He took a step back or two, just trying to remember that this guy was basically an idiot who might co-operate better if he just acted nicely. However as the bags were dropped behind him, Rhys turned around to see the idiot running. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath as he set off after him. He was fairly fit, and actually seemed to catch up to Dave within minutes, chasing him down until he grabbed a hold of the back of his shirt. "Whoa there, cowboy," making both of them stop, not caring if it made Dave fall, cause he would still be holding him by the back of his shirt. "What's the matter? Don't wanna talk?" he asked, tilting his head to the side as he looked at the guy. To think he was even wasting his breath on him, but then again he was doing it for Emily.

Oh if he hadn't minded himself and his surroundings he might've smashed Dave's head in against the pavement. The guy lived up to the nickname that Emily had given him, weaseling his hand in to his pocket to grab his phone. Rhys wasn't having it, quickly snatching it up, and placing it in his own pocket, "let's go for a little walk, shall we?" Pulling the poor guy with him as he started to walk down the street. He didn't care if people stared, they either stared or they looked away in his opinion. "Now, you're going to be a good boy, and tell me what shelter you called, and where that damn cat is," speaking through gritted teeth he was trying to contain his anger as they were moving back towards the apartments.

"Now Dave .. Can I call you Dave?" he would ignore any answer whether it be positive or negative, slowly dragging him with him as he walked. He saw someone lift their phone to start typing, giving them a hard glance and it seemed as though that worked to stop them from calling whoever they were trying to contact. "For this to work, you gotta be honest with me," he said, looking ahead, not even looking at that damned weasel simply because he didn't want to just bash his skull in.
The hotline you called must've given you a reference number, is that not correct?" his lips pulling up in a sinister smile as they reached the apartment complex. If Dave didn't lift his feet, he would simply drag him up the stairs. "Because anonymity isn't your style; You can't seem to keep your nose out of someone else's business," he sneered. With his free hand he grabbed the bags of grocery, picking them up and walking Dave towards his apartment.