Page 100 of You Spin Me

I prepped everyone ahead of time so they wouldn’t react like I did the first time I met Cal, and no one bats an eye at his scars. The giddy energy of a cast that’s completed a really good run pulls him right in. When we move the festivities back to the actor house, he relaxes even more when everyone tells funny stories. He even contributes a few of his own.

As I step out of my heels and sink gratefully into a chair next to him, I’m glad he’s here. I may notneeda guy next to me, but having this guy in my life comes with more bonuses than I ever expected. Taking his hand and leaning my cheek on his shoulder, I’m happier than I’ve ever been, even though I’ve never felt so bone-tired in my life. Yet another problem with aging: I can’t run this body on fumes like I used to.

If I could just sleep for a week or so, my life would be perfect.

As long as I’m not pregnant, that is.

With Calnext to me in my actor housing bed, I wake up much later Sunday morning than I usually do, but I don’t feel rested. I’d love to go back to sleep, but we have to be out by noon. I’ll be sad to say goodbye to Jack, Earl and Timothy, but at least it’ll be quick since I don’t have much time to pack up.

When I wake Cal with a kiss, he tries to pull me back into bed. “How ’bout a quickie?” he asks with the crooked grin I’ve fallen in love with.

Yes, I said that word. In my head. Not quite ready for prime time, though.

“There’s no such thing with you.” At his pout, I add, “That’s usually a good thing, but right now we have to clear out. Housekeepers will be here any minute to get this place ready for the next crew of actors.”

He groans when I pull him up to a seated position. As he moves through the stretches he needs to do every morning to maintain mobility, he asks if I want to go with him to his parents’ house for Sunday dinner.

I stop shoving my clothes into a suitcase. “Really?”

“Really. I think it’s about time my family met the woman I’m in love with.”

His words—words I was too chickenshit to utter moments ago—have me literally dropping everything. With the side that anyone would call gorgeous in my left palm, the side that I find beautiful for all it represents in my right, my lips caress his, telling him the best way I can how much I love him.

When his hands get frisky, however, I have to push away. “Later, you. After I meet your family.”

And after I have a nap.

Back at my apartment an hour later, I try to sprint up the stairs to the bathroom, but my legs feel like they’re made of lead. I’ve needed to pee since I hit Route 128, but when I sit on the toilet, hardly anything comes out. Cal followed me here in his car so we can drive together to his parents’ house, and he uses my phone to call them and let them know we’re coming as I change into something parent-worthy. Running on adrenaline, my tummy feels a bit off as I settle into the passenger seat of his car.

“Are they going to like me?”

His bark of a laugh is full of honest surprise. “Jess, I’ve never brought a girlfriend to Sunday dinner. When they see how I look at you, they’ll know.”

“Know what?”

Taking my hand, he pulls it to his chest. “That you’re the only girl for me. That the past few months with you have been the best of my life.” With a quick glance my way he adds, “Sorry.”

“Sorry about what?”

His grin is so wide I’m afraid it’s straining his scars to the point of pain. “Now that I’ve said it, I can’t stop saying it.” When he presses my hand to his chest, his heart beats a tattoo against my palm. “I love you, Jess.”

This time I’m ready. Curling my other hand around his bicep, I rest my head on his shoulder to whisper, “I love you too, Cal.”

Chapter30

Nigel here at WBAR on a cloudy Sunday afternoon. Next up “So Alive” by Love and Rockets followed by Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.”

CAL

Jess falls asleep on the short drive to Worcester and doesn’t wake up when I stop the car in front of my parents’ house. I’m wondering if she’s sick, if I should turn the car around and take her home, when her eyes flutter open.

“We don’t have to do this today, princess.”

It seems to take her a moment to figure out what I’m talking about, but then she sits up. “Are we here already?”

“Yeah. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Her smile seems a bit dimmer than usual when she squeezes my hand, but she says, “I think I’m a bit run-down. It usually happens when a show closes. But I really want to meet your family, and we’re here.” She looks around. “Right?”

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