Page 93 of You Spin Me

Chapter26

It’s Special Kay on WBAR with your quote of the week. This is from the philosopher Nietzsche. ‘Without music, life would be a mistake.’ Wow, like just, wow. That old German dude rocks, man.

CAL

For the past few weeks, my primary focus has been showing Jess in every way possible how much I care about her, whether that’s building her a ballet barre, meeting her family, or making her body soar. So not only am I late to Monday’s music meeting, but I’m unprepared. I don’t have new music to fight for, and I am in no way expecting the bomb that Gracie drops.

“It’s official. I’m leaving, kids.”

By the reactions around the room, seems like I’m the only one that didn’t see this coming. “What are you talking about?”

“She’s been up for a slot in a midday show at an LA station for weeks, you idiot.” Kay throws an empty coffee cup at me to punctuate her insult. “Someone’s lost in the love canal.”

Not sure I want to even begin to address that metaphor, I give Gracie my congratulations. “So, when do you go?”

“Three weeks,” she says with a grin. “Enough time to say goodbye to all the guys in Boston.”

The meeting continues like any other, with no word from anybody as to who is replacing her or what’s happening with the schedule. Not that I’m going to lobby for it. I’ve never wanted the higher profile an earlier spot would bring, nor the tighter control on what’s played. I’d have to play what the ad guys, the stockholders, and the so-called prime listeners want.

I’d be abandoning the people that really need the music. Like me.

However, I do have someone in my life now. Someone who would probably like it if I came home at ten instead of starting work then. I’m gearing myself up to talk to Jones about it after the meeting, when Motor makes an announcement.

“The station’s getting an uptick in homophobic, menacing calls and mail, and somebody followed me home the other night.” It’s only when he stands that I see that his suit’s more rumpled than usual and he’s got deep bags under his eyes.

Jones clears his throat. “We’re working on tightening security. From now on, nobody comes in the back door after five o’clock and nobody comes in the front door without prior authorization.”

“This is bullshit,” Guy says, sitting forward. “How can the guys over at BST get away with siccing their dogs on you?”

“Their name is basically bullshit,” Nigel drawls. “Perhaps that’s all they know how to serve up.”

“Maybe somebody needs to teach them a lesson,” Big Bob growls.

“Sinking to their level is not going to solve anything.” Jones says. “The hate they’re stirring up for anyone who’s not a white heterosexual male won’t be tempered by adding more of the same.”

“Guess we’ll have to love them to death,” Nigel mutters.

The fresh memory of Jess’s niece screaming at the sight of me sharpens my anxiety. If the shock jocks set their sights on me—and Jess—they could do a lot of damage. Not only do I not relish being paraded around as a freak, negative publicity could affect her career. Moving slots no longer seems like a good idea. So when the meeting’s over, I duck out of the room before Jones can even ask.

Wednesday afternoon,after a quick workout with my free weights, Blondie and I head over to the station. I’m hoping to catch Jess at the end of her session with Porky and Rocket to see if she wants to have lunch.

Lucky for me, they’re running over, so I sneak into the booth with the engineer to watch the trio work. Somehow, Jess even makes headphones sexy. Unfortunately, Blondie cuts my time playing audience short. When she hears Jess on the studio speakers, she barks. It’s awesome that she’s as in love with this woman as I am, but it has the engineer pointing at the exit. Catching Jess’s eye before we leave, I give her a sheepish wave.

She’s kind of pissed off when she finds us in the break room. “You can’t sneak in and watch. I’m still figuring it out, and it totally threw me off.”

“I’m sorry. I had no idea. You seem so confident?—”

“Well, I’m not, okay!”

Blondie makes a noise I’ve never heard before. It doesn’t sound like a happy one, though, so I take a step back. I’m not sure if she’s feeling protective of Jess or me.

Before I can say anything, Jess shakes out her arms and makes a face. “Sorry, I’m a little on edge.”

My sister has trained me well, so I don’t ask if she’s on her period… though I haven’t ever seen a sign of her having a period, come to think of it. That’s a question for another time. “I, uh, I wanted to see if you’d have lunch with me.”

She wipes a hand over her face like she’s erasing a chalkboard, and when she’s done, her expression has shifted. “I could do that.”

I shove my hands in my pockets, feeling awkward all of a sudden. “I figure we’d get takeout and have it here.”

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