Page 96 of You Spin Me

When he plays an old song by the Boston band Human Sexual Response called “Guardian Angel,” it turns my yawn into a huge smile. I do like having my own personal DJ.

In the quiet of his apartment, though, grief catches up with me. I’ve been a Shakespeare Boston company member since its inception five years ago, and I’ve acted in every single production. Until tonight.

Sitting in the audience instead of being part of what was happening onstage felt strangely like the first time I saw my sister hold baby Abigail—like my family was moving on without me.

When Cash hops up on the bed to snuggle with me, I am reminded that not working at Shakespeare Boston actually brought good changes to my life. I fall asleep to the sound of his comforting purr with a smile on my face.

Chapter28

This is Bobcat Goldthwaite, and you’re listening to Motor on WBAR. Keep listening, okay, or they won’t let me leave this place.BAM. BAM.Hey, guys.BAM. BAM.Hello? Anyone there?

CAL

Friday afternoon I kiss Jess goodbye before she leaves the station to drive up to Chichester for the show’s final weekend. As I watch her drive off, I sort through our plans for the next couple of days, doing my best to tamp down anxieties. Since we met, Jess has been easing me out of rigid routines and out of my shell. I know on some level it’s good for me, but the changes are still unsettling. I am looking forward to seeing her in the play, but since I’ve left it to the last minute, I now have to deal with meeting people at the closing party afterward if I want to stay overnight with her.

At least she won’t be making that drive anymore. I still worry until I know she’s home safe. Plus, she’s pushing her limits with her schedule. I hope she’ll slow down a bit when it’s over, take a breather before the next new challenge.

Can’t worry about her at the moment, though, because I’m late for a meeting with Jones. And Motor, for some reason. I’ve heard that attacks on him have escalated. I don’t know why people give a shit who he sleeps with or what that has to do with the music he plays, but now it’s not only assholes leaving messages with foul slurs, it’s thugs confronting him in person.

In Jones’s office, the mood is lighter than I’d expected. Motor’s actually laughing. When I walk in, Jones gestures to the couch. “Hey, Cal. Thanks for coming in early.”

Sitting on the edge of his desk, Jones crosses his arms. “As you know, changes are in the works for the schedule.”

“Changes?” I ask, emphasizing the last syllable. I thought there was one change—replacing Gracie.

“I’m moving on, too,” Motor says.

My spine stiffens. “Are you kidding me? You’re caving to pressure from those assholes over at WBST?”

He sighs. “That’s part of it. But not all of it. I’m getting a little too old for this”—he makes a helicopter-like circle in the air with a finger—“circus. I’ve been offered a management position over at the Comedy Stop.”

“Wow.” Slumping back into the couch cushions, I blow out a breath. “Uh, congratulations, I guess?”

He nods, his smile wider than I’ve seen in some time. “I’m actually pretty stoked. Not that hanging out with you assholes hasn’t been great, but it’s a good move.”

As my gaze pings back and forth between the two men, unease grows in my gut. “So why am I here?”

“Because I really want you to take my slot,” Motor says.

“As do I,” Jones adds.

Honestly, I’ve been trying to work up the courage to ask for Gracie’s six-to-ten so that I can spend more time with Jess. But taking on Motor’s two-to-six would be a whole other ballgame. The drive-time slot garners alotmore attention. “Uhhh” is the best I can come up with.

Jones is all business as he leans forward. “To be honest, I had my reservations at first.”

“What changed your mind?”

“A popular part of Motor’s segment has been the live interviews. The comics have been fun, but I’d rather get bands in here. If you’re on in the afternoon, you could interview them the day of their gig, live, right before they head to the venue. It could have a behind-the-scenes, you-only-hear-it-here feel.”

I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off with a hand up. “You’ve got the relationships with the musicians already. You do a great interview. And I think I can use that to make the case to the guys up the food chain.”

I turn to Motor. “Why do you care if you’re out of here?”

He launches himself off the couch to pace, his long legs and sudden burst of energy making the room seem smaller than it is. “Corporate has a couple of jocks they’re grooming to move up. The guy that they want to send up for my spot is basically a gay-bashing asshole. He’s not as obvious as the guys over at BST, but people I trust have warned me about him. I don’t want him even coming to town.”

Jones shakes his head. “Nor do I.”

“Plus, I know you’ll play good shit.” Motor sends a sly smile in Jones’s direction. “Push back against management.”

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