Page 81 of Coast to Coast

Alex: It wasn’t a question. Mariana says see you at 6:00.

Yep. Project ‘take care of Tom’ had started. Leave it to Alex and Mariana to know when I shouldn’t be left alone. Did it hurt to be surrounded by a normal, loving family? Yeah, it did. But it was a reminder of what I needed to work towards. Get my ass in gear and make sure when my agent shops me to Boston next year, they won’t be able to refuse me.

Me: Cal, I’m sorry. I needed a run and some time to decompress. Can you call me when you land?

I dropped my phone on my bed and headed into the bathroom to take a shower. My mom had changed and laundered the sheets, even though I had told her the cleaning crew would come tomorrow. Old habits died hard with her; she’d never be comfortable living a life where someone else took care of tasks she thought she was perfectly capable of handling herself.

Halfway to the shower, I heard my phone ding.

Callie: I splurged for the WiFi. Are you okay?

I ran my hands through my hair, squeezed my eyes shut, and smiled when the selfie photo of Crew curled up and out cold on Callie’s lap came through.

Me: Better seeing that. Thank you.

Callie: What are your plans tonight?

Me: I’m going to Alex and Mariana’s for dinner.

Callie: Good. Ooh, guess what I saw earlier?

Me: Umm, what?

Callie: Okay, well, I never thought anyone would actually try it, but a couple joined the Mile High Club.

I laughed, thinking about our own experience in a public bathroom. Though we’d at least had a private room.

Me: I’m picky about my public restrooms. I do whatever I can to avoid airplane bathrooms.

Callie: Truth.

Callie: Hey Tom?

Me: Yeah?

Callie: I think about you at least once every five minutes.

Me: Good to know I’m unforgettable.

Callie: I mean, if I tried to forget, the soreness between my thighs would remind me.

Maybe instead of showering, I spent the next hour texting Callie like a lovesick teenager. And maybe the text connection to her was exactly what I needed to settle my nerves. Did it suck to be alone? Yup. But this was my life; thousands of men would kill to have my contract and be part of the Blizzards. It was time for me to suck it up and be a bit grateful for all that I’ve been offered and all that I’ve been able to achieve.

I would have dinner with my best friend and his wife, enjoy his kids, and be comforted that my son would be with his mother and the best stepfather a kid could have.

Me: What can I bring tonight?

Mariana: Just yourself.

Me: That’s not happening. Pick something, or I’ll make your kids a penny candy bar full of enough sugar to keep them up all night.

Mariana: Fine, dessert is good. But not too much, please. The kids and I won’t be able to finish it while Alex is gone.

Me: Got it. I’ll surprise you.

After showering, I hit the grocery store. Callie’s text showing Crew happily in his mother’s arms helped. The kid was well loved, and wasn’t that what everyone wanted for their children?

I loaded up the grocery cart with several types of ice cream, a selection of sauces, bananas, and whipped cream. Would there be leftovers? Sure, but they would keep it until Alex got back ifneed be. I technically bought too much, but I was pretty sure I would be forgiven.

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