Page 82 of Baby Love
“Spin?”
Finally, he looks at me, and the heartbreak in his eyes ruins me. I pull him into my arms. “What kind of crazy thoughts have you been entertaining, Baby?” It’s the first time I’ve used his nickname, but that’s not really what I’m doing. Cupping the back of his head, I hold his face to my shoulder as he sniffles.
“If you want to be with P’Pear, I understand,” he says.
I can’t hold back a laugh. “Why would I suddenly want to be with her?”
“Sometimes a life or death situation brings clarity,” Spin says, voice thick.
“The only clarity I had last night was that I’ve taken the comfort of my bed for granted all these years. Sleeping in that chair was like sleeping on a rock.”
Spin pulls back. “P’Park,” he scolds, but I can tell he’s trying not to smile.
Wiping the tears from his cheeks, I say, “I’m not making light of what happened to Pear, but she’s going to be fine. I think she was just making a last-ditch effort, using her accident as a way to keep me around.”
“That’s not very nice of her,” Spin says, instantly affronted for me.
“No, it isn’t. Anyway, when I bring Auntie’s things to her later, I’m going to let Pear know I won’t be holding her hand again.”
“Don’t be mean, P’Park,” Spin says, but he throws himself into my arms and hugs me.
I hug him back tightly. I missed his hugs while I was at the hospital.
Spin insists that I take a nap, and when I wake up, he’s made lunch for us. After we eat, the three of us go over to Auntie’s house and find the items on her list.
“Do you and Anya want to stay here while I take these to the hospital?” I ask Spin.
“We have a magazine photo shoot tomorrow. I have some things I need to get done at home,” Spin says.
“Okay, then I’ll drop you off and Anya will come to the hospital with me. I can pick you up for the photo shoot tomorrow. Oh, wait. Who’s going to watch Anya while that’s going on?”
“I have the perfect person,” Spin says, tapping out a text message on his phone. The phone buzzes almost immediately, and he looks up at me, grinning. “Kiet said he would be happy to come to my place to stay with Anya, and that he’ll bring Cushion with him.”
“Okay, well, great. Tell them I said thanks.” I know Spin’s friends will be good to Anya, and from what she’s told me, she really likes them.
Chapter Thirty-Three: Spin
“Idon’t know, Baby,” Bass says. “A boys’ love? Me?”
Bass is walking me back to work after meeting me for lunch, and I suddenly remembered what Pravat said to me at the event about the part that’s available in his series.
“Lots of actors who do them are straight. Besides, it’s acting,” I say.
“I know.”
“And it’s a great stepping stone for other things.”
“I know that, too.”
“Then why are you hesitating to go to this audition?” I ask.
“I’m not sure, exactly, to be honest.” He scratches his head.
“If it’s about Nok, you can put your mind at rest. She loves bl’s. I’m sure she’d much rather see you being romantic with a male acting partner than with a female.”
He looks doubtful. “Really?”
“Really. But don’t take my word for it. Talk to her.”