“I was starting to think I wasn't going to get to see you today.” Gracie was sitting up in her bed when Cal climbed into her bedroom by way of the second story window she'd intentionally left open.
Her golden hair fell in waves around her bare shoulders as she held her arms out to him. Her heart-shaped lips were curved up into an innocent smile.
She was so very much alive that his heart broke, just a little bit, as he watched her tug the neckline up on her spaghetti strap pajama top. Her turquoise eyes were shining with health and happiness as she beckoned him to her.
Cal didn't hesitate to go to her. He kicked his boots off and knelt down on the bed in front of her. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?”
“All the time,” Gracie reminded him with a bold smile. She closed the last of the distance between them, nestling her warmth and softness into the center of his broad chest. “I love you, Cal.”
“I love you too.” Cal pulled her tightly into him and burrowed his nose in the silkiness of her hair. Her heart was beating steadily and solidly against his chest.
“Did you have a good day today?” Gracie asked.
“No. Not really,” Cal admitted. “Are your folks home tonight?”
“Dad is. Mom's working a triple between two shifts at the nursing home and one at the hospital. We won't see her again until Thursday. Why?”
“I was thinking about staying the night here, with you.”
“Oh. Okay. You can stay with me if you want to.” Gracie reached up and ran her fingers through his thick, curly hair. She massaged his temples gently. “Dad will never come upstairs. You know that.”
“He wouldn't notice me here even if he did,” Cal agreed with a small smile He leaned into Gracie, relaxing as she caressed him.
“You're really tense,” Gracie commented. “Want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“You sure?” She looked surprised.
“I just want to lay here in bed with you,” Cal said. “Can I do that?”
“Of course.” Gracie allowed herself to fall backwards against the covers, pulling Cal along with her. The bed was full size but it still felt narrow as Gracie wrapped herself up in a burrito of covers. Her chin was resting against Cal's shoulder. “Can I tell you about my day?”
“Always.” Cal closed his eyes and breathed in the smell of her strawberry shampoo. The scent was heady and a little bit sickly sweet. He sucked it into his lungs as if he'd been deprived of oxygen.
“Today in Science Class, Maude Collins decided that it would be a good idea to give Ted Fram a blow job underneath their lab station. We were supposed to be watching a movie so I guess they could have gotten away with it there in the dark except her braces got stuck in his zipper. When Coach Lou turned on the lights, she was stuck under the table with her face...”
Cal closed his eyes and allowed himself to doze off to the sound of her voice.