Calli

Finn and I settle into a comfortable rhythm. He spends any time he can with me, and I am a couch potato.

It’s summer

I deserve it.

He stays with me nearly every night, only staying at his place when he has to work early in the morning. I think he wouldn’t mind staying here those nights too, but he’s trying not to overwhelm me. Which I appreciate the thought, but even though it’s like sleeping with a hibernating bear, I don’t sleep well when he’s gone.

It's one of our few nights alone and I’m sitting on the couch watching Gilmore Girls and knitting baby hats for the local hospital.

Oh God I’m an old lady.

No, I have a hot guy warming my bed almost every night. I’m not old.

This brings forth images of things Finn and I do to keep my bed warm. Actually not just warm.

Incredibly hot.

The things that man can do with his hands.

And his tongue! Oh God his tongue.

Anyway, Luke and Lorelei are about to FINALLY kiss, when I hear a weird thunk from outside. I pause the show and sit quietly, thinking maybe it was just my imagination. Then there’s another thunk and I feel my heart rate speed up. I stand up and look out my windows, but I don’t see anything suspicious.

Another thunk.

Me pre-Finn would go outside with a baseball bat and investigate.

Me post-Finn is going to let the hot guy do the work.

I call him up and try to still my shaking hands.

“Hey, babe what’s up? Miss me already?” He asks cheerfully.

“Um, sorry to bother you but…” Right about here is where I lose my nerve and start to think about where my baseball bat might be.

“Calli, what’s wrong?” He asks, his voice losing all humor.

“I heard some weird sounds outside and it’s just kind of creeping me out. I’m not sure what I should do.” I say trying to keep my voice steady.

“Stay inside and lock the doors. I’m on my way.” He says and hangs up.

I already know the doors are locked, but I double check them as well as the windows, just for good measure. I sit and wait for what feels like hours, but is actually only twenty minutes, when I hear Finn’s truck pull up. I watch through the window as he and another guy walk quietly around the perimeter of my house. I see the motion sensor light turn on by my back porch, so I walk through the kitchen to my back door. Before I reach it, there’s a knock on the door. I look out and see Finn, so I unlock the door and open it.

“Well, we found the intruder.” He says proudly. He flips the lid open on my trash can and a little racoon hisses at him from the bottom.

“Damn trash panda!” I yell at the creature as Finn carries it towards the edge of the yard and flips it over, allowing the small thing to scamper away.

“I’m so sorry, thank you for coming all the way here.” I say. Finn comes up and hugs me tightly before kissing my cheek.

“Of course, sweetheart. Anytime. By the way, this is my friend Ian.” He says pointing to a large, muscular man. His biceps on prominent display in his tank top. His blonde curly hair and blue eyes give him a boyish look, but his muscles make him look downright dangerous.

“Good lord are all the men in your life gigantic?” I ask Finn and they both chuckle at me.

“Sorry about this, it’s nice to meet you.” I say while shaking his hand.

“No problem, nice to meet you too. Finally. Finn has been keeping you locked up tight. I’ve had to listen to Cam brag about how he got to meet you. I’m going to need to try some of these cookies of yours.” I giggle and nod.

“Sure. Normally I would make you mow my lawn or change the filter on my furnace, but since you came to my rescue, I’ll hook you up.”

“Do you need your furnace filter changed? I can do it.” Finn says quickly before Ian can respond. I chuckle and pat his cheek.

“No, honey. It’s fine. You don’t always have to fix something while you’re here.” He shrugs and chuckles.

“I was just hoping to get some cookies for myself out of the deal.” I giggle and Ian speaks up.

“You know, my girlfriend Layla and I were going to go to a club this weekend, you guys should come.” Finn looks at me with puppy dog eyes and I can’t help myself.

“Sure, that sounds fun.” I say and Finn hugs me tightly.

“He loves to dance.” Ian chuckles at Finn.

“Really?” I say, my eyebrows raising in suspicion.

“Oh yeah, babe. I’ve got some mad moves. These hips don’t lie.” He says as he starts to gyrate his hips seductively and I squeal in laughter as he rubs against me.

“Alright, I’m gonna head out before you guys start boning in the grass.” Ian says as he salutes me and begins to back away.

“You go ahead, I’m going to stay here tonight.” Finn says as he wraps his arms around me and lifts me up.

“You don’t have to do that I’m fine. And I know you have to work early.”

“You can be a few hours late, Finn. I’ll have Cam cover you. I’m still pissed at him for peeing in the hand soaps in all the bathrooms at my house. It’ll be good payback.” Ian says as my face twists in disgust.

“That’s fucking gross.” I say and Finn laughs.

“Cam is a prankster, he took it a little far with that one. Layla almost murdered him.”

“I’ll help her.” I say quietly. Ian laughs and waves goodbye.

“You’re gonna fit right in, Racoon Girl.” He says warmly before disappearing behind a corner.

Great.

That trash panda earned me a fun nickname.

“Really, Finn you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to. I’m a grown up. I can handle it.” He chuckles and carries me into the living room.

“You mean adult? I want to stay with you. Plus I’ve always been curious what you get up to on nights that I’m not here.” He says as he looks around the living room.

“Well, luckily I was able to get rid of all the wild college kids out of here before you showed up. There’s still a keg of beer in the hall closet though if you’re interested.” He chuckles at me and shakes his head.

“Sorry to disappoint, but nothing exciting. Just watching Gilmore Girls, eating popcorn and knitting. So basically a rave.” I say as I move my yarn off the couch to make room for him.

“What season are you on?”

“End of four.” I tell him and he gasps.

“When Luke and Lorelei FINALLY get together?” My head snaps in his direction and I eye him suspiciously.

“You know Gilmore Girls?” I ask and he shrugs.

“My mom is obsessed with this show. She’s seen the whole thing through at least six times. And I don’t hate it, it’s funny so I’ve watched quite a bit with her. I don’t know how they strung out the whole Luke and Lorelei storyline for four seasons though. It’s so obvious even in the pilot that they are meant to be together.” He says matter of factly.

“Oh my gosh I know! That’s what I always tell Penny! Just when I thought you couldn’t get any better.” I say and he smiles at me before pulling me into his lap and hitting play on the show.

He kisses me sweetly as he pulls the bowl of popcorn onto my lap, tucking my head into the crook of his shoulder where I just seem to fit.

And that’s it, folks.

I’m in love.