Page 29 of Cat's Outta the Bag

He nods, probably familiar with the feeling after leaving the franchise himself. After so many years working on the same story, with the same cast, and mostly the same crew, it’s hard to transition to new projects. “It was definitely weird at first, but you get used to it. Any ideas for what’s next?”

I open my mouth to give my canned response but stop. Eddie and I have been buddies for years, decades, if there’s anyone I should be willing to open up to, it’s him. Alexis’ encouragement a few weeks ago pushes me to blurt out, “I’ve been thinking about taking a break from acting and doing some writing.”

Eddie blinks, a stunned expression on his face. “You serious?”

“Yeah,” I shrug, heart pounding.

“Well, you’re certainly rich enough to afford it. But man, do you realize how hard it is to make it in publishing? Most authors barely cover their costs, let alone make a profit. Not to mention the public scrutiny you’d get. Not sure it’d be worth it, if I’m being honest.” His hand comes back to my shoulder, probably trying to seem reassuring, but it just feels condescending. But he’s just confirmed what I’ve always feared, that even my closest friends don’t see much value in me switching careers.

Fuck, that stings.

“You’re probably right. It’s just one of those crazy things that I’ve always thought would be fun to try. I’m probably just thinking about it more because I haven’t picked my next project. Once I do, things will go back to normal.”

“You’ll be fine, I promise. Now tell me all about this doctor you’re dating, I’ve been dying to hear all the details.”

***

When I get home that night, I’m exhausted, frustrated, and embarrassed. All I want to do is sink into Alexis and forget that today even happened.

So, when she walks out of her room to greet me, I waste no time hauling her up and locking our lips together. She doesn’t hesitate to return my kiss, eagerly wrapping her legs around my waist and opening to me. I pull back just for a moment, “I know we need to talk, and we will, but right now I just need you.”

“Ok,” she whispers, pulling my lips back down to hers as we tumble onto the bed. Despite everything being shit, I know I’m right where I’m meant to be.

Chapter 23

Alexis

“Don’t you dare laugh.”

"Alexis!" Jason gasps, his face turning red as he tries not to laugh. "What you're asking is impossible. I'm sorry." He then proceeds to fall apart he's laughing so hard.

Why is Jason laughing? Great question.

My devil cat decided it would be a smart idea to parkour around the apartment this morning while Jason and I slept. And somehow, her tiny lil’ nine-pound body managed to connect with my bookshelf with enough force to send it crashing to the floor. The sound was so loud that it jump scared me awake so hard I fell out of bed and peed myself a bit out of fear and confusion.

And Jason? What did he do? That motherfucker slept through the whole thing.

How? No idea. But he sure as shit woke up when I smacked him in the face with a pillow five times.

And now he’s laughing at the carnage.

“This isn’t funny!”

"I'm sorry, babe, but it is. Slinky is tiny, and how she managed this is beyond me. And you?"

"Don't you fucking say a thing about me." I glare at him hard, opening my eyes wide in what my family affectionately calls my crazy eyes, so he knows I mean business. We may not have been dating for long, but Jason knows what this look means.

"Woah, woah, woah, ok. It's no longer funny." His hands land on my shoulders, rubbing the tension knots that are permanently there. "Tell you what, you hop in the shower, and I'll get started on cleaning this up. Then we can go to the store later and buy you a new shelf."

Yes, because not only did my cat somehow knock over the bookshelf, it landed on my couch in a way that completely demolished the structure. There’s no saving it. At least I didn’t have any breakable things on it, only books.

I nod and shuffle to the bathroom, simultaneously furious with Slinky and incredibly relieved she didn't kill herself. I spend a lot of time just standing under the hot water, trying to get it to erase the fact that I actually peed myself in fear.

To be fair, it wasn't like I released my whole bladder or anything. But it's still humiliating.

Much, much later, I step out of the bathroom to find the bookshelf is gone, wood chips cleared, and my books are stacked neatly against the wall. The apartment is quiet, so Jason must have stepped out to get coffee; a quick glance at his spot on my key holder confirms it. A few days ago, we exchanged keys for easy access and safety. It was weirdly serious and emotional? Like the keys symbolized how deeply we felt and cared somehow? It was weird and wonderful.

I'm fully dressed and feel less hateful toward my cat when Jason returns with coffee and pastries. Before forcing ourselves to the store, we do our normal morning routine on my balcony. We're at the point in our relationship where either of us could get recognized in public, so we both wear ball caps and sunglasses whenever we do shit like this.

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