Chapter 4- Skyler
AFTER GETTING INTO my car, I feel the vibration in my pocket, then check my phone. After reading the name, my smile falls, and I pick up the video phone call. “Hey, Gramps.”
“Skyler! Son!” My grandfather’s face is so close to the screen that I can almost see his nose hairs. “How’s it hangin’?”
“I’m well. To what do I owe this call?”
“I can’t check up on my precious little grandson?”
“I’m thirty-one,” I say through a titter. “Also, lean back, Gramps. You’re too close to the screen.”
“Well, I just wanted to try out this new video-calling technology.” He moves back so the phone is clearly arm’s length. The screen is shaky, and I’m wondering if he can see me at all. “How are ya, Skyler?”
“I’m alright. I’m actually on the way to work for this event thing.” I tap my steering wheel. “Can I help you?”
Gramps chuckles and moves the phone so that he’s finally a normal size on the screen.
“There you are!” He adjusts his glasses, and I’m fairly certain he’s the face of me, decades in the future. “Skyler, you can help by calling your mother.”
Guilt warms my neck. “I…text her.”
“But not enough. They miss you.”
“Did Dad put you up to this?”
Gramps laughs. “No. A father can tell when his daughter misses something. With your sister and you moving away, your mother is really empty-nesting.”
I frown. “I promise, I’ll talk to her.”
“Good. Because otherwise she keeps doting on me. She gets mad because I keep messing with the internet router.”
“Leave it alone, Gramps,” I reply through a chuckle.
“Only if you promise to coordinate with your mother about Thanksgiving.”
“That’s months away.”
“But still.” He leans in and squints at the camera. “It’s never too early. My daughter wants to see you.”
That gnawing shame grows in my chest. How can I tell my family that I love them, but they’re too overbearing to be near? They accepted that I was gay, but don’t appreciate that my sister and I like our privacy.
“And your monster boyfriends and whatnot!”
I roll my eyes. “None of those to speak of, Gramps.” I’m not about to talk to my grandfather about my new crush.
“What about that boy Andrew?”
My jaw clenches at the thought of my selfish ex-boyfriend. “That’s over with.”
“Aw, you cut him loose already?”
With the way he was chasing after other guys while we dated, I didn’t cut him loose soon enough. “I sure did.”
“Well, I’m certain you’ll find a partner soon. A handsome fellow like you doesn’t stay single for long!” We share a laugh.
“One can hope!” I reply. We continue chatting for two minutes more before I convince him to let me go.
After a deep breath, I back up the car so I can get to work.
I know I have to face my loving parents and remind them I need my space, but I’ll do that another day. That’s a problem for future-Skyler.
An hour later, I take in the scene at work.
There’s so much love here in the lobby of MM Institute right now.
I clap along with the makeshift audience as my best friend Karlo finishes his speech at the podium.
The man of the hour is accepting accolades as we debut his series of rare photographs.
We’re the first research facility to get extensive footage of the great migration of bioluminescent manta rays, and it’s all thanks to my friend.
He couldn’t have done it without his hunky boyfriend, Razorjaw, the shark on land.
They canoodle off to the side, and Ardsley and I go to congratulate my bestie.
Karlo and RJ are so in love. And to my left, Ardsley has his muscly boyfriend, Tyson, holding his hip.
All this interracial, interspecies gay love reminds me of someone I want to share it with.
It’s been a few weeks since I gave Reed a tour of MM Institute.
We’ve exchanged some emails, and it’s been strictly business each time, as we tried to arrange for him to finally bring his teenage nephew into the facility.
I’m so proud I refrained from sending any lewd images via email to Reed. This is my job, not WereScruff. Though it was tempting…
I shake my head and look around. He said he would be here at this event. So where is he? Am I pathetic, hanging on to morsels of attention from a rich dude who might not even be gay or bi? Perhaps, but I never claimed to be the brightest when it comes to dudes.
If Reed is straight, then what was with those pheromones…?
Before I can spiral, a familiar figure appears in the corner of my eye. My heart rate picks up, and I grin―Reed! He’s here, looking mighty fine in his suit.
I square my shoulders, hoping I look sexy in my workwear. Time to strut my stuff and make this man want a piece of Skyler. I ditch my friends and walk through the chatting crowds, striding right up to him.
“Reed!”
“Skyler.” He smiles and sticks out his hand. It’s no hug, but we’re still only professional colleagues, so I give his hand a firm shake, up and down with vigor.
“So glad you could make it!”
“I apologize for the tardiness.” He plays with his watch, a dark band that matches his black, form-fitting blazer. His outfit makes his shoulders pop and his waist shrink―what a sexy, well-dressed dude. “I was trying to get this one to take a shower.”
He nudges his head behind him, and that’s when I notice another person. A skinny, Asian boy stands in the doorway, looking around curiously at our massive lobby. He’s like a tinier version of Reed, equipped with shaggy black hair. This must be the nephew!
I smile and cheerfully say, “Nice to meet you! I’m Skyler.”
The kid looks around for a few moments, then finally settles his eyes on me. “Aisen.”
I stick out my hand, and he gives it the briefest shake before gazing around at everything again. When I glance at Reed, he’s giving me an apologetic smile. “He’s my nephew, the one I told you about.”
“Ah! Well, it’s an honor to meet a family of maritime monsters.” I grin, but the boy only meets my eyes for a moment before looking over my shoulder.
“Mhm,” he says.
“Are you excited to join the monster liaison program? Our homies at the OME are funding it, and we’d love to have you and your uncle here.”
“I guess,” the boy replies as nonchalantly as possible. He shrugs and shoves his hands into his hoodie pockets. I recall being that surly as a teenager, so it doesn’t surprise me too much.
After a long, awkward pause, I clap my hands for no reason. “How about food?”
“Hm?” Reed asks, and Aisen looks at me as well.
“There’s plenty of refreshments from the event. Come on.” I beckon the pair to follow me as we walk across the lobby. Everyone is milling about and chatting, and it feels like we can blend in with the crowd.
“We’re sorry we couldn’t get here earlier,” Reed says.
“Don’t mention it.”
“The turnout looks great. All of these photos look amazing.” Reed points at the large photos of manta rays adorning part of the lobby.
“Don’t they? I love a good photo shoot. I’m so happy for my buddy, Karlo. And the Institute as well.” I beam at him as we arrive at the snack table. Aisen promptly grabs several chocolate cookies while Reed and I casually pick up small cups of white wine.
“Your friend works here?” Reed asks. He takes a sip, and I don’t miss how chiseled his neck is as he drinks.
“Yup. My two best friends, really my only friends, all work here. We’re huge maritime monster nerds.” I chuckle, and Reed smiles.
“I think it’s great that there are so many marine life researchers nearby,” Reed says.
“It’s kind of my passion; rehabilitating creatures and organizing research to protect aquatic habitats. It’s not a big effort when you love it.” I shrug, and he laughs.
“It’s extremely noble. Making the oceans a better place.” He shakes the wine in his cup. “I bet all the fish fall in love with you.”
We laugh, and maybe it’s the wine talking, but Reed seems to eye me with curiosity. He might be genuinely impressed by me and my profession. Blush.
“You’ll be an important asset for my nephew here.” Reed points behind me, and I turn to see Aisen stuffing his face with cookies. For a fleeting moment, I forgot that we were in public.
The kid freezes, as if he’s in trouble, and I can’t help but snicker. “There’s a lot we’d love to teach you and learn from you. What kind of shifter are you, if I may ask?”
Aisen wipes his mouth on his sleeve and swallows the food. He looks behind me to his uncle, almost asking for permission. After Reed nods, Aisen shoves his hands in his pockets again. “I’m, uh…I have like, tentacles.”
“Ah, a cephalopod!” I shift up my glasses. “Fascinating.”
“I guess,” he says in that meek tone that teenagers use when they’re not comfortable.
“Cheer up, joka,” Reed says. “Skyler here sounds like a terrific resource. He’s clearly a valuable guy.”
I turn to him and feel warmth flood my cheeks. If this hot dude isn’t into me, he’s certainly leading me on. Honestly, I don’t even mind; he’s that pretty.
I’m pathetic.
When I turn back to Aisen, he’s already studying the two of us. I mentally chastise myself. Ix-nay on the irting-flay. I don’t want to make the kid uncomfortable when we haven’t even started research with him. Whatever’s going on with Reed and me has to be an after-hours thing.
Before I can be professional for Aisen, a sound by the podium draws our attention.
Karlo taps the mic and says, “We will now have a short tour for anyone who wants to see some of our established exhibits. Feel free to join our resident eel shifter, Ardsley Allen.” Karlo points to a far hallway where our third amigo, Ardsley, waves his hand.
“He’ll be guiding anyone who’s interested to the general exhibits as well as the children’s portion.
So, if anyone wants to get in on that sweet, touch-tank action, now’s your chance. ”
The crowd laughs, and several folks get in line for the tour. When I glance at Aisen, he’s still studying his uncle and me. “Hey, now’s your chance to see the aquarium,” I say.
“How about it, Aisen?” Reed asks.
The kid looks between us again, then nods. “I’ll be back.” He saunters past us to join the small crowd.
“You don’t want me to come?” Reed asks.
“You never get a chance to relax, you’re always busy.” He points at Reed’s cup of wine. “Take a break, Uncle Reed. You’re always telling me to make friends, so now you can too.”
Before Reed can retort, Aisen dashes to Ardsley’s side. In moments, the small queue leaves for a tour.
I snicker as Reed rolls his eyes. “That kid is getting too smart for his own good.”
“Clearly,” I reply with a grin.
“He’s right, though. About the busy part.” Reed frowns and adds, “And the friends part.”
The two of us gravitate to nearby chairs. Despite all the patrons milling about, it feels like this handsome almost-stranger and I are in our own little world. “What, you don’t have a lot of buddies here in Mareflow?”
He sips wine and grimaces. “It’s embarrassing.”
“What about at the hospital?”
He shrugs. “They’re coworkers. Subordinates. It’s all business, business, business.”
I cross my legs and lean forward. “Sounds tough.”
“I had time for this, and I know my nephew really needs it. He could use monster role models and people to look up to, like you.”
My smile is quickly replaced with a concerned frown. “What about you? You’re his big successful legal guardian.”
“You know teenagers: they do the opposite of what their parental figures say. Besides, with my hours, it’s like I’m rarely around.” Reed sips wine and observes the rest of the lobby. Meanwhile, my heart aches for him. “This will be good for him.”
“I hope so. And for the record, I don’t make friends that easily, either.”
Reed looks at me with an intrigued look. “Really? A charming, smart guy like you?”
Squeal. I try to hide my flustered smile behind my wine cup. “I’m…I’m really not.”
“And you’re humble, too.” He taps his cup and leans forward.
“I can see why people would want to be friends with the great Skyler.” Before I can consider bridging the space between us and kissing him, he frowns and looks down.
“Aisen is right. Even if I weren’t so busy, I’d have no idea how to make a friend as an adult. ”
I could be Reed’s friend. Or boyfriend. Or sex slave. Really anything he wants. “Reed,” I say.
“Sorry.” He sits upright and smiles again. “I’m here unloading all my shit on you. I barely know you.”
“Well, getting to know people is an important part of being friends. And I can tell you with utmost certainty that you’ve gained plus one friend today.”
He fixes me with a perplexed look, and I sit upright. “Me. Duh.” I say with an exaggerated eye-roll.
We both laugh, nearly in stitches, in our own little corner of the museum. “I’m serious, though, Mr. Sung.”
“Please, call me Reed, Mister, uh…” He points at me, and I snicker.
“Dillinger.”
“Well, Skyler Dillinger.” He wipes his face, and we both smile. “Thanks for being so friendly to this Korean workaholic.” He sticks out his fist, and it makes my heart skip a beat.
“I see your Korean workaholic, and raise you one Polish, gay, marine biology nerd.” I bump his fist with mine, and we both giggle.
He freezes momentarily before we both sit back and stare at all the people chatting. The energy between us seems different now. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him my sexuality so soon?
Reed looks me up and down, then out at the monsters and humans mingling in the lobby. “Would you, uh…would you like to…?”
I don’t even breathe as I wait for him to finish that request. Whatever it is, the answer is already yes.
“Would you like to show me all the new exhibit photos?” he asks in a serious tone.
Ah, so he’s not asking me out yet? A slow burn it is.
I promptly stand up. “As your newest friend, I would be happy to, Reed.” We both crack up as I lead him to the other side of the lobby.
Do my crush and I have sizzling chemistry between us? Yes. Has he friend-zoned me? Unfortunately, also yes. But I’m willing to wait for now. I have no doubt something special is growing between us; now I just need Reed to feel it, too.