Chapter 6- Skyler
“HEY, AISEN. HEY, Reed.” I give my best professional smile when I meet the nephew-uncle-duo at the lobby door.
It’s the first Saturday we’re going to get Aisen’s tentacles dirty, so to speak.
The kid has mild trepidation on his face, but seems willing.
Reed looks content and supportive as we walk forward.
And it’s the first time seeing him in casual wear, a flannel and sinfully tight jeans. In a suit or weekend clothes, Reed is my every wet dream.
Cool it, Skyler, you don’t even know if he’s queer yet.
I push up my glasses and we walk towards the museum. It’s early enough that barely any patrons mull about. “So, did they tell you you’re not the first member of this monster liaison program?” I ask.
“I’m not?” Aisen asks.
“No. You’ll be working with someone who was raised in the ocean until this year. It’s my good friend, Mr. Shaughnessy, AKA Razorjaw.”
The kid snickers. “Razor…jaw?”
“Yup,” I reply. “He’s a shark shifter.”
“Whoa.” Aisen nervously glances at his uncle.
Reed calmly smiles. “I met him. He’s very polite. And if a successful guy like that spent more time in the ocean than you, that means you’ll be just fine in the long run.” He taps his nephew’s shoulder, but Aisen only calms down marginally.
The three of us walk down the corridor and, at last, make it to RJ.
He’s gazing fondly at his boyfriend, Karlo, and both of their hands lean on a table.
I can tell they’re itching to touch each other—typical honeymoon phase.
When we get to them, the couple has the decency to step back from each other and act professional.
“Skyler,” RJ says.
“Guys. Meet the Sung family,” I say. I turn to my left and add, “This is Karlo and Razorjaw.”
Aisen shakes their hands as Reed greets Karlo. RJ, meanwhile, smiles at Aisen. “And you were the one raised in the ocean?” RJ asks.
Aisen hesitates and looks at Reed, who nods. “Um, yeah. I barely remember the first few years of my life, since I was little.” I exchange a smile with Reed as we watch the kid open up, emotionally. I’m dying to know the details of Aisen’s life, but one revelation at a time.
“Are you really a shark?” Aisen asks with a grin.
We all chuckle as RJ morphs into his hybrid form. He’s a tall, blue-skinned dude now with fins, and Aisen gasps. “I am the razor-jawed predator of the ocean,” RJ announces.
“But he would never hurt anyone,” Karlo explains. “No shifters anyway.”
“So, you eat the fish here at the aquarium?” Aisen asks.
RJ snickers. “I do not. I communicate with them for research purposes.”
It’s quiet for a moment, and Karlo looks at me and Reed. “Hey, Aisen, do you want to help us communicate with some of our mollusks? RJ says they can be shy. Maybe you can help them come out of their shells. Literally.”
We all laugh, and Aisen shrugs. He turns back to Reed, who nods.
“I can join you if you want,” Reed says.
“No, thanks. You and Skyler can chat while I go meet some clams or whatever.” Aisen shoos us off while walking away with Karlo and RJ. I don’t miss the knowing look my best friend shoots me as they stride away. It seems the universe is once again giving me and Reed some alone time.
I look at the tall man to my left. The glow of the aquatic exhibits makes his handsome face shine in a perfect way. I clap my hands and we both laugh softly for no reason. It’s an awkward, quiet ten seconds.
“Teenagers,” he murmurs with a grin.
“Do you want to get a drink at the café while we wait? My treat.”
Reed pauses, mulling it over in his head, before nodding. “Lead the way.”
Ten minutes later, we’re at the lobby café, a popular restaurant for workers and patrons alike. Reed and I sip coffee, and I try not to gush at the fact that we’re on a pseudo-date.
“He’s getting so big,” Reed says.
“That’s puberty.” I shrug. “You remember what that was like.”
“My home life as a teen was…nothing like this.” He sips and looks away, and my curiosity gnaws at me. But clearly, family life is a sensitive topic for him.
“I’m glad Aisen decided to come to this.”
“It’ll be good for him,” Reed replies.
“And you can take a load off and finally relax as we wait. You’ve got jeans on and everything!”
We laugh, and I don’t miss the slight blush on his cheeks. Maybe Reed is as into me as I hope he is?
“I can’t deny how fun this is. Hanging out.”
“See? And you said you can’t make friends.” I lean back, and we both chuckle. “You’ve already made a friend in me.”
“That’s because you’re so great.” He stares at his cup, and I try not to squeal at the compliment.
We sip quietly for another moment and watch as patrons enter the institute. “I can really only hang out while helping my nephew. I’m hardly friend material.”
“That’s not true,” I retort.
“Well, I’m certainly not boyfriend material.” I freeze at his words, and the gorgeous man catches my gaze. “No one wants to date a guy who can’t give them time and attention.”
My mouth feels like sandpaper, and my trembling hand taps my cup. “I’m sure you have time to devote to uh…women.”
“I don’t. And I used to date men.” Hope swells in my heart, but he continues, “Now, I simply can’t date anyone.”
The hope flies off, like a popped hot air balloon in a cartoon. “I’m…that’s…I’m sure you could date a guy. You’re such a catch.”
Reed shakes his head and leans back. “Thanks, but with my workaholic lifestyle, I’ve sworn off trying to get with anyone. Single is how I have to be.” He smiles, looks at me, and continues, “But I bet someone like you has your pick of men.”
The only man I want to pick is staring right at me and has sworn to celibacy.
After a moment, I scoff. “Yeah, right.”
“No? No guys want a great guy like you?”
“I’ve dated. But the ones who want me end up being pushy, manipulative assholes. Not jumping back into their arms again.”
Something dark passes over Reed’s face before he smiles again. “I’m glad you’re staying away from bad dudes.”
His words are soothing despite the utter disappointment in my bones. “Trying to find a good queer guy in your thirties isn’t easy. I’d rather stick with my friends and avoid bad relationships.”
Reed grins, and his eyes crinkle up. “Same here. And hey, we’re friends now. Which is great.”
“Totally great,” I reply, ignoring the displeasure in my soul.
He raises his cup. “Cheers. To friends being enough in our hectic lives.”
I tap my coffee cup to his. “To friends being enough for now.”
Give me an Oscar because I managed to say all that happily despite the utter pain in my heart.
Hours later, the Sung family is long gone. I’m upstairs at my cubicle, slumped over on my desk. Ardsley is on my left, wearing an empathetic frown. Karlo and RJ approach me, and I don’t have the energy to look up at them.
“What’s wrong, Sky?” Karlo asks.
“Everything,” I mutter.
“His morning with Reed was…disappointing,” Ardsley says, gently.
“Aw, man.” Karlo touches my shoulder, and I slump lower onto my hands on the desk. “Reed is straight, huh?”
“Worse. He’s gay but insists he’s sworn off men. So he has no interest in me.”
“That is not true,” Razorjaw says. “What about his pheromones?”
“Pheromones shmeromones,” I mutter.
“What are shmeromones?” Razorjaw asks.
Karlo clears his throat. “Hey, babe, can you, uh, go downstairs and check to see if each window is clean?”
Razorjaw hesitates, then says, “Ah. You wish for privacy. Very well.” He pecks Karlo on the mouth, then disappears. Now, it’s just me and my two best friends in the office.
“Not to sound dramatic, but this is the worst thing to happen in the history of the galaxy,” I mutter.
My friends titter. “Not dramatic at all,” Ardsley says.
I sit up and say, “I just don’t get why he wouldn’t want to take a chance on dating.” Frowning, I tap my hands on the desk. “I really like Reed. We have a connection. And I know he likes me, the shark man smelled it all over him.”
“Just because you turn his crank doesn’t mean he has the emotional capacity or time to devote himself to dating you,” Karlo says gently.
I sigh. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I know it’s disappointing, Skyler. I’m sorry,” Ardsley says. “Are you gonna start ignoring the kid?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m a professional. Aisen needs the help. I suspect their family life is more complex than Reed is letting on.” I exchange looks with my friends. “Just because Reed doesn’t like me doesn’t mean I’m not going to help a maritime monster family in need.”
“There’s my guy,” Karlo says, punching my arm.
“You’re great, Skyler. And friends is fine too, right?” Ardsley adds.
“I guess. It’s just that Reed is the first guy who’s made me feel…” I don’t want to mention that the two of them don’t get it. Ardsley is a shifter with a hot, bulky himbo of a boyfriend, and Karlo is dating a literal shark man who worships him.
They don’t realize how lonely I’ve been.
I clear my throat. “Anyway. If he’s sworn off dating, I can respect that.”
“Good. Maybe you two can grow as friends. You can be someone to help him out.” Ardsley taps my shoulder and walks away.
I chuckle. “Maybe.”
“And eventually, Reed might find out he has a little time to get freaky with a stud like you.” Karlo lightly punches my arm, and we laugh.
I love my friends for trying to get me out of my sad slump. Life continues to disappoint me, but anything can happen. Reed might change his mind down the line. Still, I won’t hold my breath. I’ll just continue to help the Sung family and tone down my flirting. Marginally.