Chapter 5 #3
At that climactic twist reveal, the episode switches focus to another set of characters, this time a human woman in a romantic relationship with an orc firefighter who saved her from a house fire. When the episode pauses for a commercial break, Hal sighs dreamily and turns to me all starry-eyed.
“They’re my favorite couple on the show. They’ve had to overcome a lot of prejudice against their interspecies romance, especially from their families, but now they’re together and in love.” He dabs at the corner of his eyes. “It’s so beautiful to see.”
I’m beginning to understand why Hal likes this show, and why probably many members of other Otherkind species do too.
There aren’t a whole lot of mainstream films or television series that feature Otherkind actors in lead roles.
Despite being a soap opera, a genre some look down on, The Young and the Monstrous is groundbreaking on a lot of levels.
Note to self: Start watching this with Hal on a regular basis.
For educational purposes, of course…
Later, when the episode ends on yet another mini cliffhanger, I shift in my seat so I can face Hal. I don’t know what compels me, but before I can second-guess myself, I ask, “Have you… uh… ever been in an interspecies relationship?”
His face turns beet red. Too fucking cute.
“N-no,” he stutters. “But I’ve gone out with members of different Otherkind species. None of them ever progressed beyond a few dates though.”
“No humans though?” I press, wanting to know for some reason.
My heart pounds and my hands sweat while I wait for his answer.
Why the hell am I even asking him this? Why do I care? It’s like my mouth has disconnected from my brain and gone rogue, spouting all kinds of ridiculous questions.
Hal hunches his shoulders and twiddles his big thumbs nervously.
“I’ve had some crushes on humans before, and went on the odd date over the years, but I’ve never had a relationship.
” He lifts his head and peeks at me with big brown puppy-dog eyes.
“What about you? Would you ever consider… an interspecies relationship?”
The way he’s looking at me sets off a lightning bolt in my gut that knocks the breath out of me for an instant and leaves me tingling all over.
Oh fuck. I’m deadass screwed, aren’t I? No matter how much I’ve been trying to ignore it, I like Hal.
A whole fucking lot.
Don’t do anything stupid, Skylar. Play it cool. Self-protection is the name of the game after Damien.
I swallow thickly and manage to find my voice. “Can’t say I’ve thought about it before, but since I’m making Mystic Hollow my home, I suppose I should. Especially if I ever decide I want to try dating again.”
And that’s a big if. I’ve been done dirty in the love department, and I’m not real eager to get back in the game anytime soon.
But for the first time since everything went to shit with Damien, I think I might want to try again—when I’m ready.
In the short time I’ve been here, my outlook on the future has become a lot rosier.
Dr. P would be so proud.
When it comes to Hal, though, my head and my heart aren’t fully aligned.
My brain tells me to keep my head down, get the salon up and running, and work on paying off my loan.
Everything else can wait. But Hal’s so goddamn cute—I can’t help being drawn to him.
At first, he was just the owner of the B&B.
But more and more, he’s become my friend, and there’s a vibe of something more than friendship that keeps growing every day.
I can’t stay away from the big sweetheart of a sasquatch.
I swear, he gives off some kind of magical aura or something.
It’s a reassuring, attractive sensation that I’m starting to crave, like a cat that’s had its first taste of catnip.
And I really didn’t fucking like it when Baxter wanted to join us for meatloaf dinner. I can admit it now, but I was jealous. Sure, it was juvenile, but I hate Hal giving Baxter his attention and care. A selfish part of me, deep down, only wants that for me.
I’m not sure I’m ready to start dating, but what if Baxter or someone else swoops in and romances Hal right out from under me, and I miss a chance I should have taken?
The very idea makes me sick to my stomach.
Thank fuck I have a session with Dr. P tomorrow. I need her to help make sense of all the crap I’m feeling right now. It’s a real mess all up inside me.
Seeming to sense my uncertainty, Hal shifts the conversation. “Tell me more about how you became a hairstylist. Was it something you always wanted to do? What do you love about it?”
I let out a sigh of relief, so grateful he’s changed the subject that I could kiss him.
His expression is so earnest and curious that it makes me smile.
I shove aside my inner conflict and readily launch into the tale of how I went from a little boy who liked to cut and style his and his friends’ hair to attending cosmetology school and getting my stylist license.
Still the thing I’m most proud of in my life.
“Hair can be transformative,” I explain passionately. “A new cut, style, or color can give a person a total self-confidence boost. It can help them find the courage they need to change themselves or to face challenges in their personal or professional lives. I’ve got the coolest job.”
Hal nods, his big brown eyes bright with interest. “That’s amazing. I can’t wait to see you work your hair magic on Mystic Hollow’s residents.”
I’m surprised when my hand reaches out and strokes some of the silky hair on Hal’s arm. I’m even more shocked when I say, “I’d really like to cut your hair.”
Where the hell did that come from?
His eyes widen and he bites his bottom lip. “R-really?”
No fucking way am I lying to Hal, even if I’m kinda embarrassed.
“For real.” I shrug awkwardly. “I’ve never worked on hair quite like yours, and definitely not when it’s all over someone’s body, but I’m up for the challenge.
” I nod with growing determination, liking the idea even more as I continue to talk about it.
“In fact, why don’t I do that for you a day or two before the salon officially opens?
You’ll be the salon’s very first client.
” I lower my voice. “But you can’t tell Astraea or she might kick my ass.
I’m tough, but I’m no match for a dragon goddess. ”
Hal throws his head back and laughs. It’s a sweet, rumbling noise that I immediately want to hear again.
“That sounds fantastic,” Hal replies. “I haven’t had a proper hair grooming for far too long. It can be a little… complicated with a body like mine, since I’m so hairy all over.” He frowns with worry. “That wouldn’t creep you out, would it? Some humans find it off-putting.”
There’s a note of pain in his voice that tells me this stems from something some asshole said to his face.
Motherfucker. I’d shave the sonofabitch bald.