Chapter 29
Twenty-Nine
Ronan held his breath as he stood before Sean’s dwelling located at 41.362574, -74.293859.
He took a quick glimpse into his communicator to ensure his human disguise was still in place. Everything was as it should be; relief flooded through him.
His heart accelerated as he raised his fist to the door. Before he made contact, his communicator beeped and buzzed within the confines of his pocket.
He slid the device out and glanced at the message. Sean. His face warmed against his will.
“:)”
…
…
“Are you still coming tonight?” Sean typed.
“I’m here actually, at your front door,” Ronan was quick to respond, biting his cheeks. He couldn’t contain his excitement.
A few moments passed and a tap came to his shoulder. He whirled around, caught off guard, considering he was always ready for anything.
Sean stood before him with a smile on his face. Dimples crinkled against the apples of his cheeks. Ginger-blonde bangs with dark roots cascaded over his large brown eyes.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he rolled into him. Ronan glanced at his feet—he wore skates. Sean pulled him in for a warm embrace, running his fingers against his back.
Ronan’s body tensed then relaxed. He wasn’t so used to being held this way. Humans were more affectionate than higher life-forms and that was a fact.
“Me neither,” he finally replied. Seeing him after all this time was like a dream.
Sean pointed at his skates. “I have an extra pair in my garage. If you want, we can get out of here. Sorry, I know it’s lame that I invited you to my parent’s house on summer break, my car is still at the mechanic’s?—”
He ran a hand through his short spiky hair. “No, it’s perfect actually. And no worries, I don’t have a car.”
Sean cupped a hand over his mouth. “Oh, I shouldn’t complain. Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by that. How did you get to my house then? Did you take an Uber?”
“Something like that,” Ronan tilted his head to the side.
“Here, let me pay half,” Sean reached into his pocket.
“Don’t worry about it, your money’s no good here.”
Sean smiled and rolled away into a dark side entrance of his home and reemerged with a pair of skates. They had four horizontal wheels and a series of straps and clips. He handed him a pair of grips and frayed knee pads, not that he needed them, but the thought was still kind.
Ronan removed his heavy black boots and secured his feet into the skates. A perfect fit. He pulled on the safety gear, to be polite, then placed his shoes by the side of the house, before they rolled off into the night.
Stars sparkled overhead and a warm breeze flowed against his body as they zipped over the hills. Shadows swayed between the lush green trees.
After several laps over the black rubbly ground, longing glances, and shy smiles, they arrived at a series of wooden benches surrounded by a field of green. Half-lit two-story houses sparkled all around them. Ronan sat down with Sean who rested his head against his shoulder. His hair had a sweet scent he couldn’t quite place. The loose strands tickled his jaw.
“So how are you? It’s been a long time.” Sean ran his fingers along his arm.
“Fine, I guess,” Ronan stared at the stars before looking over to him. He wished this moment could last forever, but it was impossible. Nothing lasts forever and he knew that better than anyone.
“Just fine?”
“Well, I’ve been traveling a lot. I only just landed a few hours ago.”
“That’s so awesome that you get to travel all over the world for work. I wish I could do that. How long are you planning to stay in the area for?”
“I’m only here for tonight,” the words left his mouth in slow motion, and he couldn’t take them back.
Sean turned his head, his voice lowered to a whisper. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
Ronan hesitated. “Well, that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Okay?” Sean’s eyes met his. “I’m all ears. What’s up?”
“Maybe, if you want, you could come with me.”
A pause came to their conversation and Ronan’s heart leapt to his throat. He could scarcely breathe.
“For how long?” Sean finally asked, excitement flooded through his voice. “The rest of the summer? I just finished up my second semester and I don’t have any vacations planned. I saved a bit of money from work?—”
“How long is summer?” Ronan asked as his face warmed. He couldn’t remember the length of the human seasons.
Sean chuckled. “I didn’t think you’d been out of school that long. I’m off for the next three months.”
He sat there for a moment at a loss for words. Three months, ninety suns and moons. That was no time at all. He still had to transport Autumn’s father safely back to Surge. Dammit . Would that be enough time to get Sean back to school? Probably not but he’d do the best he could under the circumstances.
To make matters more complicated, Sean still had no idea he wasn’t human, and he only had one night to tell him the truth.
“Well, I’d love to come with you,” Sean squeezed his hand reassuringly. “I just need to tell my folks.”