Page 5 of A Layperry's Heart
Christian wrinkles his nose. “I did not need to know that. Eww. Whatever. Have your fun but remember this isn’t like a long term thing. Or do whatever you want, I don’t actually care.” Then he turns around and goes inside his apartment.
As I walk into my own place, I can’t help but ponder what Christian has told me. Sure, Gendry is hot and adorable, but does that mean I actually wanna try starting something up with him. On the other hand, being able to fuck an alien is a once in a lifetime opportunity, even if he’s only here for a year.
I might have sworn off men, but I’m not so sure I was thinking about aliens when I made that decision with myself.
Chapter Two
Gendry
IflopdownontoChristian’s couch, letting my feet dangle off the arm because it’s a bit too small for me. I cover my face with my hands and groan.
“He must think I am an idiot,” I say into my hands, feeling my face heat.
“Why does it matter? He’s just some guy!”
I peek through my hands. “I know that you are not incapable of sight,” I say, narrowing my eyes at Christian. “He isbeautiful.”
Aldo is the first human I’ve met that has stirred emotions like this. He’s much shorter than me, even more so than average humans. His skin is a beautiful tan color, his eyes a deep shade of brown. His hair is platinum white, a stark contrast to the rest of him. His voice sounded like honey dripping down the side of a hive.
The way he smiled up at me left me breathless. Could this be how Timalah felt when he first saw Miles? Could this be how it feels to meet yourmatron? Your one true partner?
“He didn’t seem like anything special to me,” Christian says with a shrug, wandering to his kitchen and pulling out two bottles from the fridge. He comes back and hands one to me. “Though, I did kinda like his hair.”
I might not be the smartest person alive but I’m smart enough to know it would do me no good to mention that Aldo’s hair is the same platinum shade as Ghenie’s. I still don’t have a true grasp on what happened between them. Me and all otherLayperryshare a telepathic bond, but even so, because Ghenie is our leader, he’s able to keep certain things to himself. Whatever is going on between him and Christian are one of those things he’s chosen to keep private.
“There is something about him that draws me near, though I cannot name it. I wish to get to know him.”
“I’m not gonna stop ya,” Christian says, tipping his bottle back and sipping at his beer. The food and drink here are so different from that on my planet. Everything is bottled and packaged and bought rather than harvested. I miss finding my own meat. I miss going out to my garden and harvesting my own dinner.
Everything here is gray and concrete. I miss walking barefoot through the grass. I miss hunting. I miss taking care of people as a warrior should.
Even so, I’m not sorry I decided to come here. Already, this has been a wonderful learning experience. I have met so many people, experienced human culture, and been able to see Christian learn to relax again. We may never be best friends, but I am glad to be here with him.
“I have gotten myself a job,” I tell Christian, holding up my beer to get his attention.
“Oh yeah? How’d you manage that?”
“I went for a walk and found people on the side of a road, wearing bright orange clothes. They were picking up trash. I gave the one in charge my ear piece and talked to him about what he’s doing and how I wanted to help clean up the garbage as well. He told me to come back tomorrow and I would have a spot to help!” I grin over at Christian. “Is that not exciting?”
Christian raises his brow at me. “Buddy. I don’t know how to tell you this, but that is not a job. That is volunteer work.”
“What does that mean?”
“They’re not going to give you any money. You’re going to pick up garbage for free.”
I think about that for a moment before eventually nodding. “That is fine. I’ll still go. I want to help clean up the garbage even if they don’t give me anything in return.”
Christian sighs. “Fine. I’ll come with you tomorrow. I don’t have anything better to do.”
As far as I know, Christian does have a real job that gives him money. He’s back to driving the health emergency truck. I can’t remember the name of it, but he seems to enjoy what he does. Though, I can tell he misses sharing his emergency health truck with Miles.
I still believe that at the end of all this, Christian will come back with me. He misses Miles too much to stay away. And I can’t help but think, despite his prickly demeanor, he wants to get closure with Ghenie. They should kiss, I think that would help smooth everything over, one way or another.
“If that is not a job, then I’ll have to find something else. If only you needed a warrior or a hunter, or something I was naturally good at.”
“I’m sure you’ll find something. If you want help, I can look online at job postings and translate them for you.”
“That would be very kind of you, Christian. Thank you.”
