Page 17 of The Emerald Boa's Lover
I wanted to care for Tabitha, but Shane was adamant they wouldn’t move back in with me. It wasn’t that I didn’t think Shane loved her or that he wouldn’t take care of her. It was just…difficult for me to think of her ‘waddling’ around heavily gravid. Not whenIwould dote on her every need… But? Humans did things differently. I need to respect that, even if I don’t like it. Tabitha is my best friend, and like a sister to me, but she is notmine.I can’t and won’t force the issue.
“I wish he would.” I grumble but shrug with a sigh. At least I know the nursery is ready. Again, I had to remind myself that humans do things differently and respect that. All Ucfeni who live in the same nest nest-down together. The thought of a mother allowing their young to sleep anywhere other than in their coil, or their mate’s coil for the first 10 years of life was madness. Yet humans only have their young in the same ‘room’ as them for 6 months before they have their own separate nesting room…
I smiled as I thought about the day I become a father. I will never impregnate a female, I know that, but there are plenty of younglings on the streets of Orna that I could give a good home and a good life to. I have thought about that future often, but just to prove how much of a masochist I truly am…I imagined having a family with Charlie. He would work at the clinic during the day and I would be at home with our boisterous young. He would come home and our younglings, at least five, would all tangle around his arms and on his lap to chirp at him about their day…
“I don’t belong to you. I’m never going to belong to you.”
My heart twisted me right back to my own predicament. I’ve never felt this strongly about anyone before. This last month I’ve fallen for Charlie harder and harder every single day. I thought he might be warming up to me too…but today tore that hope right out of my chest.
“Dal?” I realise I’ve been frowning off to one side and Tabitha stands up to stroke my cheek. “If he doesn’t realise how amazing you are, then he isn’t worth your tears.” I sigh, again and fold my arms. My tail coils under me and I try to put a brave smile on my face. “I don’t care how good he smells to you or how pretty he is. He’s a jerk, and you’re a sweetheart. You deserve better.”
“He’s not a jerk.” Again, she explained that one to me. “Yes he smells like sunshine and he’s beautiful, in my opinion, but he’s also smart. He’s funny.” I shrug and my heart aches a little more. “He works so hard and cares so much about his patients. His heart is so big and he gives so much without caring about what he gets in return. Charlie is—”
“Still a jerk for the way he treated you.” My shoulders sag and I turn on my hips to wind away from her. She’s right, but it’s not as simple as that.
“I’ve…I’ve been pushy. He’s got a point. He’s been clear with me since the start that he isn’t interested…I just kind of hoped I could convince him to give us a try.”
“Well you can cut that out now and in a month you can sling pretty boy out of your nest.” Tabitha stepped over my tail and walked around to face me. “At least you won’t have to see him for the next two nights.”
“I supo—”
Her doorbell rang and we both looked at the door curiously. “Have you ordered anything?”
“No.” I start slithering over to the front door with my head raised and my shoulders spread to make my upper body look more intimidating. “Dal what are you doing?”
“Shane is at work, you haven’t ordered anything, and no one has called your com-gem to say they are coming over like I did. Whoever is on the other side of that door is someone you don’t know.” I’m going to defend my gravid friend’s nest, is what I’m going to do. My pupils sharpened to slits, I opened my mouth and extended my fangs from the usual sheaths, and start ululating with aggression. A deep hissing that spoke of danger.
“Or?” Tabitha touched my back to get my attention. “I could use the security camera toseewho’s outside? Just in case itissomeone I know?” I instantly withdrew my fangs and shut my mouth. The scales on my throat darkened and I realised she had a point.
“Alright. But do not open the door until we’re sure.” At this time of night it was suspicious that someone had come up to her door unannounced like this.
“I wasn’t born yesterday Dal, relax.” She chuckled and shimmied between me and the right side of the door to press a button on the security panel. I mentally grumble at myself for forgetting this security feature. I had it installed for her, after all, for this very purpose. I watch over her shoulder as the security camera turns on and reveals who is on the other side of the door.
Chapter 14
He came after me?
Still Dalahan.
The noise I made when I saw it was Charlie on the other side of the door was so embarrassing, I swore Tabitha to secrecy later on. It was high-pitched and in the back of my throat. My hands grabbed onto Tabitha’s shoulders and I sank down on my tail in shock.
“Charlie?” I gulped, staring at him on the screen. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and an untucked white shirt that made it look like he’d dressed in a hurry. His blonde hair was more dishevelled than usual. Had he run his hands through it with worry? Worry forme?No, that’s just wishful thinking on my part. “Did you call for a doctor?” Maybe he was just responding to a call?
“No. Is this the guy?” Tabitha looked up at me and got all the confirmation she needed with the way I was longingly looking at the screen. Dare I hope he’d come looking for me?
“Excuse me?” Charlie pressed the button for the bell again and the security camera microphone picked up his voice. “Look, I’m really sorry for turning up so late in front of your house, but I’m looking for a friend of mine. His name is Dalahan? He’s Ucfeni, has green scales, like he’s made of lots of little emeralds, and erm, he’s probably not his usual cheerful self?” Charlie held the back of his neck with an awkward smile with one hand, and the other pointed to his necklace. “The nice operator I spoke to on my com-gem ten minutes after wandering aimlessly around Orna, at night, told me that he could track my sponsor for me?” I could see Charlie’s green eyes as they locked onto the camera. “This is the address I was given so…is Dalahan there?”
“Let me check.” Tabitha sassed and released the speaker button. “Okay, he’s pretty and he knows you’re here, but this is my house and I can tell him to fuck off if you like?”
“…he came…after me?” I cupped my hand to my mouth in shock. Why would he come after me? He was so mad I thought he’d appreciate some space from me, not cominglookingfor me? Tabitha stroked my arm to get my attention and she looked genuinely worried for me. I hated that I made her worry. She suddenly scowled and pressed the speaker button with more venom than required.
“He’s not here, so get the hell off my porch and go bother someone who cares.” I nearly fell in a heap on my own tail when she dismissed him like that.
“What are you doing?!” I squealed and held her shoulders to turn her to face me. She opened her mouth to answer me, but never got the chance.
“HEY! Dalahan is in there, and I’m not leaving without him.” Tabitha and I both turn our heads to look at the security camera. It’s still on so the microphone still picks up Charlie as he snarls up at it. “Look.” Charlie pinched his nose and then flung his hand from his face as he gestured with his words. “Dalahan is my sponsor. He’s myfriend,and we had a bit of an argument earlier tonight. He left. I’ve come to get him back. Anything else I have to say is private, but…” He sighs and I see defeat in his eyes as he stares at the camera. “…I’m not mad. Can you tell him I want to see him? Please?”
“Don’t do it.” Tabitha knew me so well. She already knew what I was going to do before I did. “Don’t go slithering back to him. He’s not your boyfriend.”
