Page 8 of All You Need is Alien Love (Tentacular Tales #4)

Evan tosses his head, fire in his eyes again. “Screw you, hermano. I’ve been putting the moves on him from Day One. Zion just doesn’t respond like anyone I’ve ever met before. I don’t know what else to do, apart from ringing his doorbell totally naked while holding a Costco-sized bottle of lube!”

I stroke my chin. “Well, I doubt he’s interested in just a hookup. He told us he’s never been with anyone before, so he probably wants something pretty serious.”

Evan drains the rest of his cocktail, eyes watering. “I know. But I don’t think I can give him what he wants.”

“Why not? It’s not like you’ve never had relationships before.” Granted, he hasn’t had many since we graduated from college, but I know that he’s capable of monogamy with the right person. I even suspect that’s what he secretly yearns for in his heart of hearts.

He runs a hand through his thick, wavy brown hair. “Relationships are so much more dangerous to my heart. Casual is safer.”

“Zion’s a good man, bestie o’mine. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. Not deliberately. If anything, you probably have the ability to shatter his heart, given his lack of experience.”

Evan bites his bottom lip in obvious worry. “That’s holding me back too. Zion’s really special. I can’t stand the thought of causing him pain. I don’t want to start something if I can’t commit to it for the long term.”

I hurry forward and pull him into a hug.

“I know you. You would treat him like he’s precious and would do anything to make him happy.

He would be lucky to have you love him. You care more than you like others to figure out.

It’s a self-protective thing, and I totally get it.

But I’m confident you can trust yourself and your heart with Zion. ”

He squeezes me back. “Gracias, hermano. Is it silly that I’m… so scared?”

“Not at all. Falling in love is hella scary. But it’s also the most amazing feeling in the world. Well, apart from a tentacle-induced orgasm.”

Evan sniffs and gives a half-hearted chuckle.

I pull back and look into his eyes. “If you wait too long, someone else might swoop in and nab him right out from under you. Are you willing to let that happen?”

His nostrils flare and if he could breathe fire, he totally would. “Hell no! The sexy blue alien is mine !”

I grin. “Then I think you have your answer.”

Evan takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Si, hermano. I hear you. I’ll make my intentions clear to Zion. I want that big blue man to be my very own cinnamon roll of an ice planet barbarian. If he’ll have me, that is.”

I ponder this for a second. “I think you’ve got a good shot. Zion’s clearly interested in you. When you wear those tight leotards, he can’t keep his eyes off you, especially when you wiggle that perky ass of yours in his direction.”

Evan smirks with obvious satisfaction.

“But he’s also really inexperienced,” I hasten to add. “And he’s gone through some pretty tough shit. Being disowned and nearly murdered by his father for being only half-Vroknu and for being gay, then becoming a refugee who’s had to flee to another planet, can’t be easy.”

The scowl on Evan’s face is terrifying. “His dad is a piece of shit.”

“Agreed. Yet despite everything that’s happened to him, Zion’s kept his sweet nature and optimistic outlook.

He’s one resilient guy. I’m honestly impressed with how well all the Vroknu refugees have been adapting to life here on Earth.

They’re much stronger than some of those warrior-or-die fools on their home world gave them credit for.

It’s really admirable how they’ve stuck to their convictions and forged their own paths forward.

Watching them blossom into their true selves has been beautiful.

” I’m suddenly choked up and fight back tears of pride.

“Things are so much better for them now.” Evan frowns. “Even if they have to conceal themselves from humans most of the time.”

“I know. It’s really unfair. But there is hope. In fact, Nirblob’s working on some technology that might be of use to our Vroknu friends.”

“What? Really?” Evan studies me eagerly.

“Apparently, it’s some device that can be worn to camouflage the extraterrestrial colors of their skin to the human eye.

It’s quite promising according to our R and D department.

They’re already studying it and plan to help Nirblob develop the official prototype.

” I shake my head in wonder. “I’ve only recently learned that Nirblob is actually a rather brilliant inventor, not just an overzealous fan of my stories and an avid Lord Vardox cosplayer.

He has hidden depths I’m only starting to discover.

If his device is successful, it could mean many of our other-worlder friends will be able to go out into the world without fear of being discovered. ”

Evan clasps his hands tightly over his heart. “Dios mío, I pray that it happens. Zion and his colorful friends are such sweetie pies. They deserve to be able to experience more of this planet and what it has to offer.”

I grin. “Fess up, bro. A big part of you just wants to be able to show off Zion once you two get together.”

Evan’s grin is even bigger than mine. “You better believe it! I’ll flaunt that tall hunk of sexy man-candy like there’s no tomorrow.

” His expression softens. “It’s more than that, though.

Call me a sentimental bitch, but I care about these guys.

I feel a bit like a mother hen trying to protect her young.

After all, I took them under my wing when they first arrived and taught them how to dance like pros.

” His expression turns rueful. “It’s a shame they didn’t want to keep doing that alien revue show. ”

Secretly, I agree. “Yeah. They could have made serious bank if they’d continued.

But it was clear it wasn’t really their passion.

After all they’ve been through, I don’t begrudge them the desire to pursue their individual dreams. The Rec Center has become a crucial place for them and other new intergalactic transplants to find community and nurture their hobbies and passions. ”

“Yet another one of your brilliant ideas, hermano,” Evan says with pride and high-fives me.

We head back to the living room and curl up on the couch once again.

“Speaking of the Rec Center, how are your dance classes going so far?”

Evan’s face brightens until it practically glows.

“ So well! There are some real standout talents.” He flashes me a grin.

“We might be able to find some other folks to do another alien-themed revue show soon. Ones who are really committed to flaunting their physiques and putting their full thrust into it, if you know what I mean.”

I snort with laughter. “Good to know. Benji’s been offering some of his art classes and from what he tells me, they’re going really well too. The Vroknu twins show real talent. Benji wants to put on a solo show for them to try and sell some of their work to folks he knows.”

Evan’s eyes widen. “Whoa. Benji doesn’t usually extend that kind of offer to many people.”

I nod in agreement. “For all that he’s a mellow stoner hippie, he’s always very serious when it comes to art. It’s probably a big part of what’s made him so successful over the years.”

“No doubt.”

“The Rec Center is even more popular than I anticipated. I’m already working on recruiting some other folks from the Alliance to offer some onetime workshops and other events for folks in the near future.

” I rub my hands together with glee before grabbing a handful of potato chips from the bowl on the table and munching away. “We’re just getting started!”

Evan tilts his head and considers me. “That’s great, but I notice you’ve been avoiding our earlier topic. So, getting back to this Sanctioning Ceremony business. Are you feeling ready for what’s ahead?”

Curses! I thought I’d successfully managed to reroute our conversation away from that topic. Should have known Evan wouldn’t let me off that easy.

I gulp. “Uh… I think so?”

Evan snorts. “That sounded like more of a question than an answer.”

I crunch a chip and then worry my bottom lip with my teeth.

“It’s going to be an interesting three days, let’s just put it that way.

This Iyaran ceremony is all kinds of bizarre, and slightly new-agey, but I’m trying to roll with it.

After all, I’m sure there are many things we do that are strange to Kai’s species. ”

“From what you’ve told me, it sounds a lot more like some kind of gauntlet you have to complete in order to be recognized as his husband. Is it a form of alien matrimonial hazing?”

It’s my turn to snort. “It kind of feels like that at times. There’s just so much I have to prepare for, and the fact that I’m not an Iyaran complicates things more.”

Particularly since I don’t have the same extra appendages.

But I have a plan for that.

I’m River Sullivan, muthafuckas . I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t.

“Was my contact helpful?” Evan asks.

I beam at him. “Incredibly so. She was amazing. In fact, I’ve been taking lessons with her several days a week. I’m feeling as confident as I can for that part of the ceremony now.”

He reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Eso es bueno. I’m glad to hear it.”

We finally pull up our episode and the familiar opening theme song of Las Lágrimas del Viento begins playing. Evan sips his martini and I chow down on my potato chips as we watch the much-anticipated finale and bask in our BFF bond.

It feels like the calm before the inevitable storm, and I soak it up for all it’s worth.