Page 83 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

EPILOGUE

TYSON

[two years later]

I dip my whole body into the murky green waters, then come up for air a moment later. I shake my head and wipe my face of excess freshwater. I wade forward as the water splashes my chest. The first thing I’m grateful for is that I shaved my head recently and I don’t have to mess with my braids getting wet. The second is that this freshwater bog isn’t real. I look up at the skylight of the fitness center, happy I don’t have to deal with bugs.

There’s only one animal I have to deal with. Where is he…?

I hear the familiar splashes and look to the back. No one’s around, and the soft sounds of the several meters of river water splashing create an almost creepy ambiance. I’m alone in this part of gym, not even a lifeguard in sight. It’s so quiet, like a scene from a horror movie.

But I’m not alone, am I? And my life is a monster movie, but not a horror.

Because I sense movement under the water. All I can see is the unnatural green of the simulated river, but something is swimming underneath, I feel it. The swift motions of shadows under the surface both scare me and thrill me.

Grinning, I give in to my instincts and run through the water to the pool’s edge. Before I can hoist myself up, I feel it. I snicker when something slithers around my leg, into my orange swim trunks and near my groin. In the next moment, I’m pulled down into the four-foot-high water.

I smile as I hold my breath and my butt gently touches the pool floor. When I open my eyes, I can barely make out the seven-foot-long creature that has me, in more ways than one. I stand up and take a deep breath, then laugh as the giant eel wraps around me

Ardsley stole my heart all these years ago, in eel form, human form, or hybrid, it doesn’t matter. He’s all man, and I’m blessed to still be able to claim this monster as mine.

He slithers around me as I laugh, then he pecks me on the cheek. “What was that, twenty seconds this time?” I ask as I chuckle and wipe my face. “You’re losing your touch, eel shifter.”

“I was going easy on you,” he says in a gravelly tone. His voice isn’t as smooth or sweet as in his human form, but I’ve gotten used to it. Dating a monster comes with all these funny quirks. “Making this last a bit.”

I laugh again and put my hands around his purple eel head. His pectoral fins rub my hands, and I take a moment to caress his scales. He’s bumpy yet soft, but I recognize him in any form. Ardsley’s the guy I’ve fallen for.

“Well, I hope you had fun.”

“With you?” He shifts in front of me, turning back into his gorgeous human self. His brown hair is shoulder length nowadays, and he’s wearing his dark swimming briefs. “Always, Ty.”

I peck his lips then pull back. “You know how we could have more fun?” I purr.

“Right here?” he yelps. I graze my hands down his pristine chest, unable to help myself. He shivers at my touch, and I’m flattered I still have this effect on him after so many nights together.

“Well, I am your prey, pretty monster. That means I’m at your service.” I lean in and kiss his ear. Then, my palm finds his dick under the water. He’s hardening for me, so I reach into his bathing suit and?—

“Boy howdy!”

We both break apart, and I turn around. Mr. Eugene is walking toward us in his intimidating crab form. “You two look more snug than two pearls in a clam!” He guffaws, and in his crustacean form, the sound echoes in a supernatural way.

Meanwhile, my boyfriend and I politely laugh and step away from each other. I hope Ards is softening and ready to get out of the pool, because getting freaky in the gym might cost us our membership.

“Glad to see my favorite human-monster couple is going strong.” He grabs a net on a long pole and proceeds to clean the simulated river. “Well, I’m actually not sure if y’all are my favorite. What with the other boys who work down the street at MM Institute findin’ love.”

I hop out of the water and chuckle. “I hope we’re contenders.” I grin at Ardsley who gradually makes his way out via the opposite stairs. “I think we’re done here, Mr. Eugene.”

“Yeah, we’re gonna, um…” Ardsley wipes his hair with his towel. “Head out.”

“Aw, you two.” Mr. Eugene shifts back down to his large human form and wags a finger. “It seems like just yesterday you were begging me to break your lock, Mr. Samuels.” I laugh and Ardsley comes to my side. “And now look at y’all.”

“Yup.” I exchange a smile with my handsome boyfriend. “All because I forget numbers easily.”

We chuckle and Mr. Eugene remarks, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you faked it just to meet Mr. Allen.”

“Best. Manipulation. Ever,” Ardsley says. We share another laugh and make our way to the locker rooms. I hold his hand as we take steps to the spot where our relationship began, and hopefully, steps to our future together.

I’ve fallen in love with an eel-shifter—how can our future be anything but bright?

FIN