Page 16 of Redondo (Mates of the Mylos #7)
CHAPTER 16
THOMAS
“Bowling?” I looked at my roommate in disbelief.
“Yeah, bowling,” Terry replied. “A brand new bowling alley opened on the second promenade deck three weeks ago.”
“The last time I went bowling, I was in high school.”
Having heard your story, I’m going to guess that has more to do with you being broke until you got here than it does with you not liking bowling.”
“Maybe,” I allowed. Times like this, I regretted getting drunk with him as we both celebrated scoring positions with the production of Playtime Fleet. I’d spilled my guts, telling him just how dumb I’d been and desperate. In turn, he’d confessed to applying solely because he wanted to live out his sci-fi fantasies aboard a starship.
He raised an eyebrow at me.
“Okay, fine, you’re right. I did enjoy it when I got to go, and my broke ass couldn’t afford it once I moved to New York. In fact, I couldn’t afford to do anything.”
He smirked. “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“I never liked the stinky shoes, though,” I said, having to have the last word.
“No one likes the used shoes. But they ask us our size and replicate new ones for us and recycle them unless you buy them before you go.”
That did sound much better.
“How long before we have to be there?”
“About half an hour.”
I had just enough time to jump in the shower before we left, then. I made quick work of it and changed into a pair of relaxed fit charcoal colored jeans and a teal polo that brought out the red and dark blond natural highlights in my brown hair. And by natural, I mean created with lemon juice applied before spending time at the artificial beach, or if it was closed for hula practice or surf lessons, one of the parks where it was always summer.
“Okay, I’m ready!” I called out, looking at my friend critically. Ah, well, he’d at least changed his shirt and combed his hair.
He opened the door, and I followed him out.
“Um, not to be a downer, but have they noticed yet they didn’t schedule your test?” he asked me, keeping his voice soft to avoid the chance of us being overheard.
“No, why?”
“Well, it’s just that I was thinking about it. Xero knows everything and has subroutines and other AI who report to him. It feels weird that he wouldn’t notice that you haven’t.”
I shrugged.
“Let’s not talk about it here,” I said, looking around uneasily in case mentioning his name acted as a wake up word and caught his attention.
“Okay,” he replied simply, and we got into the elevator.”
“Where to, gentleman?” Xero asked.
“The second promenade deck,” Terry replied. “We’re going bowling.”
“That sounds wonderful. And I do hear everything said in the corridors, you know. To answer your question, I am well aware that Thomas has not been mate tested.”
“Then why haven’t you scheduled me?” I blurted out.
“Quite honestly, it was because you answered most of the same questions during your final vetting, to be certain your personality was a good fit with the rest of the cast and crew for a harmonious working relationship. The results intrigued me, and after careful analysis, I decided it was best to wait.”
“Is it because there is something wrong with me?”
“Not at all. I felt it best to allow you and the one I believe to be your potential mate a chance to settle in.”
Terry stared at me open mouthed. “Tom has a mate?”
“Potentially, yes. I won’t know until he takes the rest of the test, but if my hypothesis is correct, letting them both get used to the shipboard environment is the best way forward.”
“Well, I feel pretty damned at home. Who is he? Is he hot?”
“He is not like the other Mylos.”
“Why, is he green like Tom’s boss, Kailirex?”
“No.”
“Well, then, is a vampire sort of one, like the weapons guys?” I asked. They’d been all over social media after getting married in a double ceremony in Hawaii.
“No, he is not Sanguinii.”
“Maybe he’s Dragonii,” Terry said.
“A what?”
“A dragon dude, seriously. There’s one in my hula class. Only one in the Fleet so far. Fangs, claws, little horns, a tail, and wings that like, go into his back somehow.”
“You’re telling me there is a flying lizard, Mylos?” Surely this had to be one of Terry’s jokes.
“No. He looks like a man. A really big man, bigger than a regular Mylos, and looks kinda like a dragon. Sort of,” he huffed in annoyance. “I’m explaining it badly, but you’ll see him. His brother is a regular Mylos and is bringing him tonight. He’s a really cool guy, just very shy. You’ll see.”
“Is it him?” I asked Xero.
“I must ask both of you to keep that hypothesis to yourselves for now. But given that you two will be meeting, tomorrow please report to Sickbay and have them take your DNA sample and finish the questionnaire.”
I was possibly the mate of an alien dragon man? I didn’t know if I was scared because, whoa - dragons are predators and his people sounded as if they were too, originally at least, or excited because he sounded like he might be even hotter than the Mylos I was used to seeing.
“Promise!” Xeros demanded, and we both gave our solemn word.
“And I’ll be there bright and early. I’m off tomorrow anyway.”
“Good. Just remember, do not be afraid. He would never hurt you, even if you are not his mate.”
“He’s got some kinda gnarly scars, but they look good on him,” Terry said helpfully.
“Gotcha,” I told them both faintly, wondering just how the hell an evening of bowling and pizza, beer, and hot dogs turned into ‘meet your possible secret mate who is a Mylos dragon. This wouldn’t have happened even in New York. I was certain of it.