Page 4 of To Cuddle A Gremlin (Monsters in Love Side Stories #1)

CHAPTER 4

Kazmier: Dude I am so sorry I went AWOL

Kazmier: Sh*t went down, and I left my tablet at work

Crash: No worries. Well maybe a little. Everything okay?

Kazmier: Just family chaos.

Crash: You’re back now. So all good.

Kazmier: Anything interesting happen?

Crash: *shrug* I messed around on my farm.

Kazmier: Crash, babe. I’m sorry.

Crash: I had life stuff too, and I didn’t want to be a burden.

Kazmier: Dish. Tell Daddy Kaz all your concerns.

Crash: Uhhh. Well, if you don’t call yourself that, I will fill you in.

Kazmier: Right, right. Not your scene. Tell me all.

Crash: I have a date.

A fter fixing Adam’s computer problem, Isadore strutted into the café. “Hi there. My name is Isadore, and I have a date with the sweet and perfect Sebastian.”

“Isadorable! You did it! Oh my God!” Harry clapped his hands together loudly, disturbing the rest of the clientele in the quiet café.

“Harry, calm down and let Isadore sit.” Charles, their quieter third, pushed Harry back to his seat. Returning his attention to Isadore, Charles arched an eyebrow. “That was fast. I thought you were going to walk him home.”

“Adam needed help at the Centre. Apparently, Trey did something to the computers, or Isaac did and borked them in ways humans can't comprehend.”

“Cryptids and human-made computers are not meant to go hand in hand. I hope you explained how magic and technology don’t mix.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, going back to your date; be nice to Sebastian. Stay calm and relaxed. He’s super shy with anyone new. Gran says he can be quite funny once he lets down his guard.”

“Your Gran knows him? From the library?” Isadore sat forward and threw his attention at Charles. This was gold.

“Yes, from the library. Where else would we meet him? It’s the fucking library. It’s a gathering place for everyone,” Charles said bluntly, before running a hand over his head. “If you act like you do on any of your other dates, this one will fail before you sit. So, chill out and let Sebastian lead.”

“I am an excellent date. People tell me I’m a great companion. I’m smooth. I’m cool. I really want this to work out so much.” Isadore slumped in his chair and groaned. “Charles, he’s so sweet and kind.”

“And if all you know about him is what he appears to be, I imagine he knows less than you do. Have you told him what sort of cryptid you are?” Charles asked. Isadore shook his head. They hadn’t had much of a conversation yet. “Take it slow. Let this, whatever it is, grow organically. And for Gods’ sake, try not to be so dramatic.”

Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Isadore admitted defeat. Charles was right. Everything about this was new territory, and Sebastian was so of a much a shy spirit that Isadore couldn’t just capture him in a globe. “Okay, okay. I will be charming and quiet, and I definitely won’t move my arms.”

“You should be fine then.” Charles relaxed. “I am invested in this now. So, seriously, don’t fuck up.”

“I know! Believe me, I know.” Isadore waved away Charles’s admonitions before opening his laptop. He had a computer problem to solve, and he always did his best work in the presence of his friends. Neither Charles nor Harry minded being second fiddle to his vocation. It was all part and parcel of being part of the gremlin family. He could tinker around with mechanics like nobody’s business and still listen to the conversations flowing around.

As he twisted his hair back and away from his face, Isadore thought about his date with Sebastian. For all of his bravado and confidence, Isadore accepted Sebastian’s initial discomfort would be part of their date. He had witnessed quite a few of Sebastian’s moments of frozen anxiety. When he first watched Sebastian come to the diner, waves of stress wafted off the tall man. His shoulders had been rigid, and his gaze remained straight ahead. Isadore had been struck dumb by Sebastian’s strength and determination. Despite how uncomfortable he appeared every time he visited the café, Sebastian made an effort to sit and have his lunch. His demeanor was professional, and he chatted politely with the staff, but he never made eye contact with any of the restaurant guests. Once the waitstaff took his order, his shoulders dropped. The longer he observed, the more Sebastian became relaxed and started making small talk with the servers. Isadore had been so proud and thus began his plot to learn more about his shy and pretty librarian.

Isadore and Charles discussed the best spots to go and ideas for places to take Sebastian if they managed to go beyond shy smiles and waves. Harry’s ideas had been so over-the-top Isadore forbade from any more suggestions. Tomorrow was an initial date to allow Sebastian to see that Isadore was a worthy person. It had to go well.

As Isadore managed to solve the crisis at the new Cryptid Centre, the café emptied itself around him, leaving him the sole customer.

Tony fell into the seat beside Isadore and nudged him with his knee. “You know you have an office at your own place, right?”

Isadore hissed as he chased a line of code that’d been the root of all problems. He ignored his brother as long as he could before lifting his head. “What’d you say?”

“An office at home? Where your shit is,” Tony snarked. “Don’t you think it’d be easier to do computer stuff there?”

“Not really? I had an idea, and Adam is across the street if I need him. So more efficient for me,” Isadore explained. Telling his brother he was more productive in the dining room was worth a snide remark or three.

“This is not your workspace. The tables are for paying customers. I can’t have you hogging one the whole day. We built you a dedicated work area in our house.” Tony crossed his arms and glared. Isadore scowled back. “Honestly, Isadore. Go somewhere else.”

“I buy snacks and coffee the whole time I’m here. I’m a paying customer who needs a spot. When one of my clients is across the street, this is a better location for me.” Isadore rolled his shoulders, the tight muscles tugging and pulling. He needed to get out of the human skin soon so he could breathe. “I get shit done here. The ambiance is helpful.”

“What about the library?” Tony asked. Isadore snapped into an upright position, wary of where his brother was heading. “Unless, you know, you’re afraid.”

“I am not afraid of the library. It has many fantastic features. It overlooks the river, and there’s enough space to get my projects done without being interrupted. However, people would be able to see what I’m working on, and it’d be an invasion of privacy.” Isadore imagined setting his computer up at the library and not being able to concentrate. He’d probably find a spot near where Sebastian worked and stare at him all day. With his soft smile and awkward movements, yeah, Isadore wouldn’t have any control over himself.

“Oh, Isa. Stop lying to yourself. Admit you’re scared of the library and the smart creatures roaming around in there.”

“Fuck off, Tony. You’re deliberately being a douche.”

Tony’s comments were typical and brotherly, so the words weren’t as harsh as they could have been. However, retribution was required. Isadore chucked a wadded-up napkin at his brother. It struck Tony on the nose, and he crowed victoriously. His ass of a brother deserved the hit.

“Then act like a fucking grown-up.” Tony swiped the napkin and tossed it away. “Time to go. Restaurant’s closed now. I need you out.”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks for letting me use your space.” Isadore packed up his gear and winced as Tony’s back cracked. “You should ask Harry to fix your spine. I know he’d be happy to lend a hand,” Isadore teased.

“How about I ask your shy boy tomorrow when he comes here for your date?” Tony snapped.

“You wouldn’t dare do anything to Sebastian!” Isadore loved his brother, but sometimes Tony’s teasing went too far, and feelings were hurt. Isadore straightened up. “I’ll end you so fast!”

“If you keep harping about Harry, I will.” Tony leaned forward, intent on making his point. His ears were pressed back against his head, showing off his agitation. Isadore imagined his own pointy ears were doing the same.

Isadore had crossed the first hurdle in his courtship, coaxing his skittish librarian into a date. No way in hell was Tony going to undo all his hard work with a few words. Brotherly affection had limits. “You can’t ruin this for me. Sebastian is something special, and I have to see where this goes.”

“Come on, Isadore. You’ve barely spoken with this guy! How do you figure he’s the one? Everyone else you’ve dated had more personality than him. He’s so bland. This morning was the first time he showed any signs of life.”

Isadore's hackles rose at Tony’s words. Isadore breathed through his nose, reminding himself that Tony was his brother and didn’t need to have his nose smacked for such mean insults. They didn’t hit in their family. Not in public, anyway.

“How would you know? You’re always so rude to him. You don’t think people tell me? So lay off.” Isadore roughly zipped his laptop case and stormed out of the quiet café. The cold was a shock. Crap, he'd left his coat inside. His dramatic exit was ruined by frosty temperatures. He stood by their shared car and waited for Tony to lock up.

“You’re an idiot, and I forgive you your outburst,” Tony said as he tossed Isadore’s coat to him. “If Sebastian is who you want, I will do my best to support you. But Gods, Isa, you can do way better.”

“I’m not discussing this with you.” Isadore buttoned his coat and sighed as he began to warm up. The walk to their little enclave was fast.

“Whatever. Come on. Let’s get out of this cold. My toes are going numb.”

That evening in the large bolt-hole the gremlins and brownies called home, Isadore snuggled in the pack with his multitude of niblings vying for his attention. They were all curious to discover more about humans. He tried his best to explain, but Isadore’s ability to describe the human world lacked interesting topics that children found exciting. Cafés and computers were boring.

“Isadore darling, I heard you have a date tomorrow.” Isadore’s older sister, Katya, threw herself in the chair kitty-corner to the couch where Isadore was relaxing. Katya styled herself both a brownie and gremlin. She loved the domesticity of homes, but electronics drew her attention as much as it did for Isadore. Her auburn waves were pulled away from her face with tiny gems and beads.

“I got up my nerve and asked Sebastian this afternoon,” Isadore confessed. Katya was the matriarch of their enclave, and every decision went through her first.

“Oh, I like him. He’s very sweet. The kiddos enjoy the books he chooses for them. He’s not like your other beaux.” Katya tipped her head to the side. Her gaze bored into Isadore, making him squirm.

“I realize that.” Isadore pulled on his hair and glared at his sister. Remembering what his previous relationships did to him was like picking a scab. He hated picturing them. Each one had told him that he was too much. He took the lead too frequently, and he was too intense in his affection. They were homebodies, preferred the bolt-hole most gremlins lived in, while Isadore wanted to explore and discover their new world. “I like Sebastian. He’s… he’s special. And I hope this date will open his eyes to me. I know I can be a bit overwhelming, but dammit, Katya. He makes my heart sing when I catch a glimpse of him. And I can literally see him light up when he finds me. I am trying not to be a stalker, but… there’s something, right?”

Katya softened. Her own courtship with her mate started off just as rocky as this one with Sebastian. She understood patience and mistakes. Bumps along the path to love always happened. The journey lit the path to discovery and passion. “Too true, my dear. Too true. I’m assuming your crisis in faith has something to do with your brother?”

“He told me Sebastian is plain and not good enough or not worthy of my time.” Isadore kissed the top of one nibling’s head as they got comfortable snuggling in close. He loved this time of day when he could be with his family. Everyone was tactile and yet still respectful of space. He could have this heart-to-heart conversation with the kids around.

“Tony is a brownie through and through. They are a stubborn lot and have set ideas about how this mating thing is to go. You aren’t fitting his mould. So ignore him and follow your heart, you gremlin.”

Though gremlins and brownies were intrinsically different in how they approached life, being family brought them closer. Their obsessions with their calling were the only difference. Each child had a chance at puberty to follow the path that made the most sense. It was a rare gremlin that chose both a brownie aspect and gremlin aspect and combined them into one.

“Katty, you haven’t seen this guy though,” Tony interrupted. He came out of the kitchen with a bowl of something delicious-smelling. Isadore’s mouth watered even as he scowled.

“Oh, but I have. If you were listening, you’d know that the kids and I chat with him at the library when we visit, and they think he’s fun. So, stop being a stick in the mud. Isadore likes him, and that’s more important than your silly impression.”

“Thank you, Katty.”

“Uncle Isa, can we play the farm game on your iPad? I like looking at the cute animals!” one of his nieces asked, stopping the conversation about Sebastian. Isadore was relieved. Having his motives questioned and debated wasn’t on his task list. Gods, all he wanted was for Sebastian to give him a chance and see how well they suited each other. And hopefully get a second date.