“Well, I just wanted to try out this new video-calling technology.” He moves back so the phone is clearly arm’s length. The screen is shaky, and I’m wondering if he can see me at all. “How are ya, Skyler?”
“I’m alright. I’m actually on the way to work for this event thing.” I tap my steering wheel. “Can I help you?”
Gramps chuckles and moves the phone so that he’s finally a normal size on the screen.
“There you are!” He adjusts his glasses, and I’m fairly certain he’s the face of me, decades in the future. “Skyler, you can help by calling your mother.”
Guilt warms my neck. “I…text her.”
“But not enough. They miss you.”
“Did Dad put you up to this?”
Gramps laughs. “No. A father can tell when his daughter misses something. With your sister and you moving away, your mother is really empty-nesting.”
I frown. “I promise, I’ll talk to her.”
“Good. Because otherwise she keeps doting on me. She gets mad because I keep messing with the internet router.”
“Leave it alone, Gramps,” I reply through a chuckle.
“Only if you promise to coordinate with your mother about Thanksgiving.”
“That’s months away.”
“But still.” He leans in and squints at the camera. “It’s never too early. My daughter wants to see you.”
That gnawing shame grows in my chest. How can I tell my family that I love them, but they’re too overbearing to be near? They accepted that I was gay, but don’t appreciate that my sister and I like our privacy.
“And your monster boyfriends and whatnot!”
I roll my eyes. “None of those to speak of, Gramps.” I’m not about to talk to my grandfather about my new crush.
“What about that boy Andrew?”
My jaw clenches at the thought of my selfish ex-boyfriend. “That’s over with.”
“Aw, you cut him loose already?”
With the way he was chasing after other guys while we dated, I didn’t cut him loose soon enough. “I sure did.”
“Well, I’m certain you’ll find a partner soon. A handsome fellow like you doesn’t stay single for long!” We share a laugh.
“One can hope!” I reply. We continue chatting for two minutes more before I convince him to let me go. After a deep breath, I back up the car so I can get to work. I know I have to face my loving parents and remind them I need my space, but I’ll do that another day. That’s a problem for future-Skyler.
An hour later, I take in the scene at work. There’s so much love here in the lobby of MM Institute right now. I clap along with the makeshift audience as my best friend Karlo finishes his speechat the podium. The man of the hour is accepting accolades as we debut his series of rare photographs. We’re the first research facility to get extensive footage of the great migration of bioluminescent manta rays, and it’s all thanks to my friend. He couldn’t have done it without his hunky boyfriend, Razorjaw, the shark on land. They canoodle off to the side, and Ardsley and I go to congratulate my bestie.
Karlo and RJ are so in love. And to my left, Ardsley has his muscly boyfriend, Tyson, holding his hip. All this interracial, interspecies gay love reminds me of someone I want to share it with. It’s been a few weeks since I gave Reed a tour of MM Institute. We’ve exchanged some emails, and it’s been strictly business each time, as we tried to arrange for him to finally bring his teenage nephew into the facility.
I’m so proud I refrained from sending any lewd images via email to Reed. This is my job, not WereScruff.Though it was tempting…
I shake my head and look around. He said he would be here at this event. So where is he? Am I pathetic, hanging on to morsels of attention from a rich dude who might not even be gay or bi? Perhaps, but I never claimed to be the brightest when it comes to dudes.
If Reed is straight, then what was with those pheromones…?
Before I can spiral, a familiar figure appears in the corner of my eye. My heart rate picks up, and I grin?Reed! He’s here, looking mighty fine in his suit.
I square my shoulders, hoping I look sexy in my workwear. Time to strut my stuff and make this man want a piece of Skyler. I ditch my friends and walk through the chatting crowds, striding right up to him.
