“Nice to meet you, Krueger.” Larsky’s voice sounded tinny and light compared to other stellymn I’d heard in the past. It wasas carefree as he seemed to be. “Your sister’s told me a lot about you.”
“She did?” I gave Myers a quick glance but she just paired a shrug with her already placed smile.
Larsky nodded. “She told me about you being brave enough to leave your job to pursue your writing. That takes guts, man. Good for you.” The laidback but spirited energy that poured off of Larsky was a stark contrast to the pulled tight vibe that Khalice had. It was nice to see that Orbs could be just as complex as humans.
Pride beamed through my eyes as I gave him a nod. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“And what you and your sister are doing,” He cleared his throat. “Traveling across the states? So cool.”
“Larsky works here at the movie theater.” Myers explained. “While he works towards what he really wants to do.”
Ahh, I could see why she was telling me. Larsky was figuring out what he wanted to do and trying to execute that plan, just like I was. I appreciated that we had something in common aside from enjoying the company of my sister.
“That’s great,” I agreed. “What is it you really want to do?”
“I want to get into broadcast work, like working at a radio station. Actually, I’d really love to host a TV show or something, but Orbs being on television is such a hard feat to conquer.”
I nodded. There were a couple of Orb-centric shows that existed both on air and online, but there wasn’t enough that it made it an easy goal to join the club.
“I think that’s just as brave as me leaving my job, if not more.” I said with the utmost sincerity. “There should be more Orbs on television. Hopefully that ORBIT board in D.C. can help make that happen.”
It was becoming common knowledge that there was an entire part within the House that was trying to give Orbs an equalvoice in society, headed by politician Wallace Watson, a great advocate for bridging the gap between humans and Orbs alike. While I’d heard that they were making progress, there was always more that could be done.
Especially since they’d taken down a petrylle kidnapping ring not too long ago, if I remembered correctly. I thought there was chatter about that a few months back.
“Hopefully.” Larsky smiled back, matching my verbal sentiments. “I’m trying to make it happen.”
“And you will.” Myers smiled so big I thought her skin was going to split. “I’ll be right back, I need to use the bathroom.”
“We’ll be here, love.” Larsky chimed with that, admittedly, adorable charm that seemed absolutely effortless for him.
Myers was giddy but silent as she left. I could see the spring in her step that Larsky’s words gave her. I turned my gaze back to the stellymn before me.
“Love, huh?”
I could have sworn I saw some blush punch into his red skin. “I’m trying to keep things casual between us, since you guys are leaving after Halloween, but I have to say, I really care about your sister, Krueger.” He paused, his head careening toward the direction that she’d disappeared in order to use the bathroom. “She’s the coolest person I’ve ever met since moving here five years ago.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty great.” I laughed in agreement. “But I’m biased as hell.”
“Well, then consider me biased too.” Larsky chuckled. “She’s incredible. I…” He stopped himself, a sweat forming over his forehead that set my hackles on edge. But it was really sweet to see that he was nervous to say something to the brother of the woman he was romancing. “I know it’s not my place and not even remotely close to my choice, but I really wish you guys were staying in Phoebe a little bit longer.”
A sigh plummeted out of my mouth from the depths of my chest. Those earlier contemplations involving a certain purple-skinned tythwig barreled from the back of my mind where I’d tied them up and came guns blazing to the front of my psyche. I couldn’t argue his point. It appeared that both me and my sister had found affection waiting for us in Phoebe. The thought that it could potentially turn into love was so fucking scary but so damn satisfying that I dreaded having to pack up the RV and leave.
“Me too, Larsky.” I finally said, an invisible anvil being pried from my lungs. “Me too.”
Chapter 22
Fireflies buzzed excitedlyin my stomach the entire time I made my way to work. I couldn’t wait to hear what Arze’s verdict was, but Larsky’s words kept repeating in my head like they were stuck in a loop.
Would it even be possible to stay in Phoebe? I didn’t want to only stay in town because of a guy, and I knew that Myers would feel the same way. We had friends back home. Our parents lived back home. But there was a draw to Phoebe that I wanted to see through to the end. There was so much of my personal interests in the town, and it was already proven to be a lucrative environment for my creativity. I felt set, but that didn’t mean that Myers did. She had dreams of opening up her own mortuary, but there was nothing stopping her from doing that here.
I was getting way ahead of myself. I didn’t even know if Myers had the same thoughts of wanting to stay. Until I could talk it over with her, all of this was speculation at best.
Even before that, I needed to hear what Arze was thinking.
Getting to work, I was ecstatic by my assignment for the night. I was being paired up with Ripp and Arze in the maze, so we would have plenty of time to discuss where we stood.
As much as I didn’t want to wait, I would allow work to take priority until we could talk afterwards. Which meant I was tasked with the inhumane action of having to wait.
