Chapter 8

8

TANNER

“Hey, wait up!” The female voice sounds vaguely familiar to me, so I slow down. A girl approaches me, and I recognize her from class. We both just got out of Intro to Monsterkind, so she must be human. Fellow students amble by us, some shifting into their monster forms. Winged creatures and giant snakes brush past, but no one bats an eye, and I too, have grown accustomed to the colorful student body. “I haven’t seen you since the party.”

My face falls. “Oh.” Shit, now I remember: she’s one of the human transfers who walked with me to the bonfire.

“I’m Shonda, by the way.”

“Tanner.” No one’s listening to us as we walk past the digital TV screens mounted on the gray marble interior of the lecture hall.

“How have your classes been?”

“They’ve been okay. Not bad, not great.” Good would be too strong of a word, but I’m doing a lot better since my study date six days ago. I mean, my study sesh. Not a date.

“I hear that. You headed to dinner in the dining hall?”

“I wasn’t, but you reminded me I need to eat.”

“Oh, awesome. I could really use a fellow human to talk to about this Monsterkind class.”

“Let’s do it,” I reply as we walk toward the main dining hall.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re chatting over food. People and monsters mull about, enjoying their meals, and I’m already used to the ambiance of the cafeteria. “So many family members of mine are monsters,” Shonda says, pushing her pasta around. “When they opened up the infamous Creepin U, I had to jump at the chance to join.”

“That’s very noble of you,” I reply. I sip on my Ghosta Cola and lean back. “I gotta say, it’s been a while since I’ve talked to other humans my age.”

Shonda pushes up her glasses and studies me. “Well, a bunch of us became friendly at the welcome party.”

I bite back a grimace, but Shonda must be perceptive as she leans in. “I heard about you and that tree shifter guy.”

“He’s a dryad,” I mutter. My cheeks burn―does everyone know about my childhood kiss?

“I’d be mortified if a monster assaulted me as a kid.” She looks down at her plate and muses, “Lord knows my cousin used to mess with me, but it’s different when you’re family.”

I shake my head. The instinct to protect Kovi swells up in my chest. “It’s not like that. He didn’t…assault me.”

Shonda sits back. “Well, you said he stabbed you in the face with a branch, so…” Her voice trails off, and I frown.

“It was an accident. We were boys, roughhousing and, uh…”

“Oh! So you’re friends?”

I think back on last week’s study session. The electricity between us felt so charged in that tiny study room. But I needed to ignore it in lieu of schoolwork. Still, just recalling him has me aching to touch his smooth dark stubble. I wonder if he still tastes so sweet as a man…

I clear my throat. “I guess.”

“Have you spoken to him since?”

I nod. “Yeah, actually we study together.”

“Ah.” She gives me a coy smile. “I know what that means.”

“What?”

She looks back down at her food. “I went to another university for two years. I know what group study sessions lead to.”

“I would hardly call the two of us a group.” I shut my mouth, but not before Shonda’s eyebrows jump.

“The two of you only?”

I gulp. “It’s not what you think. He knows my major. I’m struggling.”

“Ah, well. I don’t know if I’d be able to concentrate with a hottie monster like him in the room.”

“Huh…what?” I’m sure my cheeks are almost as red as my face.

“You two were sitting very close at the bonfire. Before he freaked out.” She plays with her pasta. “Not sure if you’re gay, or bi, or questioning…”

I scratch my neck. “That’s kind of personal.”

Her smile drops. “My bad.”

I don’t like seeing Shonda so uncomfortable, so I decide to lay it all out there. “For the record, yes, I’m gay. And allegedly so is Kovi. But he and I are…he’s…there’s history there,” I stammer. “Plus, I’m crazy busy trying to hold down my studies.”

Shonda nods and smiles. “Same. Here’s hoping we can learn about monsters together.”

“Right.”

“To human friends?” She raises her drink and looks at me expectantly. Her brown eyes seem pleasant enough, and it’s a relief to know other humans are in the same boat as me.

“To human friends.” I smile and tap my paper cup to hers.

We finish our meals in comfortable silence. After a minute, Shonda speaks up again. “I’m sure Kovi will find some other monster to date in no time.”

As we go to throw out our trash, my mouth goes dry. The idea of Kovi cuddling up to anyone, monster or human, makes my gut churn.

“Uh, I think he’s busy too.”

“I’ll bet he is.” Her tone seems insinuating as we walk to the dorms. She studies me then points her thumb backward. “This is my hall. Let me know if you want to do this again after class some time.”

“For sure,” I reply. Shonda seems chill, and I could really use someone to talk to who isn’t linked to Kovi. “Um…” I scratch my ear and look away. The truth threatens to spill off my tongue. “Even if I was available, Kovi probably wouldn’t be interested in a human like me. Unless…you think he would?”

She snorts. “He flirted with you at the bonfire then ran away from you. I think ‘interest’ is very much on the table.” My cheeks warm up again, and she walks backward. “Later, Tanner. I expect a full gossip report in the coming weeks.”

I chuckle. “Aye aye, boss lady. Goodnight.” With that, I bid her farewell. My first human friend at CU, and she seems to think Kovi might like me. Why does that very thought make my chest feel light?

The following morning I’m working my usual shift at Mummy Mocha. Seth has been teaching me so much, and I think I’m getting the hang of things. I haven’t had any complaints about my drinks, and I’m meeting the various monster students and faculty. My tuition is paid for, and I get tips to send home to Aunt Hannah―what a sweet deal!

I should be thrilled, but right now, as I lean on the service counter, I’m anything but happy. There’s a midmorning lull in customers, which gives me some time to think about my grades, or lack thereof. The paper in my hand makes me frown.

“Hey, Tanner.” Kovi’s voice pulls me out of my slump. He’s standing before me in a green plaid button-down and those jeans that look sinfully tight. I stand up straight as my cock stirs―as usual, he’s eye candy and a sight for sore eyes. I try to force my smile, but I must fail, because he frowns. “What’s wrong?”

“Um, nothing.”

His eyes dart to my sheet, but I don’t have the energy to hide it from him. Why does this ridiculously attractive guy appear whenever I have academic troubles? And why is he so helpful? We haven’t had another study session, but keeping my space from Kovi only makes me crave him more.

“Is that an environmental sci quiz?”

I sigh. “Mock quiz. The real deal is next Monday.” I wave the paper at him. “But clearly I’m still shit at it.”

“Tanner,” he says softly.

“This quiz is a quarter of my grade!” I cringe then look down at my sheet. “What am I gonna do?”

“I can help.”

I shake my head. “I can’t keep taking up your time.”

“You’re not. After all, what are friends for?”

“Friends?” The word aches, but I’m not sure why. Does he see me as more or not? Even if he liked me, I’ve made it clear that I’m too busy.

“Yeah, because―”

His words are cut off by a large monster with a bullhead bristling. When Kovi moves to his right, I can clearly see the student behind him. “Are you done ordering?” the minotaur asks.

“Uh, I was just…” Kovi tries to explain.

Seth approaches and waves us off. “Go chat, you two.”

“What? Why?” I ask.

“I got this. You two can go talk.” Seth grins and gently pushes me, and then takes over the register. He turns to the minotaur and asks, “What can I get for you?”

I blink at him, then walk around the counter. “Sorry about that,” Kovi says. “My best friend is…”

“He’s trying to help me out.” I lean on the counter. “But I can’t ask you for more time.”

“It’s fine. May I?” He points to my mock quiz, and I hand it over. After a few seconds, he smiles. “This is on forestry!”

I shrug and frown. “Yeah, not my strongest suit.”

“But it’s mine!” He beams at me and taps his chest. “I can teach you firsthand about the forest.”

My mouth opens but no words come out. On the one hand, Kovi is really smart with environmental sci. On the other, going into the woods sounds like a nightmare. On the third hand, Kovi is hot as hell, and I want to keep hanging out with him. I guess third hand is code for my libido.

I bite my lip and half-shrug. “If you don’t mind.”

“Not at all! When are you free?” He eagerly whips out his phone, and it’s crazy adorable.

“Um, as you know I work the weekends, but how about Friday again?”

“Friday it is,” he says as he types in his phone. “We can even make it a standing date…for studying,” he adds quickly.

“That would be very helpful.” We share a smile, and those butterflies in my stomach float in circles again. I’m starting to think Shonda was right, and that Kovi is interested in me. This beautiful monster is making it increasingly difficult to remember why I don’t have time to date. I have half a mind to hug him, when―

“ Grr .” We break apart at the sound of the zombie busboy mopping the floor between us. I’ve learned that growl is his standard greeting, but it’s no less startling. Moment ruined .

“Um, I should go,” I mutter. “Grind some beans, or…”

“Yeah, I should, too. Maybe order from Seth.”

“Yeah, I’ll uh, text you though.”

“No doubt.” He quickly nods and looks at the ground as he power-walks away.

Before I make it inside the kitchen, I catch him talking to Seth. Seth whispers something and laughs out loud, but not before Kovi leers at him. Huh . I wonder what that’s all about.