The Flyer (The Flyer Series Book 1)

by Frédérick S. Parker

  “Uh, any chance we could set another place? I’m having someone over.”

  “Someone?” she raised an eyebrow.

  “My boyfriend. The one Matt told you about. I want you to meet him.”

  “The giant?”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought you two broke up.”

  “No, we were just on a break.” I wished my mother could’ve at least acted like she cared, but she didn’t. Instead, she shrugged and went back to cooking. For a moment, I thought she wasn’t going to say anything, but quite suddenly she began to speak, her back still turned.

  “Why do you want us to meet him?”

  “Call me crazy, but I want my parents to know who’s in my life.”

  “Your friends are all the same. We don’t need to see which flavor you’re going with.”

  I flinched. “Uriah isn’t like Ben, Travis or Tyler. He’s different.”

  “Apparently. Mathew painted us a pretty colorful picture.”

  “You need to let that go. He didn’t see anything.”

  “I don’t want to meet your new friend,” Mom said bluntly.

  I was just opening my mouth, tying to decide what to say when Uriah appeared in the doorway beside me. “You don’t know anything about me. How can you possibly make that call?”

  At this, my mother turned around. Based on her posture, I knew she was poised for a confrontation, but the moment she saw him, all challenge fell away.

  “You… you’re the giant?” she stammered, her eyes traveling up his body before coming to stop on his face.

  “Please don’t call him that,” I interjected as he tensed beside me.

  “I’m sorry,” Mom said, continuing to stare. “I didn’t mean to… Wow! Aaron, this is your boyfriend?”

  I almost swallowed my tongue. My mother has never referred to any of my partners as anything more than friends.

  “Where are my manners?” she said, sounding flustered as she wiped her hands off on her apron before extending one for Uriah to shake. Casting me a quick, and somewhat uncertain look, he shook it. “Wow,” Mom continued, peering up at him. “You really are big.”

  “Uh, thanks?”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable…” she paused. “You two can start setting the table. Dinner will be done shortly.” Before returning to what she was doing, my mother gave my boyfriend one last once-over. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she was checking him out.

  “Come on,” I muttered, brushing his arm. “The plates are over here.”

  Retrieving the appropriate items, we got to work setting the table. Just as we finished lining up the silverware, Mom placed a large crock pot on the table. The aroma wafting from inside was mouth-watering. I knew my boyfriend was just as hungry as I was when his stomach growled eagerly.

  “Just in the nick of time,” my mother said, smiling at him appreciatively. “A guy like you must have an enormous appetite."

  “I do,” Uriah replied, staring intently at the steaming pot. He was practically drooling. “It smells amazing, Mrs. Applegate.”

  “Please, call me Meredith.”

  “Meredith,” my boyfriend repeated with a polite smile.

  After staring at him for a moment, Mom called my father and Mathew to dinner. The instant my little brother saw Uriah, his eyes lit up.

  “You’re here! I thought you and Aaron broke up.”

  “Nope,” my boyfriend replied as we all took a seat and my mom started filling our plates. “We just took a break.”

  “What’s the difference?” Matt asked, sounding genuinely curious.

  “We were still committed to each other, we just weren’t together.”

  My brother made a face. “I don’t get it. If you’re still apart, what difference does it make?”

  “We weren’t together, but we were still faithful to each other.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “We didn’t go out with other people.”

  “Oh.” Mathew stared up at Uriah with saucer-like eyes. After a brief pause he asked, “Did you ever want to go out with anyone else while you two were apart?”

  “Matt!” I hissed, glancing nervously at my boyfriend.

  “It’s fine,” he assured me before turning his attention to my little brother. “I admit our time apart was hard, but I never wanted to be with anyone else.”

  Mathew was silent again as he stared at Uriah. Right when I thought he was all tapped out, he asked in a hushed whisper, “Will I ever see them again?” and he made little flapping motions with his hands.

  “Matt,” I cautioned.

  “Please!” he begged while my boyfriend shifted uneasily in his chair. “They were so beautiful! I won’t tell anyone this time. I swear.”

  Both Uriah and I glanced at my parents who were watching this exchange with mild curiosity. Well, Dad looked mildly interested, Mom was drinking in every word.

  “It’s okay,” Mathew said, seeing where our attention had turned. “They don’t know a thing. Even if I did tell them, they wouldn’t believe me.”

  “Well, in that case,” my boyfriend cast a quick look at me. “Maybe someday… if you’re good.” He said this last part with a wink.

  “Wow!” I don’t think Mathew expected this response. “I swear I will be. I swear!”

  “What are you guys taking about?” my mother asked, clearly unable to hold in her curiosity any longer.

  “Nothing,” her youngest son said a little too quickly. “Just… guy stuff.”

  Our mom’s gaze shifted to me.

  “It’s nothing, really,” I confirmed. “He was just curious about some weird rocks I found.”

  “What kind of rocks?”

  “I don’t know. That’s why I thought they were weird.”

  Mom looked like she was about to say something, but Mathew beat her to the punch. “Are there other you-know-what’s around here?” and as if we couldn’t figure out what he was talking about, he mouthed, other angels?

  “I think it’s time we change the subject,” I said, shooting Matt another look.

  “Okay,” he replied rather reluctantly. “So, uh, mom, what do you think of Aaron’s new boyfriend?”

  I wanted to kick him under the table, but he was beyond my reach. Meanwhile, our mother smiled shyly at Uriah.

  “I must admit I’m pretty impressed.”

  “Really?” my little brother looked stunned. “You haven’t liked any of Aaron’s past friends and you’re always talking about how you hate that he likes boys.”

  “I never said I hated it,” Mom said, a crimson hue creeping up her neck.

  “Well, you’re always complaining about it.”

  “Maybe I didn’t understand before, but I get it now,” she replied, casting a nervous glance at Uriah who was glowering at her. “I mean, I admit I didn’t particularly care for Tyler, but I’m willing to give Aaron’s new boyfriend a chance.”

  “Why?” I demanded, unable to hold back the question or my anger. “What changed?”

  “Uh, I can see how happy you are.”

  “Really? Until now, you’ve never looked close enough to tell.”

  “Obviously those other boys were no good for you. Especially Tyler. That kid rubbed me the wrong way, but Uriah…” she smiled encouragingly at him. “He’s a much better fit.”

  “How so? How exactly is he a better fit? Because he isn’t flamboyant? Because he’s tall? Because he’s blond? What is it about him that’s so acceptable?”

  Mom’s face was getting increasingly red. “He… he has a certain vibe.”

  I wanted to call bullshit, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. Not with my father sitting right there. Perhaps I should have been grateful that my mother was finally accepting one of my boyfriends, but this didn’t feel right. Every time her gaze skittered his way, my blood boiled. Following my lead, Uriah also regarded my mother with building hostility. Right when I was sure he’d lunge across the table at her, Mom began t
o speak, her voice calm and collected.

  “So, Uriah, how long have you and Aaron been dating?” I could tell she was trying to salvage the situation. I didn’t want her to get off that easy, but I also didn’t want to cause any more of a scene. Plus, a part of me was just happy she was finally on board, regardless of the circumstances.

  “A little over two months,” he replied, his voice void of emotion, however, when I took his hand under the table, he relaxed a little.

  “Is that including your time apart?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where did you two meet?”

  “At Chandelle’s Bar & Gallery downtown.”

  “You work there?”

  “I used to.”

  “Let me guess, you were a bartender.”

  “Nope. Dishwasher. I’m not twenty-one yet.”

  “Seriously?” Mom looked astonished. “I assumed you were at least twenty-two. How old are you?”

  “Eighteen.”

  “Wow! You look so mature.”

  “Thanks.” With each passing moment, Uriah seemed to gain confidence.

  “So,” my mother continued with a pause. “From what I understand, you two are… being intimate?”

  “I never told her that,” I cut in, immediately horrified with the direction of the conversation. Unfortunately, my mother was unperturbed and spoke as if I hadn’t.

  “If so, I hope you guys are being safe.”

  Even though my boyfriend and I hadn’t had conventional sex in over a week, I still blanched. Our last moment together was so powerful and so recent. Just thinking about it caused my dick to twitch. Completely embarrassed, I jerked my hand from Uriah’s and averted my eyes. Beside me, he too sat rigid in his seat. Seeing our reactions, my mother’s eyes went wide as they danced back and forth between us.

  “You’re having unprotected sex? Seriously? Aaron, have I taught you nothing?”

  “Do we have to talk about this?” My ears were aflame. “I’m eighteen. I’m old enough to make my own choices.”

  “They’re boinking without protection?” Mathew chirped in disbelief. He didn’t understand the full mechanics of sex, but he knew enough. “Does this mean Aaron will have a baby?” Following this inquiry, he immediately turned to me, excitement growing in his eyes. “I hope you do, then I won’t be the youngest anymore.”

  “I’m not having a baby,” I grunted, struggling to conceal my agitation. “I don’t even know how we got on this subject.”

  “Come on, Aaron,” Mathew whined. “I want a little brother.”

  “Excuse me,” I muttered, snatching my boyfriend’s hand and jumping up from the table. “This was a mistake.”

  “It’s only awkward if you make it so,” Mom said matter-of-factly.

  “Whatever. I think it’s time I found a place of my own.”

  “You’re moving out?” my little brother looked heartbroken and I felt a stab of guilt.

  “I’m sorry, Matt, but I can’t stay here forever.” Without giving anyone else at the table a chance to say anything, I guided Uriah out of the kitchen and down the hall to my bedroom. Once the door shut behind us, I couldn’t hold it back anymore. Tears gushed down my face and there was nothing I could do to stop them.

  “I’m so sorry, Aaron,” my boyfriend said, pulling me to him. “I’m so sorry.”

  I didn’t say anything. I just cried. Holding onto him for dear life, I cried. The whole while, Uriah whispered softly, his chin resting on the top of my head. I didn’t catch everything he said, but his voice was soothing and I could feel it vibrating in his chest. When I finally got a handle on myself, he led the way over to my bed. I thought he might undress me again, but this time, he just helped me under the covers before slipping in next to me. We lay face to face, staring into each other’s eyes. At first I felt self-conscious after all those tears and looked away, but Uriah guided me back to him. Used to functioning without a voice, he was very good at communicating without words. I could practically see a dozen unspoken words just in a look or a gesture. At the moment, I could see the sympathy in his eyes as he gently stroked the side of my face. I could feel how badly he wished he could help me. To take away my pain. For the thousandth time I wondered how I got so lucky. No one has ever been able to lift me up the way he does. Much less without a sound. I was just starting to let my mind drift, enjoying his company when he started to speak, his hand drifting down to my belly.

  “I can’t stop thinking about what Mathew said.”

  “He said lots of things.”

  “About you getting pregnant.”

  “Kids say the weirdest things.”

  Uriah’s eyes filled with longing. “I wish I could get you pregnant. To watch your belly grow.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, my belly is big enough.”

  “Do you ever think about kids?”

  “At my age? No.”

  “My mom had me when she was seventeen.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yep.”

  “Hmm.” I mulled that over. “I thought she looked young. I assumed that was an Antomolite thing. In any case, I don’t want to even think about kids until after college.”

  “When will that be?”

  “In four to six years… if everything goes to plan.”

  “You have a plan?”

  “Well, I had one.”

  “What was it?”

  “I imagined going to the university, meeting some guy, dating for a few years and after we both graduated, we would get married.”

  Uriah’s face fell. “I don’t know if I’ll go to college. I don’t know if I can.”

  “With a new genetic suppressant, I don’t see why not.”

  My boyfriend thought about that for a second before shrugging. “I don’t know. Maybe.” He still didn’t look happy.

  “Look,” I said, giving him a quick kiss. “That was my plan before I met you, but plans change. Now that you’re in my life, things are different. I certainly didn’t see myself visiting an alien world, much less getting trapped there. The future is full of possibilities.”

  Uriah thought this over. “So, you might not even go to college?”

  “I still want to go, but now I don’t plan on meeting my future husband there.”

  “But what if you do? What if you meet someone better?”

  “Better than you? That’s hard to imagine.”

  “I mean someone who also likes school and doesn’t want kids.”

  “I never said I didn’t want kids. I just want to wait until after college. Going to class and juggling a baby is no easy task.”

  “It’s not like you’ll be alone. I can take care of our kid while you’re gone.”

  “Having kids in your teens might be normal where you’re from, and I’ll admit it’s a growing epidemic here, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “Or you just don’t want to have my baby.”

  “News flash, guys can’t get pregnant so there’s no point arguing about it.”

  “They can if we have a Vongarian up our sleeve,” my boyfriend said, wiggling a mischievous eyebrow.

  “In that case, I’ll gladly knock you up after graduation.”

  Uriah made a face. “I thought we already established that you’re the girl in this relationship. If one of us is getting knocked up, it’s you.”

  “Whatever.” I shrugged not feeling like arguing. “There’s no guarantee Jean-Luc will even be here in four to six years.”

  My boyfriend smiled triumphantly as if he’d won, his hand going back to stroking my belly. The way he was rubbing it, you’d think there was already a baby in there.

  “No point getting your hopes up. If I know anything about conception, it’s only possible with penetration… in less of course you want a uterine baby.” I don’t know why I said that. It just sort of slipped out. He had been amazing. Maybe a part of me was still bitter. Or I was taking my frustration with my mom out on him. I don’t know. In any case, Uriah looked at m
e with sad pale eyes.

  “You will get my cock, I promise. I just need a little more time.”

  “That’s what you keep saying.”

  “So, what are your plans for tomorrow?” he asked, clearly trying to change the subject.

  “I want to look at this apartment that’s close to campus.”

  “How can you afford an apartment? Did you get a job while we were apart?”

  “No, I… I might have taken a little gold from your world. Just enough to get a head start. I’ll start looking for a job soon.”

  Uriah pondered this before brightening. “I’m assuming you’re going to college to get an education so that you can get a good job, right?”

  “Right.”

  “With access to my world, you’ll never have to worry about money again.”

  “That’s true, but I do want a safety net. I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket. Besides, all my friends are going to college. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s when people have a good time without the looming presences of their parents. Maybe I’ll study abroad or do an internship. The possibilities are endless.”

  “Are you sure you won’t forget about me?”

  “I’m sure. Listen, there’s no reason you can’t be right there beside me.”

  “I can’t go to college,” Uriah said decisively.

  “Why not?”

  “Several reasons. One, I never graduated high school. The education my mother has been giving me the past few years isn’t what you would call applicable. Two, even the best genetic suppressant won’t keep my wings in permanently. The most I can hope for is eight to ten hours at a time. And three, even when my wings are suppressed, I still have issues with my reading and writing.”

  “Those aren’t anything we can’t manage. To go to college, all you need is a GED. I can help you with that. Eight hours is more than enough time to attend class. But if you don’t feel comfortable going full time, you can always do part-time. And as for reading and writing, practice makes perfect. I know you can improve. You did so in the short time I coached you. But honestly, I don’t think that’ll be an issue. College isn’t like high school. For the most part, the professors will give us our assignments and we’ll complete them in our own time. To play it safe, we can schedule our classes together so I can always be by your side.”