Ella and the Alien Gamer (Intergalactic Brides 10)

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  “You’re not smiling anymore,” he said.

  “We’re just so different.”

  “Don’t humans claim that opposites attract? Which by the way is true. Maybe I’m a positively charged proton and you’re a negatively charged neutron.”

  “Why do I have to be the negative one?”

  “Because you’re frowning.”

  She had the sudden urge to stick out her tongue and blow a raspberry at him.

  “I’m not a negative person.” She tipped her chin up. “You’ve just caught me at a bad time.”

  The merriment left his eyes. “Did you apply for the job at the Terran Station?”

  “I thought I’d go tomorrow while Connor is in school.”

  “You don’t work tomorrow?”

  “Right now I’m only on the schedule Tuesday through Friday from nine in the morning until one in the afternoon.”

  “That’s not enough hours at minimum wage for you to pay rent, much less feed a growing boy like Connor. How have you managed to this point?”

  She shrugged. “I had a better job at a diner where I made decent tips, but the diner closed.”

  “Tell me something interesting about you. Besides the fact you’re a single mom.”

  A teen in a Puck’s polo came over with a pitcher of soda and three cups. “Your order will be up in a minute.”

  Valero thanked him and then focused on Ella again. That intense gaze made her want to squirm. It had been a long time since anyone had wanted to get to know her. Something interesting? She didn’t do much besides work and take care of Connor. She didn’t think that counted as interesting. And he probably didn’t want to hear about her cleaning methods, or lack of culinary skills.

  “There has to be something, Ella.”

  “I like to draw. Not professionally or anything, but as a hobby. I took an art class in high school and fell in love with sketching.”

  He smiled. “I’d love to see some of your work.”

  “Maybe.” She bit her lip as her cheeks flushed. “I’m not very good at it.”

  “All that matters is that you enjoy doing it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Margaret Wolfe Hungerford said that, or rather she wrote it in her book. The point is that while you think you may not have much talent, I may think your drawings are fantastic.”

  She smiled a little. “You like to read?”

  He scoffed. “You’re surprised? What, because I like to play video games I can’t be well read?”

  “I didn’t mean…”

  “I’m teasing you, Ella. But to answer your question, yes, I like to read. I tend to read a book a day, or close to it. And I don’t have a particular genre I love more than another. They all fascinate me.”

  “Quote something to me.”

  “The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars as daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven would through the airy region stream so bright that birds would sing, and think it were not night.”

  “What’s that from?” she asked.

  “Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.”

  “It’s beautiful,” she said.

  “You’re beautiful.” She cast her eyes down and he reached out to touch her hand. “Why do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Whenever you receive a compliment you deflect in some way. You look away, bite your lip, come back with a smart remark.”

  Did she do that? She didn’t used to, back before getting pregnant with Connor. She’d thrived on attention back in those days, and look where it had gotten her. Ella had gone from being well liked with lots of friends to being alone the last five years. She’d learned the hard way not to let anyone get close, but for some reason, she wanted to get closer to Valero. He seemed sweet and a little geeky. Heaven knew Connor could use a positive male influence in his life. Even if they never went on another date again, maybe she could convince him to spend some time with Connor.

  “I was a different person before I had Connor, but the last five years have been hard. I never let him see just how bad things are, but I think he understands anyway. His birthday is coming up and he’s asked for a store bought cake and there are some toys he’d really like to have. I can’t even make rent right now, much less give him a birthday. So, I have a lot on my mind. To me, compliments are empty words. If you want to make me smile, you’ll have to find another way to do it.”

  He studied her and didn’t say anything. She half expected him to get up and walk out, and she couldn’t blame him. There was a hard shell protecting her heart, but the only thing that stood between Connor and a broken heart was her. And she would do anything for her son.

  “We’ll discuss Connor’s birthday later, when he won’t possibly overhear us. For now, we’re going to eat and get to know one another, and Connor is going to run until he can’t run anymore.”

  “All right.”

  “I’ve never met anyone like you before, Ella. You’re strong, far stronger than any human female I’ve met, and I admire that trait. And you are capable of great love. Anyone can see that. It’s in the gentle touch you have with your son, the way you put his needs before your own.”

  “He’s my entire world.”

  Valero leaned forward. “Do you think there might be space in that world for one more? Because I’m genuinely interested in you, Ella. And I tend to pursue the things I want.”

  She smiled. “You’re a bit of a contradiction, aren’t you? Funny, geeky, gamer one minute and intense warrior on the prowl the next.”

  “Perhaps I am a contradiction, but my past has made me who I am today. I can’t separate the warrior in me any more than I could set down my controller and walk away from the latest Call of Duty. Going into battle might not be my passion, but that training is ingrained in me. So, do you think you want to take on a domineering… how did you put it? Funny, geeky, gamer?”

  “Maybe. And that’s all you’re going to get today.”

  He winked and leaned back in his seat as their food was delivered. She had a feeling he wasn’t going to let the matter go, and she wondered just what methods he would use to persuade her to give him a chance. If he ever found out the way to her heart was through her son, she was a goner.

  * * *

  Valero had a headache to rival all headaches, but he’d enjoyed his time with Ella and Connor. Although, if he never went to Puck’s Pizza Palace again, he wouldn’t exactly cry over the loss. The important thing was that Connor had had a good time. The little boy had been all smiles until he’d finally worn himself out and started yawning. Ella had gathered their things and herded Connor out to their car, which led him to his current predicament.

  Ella tried to crank the engine again, but it made a horrible grinding noise and nothing happened. He tapped on the window and motioned for her to open the door. Ella gave him a disgruntled look, as if it were somehow his fault the car wouldn’t start. He leaned down to talk to her.

  “I don’t think your car is going anywhere, Ella. Why don’t you get into my truck and I’ll take you home? You can make arrangements for your car in the morning.”

  “I can’t afford arrangements for the car, as you put it. It’s going to crank. It just needs a little more time,” Ella said.

  She twisted the key again and this time the grinding sound came to a halt and nothing happened. Ella slammed her hands against the steering wheel and let out an unladylike curse that had him smiling a little. She was definitely an intriguing woman, one he hoped to get to know better.

  “Come on, Ella.” He held out his hand. “If you need help getting the car towed, I know someone who can help.”

  “You’re friends with a tow truck driver?” she asked skeptically.

  “No, I’m friends with a mechanic who owns a shop nearby and he has a driver who can come get your car.”

  She nibbled her bottom lip. “Then can we call him now? I don’t want to leave my car here overnight. What if it gets impounded for being in the lot after hours?”

&nbs
p; Valero pulled out his phone and made the call. Dryden answered almost immediately. Valero could hear the clank of machinery in the background and wondered if he was at his local shop or working on one of the shuttles at the Terran Station.

  “Dryden, I need a car towed to your shop,” Valero said. “It’s for a friend.”

  “A friend, hmm?” Dryden asked with humor lacing his voice. “I’m guessing this friend is curvy and delicious, because you’ve never asked me for a favor before.”

  “Maybe.” He glanced at Ella. “Could you send someone now? She doesn’t want to leave her car in the parking lot of Puck’s Pizza Palace overnight.”

  “Ouch! You got suckered into going to that place? It’s a complete zoo in there! I dated a woman with a kid for about two seconds. One tour of that place and I was out of there. I can do without all the screaming.”

  “It wasn’t so bad.” Minus the headache.

  “I’ll have my driver over there in a few minutes. He was about to head home for the night, but one more haul won’t hurt. Am I sending the bill to you or the driver of the car?”

  “Me.”

  “I figured. All right. I’ll take a look at the car tomorrow and see what I can do.”

  “Thanks, Dryden.”

  Valero disconnected the call. “He said he’s sending someone.”

  “I’ll pay you back,” Ella said.

  He waved a hand dismissively. “It’s no trouble.” Truthfully, he could buy her a new car and it wouldn’t deplete his accounts. Ella motioned for him to have a seat in her car while they waited. He slid into the passenger’s seat and glanced back at a sleeping Connor. He hated that they would have to wake the boy in order to transfer him to Valero’s truck, but he wasn’t sorry he got to spend more time with the little family. Despite the chaos of Puck’s, it hadn’t scared him off.

  Ella was quiet as she stared at him. He could tell there was a lot on her mind and hoped she’d talk to him. He didn’t want to press her though. Slowly, he reached over and grasped her hand, lacing their fingers together. Her breath hitched and her eyes widened. How long had it been since someone held her hand? From what he’d learned so far, she’d been alone the past five years. No boyfriends, no family, no friends.

  “I know things are bad for the two of you,” he said. “Just how bad is it?”

  “We get by.”

  “Your car is falling apart. You’ve admitted that your son doesn’t get to come to places like this very often, and you mentioned yesterday that you’re tired of stressing over the rent. So, I’m going to ask again, how bad is it?”

  She sighed and looked away. “I have a week to come up with the rent money or we’ll be living out of the car again.”

  “Again?”

  Ella shrugged.

  “Will you let me help?” Valero asked. “I know you’re proud and you want to do it all on your own, but it’s okay to admit you can’t do everything by yourself.”

  “You may have survived a date with us, but it doesn’t mean you’re responsible for what happens in our lives. Connor and I have gotten along just fine on our own so far.”

  “Ella, living out of your car is not getting along ‘just fine.’ You need help, even if you don’t want to ask for it. Even if you get the job at the Terran Station, there’s no way you’d be paid in time to make your rent. Either let me pay your rent for a month, or…”

  Her brow furrowed. “Or what?”

  “Move in with me.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Are you insane? I just met you. I can’t move my son into your house. Besides, I’m not going to be your kept woman.”

  “My…” He burst out laughing and immediately tried to stifle his amusement so he wouldn’t wake Connor. “Ella, I have enough space in my home that you could have your own room. When I bought a place on Earth, I decided to get one large enough for the family I hoped to one day have.”

  “I still can’t just move in with you.”

  Before Valero could argue the point further, the tow truck arrived. He got out to greet the driver while Ella woke up Connor. The sleepy boy stumbled out of the car and Valero lifted him into his arms. Ella put his booster seat into the back of the truck and Valero carried him over, buckling him into the backseat. He motioned for Ella to climb in. He started the engine so the heat would run while he spoke to the driver.

  After Ella’s car was off to the shop, Valero climbed behind the steering wheel of his truck and looked at her expectantly. She just blinked at him and he fought a smile.

  “I need your address, Ella, unless you want me to take you to my place.”

  “Oh.” Her cheeks flushed. She gave him the address and he couldn’t stop the frown that tipped down the corners of his mouth.

  He was familiar with the area and knew the apartments she mentioned weren’t safe, but arguing with her didn’t seem to be getting anywhere. He drove in silence and pulled up in front of her building. Ella fidgeted with her seatbelt and seemed to be at a loss for words.

  “Why don’t you let me carry Connor inside?” he offered.

  She nodded and slipped out of the truck. Valero got out and picked up Connor, following behind Ella as she led the way to her apartment. When they got to her door, he was far from impressed. The hallway reeked and there were water stains on all the walls. At least, he hoped they were water stains. There was a faint smell of urine and he could have easily believed the inhabitants of the building had been peeing on the walls. She opened the door and he followed her inside.

  “Connor’s room is through there,” she said pointing to a door across the room.

  He carried the small boy into the bedroom and laid him on the bed, stopping to remove his shoes and covering him up. Valero backed out of the small room and pulled the door mostly closed before facing Ella. She was standing uncertainly in the living room. The pillow and blanket on the couch told him that was where she slept. The same funky smell from the hall permeated the apartment, even though he could tell that she’d cleaned it well.

  Ella moved the pillow and blanket before sinking down onto the cushions. The couch groaned from her slight weight and he wondered if he’d break the damn thing if he sat on it. Valero looked around the tiny apartment and wondered what he could say to convince her to move in with him. He’d give her anything she wanted if she’d only listen to reason.

  “I know it’s not much,” she said softly. “But it’s ours.”

  “Ella, I can’t let you stay here. You said you only have a week left before you’re evicted. Why prolong the inevitable? I have empty rooms in my house and plenty of space for the two of you and your belongings.”

  “We just met.”

  “So you’ve said. What does that have to do with anything? Do you think I’m going to hurt you? Demand sex as payment for a roof over your head?”

  She shook her head slowly.

  “Then why won’t you move in with me? It can be temporary. Just until you find a new job and save a little money. Give it a month or two, and if during that time you decide there’s no future between us other than friendship, I won’t stand in your way when you move out. I’ll even help you pack.”

  “But you want there to be something between us?” she asked.

  “I find you intriguing, and I love the fact Connor is so into video games. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t look at the two of you and see a future I’d very much like to grab and hold tight. I wouldn’t be the first Terran to claim a human child as my own. You said the boy doesn’t have a father. I could fill that role.”

  Ella looked around her apartment, her shoulders slumping. “I’ve done everything I can to give Connor a good life and I seem to fail at every turn. Why do you want someone who’s such a mess? I barely graduated high school. I never went to college. I’m not smart like Rory.”

  Valero sank onto the couch and winced when it sounded like it was going to open up and swallow him. He reached over and took her hand.

  “Rory is a wonderful woman, and I’m very
happy that Zwyk has her in his life. But her college degree isn’t what makes her wonderful. Do you think it matters to me that you never went to college? I don’t care that you wait tables for a living or fix coffee for people. You have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve met since moving here, and the way you take care of your son tells me that you’re a wonderful mother.”

  “Being a good mother isn’t enough,” she muttered.

  “It’s more than enough. I can only hope that the same love you show Connor would also be shown to your future mate. And if that male were me, then I would count myself very fortunate. I’m not asking you for a commitment right now, Ella. Just let me help you, and while we’re roommates we can get to know one another better.”

  “What happens if Connor gets used to living in your big house and isn’t satisfied with the life I can give him?”

  “We’ll cross that bridge later.”

  She nibbled her bottom lip. “All right. We’ll move in with you.”

  “How much do you need to pack?” Valero asked.

  “Just our clothes and shoes, and Connor’s toys and his game system.”

  “I’m going to go get some boxes and return so we can pack tonight. I’ll leave it to you whether we move you in tonight or in the morning. Connor can nap while we get everything together.”

  She nodded, seeming resigned. He wished she were happier about the move.

  Valero hated to leave her, but he got into his truck and went to the nearest storage facility. He remembered from his friends’ previous moves that places like that carried boxes and packing tape. He hadn’t thought to ask Ella how many they would need, so he started with ten boxes and two rolls of tape. When he got back to Ella’s, she’d already started making stacks of clothes on the couch.