Things never turn out the way you expect, or so the saying goes. The saying should be expanded. Sometimes, things turn out in ways you couldn’t possibly expect, and then become things that, prior to them turning out, you didn’t even know were the things you were supposed to be expecting… Does that make sense? When Y’Dryth and its vassal planets finally disappear in our proverbial rear-view mirror and we’re literally four...

When Y’Dryth’s gravity finally lets go of us entirely and we’re slingshotted back into empty space, the last of the shaking abates. Neither Bane nor Rune answers my questions about our attackers/pursuers – no surprise there – but from the small line of blood seeping from Rune’s right ear, I’m guessing there was some heavy-duty Princess Leia-ing involved. For the first time since I’ve met him, Rune lies down next to me on...

Deviously using food as a distraction for my boys – works every single time – I provide myself with some time and space for my visit to the storage room, aka the female’s lair. The estrogen hideout. The lady cave. You get the drift. On the off chance that Drahta are water drinkers and omnivores like their male counterparts, I carry a little of each with me there on a little tray. Opening the sliding double door just a hai...

“That’s a human.” I actually smush my fingertip against the screen where he had just been like I could pin him down. The static electricity of it tingles coldly against my skin and the picture warps slightly. “That was… a human guy… walking right there.” As I point and stare, there are two – no, three! – others popping up between all the aliens. I can make them out within a split second because of the familiar shape and g...

“God. Fucking. Dammit!” I screech. And then I cough because screeching requires a lot of breath, and breathing in a lot while your face is very close to the ground is not a terribly bright idea. You know how they say that teachers make the worst students, right? What ‘they’ mean by that is usually that teachers are an obnoxious bunch of know-it-alls who are entirely unable to learn anything new from anyone else because th...

A myriad of emotions swept over me as Justine hugged me. I was angry, confused, heartbroken, sad, and shocked all at once. Stepping back from the embrace, I took stock of myself and the situation. Had Justine used this revelation as a way to cement our new arrangement? It didn’t seem to come from a place of guilt, but from a place of vengeance. “Fuck you, Justine!” I spat as I pushed her away. “Why? Why would I fucking ne...

When I got home and finally checked my phone, my other issue suddenly came to the forefront. Amanda had both called and messaged me again both asking me to call her back. Considering what had just happened, I didn’t think it would be such a terrible idea, and dialed the number. Before I even spoke a word she picked up and spoke, “Matt, I’m so glad you called back. I was worried that you had, well, thought ill and unprofes...

“It’s expensive and I don’t think we need to spend the money, Matt,” Jenn said firmly. Wedding planning had come in spurts, but the majority was done and with only two months to go I was glad that we were in the home stretch. Honestly, Jenn had done the lion’s share. It was really her day after all. The more interesting sticking point had been Jenn’s reluctance for doing a boudoir photo shoot. “Is it really the money?” I...

She turned back, smiled and watched me walk away. I don’t think either of us knew what else to say. I woke up the next morning all kinds of confused. I know that Grant and Justine were trying to help. They were also in need of help. Christ, they had really been there for me since Jenn died. They just went along with my charade of saying the right things all the time to not worry them, when they knew the whole time that I...

“What?” I asked. I must have heard him wrong. “I want you to fuck my wife.” A million things went floating through my head, most notably, the thought of railing his wife Justine. Why the hell would anyone want to give away his wife like that? This is the last thing I needed to hear from Grant. I have my own issues, besides who fucks his best friend’s wife? He’s got to be joking? “Justine’s seen all you’ve been through and...

In the end, I don’t really get to ask Rune too many questions at that time because he distracts me with wet kisses (we’re still in the shower, you see), and then I have my mouth otherwise full for a bit, and then my two spikes start up at the same time and do the tango together and I can’t do much more than gasp for air and twitch, and then scream when Rune adds his tongue into the mix. And then I need a damn nap. Ironica...