A Christmas Cactus for the General by Angel Martinez

Author:Angel Martinez [Martinez, Angel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B00QXTNF4K
Published: 2020-09-01T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

World's Smallest Bigfoot

"How much are these?" Bruce pointed to the display of Christmas cacti, the ones Teer had been admiring longingly the day before. Maybe a combination apology and early Christmas present would help repair the damage.

"Why?" Molly glared at him, the question unexpected from a storeowner.

"I thought…Teer might like one? Maybe two?"

"What the hell happened yesterday, Bering? What did you do?"

Bruce grimaced. "He's still upset, huh?"

"I wouldn't know. He didn't show up for work and he's not answering his phone." Molly pointed an accusing finger at him. "All I know is Teer's the most reliable employee I've ever had and then he goes out with you and poof! Vanishes."

"Damn it. I knew he was mad at me…" Bruce trailed off to return the glare. "Look, I didn't hurt him. Didn't do anything awful. It was a culture clash thing. Anyone been to his place to check on him?"

Molly's shoulders slumped, her aggressive stance melting into worry. "No. It's not like I can leave the shop without anyone else here."

"Yeah. Sorry." Not really my fault he freaked out. Is it? I don't even know what the hell happened. "I'll go check on him. Even if he won't talk to me, at least we'll know he's okay."

Bruce picked out two plants hoping Teer would accept a peace offering, the yellow one that had captivated Teer and a salmon-colored one, and asked Molly to hold them for him. The drive over to Teer's building flashed by in a haze of worry, terrible scenarios playing out in his mind. He'd known an exchange student in college who had attempted suicide because of culture-shock depression. Please don't be stupid, Teer. Don't do anything just because you feel bad now.

Weirdest thing was, Bruce didn't have a clue why he cared so much. Sure, he'd felt bad at first for snarling at someone whose only crime was being different. Then he'd gotten all protective and shit over someone who was horribly alone. But that wasn't all of it. Teer was a badass who didn't need him. He was a military man with a past, obviously educated and intelligent, a quick thinker and a survivor, all things that pushed Bruce's buttons hard.

He's not even a man, though. He's a freaking alien. With fur. And claws. He couldn't even figure out whether he should be ashamed or not for being turned on by Teer's nuzzling. It was sort of like bestiality, wasn't it? Fuck, it's confusing.

A spot was open in front of Teer's building. Bruce did a half-assed parking job and raced up the steps two at a time. At Teer's door, he knocked softly and then louder when he didn't hear anything.

"Teer? You in there?" Bruce hoped all of his neighbors were at work, but if they got mad, fuck 'em. "Come on, General! I know you're pissed at me, but Molly's worried."

He tried the knob, raising an eyebrow when the door opened. "Too much of a badass to lock your door? Hey—"

The words stuck in his throat when he caught sight of the living room.

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