Page 6 of Hooves & HeartStrings

Getting up, I take the towel and some of my other dirty clothes and start a load of laundry. I shower and change before getting back into bed.

I have no idea what I’m going to do, and what this even means. Why couldn’t this just be a relaxing summer?

* * *

The next morning, I decide to call my mom. If anyone can offer me advice, it’s her. She is a human, after all, mated to a centaur.

“Lucius, honey! It’s so good to hear from you. How are you, baby?” my mother says cheerfully as she picks up the phone.

“I’m good. Sorry, I haven’t called much. There wasn’t anything to really report back to you.”

“And there is now?” she asks, sounding intrigued.

“Yeah,” I say, nibbling on my lip, nerves making my stomach uneasy. “I met my mate.”

“What!” she gasps. “Oh my god, that's wonderful.”

“Her name is Marley. She works at a tiki bar by the beach house. She’s beautiful, Mom. Short and blonde, with a bubbly personality that anyone can’t help but fall for.”

“She sounds wonderful, baby. But why do you sound sad? You should be thrilled.”

“It all happened so fast. We only met last night, hardly talked, then I kissed her and ran away like an idiot.” I groan, rubbing my face.

“Oh my,” she says, but I can hear the amusement in her voice.

“It’s not funny, Mom,” I grumble.

“No, of course, it’s not. It's normal to be freaked out. But, honey, you need to go back to that bar and apologize to that girl.”

“I know.” I sigh. She’s right. I don’t like the idea of Marley thinking badly of me. “But that's not the only thing. She’s human.”

“Ahhh,” she says, her tone turning to understanding. “What are you afraid of, sweet boy?”

“That she doesn’t like monsters, that she will look at me like I’m a freak. It was dark, and I was covered up, so I don’t think she knows what I am.”

Looking out the window, I watch the waves, wondering if she will be disgusted when she sees the real me.

“Don’t think like that. You don’t know anything until you talk to her. Ask her out, and get to know her a bit better. Give her a chance before you overthink everything and assume the worst. You never know, she might surprise you. Take it one step at a time. But, honey, the more time she spends with you, the more she's going to fall in love. And not just because of the mate bond. You’re a good man, Lucius. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I say, feeling a bit homesick. My mom and I are close, almost best friends in my eyes. She’s always someone who's been on my side, someone I felt safe to talk to about anything.

I love my dad, and he’s a good guy, but sometimes I feel like I failed him for not being more like him. I’m half centaur, half human. No matter what, I’ve never fit in with either side.

We get off the phone a few minutes later. Deciding to go apologize later, I shower, eat, and play on my phone as I wait for the night to fall. I don't know when she works or if she will even be there tonight, but I have to try.

When I get to the bar, it’s just as busy as it was last night. I’m about to walk in when worry hits me.

Shaking it off, I go inside and find Marley behind the bar. My heart stops as I watch her. She laughs at something the guy in front of her says; her face lighting up. She’s stunning. Then I’m hit with jealousy that she’s being friendly with another guy.

“Hey,” I say, taking a seat at the bar.

She looks at me with surprise. “Hey.”

“Do you have a moment?” I ask, feeling nervous again.

She bites her lip and looks over at the other bartender. “It’s time for your break. Go ahead.”

She looks back at me and nods. “Let’s go outside.”

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