Page 121 of I Think I’m in Love with an Alien

Seeker: And I will carry you with me, wherever I go.

Jeneticist: I’m getting up now. Where the heck are you?

Jeneticist: Tam? We need to talk!

[one hour later]

Jeneticist: Tam?!

Jeneticist: Tam???

43

Jennette

I didn’t sleep last night.

Which is why I know that Tam didn’t come to bed. At all. Well, technically, to mattress. I chose to crash on an air bed in the loft, allowing others to take the more comfortable accommodations. I have no idea where—or if—Tam slept, or what’s going on, but it’s major.

My eyes burn with exhaustion as I head down to the kitchen. Poppy is making coffee for everyone, which is fitting since she’s a barista. I don’t think she hates the drink portion of her job, just the management. Everyone’s at the table, including Tam.

“Morning,” I mumble, feeling like utter shit.

Jaz slides a plate in front of me. “You look like you could use this.”

It’s scrambled eggs and toast, something she made, maybe, but can’t even eat. That’s sweet of her. And I’m sitting here with aliens, over breakfast, like it’s no big deal, stressing over the status of my relationship. Teen me would be absolutely enchanted by all of this, even the parts that are messing me up. Like wondering what I did wrong. Why it feels like everything is about to come crashing down.

“Thanks.” I manage a smile.

“I have something to share with everyone,” Tam says, before I can take a single bite.

“Oh yeah?” Tad puts down his tablet, all attention.

Before he can say a word, a ping comes from his pack. Tam freezes, and Ravik is the one who goes to Tam’s bag and pulls out the beacon. Numbers. At first, I can’t make sense of what I’m seeing; I’m too damn tired.

And then I simply know.

“The agency,” I breathe. “Those are coordinates.”

“And the day and time,” Jaz says.

By her lack of surprise, she already knew. Ravik evinces no reaction either. And that hurts so much that it takes my breath away.

“Holy shit,” Poppy says. “You’re leaving?”

“Dude.” Tad drops his mug with a clatter, looking like I feel, and his pale coffee sloshes on the darker wood of the table.

Seems like only the humans are stunned. And I try to take a bite of toast to pretend this doesn’t feel like a world-ending event. It’s tasteless in my mouth and chewing makes it worse, making it a chore to swallow the wad of bread. I pick up my utensils, resolving not to reveal how wounded I feel.

“Wow.” My hand trembles slightly, so I set down the fork before anyone notices. I can’t eat the eggs either, I guess.

I muster up a wider smile, one that feels as though it might crack my face open. “He can finally see his family. Go back where he belongs.”

It’s not like he planned to stay this long. With me, he might have been making the best of his situation. And yeah, that’s not a great way to describe someone I love this much. There, I finally used the L word. I think I’m in love with an alien, and he is leaving.

Story of my life.

“They’ll be so relieved,” Jaz says in a gentle voice.