Page 34 of Wild Fires
Or maybe Eli was home. That seemed like the better option.
I shifted back into my feathers and flew around the building to land on his balcony, praying Kim was working. My brother would give me shit for this, but she would never let me live it down.
Shifting back into my skin, I knocked on the glass. When no one came to the door, I tested it, relieved to find it unlocked. Once inside, though, I remembered that I didn't have my keys with me. They were back at Gracie's.
Elias had a spare one for emergencies, but I had no idea where he kept it. I began digging around in his drawers looking for it.
“What the hell are you doing? And why are you naked in my apartment?”
I jumped and my heart pounded in my chest.
“Jesus, Eli. You scared a few years off my life. Or are you trying to just kill me?”
He laughed. “I scared you? I come out of the shower to find my brother naked and ransacking the place.”
“I'm not ransacking the place. Stop being dramatic. I locked myself out of my apartment and need the spare key.”
“You didn't come home last night.”
“Seriously? I have a mother and damn well know it.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
I scowled at him. “I don't need another one.”
He laughed. “Okay, that was a good one. But seriously, where'd you come from?”
“My balcony.”
“Your balcony?”
“Yup.” It wasn't entirely a lie. I had just flown over from my balcony.
“And you locked yourself out?”
“I did, clearly.”
I wasn't sure he was entirely buying it, but he walked over to a drawer and dug around until he retrieved my house key.
“Thanks.”
“Bit of advice, little brother?” He didn't wait for me to respond. “First, you're a terrible liar, so she better be worth it.”
“Who said it was a she?”
His jaw dropped. “A he then? Sorry. I honestly didn't know.”
“Know what?”
“That you're gay.”
“What?” Damn it, I'd walked right into that one. “I'm not gay.”
“Then it was a she.”
“Stop psychoanalyzing me. I just locked myself out of my house, that's all.”
“And it’s never happened before. Ever.”