"Bye!" came the call in unison, followed by something heavy thumping to the floor, which, by the sound of the grunt I heard before ending the call, had been Elijah going down. Sometimes it was unnerving to think that they were old enough to drink legally. Not that it had mattered much to our family. My mom had always maintained that if you were old enough to get drafted, then you were old enough to have alcohol. Her only requirement was that if we did drink, we did it somewhere safe, and we didn't try to drive or go wandering off somewhere. Bonus points if we kept it to our living quarters in the hotel.
Which meant I’d seen those two idiots have their frequent wrestling matches sober and drunk. Sober, they would probably stop as soon as someone got a good hit in or if they were in danger of getting seriously hurt or damaging something in their apartment. Drunk? Yeah, you were looking at a possible hospital visit or replacement furniture.
I opened Spotify to flip on a podcast, but stopped when I saw movement. Curious, I looked toward the doorway to see if it was one of the attendants, but didn't catch sight of anyone right away. The place was built so each room had a specificfunction, and set up so sound didn't leak out, meaning people in the aerobics room where I was didn't have to hear people a couple of rooms down slinging weights everywhere. It was also nice whenever there were classes, which involved music played at maximum volume so people could hear each other fighting to breathe.
Still, I didn't like the idea of having entered the place thinking there was no one around, while there might be someone lurking. Not that the place didn't have good security, but it sat uncomfortably in my head, and I tucked my phone away to investigate the hallway. I looked left and right, spying only a shoe going around the corner toward the locker rooms.
That at least confirmed my suspicion, but then I heard a noise before I could go back. My brow rose when a burly figure made his way back around the corner, and I recognized a familiar scowl.
"Well, well, well," I said with a laugh that sounded surprised even to my ears. "I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting you actually to show up."
Jace stopped short, as was customary when dealing with me, his dour expression only grew darker. “Have you ever had a real friend in your entire life?"
"Ooh, going for the low blows are we? I've had them, yes."
"Have they ever been a pain in the ass that likes to meddle in your life constantly?"
"You've met my siblings, right?"
"Your siblings don't count as friends."
"Says the only child."
His angry expression somehow managed to get angrier, which was as impressive as it was annoying. “Whatever. If I didn't come, then Kayden would be living up my ass, annoying me constantly."
"I could think of worse fates than someone like him living up my ass," I said with a smirk.
His face twisted in protest before freezing, and he looked at me curiously. “Seriously?"
"What?"
"That whole...bi thing, it wasn't just an act to get on my nerves?"
I snorted. “Believe it or not, but I don't go out of my way to lie just to piss people off, not even you. So yeah, figured out after high school that I'm into guys too."
"Huh. Didn't figure you for the type to, like...receive."
"You mean bottom? See, that's what you get for assuming. I'll take it whatever way I want."
"Huh."
I peered at him, arching a brow. "Why? Suddenly finding yourself a little curious?"
To the surprise of precisely no one, he jerked back with a heavy scowl. “No! And don't get any ideas either."
"Still as horrified at the mere mention of anything remotely gay coming near you or your name, I see," I said with a laugh. "I guess there are a few things we never outgrow. Don't worry, I'm not going to get any ideas."
"Yeah," he grunted. "You hate me, why would you want me?"
"See? You're learning. Now, if only someone could explain that to Milo, my life might get a little less annoying."
"Your brother?"
"Unless we both happen to know the same Milo, then yes."
"What did... never mind. I don't want to know."
"Mmm, you definitely don't. I didn't want to hear it, and I don't really feel like telling you anyway."
