Page 195 of Bend
I went to Julie's and spent the night, talking to Brutus and spilling my guts to him about my issues with these men. He was a great listener (for a tabby cat) and the best thing was that he never got judgy with me.
We rang in the New Year together. He just purred and rubbed against my ankles for most of the night, making sure that he had put his scent on me, like any other normal male I suppose.
I knew that Cain had a New Year's Day banquet to cater, and I'd heard Eli on the phone making plans to go to Darcy's for the traditional New Year's Day feast. He'd even invited me to go with him, but I had begged off, not looking him in the eye because he knew me well enough to know if I were lying.
Not that I lied to either one of them…anymore.
I left to return home at one o'clock, fairly certain that they'd both be out.
And then what?
I got on my cell and did the only thing that I could do under these circumstances.
"Hey Trace," I said when he picked up. "Happy New Year."
chapter 19
What a great way to start off the New Year! (Said no one ever.) I groveled to my older brother, who hadn't really been speaking much to me since I'd been tossed out of their home for having cunnilingus on their kitchen countertop. I now had the ultimate pleasure of asking him for temporary refuge, explaining I would fill him in on the details later.
I'd have to create some plausible reason other than the truth, or I'd be tossed out once again, I was sure.
I obviously couldn't ask Easton because of Darcy's close relationship with Eli. She'd have it all figured out in a nanosecond.
I mean, hopefully my application for a full-time position with the F.B.I. would be approved and I'd receive a salary that could sustain my livelihood, but I was fully prepared that, if that didn't happen, then maybe it was just a sign that it was time for me to move on.
I pulled into our driveway and breathed a sigh of relief. Cain's car was gone, and as soon as I hit the remote for the garage, I saw that Eli's was gone as well.
I grabbed several empty boxes from the garage and headed into the house with them. I was determined to work quickly and efficiently to clear out
my closet and dresser drawers before either of them returned. I figured I had a couple of hours, minimum.
I emptied my closet and took those boxes out and put them in the trunk of my car. I grabbed a couple of more empty ones and headed back to pack up my dresser drawers.
I was just finishing up when I heard the slam of the front door, and footsteps coming down the hall.
Fuck.
My bedroom door was open, which was probably fortunate, because I would've hated to see the damage done had it been closed and locked.
Eli came in, his light blue eyes flashing with something akin to anger mixed with pain.
"So, this is what you're about?" he growled, his hands on his hips, glaring at me.
"Wh-What?" I croaked in confusion. "How did—?"
"How did I know?" he asked, eyes flashing. "You forget that Lindsey and Darcy talk almost hourly. She shared with Darce that you were to be a temporary houseguest. Wasn't all that hard to figure out you were bailing on us."
I shook my head, looking down at the floor.
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
"Answer my question, Paige. You were just gonna leave us like that?"
"Eli," I said with a sigh, sitting down on my bed. "Calm down, okay? This is for the best. I can't even look at you because…of…"
"Of what?" he growled, flexing his hands at his sides as if he wanted to punch something…or someone.
Fuck. He's furious.
