Page 10 of Honey, I'm Home

I want to respond, but the problem is there are crazy things going through my head once again, and I fear that if I try and talk at a normal volume about normal things, it might make my brain explode. So, I simply get in my car and drive off, going to the house that is starting to mean something different.

What does Anderson mean that Arbor showed him pictures of my place? Or my garden on the patio? We were on the ninth floor in that condo; there was no fire escape. The only way tothat small deck was through our front door, or by flying. Which, considering he's a bee shifter, I suppose he could have done that. But if he was in the city, why wouldn't he just come to my door like a normal person? Why snoop? Clearly, he was inside my place if he was going on about throw pillows. Trying to figure this out is just making my head spin faster. I need to hear from Arbor what exactly he did when I was with Brian.

I mean, Ben.

Chapter 6

Arbor

I’d know the squeal of those tires anywhere. I can just feel the quiver of anger in the air as I buzz along the front porch, her little huffs of impatience making my tiny bee heart so damn happy.

Before she storms up here thinking I’m inside, I pop a quick shift, using a strategically placed bush to cover my…bush. “Hey, neighbor!”

“For fuck’s sake, Arbor. Put some godsdamn pants on.”

Aster covers her eyes as best she can while still keeping an eye on where she’s walking, being all kinds of adorable.

“’Fraid I can’t acquiesce to that, ma’am. You see these here flowers? They ain’t gon’ pollinate themselves!” I laugh because self-pollinating flower jokes are always funny.Always.

“We need to talk. I’ve just come from Anderson’s place, and he’s got some… interesting anecdotes about you guys. But I bet you wouldn’t have any knowledge of that, would you?”

She glares at me, momentarily forgetting I’m absolutely nude. She lets her eyes wander naturally, and then curses again when I shift my weight, causing my happy little stinger place to show through some exposed parts of the ornamental bush.

Love that blush on her cheeks. Oh, to be able to slather them in honey and lick it up.

“Knowledge of what, exactly? Hate to break it to you, but I’ve got knowledge about all sorts of topics. I know I’m just a small-town boy, but I read.”

“I didn’t—I wasn’t implying you were unintelligent—”

“’Course not. Just teasing you! What brings you to my neck of the woods today? And did you seriously get in your car and reverse and then pull into my driveway right next door just to make a dramatic entrance? You do understand the concept of walking, right? Do they still do that in the city?”

“Har, har, har. Yes, I walk. I was at Anderson’s— I just said that, remember? Are you even listening to me, or are you too busy thinking with that thing between your legs?”

I smile and nod. “Now we’re getting somewhere. You want to talk about my dick? Alright. Shoot.”

“Arbor! What the fuck? No, I don’t want to talk about your dick.”

“Ah, but now I’ve got you thinking about it, haven’t I?”

“It’s kind of hard not to when it’s right fucking there! Godsdamnit, this is a waste of my time. You know what? Why don’t you just let me know when you’re available for an actual conversation with actual clothing on and I’ll be there?”

She spins and makes to get in her car, but I’m quicker.

I shift again and buzz over to her, circling her head, tickling her neck like I used to do in her sleep when her asshole ex was sleeping too close to her. It was funny as hell when she’d reach out to itch her neck and end up slapping him instead. Hilarious.

“Ugh. Fine. You don’t want me to go. Got it. Enough with the jokes, okay? I know it’s a little awkward, my being back here and no longer being the child I used to be, but we’re going to have to figure out how to work together if you want me to sell this house for you.”

A window pops open up above before I can respond, Dev’s voice calling out. “Is that my sweet Aster here to visit me? What took you so long? Get on up here, got something you have to see!”

Aster looks to me first, knowing I can't speak but wanting my opinion, nonetheless. It makes me feel like a very important bee. “He's not calling me up there to show me his dick, is he? Don't think I can handle both of you in one day.”

The bushes on the other side of the house from where I was standing start rustling and out jumps a very nude Hawthorne. “Both in one day, Ast? Now we're getting somewhere!”

“Why are all of you naked? Okay, stupid question, I know. I understand that realistically shifting means you don't have clothes on when you switch back and forth, and that it's likely easier to—you know what, I just answered my own question. I'm going to shut up now. If I go up there and Dev is standing there with a dick in his hand, I will not be happy with you two.”

“No, but you'll be happy with Dev I bet once you see it!” Hawthorne starts cracking up, his floppy longish hair all messed up from crawling through bushes. And now that I think about it, I'm not so sure he was flying as a bee. He honestly was probably just napping under the bushes naked, he says it's comfortablethere. Perfect amount of shade, perfect air filtration. Maybe I should try it.

I fly inside and shift back, grabbing a hat off the hat stand by the door to cover up with. If my girl wants me to be modest, I can accommodate her.