“Mom,” Gem said with a groan.
She smacked his shoulder. “Hush now. You love doing this.”
He did not.
“I’ll be ready to announce you!” his mom said and bounced away.
This was utterly ridiculous.
Aries was already halfway undressed.
Nix had his shirt over his head.
With a resigned sigh, Gem kicked off his shoes. The shifting he didn’t mind. Gem loved to shift with his brothers, and they were adorable. It was the other thing that Gem didn’t want to do.
Gem dragged out undressing as much as possible. He even folded his clothes neatly before setting them on the table.
Aries was already shifted as Nix glared at him.
“We’re waiting!” their mom called from the living room.
“They’re waiting,” Nix repeated with a smirk.
“I hate you,” Gem replied.
“I’ll tell you what,” Nix said. “You have two choices. Either you do this happily and have fun with it.”
Aries squeaked, flying onto Nix’s shoulder.
“Or,” Nix drawled. “You confess who you’ve been messaging and calling.”
That was not going to happen. Wait! Gem narrowed his eyes. “How do you know I’m talking to anyone?”
“Unless you suddenly started talking to yourself, then the murmuring coming from your room is pretty noticeable,” Nix told him.
Nix’s bedroom wasn’t even on the same floor or close to Gem’s. Gem cut his gaze to Aries, who immediately ducked behind Nix’s head, hiding his little bat face.
“Really, Aries?” Gem asked.
“Don’t blame Aries,” Nix said. “Who are you talking to? Is it a guy? A teammate? Are you dating a teammate. That would be epic!”
“I’m not dating a teammate,” Gem responded. “And I’m not talking to one either.”
“But youaretalking to someone?” Nix questioned.
Instead of answering, Gem initiated his shift. Once Nix fixated on something, it was hard to get him off it. Gem’s secret wasn’t his own. Both his brothers knew that Gem dabbled inthe heavy side of BDSM. Gem didn’t want to admit to the anonymous relationship, not trusting Nix to stay out of it.
As much as Gem was finding his sub fascinating and hoped one day they would build enough trust to get rid of the masks, he also knew it wouldn’t happen until Ty was ready. Pushing Ty would not benefit either of them. There was no way that Nix would ever be that patient. Gem needed to keep his nosy brother out of his business.
“Thought so,” Nix said. “Just remember that secrets are hard to keep in the league. Be careful.”
It was good advice. Gem flew up high where the top of his wings nearly brushed the ceiling before he dive-bombed Nix.
Aries flew off Nix’s shoulder as Nix dropped to his stomach.
This game was one that they’d played since they were kids. Before Nix had a chance to shift, Gem circled and flew at him again.
“Boys!” their mom yelled.
