Unexpected.

Beth started to check her voicemail to find out {if Shame < 30
}what Brian had called her for, {else
}why Brian had called, {endif
}when she heard the front door lock turning. {if Shame < 30
}What the fuck? Why is he back? After all that bullshit about not wanting to be late... {elseif Shame <70
}Huh? Why is Brian back? He should already be at work! {else
}Why is he back? Shit, did he forget something...?{endif
}
Beth turned the corner to the entryway, {if Shame > 70
} and with concern, said "Baby, what's-" {elseif Shame > 50
}"Baby? Why-" {else
}"What the fu-" {endif
} Her words died as she rounded the corner. It was not Brian. Instead, she was face to face with a strange man. He was young, probably early 20s, and he was muscular. A skintight olive drab t-shirt stretched across his pecs. His green duffel hit the floor with a thud as he took her in, mouth open. Beth's words turned into a scream.
"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" She backpedaled into the kitchen, fumbling at the knife block for a second before spinning back to face the intruder with a carving knife.
For his part, the young man held both hands up. He spoke, calmly and directly. "Whoa! I'm sorry ma'am. I'm Kyle! Kyle Palmer." As understanding came to her, Beth let out a shuddering breath. Jesus...fucking... Kyle. Brian's brother. "You must be Beth." Kyle's eyes never left the blade in her hand.
"Jesus...I'm... I wasn't..." Beth noticed his gaze, and awkwardly put the knife on the counter. "I wasn't expecting you. I thought you were Brian."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I called Brian and told him I just got into town. He told me he was going to call you to let you know I was coming, and he told me where to find the key. I knocked but there was no answer." Kyle held up the spare from the hide-a-key.
Well....that's probably what the voicemail is about. Beth suddenly really took Kyle in. He was definitely Brian's brother, though younger by almost ten years. His high and tight haircut certainly screamed military. She seemed to remember that he was a Marine. Damn. {if Shame < 50
}He's hot.{else
}He's a cutie.{endif
} "We...I thought you were still in Syria."
"I got my discharge. I tried calling Brian yesterday but I couldn't reach him until this morning when I landed." His face grew annoyed. "He didn't call you, huh?"
"He did, actually. I just haven't listened to the voicemail yet, so that's on me." How did I not hear the knock at the door? Beth noticed Kyle's gaze twitch downward; quickly, but deliberately, he had scanned her up and down. It was then she remembered she was in a towel and nothing else.