Page 84 of Scandalous

“Yeah, I heard through the grapevine that it’s someone’s birthday,” she teases. “Are you at home?”

“Did you now?” I ask, fighting off a smile. “And no, I stepped out for an afternoon pick-me-up.”

“I’m jealous. I would kill for some coffee right about now.”

“Didn’t make any this morning?”

“No, we were out at home and I left late enough that I couldn’t grab any before class. This professor doesn’t allow food or drinks in his classroom.”

“Sounds like an asshole.”

“You have no idea.” She laughs. “What do Liam and the guys have planned for you?”

“We’re not big on birthdays.” I shrug, even though she can’t see me.

“Oh bullshit.” She laughs again. “You will not convince me that Liam Bennett doesn’t go all out for special occasions.”

I chuckle. “Normally you would be right, but he knows it’s not really my thing. Chalk it up to growing up in boarding schools.”

“Not going to lie, Drake, that makes me a little sad. I guess that just means we will have to celebrate when I see you this week.”

“I guess so,” I say lightly.

My brain runs wild with ideas on how she could help me celebrate.

“You’re thinking about it now, aren’t you?” Her voice gets quieter. “If you could do anything tonight, what would it be?”

“You know, it’s not nice to tease a man when you can’t do anything about it.”

“Just play along.”

I hear a bell chime in the background.

“Come on, I need to get to class. Just tell me,” she pleads.

Sighing, I think about what I would want. “I would want a quiet night in with you and the guys. Have some good dinner and maybe have some chocolate cake before taking you to my room and keeping you to myself for a night.”

Aurora hums. “That sounds like one hell of a birthday. Maybe next year.”

“Maybe next year,” I muse.

Someone in the background yells her name and she sighs.

“I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Sure. Make sure you learn something.”

Aurora laughs. “I don’t think I will in this class, but I’ll try. Later.”

“Later.” I hang up and slip my phone into my pocket as I cross the street.

I nod at the doorman as I make my way inside. I ride the elevator and make my way into the apartment. I hear Ezra on the phone down the hall and the sound of weights from the gym.

Just another day, I muse.

Heading down the hall, I look into my room and see Liam isn’t where I left him. Opening his door, I turn on the light and see he isn’t in there either.

Where the hell is he?

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