Page 159 of Scandalous

Leaning down, I kiss her again. “Thanks.”

* * *

We’re sitting around the table, drinking wine and laughing. Drake and Ezra surprised us with takeout. The food is long gone, but we haven’t moved.

“Let me grab another bottle of wine,” Ezra says as he pushes away from the table, standing.

“Don’t get lost,” I tease.

“Brat,” he mutters as he takes three steps and grabs a bottle off the wall. Instead of having artwork in the dining room, Drake’s grandfather put in a wine rack that spans the entire wall. The options are endless.

A phone ringing makes us all sober up.

“Not mine.” Ezra shakes his head as he sets down the wine bottle.

“Same.” Santi shakes his head too.

Both Drake and Liam confirm it’s not theirs.

“Shit.” I sigh. “It’s probably Holland calling to rip my ass for not checking in.”

“Such a bad friend,” Liam quips as he brings his wineglass to his mouth.

Standing, I make my way into the kitchen and grab my phone. I can’t help but frown when I see the caller.

Dad.

“Everything okay?” Santi asks.

“Yeah, my dad called. I better call him back.” I sigh.

“Stay out here. We’ll be quiet,” Ezra says, shooting Drake and Liam a look.

“Fine, Dad, we’ll be good.” Liam sighs dramatically.

I hit dial and put the phone on speakerphone as I walk back to the table.

“Aurora,” Dad says gruffly.

“Hi Dad, how are you?” I ask as I sit down.

Ezra reaches over and grabs my legs, turning me slightly in my chair and resting them in his lap.

“I’m fine.” Dad pauses. “Is this a good time?”

I frown and sit up straight. “Yeah…”

“I just thought I should call you and tell you your uncle Steve passed. The funeral will be in two days. I know you won’t come, but I thought you should hear it from us rather than through the grapevine.”

I slap a hand over my mouth as I choke back a sob. We were just talking about him today.

“When?” I whisper. “When did he die? What happened?”

Dad pauses. “I’m not sure. They think it was old age. His mailman called in a welfare check because he hadn’t picked up his papers from the stoop in a couple of days. The police found him and called.”

Rage instantly takes over. “The police found him? None of you checked on him when you hadn’t heard from him in a few days?” I hiss.

“Now wait a minute, young lady. I know you’ve been gone a long time, but surely you haven’t forgotten how busy this time of year is for us.”

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