Page 160 of Scandalous

“That’s not an excuse, Dad,” I say, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’ll be home soon.”

Dad sputters, “You’re coming home?”

“Did you really think I wouldn’t for a fucking funeral?” I snap, glaring at my phone.

“Aurora Rose, you better check that attitude at the gate before you get here,” he warns. “I’ll see you soon.” He hangs up before I can say anything.

“Come here,” Ezra murmurs as he pulls me into his arms.

I sob as the guys rally around me.

“It’s going to be okay,” Santi says softly.

“You won’t be alone.” Liam rubs my hand.

“I can’t ask any of you to go with me. You have work to do here,” I cry.

Drake scoffs. “As if work’s more important than you. No, not all of us can go with you, but at least one of us can.”

Liam squeezes my hand and teases, “You have four boyfriends, remember?”

“Go pack a bag while I buy some plane tickets.” Ezra taps my ass.

“I love you guys,” I confess, making them all freeze. “I know I already told you each individually, but really I do. I mean it.”

“We love you too,” Drake tells me.

“Come on, I’ll help,” Liam says, holding out a hand.

I slip mine into his and head down the hall.

I had no plans of heading back to my hometown this summer, but it looks like the universe had other plans for me.

* * *

“Thank you for coming with me,” I say for what is probably the hundredth time since we flew out of Vegas this morning.

“Aurora, if you don’t stop thanking me, I’m going to turn you over my knee. You’re welcome.” Ezra fidgets in the passenger seat. “This car is so small, and it smells of cigarettes.”

“It was either this or calling my brother and hoping he could break away from the farm to come get us,” I remind him as I turn on my blinker to get off the interstate.

“So this is Iowa…”

“It is.” I bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to smile.

When the guys told me they elected Ezra to come with me, I was surprised. They all know I’m a farm girl at heart, the complete opposite of Ezra. Then again, he’s the most put together and will probably make a good impression on my parents. If anything, his accent will distract them and keep the attention off me.

After about twenty minutes of silence, Ezra snaps, “Honestly, I have a hard time believing you grew up like this.” He waves his hand around. “It’s cornfields for miles. I haven’t even seen another person since we left the interstate.”

“You’re not wrong.” I laugh. “In ten minutes we will be in town, then another five to my parents’ place.”

“I forgot to tell you, I got us a room at the bed-and-breakfast on Main Street.”

“What made you do that?”

“Liam.”

“Liam sent us a text last night while you were packing and said that you told him your parents wouldn’t let us sleep together under their roof. I’m a twenty-eight-year-old man. I’ll be damned if someone tells me I cannot sleep next to my woman when I want to.” He scoffs.

---