Page 100 of Scandalous

“They aren’t bad. They are to protect us. All of us. That includes you,” he tells me softly.

I nod.

“Rule number one. Everything you put out there is permanent. Always think before answering any questions. I’d rather you look guilty because you took longer to answer than say something you don’t mean because you rushed it. If I need to step in and remind them why I’m an arsehole, I will. Two: Never show any intimate parts of your body. Screenshots exist and will last forever. Three: Never give up information about anyone else in this group. If you aren’t sure that the world knows, then don’t speak. We are public figures, but we are allowed to have some privacy.”

He pauses, looking to the others.

“Number four no longer applies.”

I tilt my head. “Why is that?”

“It was to vet anyone who you want to date or fuck. Always make sure to wear a condom and stay clean. We have you now, so that’s null and void.” Ezra’s matter-of-fact tone makes it sound so clinical.

I don’t know how the guys have put up with him this long. Yet, I find it oddly attractive. I want him to dress me down in his no-bullshit way, then fuck me silly.

“Miss Blake, can you follow our rules?”

I nod.

He clears his throat. “As for what’s going on between us, I’m sure we will get comments. Until Miss Blake decides that she wants to go public, we stick with the friends explanation. You’re here because we became friends. There have been no photos of you actually kissing any of us, so it should be easy enough.”

“I’ve got it,” I tell him.

“We are ready then. Go start our live. Tag us in it, please.”

Ezra saying please causes me to pause. I raise my brow at him. He only shrugs, looking confused. I don’t think he realizes he said the word.

Once I write the caption, I start the live.

“Hey friends. I know I haven’t been live all week. I promise it has been for a really good reason. See, I missed our cooking lesson because I was traveling. Where, you might ask?”

I step back so all the guys can be seen in the frame.

“I’m in Australia with The Brit, The Boricua, The American, and The Aussie. How exciting, right? You guys have been asking for me to be here and they delivered. Now to make up for my prerecorded videos this week, we have decided to do a ‘ask anything’ live. So bring it on. What do you want to know?”

As I settle into my chair, Liam speaks up, “Missy the Beast wants to know how long you knew you were coming here with us and why you didn’t mention it so she could get tickets.”

I smile at the camera and open my mouth to speak, but Ezra beats me to it.

“We require the utmost discretion from our invited guests. As Miss Blake was a last-minute addition, knowing ahead of time would not have given you an opportunity to buy a ticket as the tickets were already sold out.”

I reach over, patting his knee. “What Ezra means is that this was a surprise trip for me as well. While I’m grateful to be here, I know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I hope to allow you all to experience it with me. I will be documenting my journey on my page.”

Santi reads the next question. “Addie Peralta says, ‘You guys are so cute together. Are you hooking up with any of the guys?’”

Santi looks over at me and winks. I roll my eyes.

“We are all friends. We are getting to know one another and strengthening that bond,” I tell the camera.

“Louisa the Fairy asks, ‘How do you come up with the recipes to do your cooking segment?’” Ezra reads out.

“That’s a great question. Sometimes it’s something I’m craving, so I look up a recipe. Other times, like with my cherry cobbler, I’m feeling nostalgic, so I dig into some recipes my granny left me. Most of the time, I find them in cookbooks or on websites. I’m always happy to take submissions as well, so send me your favorite recipes and you might be featured.”

Drake clears his throat. “The Maniac, if you don’t stop that language, you will be removed.”

I look over at him. He holds his phone so I can see what the user has said.

The.Maniac: She’s lying about fucking them. No woman can be friends with men. She’s getting gang banged on the reg. I don’t blame them though. I’d bang her.

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