Page 140 of Scandalous

“Eh.” I shrug. “You didn’t buy, so it doesn’t count. If you could choose anywhere, where would you buy?” I ask as I lean forward, resting my elbow on the table with my chin in my palm.

“I don’t know yet.” Drake pauses. “I should want to buy in Vegas, but I don’t.”

“Why not?”

Drake chooses his words carefully as he looks off into the distance. “Sometimes we just know when a place isn’t good for us and I feel that way about Vegas. It’s not the city itself that’s bad, but the memories there.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Drake shoots me a sad smile. “It’s simple, really. My father’s a controlling asshole who only wants his way. I don’t fit the mold and refuse to conform.” He shrugs. “Complete opposites, and he hates that I don’t need him. He fucking despises that I took my inheritance and tripled my income without his help. His biggest regret is sending me off to boarding school because that’s where I met the guys and he really hates them.”

“Sounds like you’re better off without him.”

“Too bad he hasn’t gotten that memo yet.” Drake shakes his head.

“What do you mean?”

He shrugs. “He tries to contact me every couple of months.”

“Maybe that’s why you are so conflicted about starting up something there. You have unresolved issues with him. I think once you make the conscious decision to face the trauma from your past, you can come to terms with it, making your peace and all. Once you come to terms with that, I think you will view things differently.”

He licks his lips, thinking.

“Maybe you’re right. I don’t want to think about it now though. Is that okay?”

I give him a small smile. “Of course. When it comes to the stuff that hurts you, we only ever have to talk about it if you want to.”

He squeezes my hand. “Thank you. What are your plans for the day?”

“I need to film some content. Maybe do a live if I have time.” I sigh.

Drake shoots me a knowing look. “Sucks that we have to keep working, even when we have a view like this.”

“Right?” I laugh.

“You know, you could use the outdoor grill instead of the kitchen. That way you can be outside and it won’t feel so much like work.”

My mind races with the possibilities of what I could make. “That’s kind of brilliant. I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Do you need help getting anything?”

“I’ll take all the time with you that I can.” I smile.

“How about we sit here and admire the view for a few more minutes before we go get ready?”

“Sounds fantastic.”

* * *

“What are we buying today?” Drake asks as he grabs a cart.

I shake my head. “I’m not sure yet. I thought about trying my hand at making some traditional Puerto Rican dishes, but I want to wait until Santi is with me to try. That way I don’t make a complete fool of myself.”

Drake scoffs. “Like you would, but I get it.”

“I was thinking we could do some jerk chicken and maybe some steak cabobs. Nice and easy. Maybe a few different side salads. Something nice and light. I already told all my viewers I’d be on the road all summer, so I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to give them the ingredient list ahead of time. Most took it well.”

“They better have. All of that sounds delicious. Lead the way.”

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