Page 14 of Awakened Desires

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I glance at Callan. We share a birthday. Not that I’m going to throw him under the bus by telling Hendrix that. Did someone bake him a cake and make a fuss about him? Or, like me, did he want it to slip past unnoticed? I’m not sure how to feel about Hendrix’s cake. I’m touched but also a little angry that he couldn’t just leave it alone. Then again, he doesn’t know why I don’t celebrate my birthday. He doesn’t know how many memories are associated with it. Memories that all contain Callan.

Hendrix fetches some plates and a huge knife. After plucking the candles out of the cake, he cuts it into eight pieces and gives one to each of us. I hope it tastes better than it looks.

“Two truths and a lie,” Hendrix says gleefully. “Who wants to start?”

3

CALLAN

It’s hard not to stare at Rory, so I look at the slice of cake in front of me. If I understand what happened correctly, Rory didn’t tell his housemates that it was his birthday, but why?

It’s none of my business. Nothing Rory does is my business anymore. It hasn’t been for a long time. My chest aches. I’ve spent seventeen years missing Rory but being in his presence, realising I know nothing about him, is like a dozen punches to the gut.

“I’ll go first,” Rubin offers.

Like Quinn and Theo, he looks like he’s in his mid-twenties. His skin is a rich brown with warm undertones, and he has a friendly, welcoming smile.

“I work for a sex toy company, I’ve scored three hundred runs in cricket in one day, and I’ve failed my driving test three times.”

Quinn laughs and then lets out a small sigh.

“You’re not allowed to guess,” Rubin tells him.

Stefan rubs Quinn’s back. “It’s not guessing if you know which are the truths and which are the lie.”

“True.” Rubin looks around the table. “Who’s going to guess?”

“You haven’t scored three hundred runs in cricket.” I’ve watched enough cricket to know that’s very unlikely.

Rubin chuckles. “Correct. It was pretty obvious, huh?”

Quinn jerks upright. “Only if you watch or play cricket.”

“Which I don’t,” Hendrix grumbles. “We’re going to talk about who you work for, though. Why didn’t I know you worked for a sex toy company?”

Rubin grins. “You didn’t ask.”

“You could have volunteered the information.”

“I just did.”

“Do you two want to end the game and get a room?” Preston asks.

Quinn coughs.

“Later. You and Theo could join us if you like.” Hendrix blows Preston a kiss and then turns his attention to me. “It’s your turn, Callan.”

Are Hendrix and Rubin a couple? No. They can’t be. Hendrix said he and Rory were both single. I’m so confused.

“We’re not going around the table?” Theo asks.

Hendrix shakes his head. “No. Whoever guesses correctly goes next.”

“That means some people could go more than once,” Preston points out.