Page 46 of The Temptation of Truth

“What do you meanB plus?” Crue says, whining in his English accent. “Don’t be cheeky, Brynnlee. I went to an all-boys prep school. I will fight for top marks.”

Brynn shrugs. “You called me little. I’m twelve.”

I let out a small laugh at her tone, but then immediately wish I hadn’t. The noise draws both pairs of eyes my way until the guys are peering down at me, and it takes everything I have not to get up and run. I’m so nervous that I almost forget that Kat and Mabel are looming beside me.Almost.

“The niece,” Ezra says, and his smile morphs into something a little lesspranksterand a lot moreplayboy. “You must be Aurora. Ham’s told us all about you.”

The guys are standing so close that craning my neck is almost painful, so I reluctantly leave my protective cocoon of couch pillows and stand. I wipe my hand on my dress before jutting it out between us.

“Hi. Yes. I’m Aurora.”

“Ezra Hawke.” He takes my hand in both of his and brings it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. “It’s a pleasure.”

Brynn makes a loud retching noise on the couch, breaking the tension, and I bite my cheek to keep from laughing again. Ezra sends her a side-eyed smirk, then drops my hand.

“I’m Crue.” The guitarist nods in my direction, but he doesn’t offer his hand, so I nod back. “And what Hawke means is that Ham’s warned us off you.”

I laugh awkwardly, fidgeting under their attention.

“Nice to meet you.”

My cheeks and neck grow warmer until thankfully Mabel interrupts.

“Boys, this is my girlfriend, Kat. Kat, this is Ezra and Crue of Caveat Lover.”

Both guys turn toward Mabel, and my shoulders fall with relief. Now that their focus is no longer on me, I lower myselfback onto the couch beside Brynn. When I glance at her, she shakes her head and rolls her eyes, engaging me in a wordless conversation expressing her annoyance, and I grin. Vexatious indeed. I might be uncomfortable, but at least it’s a bonding moment.

“Sorry, Rossi. We missed you there. You’re just so tiny,” Ezra teases.

Mabel narrows her eyes and smirks, but then Ezra’s mouth goes slack before turning up into another wide, toothy grin. He looks from Kat to Mabel and back.

“Kat Hughes?You’reSecret Girlfriend?”

Ezra elbows Crue as if he hasn’t been part of the conversation all along.

“Dude, look. Secret Girlfriend is Kat Hughes.” He puts out his hand, palm up. “I win, wanker.”

“Fuck,” Crue grumbles and pulls out his wallet.

“What did you fuckers bet on?” Mabel asks as Crue slaps a one-hundred-dollar bill in Ezra’s hand.

“I thought Secret Girlfriend would be more masc,” Crue admits on a sigh. “I just pictured you with a butch lesbian, Mabes.” He turns to Kat and gives her a chagrinned smile. “No offense, Kat Hughes. You make a smashing Secret Girlfriend as well.”

“None taken,” Kat says flatly, her tone suggesting she does in fact take offense, but neither of the guys seems to notice. Or care.

“Wait,” Crue says, head tilted in consideration. “Kat Hughes, I thought you were dating that Kaz fellow. With the blond hair and skinny jeans from that one show on the streaming platform.”

“Great description,” Ezra taunts.

Crue punches him in the shoulder without looking away from Kat.

Kat flicks her eyes from Crue to Mabel, her expression one of pure discomfort, so Mabel steps in front of her and gives Crue’s chest a little nudge.

“Okay, boys. Enough questions. Go eat food or something.”

“Actually,” Crue says, spinning away from Mabel, eyes returning to me. My spine goes ramrod straight. “Ez, I think you need to give me back that Benjamin.”

Then Ezra turns to look at me, smile slipping from his face. He tips his head to the ceiling and groans.