Page 51 of The Temptation of Truth

Rock Loveless Records, Sav’s label, had to fork out a fuck ton of money to replace the hot tub, fix the pool, and keep the staff from running to the tabloids. The boys earned themselves another security guard after that. Sav was less pissed than Ham, but that’s because she’s no stranger to making dumb decisions. I told her this is karma for her pre-sobriety days, and she just laughed.

In the boys’ defense, they didn’t expect the mushrooms to be that strong.

And also, they’re morons.

“You’ll have your usual roommates,” Ham continues, and I feel Aurora stiffen beside me. Then Ham looks at me, and I understand why. “Rossi, I put you with Aurora. I already spoke to her about it.”

It’s not unlike Ham to do things like this without consulting us. He definitely lives by theask for forgiveness, not permissionphilosophy. Though, he doesn’t ask for forgiveness, either, come to think of it. He just changes things and expects a thank you.

I give him a thumbs-up, then glance at Aurora.

“You good, roomie?”

Her throat contracts with a swallow. “Yep. Good.”

I nod. “Great. Me too.”

That foundation of truth is feeling a little unsteady under my feet.

12

MABEL

The letterson the screen blur as I stare at them, my cursor flashing impatiently in the blank reply box.

I’ve already typed and deleted my email greeting three times. It shouldn’t be this hard to commit, but it is. I either agree to schedule a phone call with my lawyer or I don’t. If I don’t, the thousands of dollars I’ve already paid her goes to waste, which makes me sick to my stomach. But if I do...

Well, that makes me nauseous as well.

I close my eyes and bring my fingers up to pinch the bridge of my nose.

Which choice is easier to live with? I think I know the answer, but I don’t think I like it.

“Are you okay?”

Aurora’s voice halts the back and forth inside my head, and I snap my eyes open to find her standing in the doorway to the bedroom.

Oursharedbedroom.

That’s another detail I’ve yet to fully process.

She’s wearing a pair of shorts, a tank top, and tennis shoes, and I can’t help but do a double take. I haven’t seen her inanything besides loose-fitting sundresses, so my eyes dart from her body in the doorway to my laptop, then back before I can stop myself.

Her tank top is the kind with thin straps and a built-in bra. It’s not tight around her torso, but it leaves little to the imagination. And the way her shorts sit on her wide hips...The way the fabric stretches and smooths over her skin and curves I shouldn’t be noticing...

I glance at her left hand, but there’s still no ring, then I force my eyes to her face and smile.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just obligations I’d rather ignore.” I close my laptop and set it on the couch beside me. “Are you heading out?”

“Yeah. I wanted to check out the walking trails.” She waves the map Ham gave us in the air between us. “Do a little exploring.”

“That sounds like fun.”

She reaches up and toys with the pendant on her necklace, and I follow the movement. I’m admiring the way the silver chain decorates the soft spot where her shoulders meet her neck when she surprises me.

“Do you want to come with? It could help you ignore those obligations a little longer.”

My eyes meet hers, and it’s the shy hope I see that has me standing from the couch.