Chapter 56

And now he was in the cafeteria again, at the same table, with a cup of coffee in front of him. Brooding.

Alex’s phone buzzed, a notification reminder, and he took it from his pocket and swiped the screen.

Ran’s birthday

Oh, crap. He’d totally forgotten. No present, no card…”Happy birthday, Ran.” Alex dropped down into the chair across from his brother. “Has Parrish called?”

Ran looked up, his gaze blank. After a minute, he shook his head.

“I’m surprised.” Alex had thought better of Parrish.

“It’s not important. We have plenty of time to celebrate birthdays.” But it was obvious Ran was still worried Parrish wouldn’t stay with him. He didn’t even protest when Alex reached for his coffee.

Maybe there was something else Alex could give him. While he considered it, he absentmindedly took a sip of coffee. He started choking.

“What the hell is this?”