CHAPTER 60

Inside the house I find everyone in. The guys are watching a boxing match, and Sam is busy with her cellphone and ice cream in a huge cocktail glass.

On the table lie some empty beer cans and two boxes of family-size pizza. I can smell the garlic and cheese, and it turns on my stomach a bit.

However, my mood disagrees with it.

"Hi," I greet casually.

"Hi, Professor." Malik grins. "I thought you'd be home a little late."

Me, too.

"Well, you thought wrong, Malik. Here I am," I return exhaustedly, and Jamal stares at me with a knowing smile.

I flush. I think Jamal knows my little secret, and Malik likes tormenting me without thinking of my position with Sam, who's currently looking at us with ambiguity.

How does she not notice?

"And Liam, where is he?" she asks.

There's something about her tone of voice that rather disturbs me. I don't even have to answer, however, as