Risking it All: An M/M, rockstar, second chance romance (Kingston Brothers Book 4)

by Isabel Lucero

“Of course.”

  I say good-bye and make my way down the short hall and find Merrick waiting for me. He smiles and my heart skips a beat. “Sorry. Mom was asking crazy questions.”

  “Like what?”

  “Bye Lil. Love you.”

  “Love ya.”

  When we cross the threshold, I say, “Asking for grandbabies.”

  Merrick stares at me for a few seconds, his face hard to read. He slings an arm over my shoulder and gives me a crooked grin. “Maybe not too crazy.”

  We leave my mom’s house to meet up with Jordy at Corner Bistro on Main Street, but I can’t stop thinking about how Merrick said having kids isn’t too crazy of an idea. Now I’m picturing mini Merrick’s running around and it takes all my focus to push that thought to the back of my head, because it’s too early to think about something like that.

  I luck out by getting a spot in front of the tiny restaurant, and find Jordy sitting outside at one of the small tables, seemingly flirting with the waiter.

  “Can we get a seat inside?” I ask right away.

  “But the weather’s so nice,” Jordy whines, standing up to greet me with a hug and kiss on the cheek.

  “Yeah, but there’s already paparazzi parking along the street,” I say, gesturing to a couple of cars looking for a parking space.

  “Hey, Merrick,” Jordy says in a sing-song voice, ignoring me to give him a hug.

  I get the attention of the waiter and ask him for a table inside while Jordy talks to Merrick.

  “Well, fine. I guess I can understand, but it’s a shame,” Jordy complains. “I look so good today. The world should see.”

  I roll my eyes as Merrick chuckles, but we follow the waiter inside and get seated at a small table near the front, but luckily away from windows.

  “Well, it’s about time I see the love birds,” Jordy says, pushing his sunglasses up to rest on his head. “I wish I had a front seat to the concert and coming out party, but I guess I can forgive you both. You’re buying, right?” he asks, glancing between me and Merrick.

  I scoff, but once again Merrick laughs at him and says, “You got it.”

  Jordy smiles while picking up the menu. After we order our food, Jordy folds his arms on the table and stares at Merrick.

  “How does it feel?”

  Merrick blows out a breath. “Fucking amazing.”

  “I bet. I never really had a huge coming out moment. I came home one day and told my mom I was bringing my boyfriend over the next day and she was like, ‘Okay, dear.’”

  “So she knew,” Merrick says.

  “Oh, honey. It was indisputable. It was like the sky is blue and Jordy’s gay.” He shrugs and aims a smile at the incoming waiter holding our drinks. “Thanks, darling,” he flirts with a wink.

  The waiter blushes. “I’ll be back with your food soon. Can I get you anything else?”

  “Mm.” Jordy eyes him up and down. “Maybe later.”

  “Don’t harass the waiter,” I say.

  “Who’s harassing?”

  I shake my head. “Anyway.”

  “Yes, anyway,” Jordy says, cutting me off. “I’m happy for you two. I won’t lie. I was worried for a little bit, but I’m glad things seem to be heading in the right direction. What’s next for you two?”

  We tell him what we’ve told everybody—our plans to buy a house, making trips while he’s recording, and hopefully figuring out how to see each other through his touring.

  Once we’re all finished, we head outside where a couple of photographers are eagerly awaiting our exit.

  “Oh,” Jordy squeaks, running a hand through his hair. “I feel so LA right now.”

  “I’ll call you soon,” I tell him, giving him a hug.

  “Yeah, I’ll be expecting to see more of you two now. And you can even hit up some of our famous clubs now if you’re up to it,” he says, waggling his brows at Merrick.

  Merrick chuckles. “Okay. Nice seeing you again.”

  Jordy sidles up to him and gives him a couple air kisses. “It’s always nice seeing me, darling.”

  He waves as he saunters toward the photographers, telling them something I can’t make out while posing. We take the opportunity to dive into the car and make a getaway before they can follow.

  “He’s a trip,” Merrick says with a laugh.

  “He’s something, all right.”

  54

  Merrick

  Present Day

  It’s been three weeks since I came out, and it’s been the greatest twenty-one days of my entire life. Sure, I’ve read some negative comments and articles. I’ve also seen a few dirty looks thrown mine and Ali’s way, but I’m still happier than I’ve ever been. I’m no longer hiding and lying and pretending. I feel weightless and free.

  We were in New York for a couple weeks, and we’ve almost finished the album. Ali came along, so we also used our time there as a vacation, doing things we said we’d do when we were teens, thinking we’d move to New York and start a life there.

  We may not live in New York, but being able to visit whenever we want is just as good. We’ve done the main touristy stuff: Times Square, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center, and when we go back, we’ll do even more.

  Now we’re back in Gaspar for Royce and London’s wedding. Ali and I had to fly back ten days ago for Lexie and Leo’s wedding. At first I wasn’t going to attend, because I didn’t want to take any focus away from them, but apparently, they didn’t care. It wasn’t a huge wedding, and there were some people who came up for pictures, but nothing ever got out of hand.

  “Holy shit, that’s a lot of people,” Ali breathes.

  I look out the window of the limo and spot a huge crowd in front of Royce’s gate. “Damn.”

  “How do these people find out where your brother’s wedding is gonna be?” Sky asks.

  I shrug. “Small town. They probably heard about the wedding, then news spreads. They knew we’d be coming into town, so people from all the nearby towns probably made the trip out here hoping to get a glimpse.”

  “Well, good looking out on paying for those privacy screens,” Carlos says.

  “Yeah, I didn’t want Royce and London to have to worry about their special day being shared with the world just because we were coming.”

  People started showing up a few days ago, and when Royce told me, I made sure to get a company out here to erect privacy screens around his property so nobody would be able to watch their outdoor ceremony. They already had plans for luxury wedding tents, so hopefully everything will still remain private.

  Once we’re taken up to the house, we file out of the limo and head inside. I find Royce, Elijah, and Cillian standing in the kitchen all decked out in their tuxedos.

  “Hey, you made it. How crazy is it out there?” Royce asks.

  “Pretty crazy. I’m almost sure nobody jumped on the back of the limo as we came in.”

  He laughs. “Good.”

  I give him a hug. “It’s your big day. How you feelin’?”

  “I feel good,” he says with a wide smile. “I was ready for this day after she first walked into my bar.”

  “Just the little issue with her having a boyfriend at the time,” Cill says with a laugh.

  Royce makes a face at him. “Anyway, yeah, I’m excited.”

  I hug my other brothers and they all say hi to the rest of the guys. Cill lifts his chin slightly in Sky’s direction, and I shake my head, hiding a smile.

  Years ago, Cill’s girlfriend hooked up with Sky, and clearly, Cill has some feelings about Sky seeing Midge again.

  “Where’s the ladies?” I ask.

  “London’s getting ready upstairs in our room. Midge and Nova are up there with Nova’s sister.”

  “I’m gonna go say hi,” I say, pulling Ali along with me. “Make sure she’s not getting cold feet.”

  “Fuck off,” Royce says.

  I laugh and jog up the stairs. When I get to their room, I knock on the doo
r. “It’s Merrick.”

  Midge pulls the door open. “Hey!”

  I pull her in for a hug. “Hey, you look great.”

  She fluffs her shoulder length dark hair. “Thanks, but wait till you see the bride. Hey, Alejandro,” she says, giving him a hug.

  I spot Nova straightening out London’s veil, getting ready to put it on her head. London spins around, and she nearly takes my breath away. She’s definitely gonna bring Royce to his knees.

  Her long, blond hair cascades down her back in waves, part of it being pulled back in an elaborate braid with tiny white flowers and crystals entwined within. I couldn’t tell you the type of dress, but it hugs her every curve, flaring out near the bottom with a small train. The top part appears to be nothing but lace, but it’s one of the most elegant dresses I’ve ever seen on a woman.

  “Holy shit. You look phenomenal,” I say, going in for a delicate hug so I don’t mess up the dress, hair, or makeup.

  London beams at me. “Thank you. I can’t believe the day is finally here! I’m so glad you guys could come.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it. The rest of the band is down there, too.”

  “Oh Lord,” Midge groans.

  “Yeah,” I say with a chuckle. “Cill’s giving Sky the evil eye down there.”

  She shakes her head. “Men.”

  “How’re you feeling, Nova?” I ask as she settles the veil on London’s head.

  “Oh, I’m good. No crazy cravings or morning sickness yet. And I still fit into this dress, so that’s good.”

  Nova’s sister says, “Well, it’s almost time. I’m gonna head down and get my seat. Greg’s probably mad I left him alone so long.” She smiles at me. “It’s nice seeing you again.”

  “You too. Oh, this is Alejandro. My boyfriend.”

  She smiles and shakes Ali’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  I’ve only seen her a few times since she lives in Florida, but she’s been here to visit Nova a couple times that I’ve been here. She’s never met Ali, but I’m sure she’s seen the news, so it probably wasn’t a surprise who he is to me.

  “Is that the first time you’ve introduced him as your boyfriend?” Midge asks.

  I glance at Ali who’s got a smile on his face. “I think it is. Felt good,” I say with a grin.

  “I agree,” he says, giving me a kiss.

  “Well, I’m gonna head back down and make sure Cill isn’t threatening Sky.”

  Midge chokes out a laugh. “Thanks.”

  “See you ladies out there.”

  Standing with my brothers at the altar as Royce recites his vows to London, I glance down at Ali in the front row and give him a wink. He smiles at me, looking sexy as fuck in his black on black tux. His facial hair is just a smidge past a five o’clock shadow and trimmed to perfection. I can’t wait to get him alone tonight.

  Ali shakes his head with a grin on his lips before slightly nodding his head in the direction of my brother and London, telling me to pay attention. He must’ve known my mind was going elsewhere.

  After the ceremony is over, we head to the huge reception tent where London and Royce are introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Kingston.

  Later in the evening, after everyone is done eating and people are starting to drink and let loose, I invite Ali to the dance floor with me.

  “You wanna dance?”

  He looks a little surprised, but he grins and gives me his hand. “Of course. I didn’t take you for much of a dancer.”

  “I’m not, but we can sway.”

  He chuckles and we move to the music, my right arm low on his waist while I grab his hand with my left. Ali rests his head on my shoulder, and we finish the song out just like that. When the next song begins, he quickly lifts his head and stares into my eyes.

  “What. . .when?”

  I grin. “While you were asleep in the hotel room me and the guys added a hook and recorded it.”

  My song to him. Our song. It’s going to be the single on the next album.

  “I love you,” he says softly.

  “I love you more.”

  We get closer, our bodies pressed tightly against each other as the music plays. After the final lyric plays, we can weather any weather, we were meant for forever, I pull away and drop to my knee, removing the ring from my pocket.

  Ali’s eyes bulge as his hands fly to his mouth. “Oh, my God.”

  “Ali, we’re meant for forever. I can’t imagine living the rest of my life without you. I know what it’s like to be in the absence of your touch and your love. I can’t go through that again. I love you more than anything in this world. Please marry me.”

  Ali’s eyes shine with unshed tears. “Yes, of course,” he says shakily.

  My lips curl up on one side. “I need your hand, baby.”

  He stretches his arm out, his hand shaking like a leaf. I slide the ring on his finger and stand up to kiss my husband-to-be.

  “I can’t believe you kept this a secret,” he whispers in my ear as people clap around us.

  “I’m pretty good at secrets, but don’t worry, that was my last.”

  He chuckles and kisses me.

  Our families come up and congratulate us, but my brothers knew it was happening beforehand. I wanted Royce’s permission to do this on his wedding day, and of course, he and London were happy to let it happen. I also informed Ali’s mom and sister what I was planning, and they were invited to be here so they could witness this special moment.

  When it’s just us again, Ali tugs on my hand and brings me close. He angles his head slightly, staring up at me with a dreamy look in his eyes.

  “Wanna kiss me?” I ask with a crooked smirk.

  He laughs. “Definitely. For the rest of my life.”

  Epilogue

  Five Years Later

  Merrick

  “Hey, babe, can you bring the pan over here? The chicken’s almost done.”

  Ali walks over with an empty pan in his left hand and our son in his right. “Here you go, Daddy. Say hi to Daddy,” he tells Gabriel, waving his hand for him.

  I kiss Ali’s temple and then kiss Gabriel’s chubby cheek. “It’s okay. He’ll get there. Can you tell everyone the food’s about done?”

  “You got it,” he replies, smacking my ass before walking away.

  Gabriel’s nearing his ten month mark, and he’s one of the cutest babies on this planet. The other being our daughter, Ava, who’s almost three years old.

  I pile the chicken into the pan, cover it with foil, and then grab the other foil-covered pans holding the hotdogs and hamburgers, and take them to the six foot table we bought specifically for when we have get-togethers.

  All of my brothers and their wives and children are over. Elijah and Nova are in the pool, playing with their two sons, Kai and Mason, as well as Royce and London’s daughter, Aurora.

  London, along with Ava, Cill, Midge, and their son, Vincent are playing a game of freeze tag in the grass.

  Royce exits my house holding a cooler. “I’m fucking starving, man. I hope you made enough.”

  I chuckle. “I’m pretty sure there’s enough for everyone to eat twice. No worries.”

  “Ava, baby,” I call out. “Come eat.”

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  Her dark hair flows behind her as she runs toward me with a wide smile on her face. She looks so much like Ali it melts my heart.

  It didn’t take us long to decide we wanted kids. We were married nine months after we got engaged, then moved into our house as soon as we were back from the honeymoon. A little over a year later, we decided to have kids. We chose to have Ali father one with an egg donor and surrogate first, and then my turn came with Gabriel. We may have one more, but for now, we’re completely happy with our two, and they keep us on our toes as it is.

  Nova and Elijah’s oldest son, Kai, is four, and Mason is two and a half. Cill and Midge got married a little over three years ago, and their son came exactly nine months later. Royce and London’s d
aughter, Aurora, joined the family three years ago, so now our family has grown by six.

  “Is Lili on the way?” I ask Ali as I make a plate for Ava.

  “She’s running late as always, but she’ll be here soon. She blamed it on Antonio, but I’m sure she’s lying.”

  “Blaming the new husband, huh?” I say with a laugh.

  “Poor guy,” he says, cradling our baby boy while feeding him a bottle.

  I never thought Ali could get any sexier, but watching him be a father is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

  With Ava’s plate in hand, I escort her to the small table and get her settled.

  “I’ll be right back, okay? Be careful.”

  “Okay,” she says with a nod, pushing her hair out of her face.

  “I got her,” Ali says, heading in her direction as I make my way back to the table. “Make me a plate?”

  “Okay.”

  At the make-shift buffet table, Vincent runs up in between Cill and Midge and says, “Daddy, I’m like you.”

  All eyes turn in his direction and I instantly spot the pen markings on his arms. I bark out a laugh as Midge gasps. “Where did you get a pen from?”

  Her head swivels around until she finds the purse that’s been dumped out.

  “Sweetie, we don’t write on ourselves.”

  “But Daddy. . .”

  “I know, let’s go wash up.”

  Cill laughs as he continues making their plates. “Guess he’ll be asking for his first tat soon.”

  I shake my head and finish making a couple plates for me and Ali.

  “I’ll be right back. I forgot Ava’s cup. You know she won’t drink anything without it.”

  Ali laughs and nods his head. “Yeah, better hurry. I hear a fit happening in three. . .two. . .”

  “Daddy! My cup!”

  I squeeze his shoulder as I walk by, laughing. “I’m getting it, baby. Hold on.”

  After I grab her green and yellow cup with dinosaurs all over it, I fill it up with some juice and head back outside. Before I join in, I take a second to look over the backyard.