Appeal to You (A Beyond the Cove Novel Book 3)

by Jaclyn Quinn

  “Yeah, yeah,” Ryder mumbled, but there was a twinge of awareness flowing through him. Chris really didn’t treat him any differently than he treated Avery, and Ryder wanted that—more than he thought possible.

  Parker took another quick glance up at the boardwalk, but when Ryder looked, he saw the man was no longer there. “Take it from me… Most people search their whole lives for what you’ve got in the palm of your hands. All you have to do is grab hold of it.”

  Ryder snorted.

  “Okay, that was a little dramatic.” Parker chuckled. “But you know what I mean.”

  Ryder nodded. “Yeah, I get it.”

  Two hours later, Ryder sat on Avery’s couch, pressed up against the man as they watched TV. Novak had dropped Nick and Dylan off ten minutes earlier, and the three of them were closed off in Chris’s bedroom. Muffled giggles came from the room. Who knew that would be so cool to hear?

  Ryder was having trouble focusing on the movie, though. He had no idea if now was the right time to bring it up, with everything that had happened that day, but he couldn’t stop thinking about it. “So, I was thinking”—he gave Avery a nervous side-glance—“that it might be easier if I brought some more of my things over here. You know, since I’m here all the time, anyway.”

  “Makes sense.” Avery smirked and Ryder knew the man had a big, fat, I-told-you-so ready to leave that sexy mouth.

  “Don’t look so smug,” Ryder teased.

  Avery put a hand on his chest, feigning innocence. “I didn’t say anything.”

  Ryder shook his head, and after another few minutes of silence, he whispered, “You know, when I was younger, I’d have given anything for what you’ve done for Chris today.”

  Avery rubbed a hand up and down Ryder’s arm. “I know. I wish that had happened for you—your forever family.”

  It was in that moment, Ryder realized… “It has. Just a little late, is all.”

  Avery cupped Ryder’s cheek. “Yeah, it has, hasn’t it?”

  “The only difference is the name-changing part. You must have felt on top of the world when Chris said he wanted to take your name.” Ryder’s heart was pounding, even just imagining how Chris felt in that moment. The moment he knew he no longer had to be alone.

  Avery released a deep breath. “I don’t even know how to describe it. The only thing that was missing was you sitting beside me.”

  “I was there for the whole thing.”

  “Not the same, though.”

  Ryder smiled despite himself, just knowing Avery had felt that way. He settled back into Avery’s side, and they both turned their attention back to the movie.

  Later that night, when they were alone in Avery’s bed, Ryder stared up at the ceiling. He couldn’t stop thinking about the judge’s words earlier that day. Do you want your name to be changed? What if he did? What if I do? “What if I do want my name changed?”

  Avery put down the book he’d been reading and took his glasses off. “Where did that come from?”

  Oh shit! So, I really did say that out loud! “Um…I don’t know.”

  “Well…I don’t really know how to answer that.” Avery scooted down until his head was on the pillow and they turned toward each other. “You know what that involves, right?”

  Ryder rolled his eyes. “Yes, Avery, I know what that involves.” Then for shits and giggles… “Do you think Nina and Stan will adopt me?”

  Avery barked out a short laugh. “Dumbass.”

  “Yeah, but I’m your dumbass.” Ryder leaned in and kissed Avery, long and sweet, tasting him.

  When they pulled away, Avery had a serious look on his face. “There’s only one question left to ask then.”

  Ryder’s pulse beat rapidly and his ears started ringing. Was he going to ask…that? He held Avery’s eyes in anticipation. Shit, excitement rushed through him that he never imagined he’d ever feel. Was this really going to happen? And was he on board with it?

  “How does Eddy Hamilton sound?”

  Ryder stared at Avery for a heartbeat…and then lost it. “You’re such an ass.” Ryder pushed Avery’s chest and wrestling ensued until they were both laughing and out of breath.

  Avery had Ryder pinned to the mattress, his hands above his head on the pillows. He moved his heavy thigh between Ryder’s legs, pressing against his erection. “I, personally, think Eddy Hamilton has a certain appeal, but Ryder Hamilton sounds even better. Don’t you think?”

  Ryder groaned but immediately rolled his lips in to hush the sound as he pushed up against the delicious friction on his hard cock. He licked his lips and nodded. “Yup. Sounds pretty fucking good.”

  Avery slid his hand between them and squeezed Ryder’s cock. “You’d agree to just about anything right now, wouldn’t you?”

  Ryder’s eyes crossed, and he did his best not to make a sound. He also managed to find some rational thought. “Ask me again tomorrow, and my answer will be the same.” He sighed when Avery peeled back the waistband of his boxer briefs and his dick sprung out. “But just to be thorough, you better get down there and ask Eddy.”

  “I’m pretty sure he’ll come up with the answer I want to hear,” Avery snarked.

  “Oh, he’s got jokes—oh, fuck yes…” he whispered when Avery’s mouth closed around the head.

  Hot damn. Hell, yeah, his answer would most definitely be the same.

  Two months later…

  Ryder leaned an elbow on Novak’s shoulder, sitting next to him at the outdoor table in the Taylors’ back yard while he smirked at Kenz and Parker. “And then there were two.” He slapped his other hand on Novak’s chest. “Who knew I wouldn’t be one of the two left, huh?”

  “Did you really have to invite him?” Kenz groaned playfully before popping an olive in her mouth.

  “To my wedding? Uh, yeah.” Novak brushed Ryder away and chuckled. He cupped a hand to his mouth and whispered loudly, “It was Eli’s idea.” Eli laughed from beside Novak.

  “Hey!” Ryder sat back like he’d physically been hurt. “We’re on the same team here, Novak. Team One Dick for the Rest of Our Lives, man.” He held up a single finger and said as sincerely as he could, “Hashtag one dick.”

  His friends broke out into laughter, and Kenz pushed his arm from his other side. “I can’t with you.” She wiped the tears from her eyes then said, “Until there’s a ring on that finger, you’re benched.”

  “I prefer to think of it as warming up.” Ryder sighed, needing to be on the level with them. “It’s a big deal, you know? Marriage…adoption…are really big deals.”

  Kenz’s expression softened in a rare moment of understanding. “I know, it is.”

  “Avery’s cool with taking it day by day, but I honestly don’t see me changing my mind about wanting either of those things.” He hung his head and laughed. “Man, my life is unrecognizable”—he lifted his gaze back up, a huge grin across his face—“but I love it.”

  He’d officially moved in with Avery and Chris a month before. That was one area he felt confident in. The rest would come with time, and luckily for him, Avery was willing to give him that. Though, technically, they were engaged—which blew his damn mind.

  Ryder looked around the back yard. Novak and Eli had decided on a small ceremony in Riverside Falls. No fanfare or big to-do for the exchanging of rings, but of course, there needed to be a party—Ryder’s friends weren’t crazy. Eli’s mom, however, would also get her wedding-planning fix when Jonah and Cameron tied the knot in a few months; so there was that.

  “I’m just happy you guys decided to have something simple. I’m not looking forward to Sarah’s wedding next month,” Parker grumbled.

  “Because it’s going to be extravagant, or because he’s going to be there?” Kenz asked.

  “I don’t know who you’re talking about.” Parker looked away, seemingly finding incredible interest in the bocce game going on.

  “Right, we’ll go with that.” Kenz nodded her head.

  Ryder watched
Parker, saw the tick in the guy’s jaw, and decided to change the subject. “So, I thought Drew’s brother and Mr. Sexy Officer were supposed to be here.”

  “Mr. Sexy Officer, huh?” Avery’s deep voice from behind Ryder sent a shiver down his spine. He put his hands on Ryder’s shoulders and leaned down, biting Ryder’s earlobe.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve already confirmed I’m Team OD. Even thinkin’ of having some jerseys made up.” He held up a finger again and whispered to Avery, “One dick.” Then he pecked Avery’s lips.

  Avery snorted, putting his forehead down on Ryder’s shoulder in exasperation.

  “Mason and Grant went with Sawyer on some secret trip,” Eli said, answering Ryder’s earlier question. “Apparently, they’ve been spending a whole lot of time together, which is…odd, to say the least.”

  Ryder narrowed his eyes. “A covert operation. Sexy.” He did a double take at Avery’s stern look then tilted his head and innocently held up one finger again before pointing said finger at Avery.

  Avery smirked, pulling Ryder up out of his chair. He maneuvered them away from their friends and said in a husky, low voice, “There will be no sexy covert operations or officers for you. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Avery groaned, a deep rumble in his chest, and Ryder laughed. He kissed Ryder softly, and Ryder felt it down to his toes.

  “There they go again,” Chris said, making Avery pull away from Ryder. Chris waved a hand at the two of them as he talked to Dylan. “See, I told ya. Just like Jake and Eli.” Both boys shook their heads and shivered.

  “Hey! What’s wrong with being like us?” Eli asked from his seat at the table, a laugh playing on his lips.

  Chris bit the inside of his cheek as he smiled shyly. “Nothin’, I guess. If you like all that kissin’ and stuff. My dad and Ryder sure do.” He shrugged and ran off, but Avery’s arms tightened around Ryder’s waist.

  “Did he just…?” Avery’s whispered question trailed off.

  “Yeah, he did.” Ryder smiled at the awe coming from Avery’s wide eyes as Avery watched Chris run back over to the other kids.

  “He called me his dad,” Avery said then hugged Ryder tightly. Ryder felt a little pang of unwanted jealousy run through him, immediately squashed by Avery saying, “That was so damn cool.” Because, yeah, it was pretty damn cool, and Ryder would hear it himself from Chris someday.

  Ryder smiled, loving how happy Avery looked in this moment. “It’s perfect ‘cause you’ve got those dad jokes down.”

  Avery’s mouth dropped open in offense. “What? My jokes are great.”

  Ryder kissed Avery quickly. “If you say so.”

  “Pfft. Unbelievable,” he grumbled, but a smile danced on his lips.

  “We’re gonna head out.” Ryder and Avery looked toward the door and saw Tom and Eli’s sister, Savannah, leaving. Tom held up a hand to them both. “Night, Avery. Night, Ryder—” Tom stopped short and pointed at Ryder. “Hey! Where’s KITT?” Savannah rolled her eyes at her husband and pushed him and their two kids through the doorway. “Night, guys.”

  Ryder turned smugly back to Avery with a raised eyebrow as Avery said, “Point taken.” Avery kissed him before going down the stairs to help clean up.

  As Ryder watched Avery and Chris laughing, happiness emanating off of the two most important people in his life, he realized there was no way he was changing his mind. He wanted this, wanted Avery and Chris in his life.

  He’d spent almost eighteen years of his life as a scared foster kid, hoping and praying for someone to love him. Now, all these years later, he’d finally found his forever home.

  The End.

  Haven’s Cove Series in order:

  Hard to Let Go

  Hard to Get

  Hard to Hold

  Beyond the Cove Series (Haven’s Cove Spinoff) in order:

  Drawn to You

  Thirst for You

  Thank you for reading Appeal to You! There’s plenty more HEAs in the Beyond the Cove series. Stay tuned for a “few” men from Thirst for You who deserve their happy ending!

  Reviews are always appreciated!

  I’d love to hear from you! You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

  https://linktr.ee/JQbooks

  To my family: You are so incredibly supportive!! I’m so very lucky to have you!

  To my team: Gilda Cordeiro, Annabella Michaels, Jenn Gibson, Luna David, Morningstar Ashley, Michelle Slagan, Cate Ashwood, Stephanie Carrano, Allison Holzapfel, and Lori Greis.

  Thank you for helping to make Appeal to You the best it could possibly be!! I could not do this without you! Love you all!!

  I have been an artist from a very young age. From drawing cartoon characters and evolving into portraits, making jewelry, photography, and now writing. I have an amazing support system in my family and friends and couldn’t be more grateful.

  I live in central New Jersey, love summers at the Jersey Shore, rock music, wine, sexy men, and laughing a lot with my amazing friends and family. Sunday dinners at my parents’ house are crazy, hysterical and you can count on a movie quote…or ten…being thrown out. Insults between siblings is how we show our love for each other!

  When I’m not creating, you can find me reading books from my favorite authors. I’m a hopeless romantic, starving for passionate characters and always craving that happy ending, whether in reading or in writing my own books.