He purses his lips and runs his fingers through his blond hair. “Mm. Okay, I guess. Now give me the juicy deets.”
“Me and Merrick go way back. We went to school together and were really good friends. I ran into him last weekend, and I’m guessing he got my number from my sister because I didn’t give it to him.”
Jordy makes a face. “If you two were such good friends, why doesn’t he have your number?”
“Well, I moved. I got a new phone and number. He’s been on the road, so we haven’t talked in a long time. It’s not like we run in the same circles.”
He laughs. “No, you most certainly don’t. Anyway, why didn’t you mention this when we were talking last time?”
“I just told you. I don’t want to have to answer a million questions about what Merrick Kingston is like. Plus, we aren’t really friends anymore. It’s been years since I’ve talked to him.”
Jordy gives me a sly look. “But here he is texting you about wanting to hang out.”
“Stop it.”
“What?” he asks, trying to portray innocence with a doe-eyed look and parted lips.
“You always have mischief in your eyes.”
“Well, that’s because I’m always mischievous, baby.” He pushes away from the table and walks behind me, his hand dragging across my back. “I’ll be back. Gotta go to the little boys’ room.”
I take another drink of my beer, spotting Charlie and Dennis walking in.
“No AJ?” I ask, not really caring, because I know Dennis better than AJ.
“He has a date,” Charlie answers. “Where’s Jordy?”
“Bathroom.”
The two of them make themselves comfortable around the table after getting their drinks from the bar.
Mad Minnie’s is a gay bar we visit once a month. It’s not too big, and the main room is quiet enough to allow conversation either around the bar or at the tables spread through the room. There’s pool tables on one half, and in the adjoining room, there’s a dance floor. There, the music is pretty loud, but out here, we can still hear the music and each other.
“I’m back, the party can start,” Jordy announces, prancing around the table.
“What’s the plan? Are we hanging here for a little while then going somewhere else? ’Cause I’m hungry,” Dennis says.
Jordy smacks his lips. “You should’ve eaten before you came. Who moves from a bar to a restaurant? They’d kick us out, baby.”
“They’d kick you out, because you’re a lush,” Dennis counters.
“Whatever. We can stop by that Gyro sandwich stand a couple blocks over. In the meantime, let’s drink.”
“I wanna head to Shamrocks after this,” Charlie says.
“Shamrocks? With the straights?” Jordy questions.
Charlie waves him off. “I’m an equal opportunist. I need the variety.”
“I’ll go with you,” I tell him.
“You know I’ll go,” Jordy says, taking a sip of his drink. “I’m just giving you a hard time. Plus, I like to see if I can get any ‘straight’ guys to give me a chance,” he says, shimmying in his seat with a grin.
I shake my head. “You’re too much.”
Half an hour later, I notice Charlie’s eyes tracking someone over my shoulder. Jordy notices as well and turns in his seat to check it out.
“Is that. . .” Charlie trails off, shaking his head. “Nah. Can’t be.”
Jordy’s lips draw up into a grin I know too well. He’s a trouble-maker.
Dennis puts his phone down and joins the conversation. “Who? Where?”
“It’s kind of dark in here, but look by the door. Why does he look familiar?”
I begin to shift around so I can see who the hell they’re talking about, but Jordy slaps a hand on my shoulder.
“What?” I ask.
“He’s tall. Broad. Jesus,” Dennis breathes. “He looks lost. If he would just turn this way a little bit. . .”
I twist around, ignoring Jordy’s protests and spot Merrick at the door. When my jaw drops, I spin back and face Jordy. “What did you do?”
He bites his lip. “Nothing.”
Snatching my phone from the table, I go through the messages and find that during the time Jordy was in the bathroom, he took my phone and held a text conversation with Merrick, posing as me. He invited him here. To a gay bar. I’m going to kill him.
“What were you thinking?” I seethe. “He’s fucking famous, and you invite him to a gay bar? What if someone takes his picture? Do you know what this could do to him?”
Jordy’s face pales a little. “I didn’t mean. . .”
I push out of my seat and head straight for Merrick. When he finds me, his face shows relief. I quickly grab him by the arm and pull him outside. “Come on.”
“What. . .what’s happening?” he asks.
I don’t say anything until we’re out on the street and halfway down the block. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were coming. My friend was the one who texted you. He plays around a lot. That’s a gay bar.”
Merrick’s eyes widen slightly. “Oh.”
“Yeah. I’m so mad. I can’t believe he did this. I don’t want you to be seen or photographed there. You know, it’ll just start rumors.”
“Not really rumors,” he says with a wry grin.
“I know, but—”
I’m cut off by Jordy’s voice as he comes running down the street.
“Wait!”
I watch as he makes his way closer, slowing down his pace. Dennis and Charlie are a few feet behind him.
He sucks in a deep breath. “God, why did you come this far? You know I hate running.” He fans himself dramatically. When he’s done with his show, he makes eye contact with Merrick and grins. “Wow, you’re even better looking in person.”
Merrick chuckles. “Uh. Thanks.”
“Look, I’m sorry I invited you out here. Alejandro told me y’all were friends. . .kinda. And I’m a jokester.”
“Shit-starter,” Charlie adds as he steps us.
“Anyway, I didn’t think about the fame and being at a gay establishment. I just don’t think of it as being wrong, you know?” Jordy looks at me. “I’m sorry, Al, seriously. I wasn’t thinking. Well, I was thinking I’d meet a celebrity, but that’s it.”
Merrick clears his throat. “It’s okay. I’m Merrick,” he says, holding his hand out to Jordy.
Jordy smiles flirtatiously and takes his hand. “I’m Jordy. I’m Al’s best friend.”
“I used to be his best friend,” Merrick adds with a small grin.
“This is Charlie and Dennis,” I say, gesturing to them. “I knew Merrick back in school.”
They all shake hands, and then Charlie faces me. “Oh, we’re gonna talk about this later.”
“Want a gyro?” Jordy asks Merrick. “We’re gonna go get something for Dennis to eat, because he doesn’t know how to properly prepare for a night of drinking. Then we’re gonna go to Shamrocks. Don’t worry, it’s not a gay bar.”
I’m a few steps behind them, watching Jordy walk as close as possible to Merrick all while gazing dreamily at his face.
Merrick glances over his shoulder at me. “Uh, sure? If it’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay, sweetie,” Jordy says, touching his arm. “I need to buy you a drink to make up for my antics.”
“Jordy, what are you doing?” I groan.
“Honey, if you’re not gonna be friends with him, I will.”
Charlie chuckles behind me and I settle in for what’s definitely going to be a long and annoying night.
20
Merrick
Present Day
Shamrocks isn’t too bad of a spot. The lighting is sparse, so I feel confident I won’t be noticed. It’s not extremely crowded, but there’s definitely a good amount of people in here.
I pull the bill of my cap low and keep my head down as I follow Ali and his friends. They find us a booth all the way in a corner, behind the bar an
d away from the dance floor. I’m sure it’s for my benefit.
“This isn’t the most prime spot for scouting out the potentials, but I don’t know how many gay people are here anyway,” Jordy says, scooting to the middle. “We come here for Charlie, because he swings both ways, and I like the challenge of seeing how straight the straight ones really are,” he says with a wink.
“Oh God,” Ali groans, rolling his eyes.
I scoot in toward the middle and have Jordy on one side and Ali on the other. Dennis and Charlie went straight to the bar for drinks.
“What? I’m not trying to turn your friend,” Jordy says, looking up at me. “Unless you’re interested.”
“Don’t answer that,” Ali says. “Don’t even pay attention to Jordy.”
Jordy pouts. “Meanie. I said I was sorry, and you know I don’t do that often.”
“You see why I laughed when you said you wanted to hang out with my friends?” Ali asks, a smirk on his face.
Jordy scoffs. “He acts like we’re so embarrassing.”
I grin. “Well, I’m not embarrassed or uncomfortable. I’m just ready to drink.”
“Yes! Where are those two with our drinks?” Jordy questions. “I’ll go help them out. Be right back, kids.”
Ali sighs. “Sorry. He’s a handful, but he’s been a good friend. You just gotta get used to the way he is.”
“It’s fine,” I assure him with a grin.
“I can’t believe he invited you out to a gay bar.”
I laugh, and without thinking, I place my hand on his thigh and squeeze him gently. “Ali, it’s okay.” When he tenses up, I snatch my hand back. “Sorry.”
Ali gazes into my eyes, and we get lost in each other for a few seconds. His lips part like he wants to say something, but the words never come out.
“We’re back. Oh, are we interrupting something?” Jordy asks in a teasing tone.
We both turn and face him, but Ali’s first to speak up. “No, just apologizing for your behavior.”
“My behavior?” he questions, sliding back into the booth. “Oh, inviting your friend to have a good time with us? Please,” he waves his hand. “Merrick is already over it. Aren’t you, baby?”
I grin. “Yes, I was trying to tell Ali that it’s fine.”
“Oh, Ali? That’s cute.”
Ali scowls at him. “No, it’s not. Don’t call me that.”
“Merrick gets to call you Ali but I don’t?”
“Yes.”
Jordy’s eyebrows shoot up and he purses his lips as he looks at Charlie and Dennis. “Well, okay. Goodness.”
Under the table, I knock my knee into Ali’s, but I fight off the grin. I love that I’m the only one who calls him Ali.
“We got shots and a little bit of everything,” Charlie says, unloading a tray of drinks on the table. “Didn’t know what the rock star usually drinks.”
“Oh, I’m good with anything, but typically I stick to vodka.”
Dennis passes me two different glasses. “Pretty sure these have vodka.”
“Thanks.”
“But the shots are patron, so. . .” Charlie trails off, making a face. “We’re about to get fucked.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” Jordy murmurs.
After we take our shots, we sip on our drinks and I get to know Ali’s friends. They ask me questions about life on the road and want to know all the famous people I’ve met, but they’re really cool. I don’t feel like I have to worry about them taking pictures of me to sell to tabloids, which has happened in the past. Jordy’s definitely a character, but he’s fun to be around. Ali actually seems to be the tense one. I think he’s more concerned about people spotting me than I am.
“So, how did you all meet?” I ask the group.
“Oh, this is a fun story,” Jordy chirps. “Alejandro came walking into a gay bar one night, and he was all alone and looked like a lost and scared little puppy. I spotted him right away, because of course I did. I mean, look at him! He’s gorgeous. I ran over and introduced myself, then introduced him to these guys,” he says gesturing to Charlie and Dennis. “I used to work as a bartender with Dennis, and I knew Charlie in school.”
“I didn’t look lost and scared,” Ali says.
“But you did look gorgeous!” Jordy chirps.
Ali rolls his eyes and I try to hide my jealousy.
“Have you two ever. . .” I stop talking, not wanting to finish the question, but also kind of wanting the answer.
Ali gives me a weird look and Jordy laughs. “Oh, no. I’m not his type, and we later determined we wouldn’t be compatible.”
“Why’s that?” I ask.
Jordy gives me a grin. “We’re both bottoms, baby.”
“Oh.”
Charlie and Dennis laugh, but Ali lets out an annoyed sigh. “Why are we talking about this?”
“Hey, he’s asking questions. It’s only polite to answer,” Jordy replies.
Charlie finishes his drink and stands up. “I’m gonna head out to the dance floor, maybe hang by the bar and see if I can find anyone. I’ll be back.”
“Ooh, I’m gonna come, too. See if I get lucky out here,” Jordy says, sliding out of the booth.
“I’m gonna go to the bathroom,” Dennis adds.
Ali and I are left alone once again.
“I can’t believe you asked if me and Jordy had been together.”
I laugh. “What? He was talking about how gorgeous you are, so I was curious.”
Ali gives me a look. “Jealous?”
“Maybe.”
He smiles and rolls his eyes. “I love Jordy, but we’d never make it.”
“Because you’re both bottoms?” I ask with a smirk. “And because he’s not your type? What is your type, by the way?”
Ali laughs. “Stop.”
“I’m curious.”
“I’m sure you can guess.”
I bite down on the corner of my lip. “Hmm.”
He shakes his head but he doesn’t stop grinning. “You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that, right?”
I lift my brows and quirk my lips on one end. “I can be, but I can be a real pleasure, too.”
Ali makes a noise in the back of his throat. It’s a mix between a whimper and a moan. He catches himself and clears his throat before taking a big gulp of his drink.
“Wow, it’s kind of hot in here, huh?” he says, scooting back and looking away.
This time, when I rest my hand on his thigh, I leave it there. “Ali, you’re driving me crazy, you know that?”
He swallows, looking nervous. “How?”
“I’ve dreamt of being with you again. I’ve played it over and over in my mind. I basically mapped out everything I ever wanted to happen when I saw you again, but I can’t do any of it.”
Ali’s tongue swipes across his bottom lip. “Why’s that?”
I allow my eyes to study his face. His soft lips, his beautiful honey brown eyes framed by dark, thick lashes. His sharp cheekbones and strong jaw. He’s the most attractive man I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been all over the world.
“You still don’t trust me,” I tell him. “I haven’t earned your forgiveness yet, and I don’t want you to think that I’m only around because I want to fuck you.”
Ali shivers at my words.
“I’m aware of everything you’ve done for me. You’ve had to lie to everyone to keep my secret. You’ve dropped boyfriends for me. You’ve chosen me instead of others. And all I did was let you. I feel like such an asshole, Ali. I’ve treated you like you weren’t the whole world to me, but you are. You’ve always been everything.
“I want to kiss you and touch you and bury myself deep inside you. But I won’t do any of that until you’re ready. Until you decide if that’s what you want to happen.” I squeeze his thigh again and draw my lips into a crooked grin. “But know that I really want to do all those things.”
Ali’s lips quiver just slightly, and he stares at me like I’m a
n alien. His chest rises and falls with deep breaths, and as soon as it looks like he’s about to lean in, Jordy approaches the table.
“Whew, it is slim pickin’s out there. Let’s just get drunk.”
Our spell is broken as we look away from each other and go back to pretending we’re just old friends.
21
Alejandro
Present Day
When I wake up, my head feels like it’s going to explode. My pulse throbs in my temples, making me reach for my head with a grimace.
“Fucking shit.”
Last night, Jordy and Dennis kept bringing us shot after shot and drink after drink. Charlie lucked out and found a chick to take home, leaving the rest of us in the club with nothing to do but get drunk.
I pull the comforter over my head, turning in the other direction, and come in direct contact with another body.
“What the fuck?”
I peel my eyes open and yank the cover off my head to see who’s in bed with me.
“What is happening?” Merrick mumbles.
“What are you doing in my bed?”
“Trying to sleep.”
“No, why. . .what happened? How drunk was I?”
“Pretty drunk,” he says with a chuckle, his voice deep and scratchy from sleep.
“But you’re in my bed.”
Merrick pushes the covers down to his waist, showcasing his chiseled abs, and showing off the newest tattoos along his side that I’ve never seen before.
My cock is already hard because I just woke up. . .morning wood and whatnot, but seeing a half-naked Merrick in my bed isn’t helping.
“Don’t worry. I was a complete gentleman,” he says, moving to sit up. “I gotta take a piss.”
When he stands up, I can’t take my eyes off him. He stretches his arms to the side, then brings them back in as he yawns. Every muscle flexes, and all I want to do is re-acquaint myself with his body.
His wide shoulders and upper back taper down into a slim waist, and two dimples rest above his ass cheeks, which are unfortunately covered by a pair of boxers.
Risking it All: An M/M, rockstar, second chance romance (Kingston Brothers Book 4) Page 8