“Well, he showed up on time,” Midge murmurs as he walks over.
“Hey, guys,” Hunter greets, standing near the table. He reaches out for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Need some more drinks?”
“I’m good,” I reply, wanting to finish my water before I continue to drink. I’m not really looking to get wasted tonight.
“I’ll take another Long Island,” Midge says.
“Same for me,” Jon chimes in. “Thanks.”
“I’m good,” Daniel says.
“All right. I’ll be back.”
“I love when men are in the doghouse,” Midge says with a laugh.
“Oh, stop,” Jon defends. “He’s trying. He’s just being nice.”
“I know. Because he’s in the doghouse,” Midge continues. “I’d expect nothing less.”
Hunter comes back with Jon and Midge’s drinks as well as a beer for himself. He slides across the leather seat until his thigh touches mine, then reaches for my hand again. I give him an appreciative smile for his effort.
“So, does a band play here all the time?” he asks, nodding toward the stage where the band is setting up.
“Only on Saturdays, and only between nine and eleven.”
“Didn’t the Kingston kid play in a band? I heard he left town to get a record deal or something.”
“Merrick, yeah,” Midge replies. “He’s the youngest of the Kingston brothers. His band got a deal and they’re working on their album now.”
“They actually have a single out already,” I add.
“Really?” Hunter questions.
“Yeah. It’s good.”
He shrugs. “I don’t listen to anything besides country.”
The next couple of hours go by quickly, and I’m happy to see Hunter actually starting and engaging in conversations with my friends. It’s obvious he’s putting in effort, and I can only hope it isn’t fleeting.
Hunter isn’t a big drinker, and when he does drink, he sticks to beer, but Midge and Jon have peer-pressured him into taking a shot with us. I think Jon is the only drunk one, and Midge is teetering on the line between tipsy and drunk, while Daniel is basically sober, and I’m feeling just right. I’m not even tipsy yet, but warmth floods my body and I can’t stop smiling.
This shot, however, might put me into tipsy territory, but I’ll take it anyway, happy that we’re all here together and having a good time.
“Fuck the masses, swallow it down and let’s go move our asses,” Jon says as we hold our shot glasses up.
“What?” I laugh.
“What kind of toast?” Midge questions.
“Fuck everyone, take the shot and let’s go dance. That’s what it means, bitches.”
After the shots, we all maneuver through the crowd toward the dance floor. Midge bumps into me, pushing me into Hunter who catches me.
“Thanks,” I say with a laugh.
“No problem,” he replies with a smile, his mouth lifting in one corner, showcasing the dimple that resides in his cheek. “I don’t know about dancing, though. I’m not very good.”
“We can just sway,” I say, twisting around in his arms. We face the stage and his arms wrap around my waist as he leans down and rests his chin on my shoulder. “Thanks for coming tonight,” I say.
“You’re welcome,” he replies.
I angle my head so I can look up at him, and he leans in for a quick kiss on the lips.
“Ahem,” a voice says over the microphone.
I turn back toward the stage and see Royce standing there with a microphone in his hand and his eyes trained right on me. I break out into a hot sweat instantly.
“Ladies and gentleman,” I say, scanning into the crowd. “We have a special surprise tonight. My baby brother is back in town, and I don’t know if you’ve heard the news or not, but this kid and his band are about to be superstars.” A few cheers erupt from the crowd. “Their single is climbing the charts, their video debuted yesterday, and if you haven’t seen it, go look it up, and their album will be coming out soon.”
I try my best not to look over to where I know London and Hunter are holding each other, but my eyes find her again, except this time she isn’t looking at me. She’s doing her best to look anywhere but the stage. I glance to Merrick on my left and signal him to join me. More cheers and whistles sing through the room as he approaches the mic.
“Me and my brothers are so proud of this kid, and before he goes on tour, he made it a point to come back home. Get your pictures and autographs in now, because soon, you won’t be able to get close to this guy,” I say with a laugh.
Merrick smiles his boyish smile and pats me on the back before taking the mic.
“Wow, it feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been on this stage,” he says with a chuckle.
“Merrick, you fuckin’ pretty boy, play us a Goddamn song!” a voice yells from the crowd.
Merrick squints his eyes, looking for the guy. He points into the crowd. “Marco, you dick,” he says with a laugh. “Calm the fuck down and give me a second.”
Everyone laughs. Marco’s someone we’ve known forever. Another Gaspar kid who was born and raised here.
“Anyway,” Merrick continues. “if the guys in the band don’t mind us using their instruments for a few minutes, my bandmates are on the way and we’ll play our single for y’all.”
People hoot and holler, excited to be the first unofficial stop on their tour. The guys who just got done with their set agree to let Merrick’s band play a song before they pack up, and I offer them a round on the house.
They go and get their free drinks while my brothers and I hang out on stage, waiting for the rest of The Unwanted to get here.
“Luckily, the crowd’s thinned out a little bit,” Cill says. “Otherwise, you all might be mobbed.”
“Nah,” Elijah says. “They’re Gaspar boys. We’re all family here. I think they just appreciate the free show.”
“Don’t let my fucking manager find out,” Merrick says with a laugh.
As my brothers continue to talk, I peruse the room, looking to find London, because apparently, I love torturing myself. This time when I spot her, she’s farther back in a booth, talking with Midge, but Hunter is still nearby.
I can’t believe the first time I see her after having sex all Goddamn night, she’s with her fucking boyfriend. And she invited him here.
“They’re here,” Merrick announces, going to greet them.
Sky, Carlos, and Jay all come in together, and they already look every part the rock superstars I know they will be.
Whether it was planned or not, they’re all mostly decked out in black. Two of them have ripped black jeans, one has a plain black tee, while one has a threadbare black shirt that has Punk Rocks written across it. One is wearing a black leather vest over a black shirt, and they all embody the rock star look.
A few minutes later, they’re all on stage getting settled, and Sky takes the mic. “Yo, what up?” he yells, getting some cheers back. “We’re gonna play y’all one song, and you better fucking enjoy it.” He laughs. “I’m kidding. I don’t give a shit if you like it or not, I fucking love it.”
Sky stays on the Mic while Merrick grabs the guitar and Carlos gets the bass. Jay settles behind the drums, beats the sticks together three times to count them off, and then they’re performing their single.
It’s a song filled with lyrics about weathering the storm for someone who was nothing but destruction, but who he loved anyway. He belts out lines about loving someone who he knew was wrong for him, but he did it anyway because he needed to feel something, even if it was pain. His voice is both beautiful and gravelly.
When the song is over and the excited cheers have died down, Sky smiles into the crowd. “Thank you. We’re The Unwanted, and we hope all you fuckers go out and buy our album when it comes out.”
After they’re done, all of them except Merrick head to the bar to grab some drinks while the other band starts packing up t
heir equipment.
I head over to where Merrick is talking to Elijah, and slap him on the back. “Damn, man. Y’all seem to have gotten even better.”
“Well, we’re always fucking playing,” he says with a laugh. “I can’t wait for y’all to hear the rest of our shit.”
I look past him. “Is that Alejandro?”
Merrick glances over his shoulder, scanning the wall. “Well, shit. I think so. I’ll be back. Thanks for letting me perform.”
“Are you kidding? Go on, man,” I say, pushing him toward one of his childhood friends.
“They’re good,” I tell Elijah, who looks like a proud father.
“They are. He was telling me he’s gonna be singing on a few songs.”
Cillian pops up, clearly having taken a shot or two, because his breath reeks of tequila. “Why is your girl bringing that dude over here? That shit’s fucked up, man.”
I shake my head. “She can do what she wants.
“And you can do what you want,” he says, raising his hand for a high five. Okay, he’s clearly had more than one or two shots. His eyes are red and glassy, and his cheeks are flushed.
I look to Elijah. “I guess Cill’s gonna be staying at the apartment upstairs.”
“Fuck yeah. I’m about to get another drink. Y’all want anything?” he asks.
“I’m good,” Elijah answers. “I’m about to head back to the house. You got these two?” he asks me, talking about Cill and Merrick.
“Yeah. I’ll talk to you later.”
He nods and says bye to Merrick before leaving.
“I think he’s meeting a chick,” Cill says into my ear.
“Dude, back up,” I say, nudging him away. “Your fucking lips almost touched my ear.”
“Whatever, man. Let’s find you a chick. You see anyone you like?”
“I’m not looking for anyone.”
“Why not? London’s already back with her dude. You can do whatever you want, and I’d be all over some chicks if I were you.”
“Don’t worry about me, man. I have my own plans.”
“All right,” he says, holding his hands up. “I’m gonna go find Merrick. I’ll see ya around.”
Once he’s gone, I narrow in on London and her friends. They’re still at the booth, so I begin walking over. It would be rude not to say hi, right?
“Well, I guess we should get going,” I announce.
“You’re ready to go?” Hunter asks, sounding both surprised and relieved.
“Yeah, I’m tired.” The lie sounds believable to me. I can’t say I don’t want to be here because each look Royce sends my way fractures my heart.
“Hey, guys,” Royce says, coming up from behind me.
“Hey,” my friends greet in unison, the awkwardness tangible. Hunter probably doesn’t notice because he’s the only one who isn’t aware of mine and Royce’s tryst.
Royce keeps his eyes on me for a few seconds longer than normal. “Nice to see you again. I missed you on Wednesday.”
“Oh. Yeah.” I nervously tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I was busy.”
“I heard,” he states, never taking his eyes off me.
“So, Merrick is back in town,” Midge says, taking the heat off me. God bless her.
Royce slowly turns his head in her direction. “Briefly. It’s been nice having him back, though.”
“I wonder if I can catch a ride back on the groupie bus,” she jokes. “Sky is fucking H-O-T-T.”
“Two Ts, Midge?” Jon questions.
“Yes. Two capital Ts. But Carlos?” she fans herself. “Whew!”
Royce playfully rolls his eyes. “Go talk to them, then. You may never get this opportunity again.”
She scoffs. “I am not about to give my goodies up to a guy who’s about to leave town and be hounded by crazy fangirls for the rest of his life. What if I’m so good, he doesn’t even want to go on tour? I could potentially break up the band.”
I start cracking up. “You’re so stupid.”
“Well, it could be a one-night stand. You can just sleep with him, get some of the best sex you’ve ever had, and then find someone else.” He faces me again, piercing me with his eyes. “Right, London?”
The table goes quiet, but my response is quick. “Well, you’re probably more well-versed in that category.”
He gives me a tight smile. “Yeah, maybe you’re right, but I make sure the girls know that’s all it’s gonna be. I don’t give them any false hope or anything.” He laughs. “That would be mean.”
Though he’s smiling and laughing to make it seem like a joke, I know it’s not. He’s hurt by what I did, and I’m upset that I caused that pain, because I really like Royce.
“Excuse me,” I say, scooting to the edge of the bench. “I’m gonna use the restroom and then we can go, okay?” I tell Hunter.
I hear Midge try to change the subject by asking Royce about Sky, but I tune them out as I rush toward the bathroom. Though it was an excuse to get away from the table, I do actually have to pee, so after I take care of business and wash my hands, I slip back into the darkened hallway.
Royce leans against the opposite wall, waiting for me.
“What do you want?” I ask.
He smirks. “If only you would’ve asked that question on Saturday night.”
I let out a sigh. “You could’ve volunteered any information you wanted me to have.”
“I didn’t know as soon as you walked out of the bar my time was up.”
“If your goal out there, with your little barb, was to make me feel bad, congratulations. I feel bad. I’ve been feeling bad, but I understand I hurt you, so I’ll take the licks you’re handing out, but eventually we’re gonna have to get over this.”
He pushes himself off the wall and steps up to me. My feet move backwards, but soon I’m pushed up against the bathroom door with nowhere to go. The air around us is charged with electricity, and the heat between us rises, seeping into my skin and spreading throughout my body. His face is a hairsbreadth from mine, and I feel his breath against my temple as he speaks.
“The only licks I want to hand out are the ones against your wet pussy. I still remember the way you taste, and it’s something I wake up craving in the morning.” He slides his leg in between mine and moves in even closer. “My goal isn’t to make you feel bad, London. I only want you to feel me. You understand?”
I hold my breath just to keep from panting. It takes everything in me not to grind myself against his thigh. He’s angled his head down, his lips lightly grazing the edge of my ear as he continues to torture me with his words.
“You begged for my cock once before, remember? Tell me you remember.”
“I remember,” I whisper, my pulse jumping.
“Your sweet little pussy dripped for me, and you know what?”
“What?” I say on a breath, blood racing to my pussy and making it throb.
“It’ll happen again.”
He steps back and pins me with a look that sends chills up my spine before he turns and walks away. He fucked me with his words and left, leaving me to melt into a puddle on the floor.
My time is now spent working out my frustration by fixing up my house, and looking forward to seeing London again. While I initially thought I’d try to make her jealous by flirting with women at the bar, I realize that could backfire. She may just get pissed off and I’d be pushing her further into Hunter’s arms, and that’s not what I want to do. So, I have other plans.
As I’m throwing a coat of paint on the walls of my living room, my phone rings. I walk across the new hardwood floor and see Merrick’s name flashing across the screen.
“Hey, man. What’s up?” I answer.
“Not much, just hanging out. Elijah’s about to make me help him cook dinner soon.”
I laugh. “What’re you gonna cook? Burnt grilled cheese?”
“That was one time,” he groans.
“I think it was a few times, actually.”
“Fuck off. Anyway, since this is my last night here, the guys are gonna come by after dinner. Just to chill, ya know? But Elijah said we can invite some other friends, so we’ll be having a little after party.”
“All right, cool. I’m gonna finish up here and take a shower, then I’ll be over.”
“All right, man. See you soon.”
After we hang up, I finish painting the last coat on the wall, then head upstairs to my master bathroom and take a shower. The house is almost done, but I still need to replace the cabinets in the kitchen, and re-tile the bathroom downstairs.
An hour later, I’m pulling up to the house with a case of beer and a bottle of Rum for the after party.
“Smells good in here,” I say as I walk into the kitchen.
Merrick’s bent down, playing with Sugarfoot while Elijah stirs something on the stove.
“We’re making pork chops and pasta salad,” Merrick says.
“We?” Elijah retorts.
“Well, I put the pasta in the water.”
I laugh. “I’m fine with Elijah cooking. You almost burnt down the kitchen when you tried microwaving foil.”
“I was eight!”
“Still.”
Cillian joins us a few minutes later, and thirty minutes after that, we’re all seated around the table, having our first Sunday dinner together in seven months.
“I’m gonna miss you guys,” Merrick says around a forkful of food. “And home cooked meals.”
Elijah chuckles. “Make sure you make time to come back and visit.”
“I will.”
“Hey, Cill. Remember when Merrick microwaved foil and almost burnt the house down?” I ask.
Merrick rolls his eyes as Cillian laughs. “Oh yeah! Remember when he jumped on his bed and pushed the mattress against the fan cord that was plugged in? It snapped and started a fire on his bed.”
“Oh shit,” I say with a laugh. “I do! Didn’t you also light your hair on fire when you bent over a candle to blow it out?”
“What’s up with you and fire, man?” Cill questions, still cracking up.
On the Rocks (Kingston Brothers Book 1) Page 15