Risking It All (Kingston Brothers #4) - Isabel Lucero Page 0,14

know Royce is at the bar considering it’s a Friday night. Cill’s probably at his tattoo shop. I figure I’ll just go out and see them in their natural habitat.”

“Is that such a good idea?” E asks, concern on his face. “You don’t have a bodyguard or anything?”

“Fuck no. I told Evan I was leaving security behind. It’s a small town. I don’t expect mobs of people to attack me.”

“Well, okay. Just be careful.”

I give him a wry smile. “Yes, Dad.”

“Funny. Come over earlier tomorrow. We can barbecue or something. Then, of course, our usual Sunday dinners.”

“Sounds good.” I push up from the couch and give them both a hug before I leave.

I drive to Main Street and find a parking spot in front of Flaky Vicki’s bakery. After putting some money in the parking meter, I start making my way down the block, towards Cill’s tattoo shop.

“Merrick? Is that you?” I hear a female voice ask.

Shit, that was fast.

I turn around and find Liliana coming out of the bakery with a bag in one hand and a to-go coffee cup in the other. My heart begins to race, wondering if she’s with her brother, and if he’s about to pop out of the store any second.

Seeing Lili propels me back to my teenage years when she used to burst into Ali’s room and bug us to play with her. She looks a lot like her brother, with those honey brown eyes and chestnut brown hair.

“Lili?”

Her eyes light up and she lets out a little squeal before rushing over to me. After a quick hug, she steps back and angles her head up to look me in the eye.

“Holy shit, you’ve grown.”

I chuckle. “It’s been a while. How are you?”

“I’m good, yeah.” She looks down at herself. “Don’t judge me right now, though. I’m a hot mess. I normally look better, but I didn’t think I’d run into a celebrity.” She glances around and lowers her voice. “I mean, a regular guy. I don’t want to blow your cover.”

I laugh again. “It’s fine, and you look great.”

“Pft. My hair is tied up into the messiest bun, this is the second day in a row I’ve worn these leggings, and I’m pretty sure my shirt has spit-up on it, but thanks for lying.”

“Spit-up?”

“Oh. I had a baby a month ago.”

“Wow, congratulations!”

“Thank you! It’s no being rich and famous, but I did push a human out of me, sooo. . .”

I bark out another laugh. “You win, for sure.”

“Well, I was just running out for a coffee, because. . .newborn, and some doughnuts, because I wanted them. My baby’s with my mom and Alejandro, so I guess I should get back.”

At the sound of his name, my body reacts. “Ali?”

She grins. “Yeah, he just got back in town, too. What a coincidence. Do you want to come over? You can meet the baby.”

“Oh, no, I shouldn’t. We haven’t really talked in a while, and things might be awkward.”

Her eyes study my face. “Yeah, he may have mentioned something about an argument. But you’re really gonna turn down seeing my baby?”

I shake my head. “Of course not. Maybe another time? I’ll be around for a while.”

“Cool. Give me your number and I’ll call you. Don’t worry, I won’t sell it to the tabloids or to a bunch of thirsty ass girls.”

I laugh, and she hands me her coffee cup while she digs her phone out of the waistband of her pants. “Okay, go.” I rattle off the number, and she saves it in her phone, then takes her cup back. “I’m so glad you’re back and that I got to see you. I don’t have a lot of childhood memories that don’t include you. You and Alejandro were attached at the hip for so long. I hope y’all can make up.”

My lips quirk up on one side. “I hope so, too. Take care.”

“You, too.”

After my run-in with Lili, I continue on toward Cill’s shop, but I can’t stop thinking about Ali, and how he’s at his mom’s house right now. The house I spent so much time in. I could just head over right now and see him, but I don’t think we should have our first conversation in front of his family. I may need to ask Lili for his number so we can set up a time and place to meet. If he even wants to do that.

The last time I saw Ali, he told me he was done with me.