he lets out a deep roar as he comes.
It takes him a minute to catch his breath and slowly pull himself out of me. He runs his fingers over his stomach where my cum mixed with his sweat.
“I love when you make a mess.”
I roll my eyes while I smile. “You’re a disgusting perv, aren’t you?”
He brings his fingers to his mouth. “Yep.”
After we’ve showered and climbed into bed, he wraps himself around me and I push my ass into his crotch.
His fingers dance delicately across my arm, then he runs them through my hair. He’s quiet, and I can tell he has something on his mind, but I don’t ask.
He kisses my neck and whispers into my ear, “I love you, Alejandro. I love you so much it hurts.”
I’m pretty sure my heart’s about to break through my ribs and flop onto the floor. I spin around quickly, looking into his eyes. He looks sad. Maybe scared I don’t love him back.
I touch his cheek with the palm of my hand. “I love you, too. I probably always have.”
He grins. “Wanna kiss me?”
I laugh. “Definitely.”
We kiss so much we end up starting round two.
Later, as I’m falling asleep, I murmur, “Best date ever.”
He’s gone two days later.
14
Alejandro
Present Day
Lunch is awkward as fuck. Mom and Lili keep the conversation going, but me and Merrick don’t talk to each other at all.
“So, where you staying while you’re here?” Lili asks. “Elijah’s?”
Merrick shakes his head and finishes chewing his food. “No, Elijah’s a newlywed, so I didn’t want to interrupt whatever they have going on over there,” he replies with a grin. “I’m in a hotel.”
Mom gasps like he just said he was staying on the streets. “A hotel? No, that’s not good. Why don’t you stay with one of your other brothers?”
I keep my eyes on my food as he answers. “They have girlfriends, too. Cillian and his girlfriend just moved in together, and Royce and London live together and are elbow deep in their own wedding plans.”
“Mami, it’s not like he’s staying in Motel 6,” Lili says. “He’s rich. I’m sure he has a fancy suite or something.”
Mom raises her hands in defeat. “Well, I don’t know.”
“How long are you in town for?”
Lili asks the question I want the answer to, but I try not to act like I’m interested in the response as I casually take a sip of my soda.
“I’m not sure. I had a plan, but I’m not so sure anymore.”
I feel his eyes on me when he speaks, but I go back to my food.
“But you aren’t going to live here permanently again?”
“Lil, why are you badgering him?” I say.
“I’m not. I’m holding a conversation. Do you know how to do that?” she questions, rolling her eyes.
Merrick clears his throat. “I don’t really live anywhere permanently. We’ve recorded our previous albums in New York, so we usually stay there until that’s done, then soon after, we’re on the road. This is our first extended break from recording and touring, so I wanted to come home.”
“Do you think you’ll buy a house here in Gaspar? Or will you probably make home base New York?”
“Jesus, Lil, can we talk about anything else?” I ask.
Mom narrows her eyes at me before flashing a smile at Merrick. “So, you say your brothers are settling down. What about you, huh? Will you be able to settle down with this rock and roll stuff going on?”
Merrick chuckles nervously. “Um, I’m not really sure. I mean, of course I’d love to settle down, but I’d need to find somebody who’s okay with my rock and roll stuff,” he says, winking at Mom.
She smiles. “I see. Well, you know Alejandro’s gay, right?”
“Ma!” I exclaim.
“What?” she questions.
I shake my head. “Nothing.”
Merrick glances at me then back at my mom. “Yeah, I know.”
“Well, he doesn’t ever have any boyfriends,” Mom says. “I don’t know why. He’s handsome. He’s smart. But he doesn’t find anybody to date.”
My cheeks feel like they’re on fire.
“Is that what it was?” Lili asks, looking between me and Merrick with a furrow in her brow.
Oh no.
“What?” Mom questions. Confused.
“Why you two stopped talking. What messed up your friendship. Did you—”
Before she can finish her question, Mari lets out a high-pitched screech from the living room, and Lili rushes to tend to her.
Me and Merrick share a look.
Mom, completely unaware of anything, says, “You boys gonna go out later? They’re having some sort of movie thing at the park tonight. Setting up a