Risking It All (Kingston Brothers #4) - Isabel Lucero Page 0,48

got this guy by my side,” Sky says, elbowing me. “Keeps me grounded.”

Ali makes a face and laughs. “Seems like you two just get in trouble together. I’ve seen the pictures.”

Sky looks at me then back at Ali. “Yeah, but I can admit I’m the bad influence. Merrick’s just a good friend. You should know that.”

Me and Ali meet each other’s gaze, and Ali’s lips curl up into a small grin. “He’s all right.”

Sky laughs then says, “I’ll be back.”

“They’re good guys,” Ali says. “Sky seems to really like you.”

“I’m not his type,” I joke.

Ali shakes his head. “What’s up with that story?”

I shrug. “I honestly don’t remember.”

“Three years ago I had just moved to Chaparral,” he says. “And changed my phone number.”

My eyes widen. “Oh shit, yeah. I came home hoping to get in touch with you. You always ignored my calls, but when I called that time it said it was disconnected. Then I heard you moved and assumed it was somewhere far away. I think I was just angry and sad and felt like I had lost all hope.”

Ali frowns and I instantly reach across the table and touch his hand. “Don’t feel bad. It’s okay now. Everything’s fine.”

He eyes my hand and I pull it back.

Sky slides back in next to me, giving us a weird look. “Y’all good?”

“Oh, yeah. We drinkin’ or what?”

Me and Ali never get the chance to be alone. All of us end up staying in King’s Tavern until it closes, even Sky who initially wanted to go to that girl’s party. We ended up getting way too drunk and having too good a time to think about anything else.

Tomorrow, though. Tomorrow should be a big night.

32

Alejandro

Present Day

“So, where’s you beau?” Jordy asks, his eyes twinkling.

“Do people actually still use that word?”

“I do,” he says with a shrug.

“Anyway, Merrick is with his band, or his brothers. I’m not really sure. We aren’t together, you know?”

“Is he still coming out with us tonight?” he asks.

I slip my wallet in my back pocket. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Is he meeting you here or meeting us wherever we’re gonna be? Should we hit up the gay bars before he joins us? I doubt he’s ready to be in those.”

I spray some cologne on my neck before turning and looking at Jordy who’s perched on my bed. “He said he’d text me, so we can head out now.”

We get in my car and drive down to Prince Street and pull into the parking lot of Wingin’ It, which is just a local version of a Buffalo Wild Wings. Dennis and Charlie are already standing near the door waiting for us.

“’Bout time, I’m starving,” Dennis says, opening the door.

“You could’ve gone in already,” I tell him.

“They won’t seat us unless our whole party is here. Now hurry up.”

“Someone’s hangry,” Jordy teases.

Once we’re seated and have ordered appetizers and drinks, Charlie asks about Merrick. “I thought Jordy said he was gonna come out tonight. I was looking forward to some eye candy.”

“What am I?” Jordy questions, affronted.

I roll my eyes. “He’s busy, but he’ll text me later and I’ll let him know where we are.”

Dennis isn’t talkative until the food comes. Once he’s eaten a few wings and onion rings, he’s back to his normal self. “So, where we headed after we’re done here?”

“Text Merrick and see what’s goin’ on,” Jordy says. “We can hit up the usual spots if he won’t be joining us for a while. If he’s about to head over, we can go somewhere he’ll be more comfortable.”

“It’s not about comfort,” I say.

“I know, but just text him.”

Me: Hey, are you gonna make it out here soon? Jordy’s trying to make plans.

I put my phone down and finish my food. As we’re waiting for the bill, I check my phone and don’t find a response from him.

“Let’s just head to Mad Minnie’s,” I say.

Jordy gives me a look, but surprisingly he doesn’t say anything.

The four of us go on about our night like we usually do when we decide to bar hop, but I continue to check my phone every ten minutes.

Merrick never mentioned that he might not be able to make it, but I try not to think too much into him not responding to me. Maybe he’s busy. He might be deep in a writing session with Sky, or preoccupied with his family. I would’ve thought he would at least let me know if something came up, but it’s not like it’s too