Risking It All (Kingston Brothers #4) - Isabel Lucero Page 0,79

him a kiss.”

Click. Click. Click. Fucking Click.

I don’t know how people deal with this shit. I feel my anger and frustration rising as they follow us to the car.

Merrick squeezes my hand and gives me a little smile and wink. When we get to his SUV, he unlocks it and I rush to get inside, but he lingers outside after opening the door.

“Look, you’ll know everything you want to know soon enough, but if I answer a few, will you let us get out of here without any issues? I don’t wanna worry about running anyone over just trying to get out of the parking lot because your flashes are so fucking bright.”

They all murmur a response, still recording. Still taking pictures.

“Yes, he’s my boyfriend. We’ve known each other a long time. He’s definitely worth it, and no, I’m not quitting the band. Have a good night, guys.”

More questions are shouted at Merrick as they continue to take their pictures. He sighs when he gets in and starts the engine.

They take a few more, but eventually back away enough for him to maneuver out of the parking space. Once we’re leaving the lot, a few more flashes go off behind us, and then they scurry to their cars to follow.

“Jesus Christ, how the fuck can you be so calm dealing with them?”

He shrugs. “I’m not always calm. I try to be cool, because I get that it’s their job, and I hope if I respect them and give them what they want, they’ll do the same for me. It doesn’t always happen that way.”

“Good lord. It’s gonna take me some time to get used to that. Why people feel like they need to know every detail of someone’s personal life, I’ll never know. Even if you are a celebrity.”

Merrick reaches over and places his hand on my thigh. “It’ll die down eventually.”

I cover his hand with my own and we continue our drive to Elijah’s house. My first time attending Sunday dinner as a significant other and not a friend.

“Sorry we couldn’t bring anything,” Merrick tells Elijah and Nova. “The hotel doesn’t have much, and the paparazzi followed us over.

Elijah makes a face. “We didn’t expect you to bring anything. How’re you two doing?” he asks, looking between us.

“Well, it’s been a crazy day,” I answer. “Never thought I’d see my name and face on gossip sites.”

Nova arranges some dishes on the island while Elijah removes a pan from the oven. “Yeah, I bet.” After removing the oven mitts and placing them in a drawer, he leans against the counter and looks at Merrick. “And you? Your label? How’s everything going?”

“I’ve been on the phone a lot, but to sum up, we’ll be getting a new manager, but staying on at K&T. I’m releasing a statement soon, and then we’re moving on.”

“So, not too bad?”

“Nah.”

Nova smiles. “That’s good. I know it wasn’t the way your label probably wanted it to play out, but I’ll tell ya, I think that was one of the most romantic declarations of love I’ve seen. It was like right out of a book.” She aims her smile at me. “And you! How did that feel? Oh my god, I would’ve burst into tears!”

“She did,” Elijah says with a smirk.

Nova makes her way over to him and playfully smacks him on the arm. “Shush. I’m a romantic.”

“It was definitely a shock,” I say. “I wasn’t expecting it at all.”

“And the song!” She brings her hands to her heart. “My god, I need that song on my playlist, ASAP!”

Merrick chuckles. “I’ll do what I can.”

Within ten minutes, Cillian, Royce, Midge, and London arrive. London and Royce place a couple of pies on the table while Midge and Cill unload two huge bottles of champagne.

“Tonight, we celebrate,” Cill announces.

“We don’t have to celebrate my coming out,” Merrick groans.

“We’re not. We’re celebrating that you’re in love. It’s different.”

Merrick grins as he shakes his head.

“Dinner’s ready,” Elijah announces. “Everybody head to the dining room and we’ll eat.”

The formal dining room holds a rectangular table that seats eight people. Nova and Elijah sit on the ends, me and Merrick sit together on one side, with Cill to his right. Midge sits across from Cillian, and Royce and London take up the other two seats next to her.

The table holds a large bowl of salad, garlic bread, and two large pans of lasagna. As everyone serves themselves, I look to the end of the table and find Elijah watching everyone with a