Sky rolls his eyes as we all crack up.
“I was like, dude, I already have two! Go ask Carlos.”
“So you were too tired to fuck three, too?” Ali questions with a grin.
“I’m a drummer. My arms were already like Jell-O.”
“Right,” I say with a smile.
“Anyway, Carlos was actually sick, so he was already getting ready to head to the hotel and crash, so that left Merrick.”
My heart skips a beat. I don’t remember this night, and I have no idea what Jay’s about to reveal to everyone.
Ali’s eyes find mine, and he looks almost as nervous as I feel.
“I watch Sky make his way to Merrick, who’s already drinking out of the bottle of vodka. Were you having a bad night that night?” he asks, looking at me.
I shrug. “I don’t even remember this night. When was this?”
“Shit, I don’t know. Three years ago? Anyway, Merrick’s getting wasted, and Sky goes and convinces Merrick to take one of these chicks off his hands. We stay there for like an hour before we all pile into the limo and go to the hotel. Merrick is so fucking drunk already. He’s talking to this girl and keeps calling her Alley, even though her name was like Zia or some weird shit with a Z.
“Before we’re even out of the limo, this chick is all in Merrick’s lap, trying to take his pants off to do God knows what,” he says with a laugh. “I’m trying to focus on my own girls, but Merrick just busts out and says, ‘You’re not gonna be able to get my dick hard. You’re just not my type.’ And this chick burst into tears. She was probably a little drunk herself, but she’s crying in the limo while Merrick zips his pants back up and keeps drinking out of the bottle.”
I shake my head. “There’s no way that’s the best story you have.”
“Pretty memorable, though.”
“And because she was all sad, I lost one of my girls, because she had to be a good friend and console her,” Sky says, rolling his eyes.
I choke out a laugh. “I honestly don’t remember that.”
“Why were you calling her Alley? Like an alley cat?” Carlos asks with a laugh.
I shake my head, but I can only imagine I was thinking of Ali.
“I’m gonna go get another drink,” Carlos says, sliding out of the booth.
“Me too,” Jay says, getting out of his seat to join him.
“I couldn’t imagine living this life you guys live,” Ali says, shaking his head. “Seems unreal.”
“It’s pretty crazy, but I’m glad I 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
