“Yeah, but there’s already paparazzi parking along the street,” I say, gesturing to a couple of cars looking for a parking space.
“Hey, Merrick,” Jordy says in a sing-song voice, ignoring me to give him a hug.
I get the attention of the waiter and ask him for a table inside while Jordy talks to Merrick.
“Well, fine. I guess I can understand, but it’s a shame,” Jordy complains. “I look so good today. The world should see.”
I roll my eyes as Merrick chuckles, but we follow the waiter inside and get seated at a small table near the front, but luckily away from windows.
“Well, it’s about time I see the love birds,” Jordy says, pushing his sunglasses up to rest on his head. “I wish I had a front seat to the concert and coming out party, but I guess I can forgive you both. You’re buying, right?” he asks, glancing between me and Merrick.
I scoff, but once again Merrick laughs at him and says, “You got it.”
Jordy smiles while picking up the menu. After we order our food, Jordy folds his arms on the table and stares at Merrick.
“How does it feel?”
Merrick blows out a breath. “Fucking amazing.”
“I bet. I never really had a huge coming out moment. I came home one day and told my mom I was bringing my boyfriend over the next day and she was like, ‘Okay, dear.’”
“So she knew,” Merrick says.
“Oh, honey. It was indisputable. It was like the sky is blue and Jordy’s gay.” He shrugs and aims a smile at the incoming waiter holding our drinks. “Thanks, darling,” he flirts with a wink.
The waiter blushes. “I’ll be back with your food soon. Can I get you anything else?”
“Mm.” Jordy eyes him up and down. “Maybe later.”
“Don’t harass the waiter,” I say.
“Who’s harassing?”
I shake my head. “Anyway.”
“Yes, anyway,” Jordy says, cutting me off. “I’m happy for you two. I won’t lie. I was worried for a little bit, but I’m glad things seem to be heading in the right direction. What’s next for you two?”
We tell him what we’ve told everybody—our plans to buy a house, making trips while he’s recording, and hopefully figuring out how to see each other through his touring.
Once we’re all finished, we head outside where a couple of photographers are eagerly awaiting our exit.
“Oh,” Jordy squeaks, running a hand through his hair. “I feel so LA right now.”
“I’ll call you soon,” I tell him, giving him a hug.
“Yeah, I’ll be expecting to see more of you two now. And you can even hit up some of our famous clubs now if you’re up to it,” he says, waggling his brows at Merrick.
Merrick chuckles. “Okay. Nice seeing you again.”
Jordy sidles up to him and gives him a couple air kisses. “It’s always nice seeing me, darling.”
He waves as he saunters toward the photographers, telling them something I can’t make out while posing. We take the opportunity to dive into the car and make a getaway before they can follow.
“He’s a trip,” Merrick says with a laugh.
“He’s something, all right.”
54
Merrick
Present Day
It’s been three weeks since I came out, and it’s been the greatest twenty-one days of my entire life. Sure, I’ve read some negative comments and articles. I’ve also seen a few dirty looks thrown mine and Ali’s way, but I’m still happier than I’ve ever been. I’m no longer hiding and lying and pretending. I feel weightless and free.
We were in New York for a couple weeks, and we’ve almost finished the album. Ali came along, so we also used our time there as a vacation, doing things we said we’d do when we were teens, thinking we’d move to New York and start a life there.
We may not live in New York, but being able to visit whenever we want is just as good. We’ve done the main touristy stuff: Times Square, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center, and when we go back, we’ll do even more.
Now we’re back in Gaspar for Royce and London’s wedding. Ali and I had to fly back ten days ago for Lexie and Leo’s wedding. At first I wasn’t going to attend, because I didn’t want to take any focus away from them, but apparently, they didn’t care. It wasn’t a huge wedding, and there were some people who came up for pictures, but nothing ever got out of hand.
“Holy shit, that’s a lot of people,” Ali breathes.
I look out the window of the limo and spot a huge crowd in front of Royce’s gate. “Damn.”
“How do these people find out where your brother’s wedding is gonna be?” Sky asks.
I shrug. “Small town. They probably heard about the wedding, then news spreads. They knew we’d be coming into town, so people from all the nearby towns probably made the trip out here hoping to get a glimpse.”
“Well, good looking out on paying for those privacy screens,” Carlos says.
“Yeah, I didn’t want Royce and London to have to worry about their special day being shared with the world just because we were coming.”
People started showing up a few days ago, and when Royce told me, I made sure to get a company out here to erect privacy screens around his property so nobody would be able to watch their outdoor ceremony. They already had plans for luxury wedding tents, so hopefully everything will still remain private.
Once we’re taken up to the house, we file out of the limo and head inside. I find Royce, Elijah, and Cillian standing in the kitchen all decked out in their tuxedos.
“Hey, you made it. How crazy is it out there?” Royce asks.
“Pretty crazy. I’m almost sure nobody jumped on the back of the limo as we came in.”
He laughs. “Good.”
I give him a hug. “It’s your big day. How you feelin’?”
“I feel good,” he says with a wide smile. “I was ready for this day after she first walked into my bar.”
“Just the little issue with her having a
