27. Allen #2
Allen expected that, and he wasn’t worried. He had no intention of becoming Everett’s heir; he just wanted to fill the void that Jake would be leaving behind when he switched careers.
“And not to sound like a controlling, traditionalist bastard, but I would like confirmation that there will be children in your future.” Mr. Valero peered up at Allen, holding his pen still as he waited eagerly for the answer.
“Adopted or biological, I’m not picky. I know Jake would love to be a father, and I want him to experience that joy, especially if he has you by his side. ”
Children had never been something Allen needed to feel complete, but he understood the appeal. Just thinking of a miniature Jake learning how to skate on wobbly legs made him hate hockey a little less and love Jake a little more.
“There will be children,” said Allen. “The technology is available, so there’s no reason not to have them.”
Mr. Valero’s expression brightened considerably, even though he had already been glowing.
“I’m satisfied with your conditions and mine.
I know I’m getting the better deal out of our arrangement, but seeing how far you’re willing to go to make my son happy has confirmed everything I thought about you. Welcome to the family.”
Mr. Valero held out his hand, and Allen quickly reached across the table to shake it. “Thank you for giving me a chance, even though I’m pretty sure you were planning something like this anyway.”
Allen was met with a wink and a devious smile, and he let out a quiet sigh as he felt the trap click shut around him.
But this wasn’t something he wanted to escape. Allen would walk into Everett’s trap willingly and with a smile on his face because this next chapter meant building a life with Jake, with all of them, and that was what truly mattered.
He’d gone from not wanting a boyfriend at all to having three men he cared for deeply, and a wedding date set five months away. Past Allen would’ve shaken him and demanded he slow down to think it through, but that version of him felt distant now, drowned out by something stronger.
Because somewhere ahead, a different version of himself was waiting—a happier version of Allen who had everything he wanted and would ever need—reaching out to pull him forward.
And for the first time, Allen didn’t hesitate.
He chose love.
Allen’s whole body was trembling when he entered the penthouse twenty minutes later, after saying goodbye to Everett. The sudden release of the tension he had been holding onto for months left him feeling so lightheaded that it was almost like he was riding a high.
It was hard to believe that not only was everything going to be okay, but it was going to be perfect, and there was only one thing left to do now.
Riley must have been waiting for him because he was the first to descend upon Allen in the entryway, frowning severely as he checked him over like he was expecting to find battle wounds on him.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, placing his arms on Allen’s shoulders to help ease the shaking.
“Can you carry me to the couch?” Allen pleaded, unsure of how much longer his legs could hold his weight.
Riley was quick to act, scooping Allen into his arms and crushing him against his chest before carrying him into the living room, where Jake and Kingston were sitting together on the sectional.
Allen only had a second to internally squeal over how cute they looked before Riley deposited him directly onto the lap of a very confused Kingston and took a seat beside them.
“What—”
Kingston’s question died before it could fully leave his mouth as Allen immediately curled against him, and the room fell quiet.
Jake reached for the remote and turned off the TV. He didn’t say anything, but Allen could tell he was worried because his movements were a little too jerky. A little too on edge.
It wasn’t every day Allen let himself be carried around, and the fact that he’d willingly allowed Riley to haul him across the penthouse like an oversized stuffed animal had immediately tipped Jake off that something was wrong.
“Everything is okay,” Allen said before Jake and Kingston had any more time to panic. “It’s better than okay. I just feel so relieved that I kinda wanna pass out.”
Jake looked from Allen to the door, like he was trying to discern answers from his limited actions since entering their home. “I thought you were going to work?”
That was the lie Allen had told Jake to keep him from following him to the meeting, so he understood why he was so confused.
“I didn’t go to work,” said Allen. “I was in a meeting…with your dad.”
Jake’s gaze snapped to the door as if he expected Everett to stroll into the penthouse with a shout of surprise. “What did you need to talk about with my father?” he asked, not once removing his eyes from the door.
Allen didn’t think there was an easy way to reveal the information, so he plastered a smile on his face and did his goddamn best.