Page 126 of Bonus Game
Mr. Valero nodded and pulled out agoddamn plannerfrom the pocket inside his suit. “December tenth it is. I hope you won’t mind my wife overstepping because she’ll want to plan everything.”
Allen had been hoping for a tiny courthouse wedding with Riley and Kingston as their witnesses, but the chances of that happening would be zero now that Jake’s parents knew.
“She can plan everything, but I don’t want to get married in a church.” Allen paused and then added, “Or a dress.”
Mr. Valero chuckled and scribbled something in his book. “It won’t be a dress. We’re not that eccentric.”
Allen wanted to say he was relieved, but he didn’t want to jinx himself.
“You’ll go to university in the fall,” Mr. Valero continued, using a tone that left no room for argument. “I’ll get you enrolled, and I’ll make sure that most of your schooling can be done from home so it doesn’t cut into your schedule.”
Allen was so nervous that he thought at first Mr. Valero meant his work schedule at the sex shop, but when he finally caught on, his pulse began thrumming loudly in his ears.
“Jake will have to travel a lot if he’s going to manage the team properly, and I know leaving you behind isn’t an option, so we’ll have to do our best to make things work.”
Allen was too excited to trust his voice, so he simply nodded, fidgeting as he spun the ring around his finger.
“You’ll mentor with me for a minimum of two years after you graduate, then you’ll help me run my business after that. There will be a prenup when you get married that protects my assets and keeps them in Jake’s name, even though I’m confident you won’t need it, but I assure you that it will be fair to you both.”
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 Allenneededto feel complete, but he understood the appeal. Just thinking of aminiature 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 beperfect, 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—”
