Legacy by M.A. Foster

July

_____________________________

Three years and one months ago

Dylan

“Dylan.” I shifted my attention from the computer screen to the doorway where Marcus stood.

I raised my brows. “Yeah?”

He jerked his head to the side. “Wrap it up and let’s take off.”

I nodded and quickly uploaded the last of the photos to the website, then shut down my computer. Standing, I shoved my phone into my pocket and followed Marcus out to his car. Bass flew with Jay down to St. Thomas and wouldn’t be back until late tonight, so Marcus drove us today.

I slid into the front seat of his blacked-out Range Rover and pulled on my seat belt. We rode in comfortable silence for about five minutes before Marcus cleared his throat and said, “I need to talk to you about something.”

My guess was he was going to tell me about Alex. Liam wouldn’t tell me anything other than Alex was coming to California and Marcus would explain everything.

“What’s up?”

“Before I tell you, I need you to know that I’ve already spoken to your parents, Liam, Cam, and your grandparents. I didn’t want to put you in an uncomfortable situation—” He paused, focusing on the road. “—but you’re here, and after a lengthy discussion with Emerson, we think this may work out for the better.”

I looked over at him and frowned. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes and no.” He blew out a breath. “I have a son.”

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. “What?”

I was not expecting that.

Did he—

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said. “The answer is no. I didn’t cheat on Emerson. It happened right before we met.” He looked over at me. “Literally the night before.”

“Damn.”

This is eerily close to my situation. Not exactly, but close.

His jaw clenched. “His name is Alex, he’s nineteen, and he lives in Tampa. I’ve been talking to him almost every day, but I wanted to wait until Jay was with your grandparents before I flew him out here. Something important has come up recently, and I’d like to spend more than two weeks with him. If I don’t scare him off.”

“That’s why you sent her early?” I asked.

He nodded. “I feel guilty, like I’m betraying her somehow. She’s my whole world—”

“Marcus, you don’t have to justify your actions to me. Everything you do is out of love for your family. What do you need from me?”

“I don’t know this kid, but I already love him because he’s mine. He could be amazing or he could be a punk, and until I know for certain, I don’t want him anywhere near my daughter.”

“I don’t blame you. You want me to stick around and feel him out or…?”

“I want you to get to know him. He’s young, and he’s probably going to feel out of place. I want him to feel comfortable in my home. Emerson suggested that if anyone were to start asking questions, we’d just tell them Alex is your friend. Maybe you could show him around King Records.”

“I can do that.” I lifted a shoulder. “It’s probably for the best.”

He nodded. “Thank you.”

“If at any point you want me to go home, just let me know. I don’t want to invade your space or intrude on your time with your son.”

“You’re family, Dylan, and I’d like you to stay.”

“When will he be here?” I asked.

“Bass is flying from St. Thomas to Tampa to pick him up. They’ll be here tomorrow.”

“Okay. How is Emerson handling all of this?”

“She’s been very supportive, but she’s also nervous.” He snickered. “She wants him to like her, too.”

If Emerson could accept Alex, why couldn’t I accept Willow?

* * *

My stomach twisted in knots as I waited for Jade to pick up my FaceTime call.

“Hey, stranger,” she answered, grinning into the phone. “I was beginning to think I’d never hear from you again.”

My mouth pulled to the side. “You said you were giving me space. Was that just a test?”

“No head games, Dylan.” She shook her head. “I’ve hurt you enough.”

“You look like you’ve been crying.” I tilted my head. “You okay? How’s Willow?”

“Willow’s great. Just pregnancy hormones.” She laughed softly, but something was off. “Are you coming back soon?”

“That’s one of the reasons why I’m calling. I have some family stuff going on. I can’t get into it, but my uncle asked me to stay a little longer.”

“Oh.” Her face fell, her disappointment clear. “What’s the other reason?”

I swallowed past the emotion clogging my throat. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said, and I want to be with you, too. I love you, Jade.”

Tears filled her eyes and then spilled down her cheeks. “I love you, too, Dylan, but we have to talk first. There are some things I need to tell you, but I can’t do it over the phone.”

“Just tell me,” I pleaded.

She shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Okay.” I heaved a sigh. “I’ll only be here a couple more weeks, but I’ll be home in time for Willow. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Ending the call, I dropped my phone on the bed beside me and dragged my hands down my face. A soft knock came at the door, and Emerson’s voice echoed from the other side. “Dylan?”

“Come in.”

The door opened, and she peeked her head in. “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Come down to the beach with Marcus and me. The sun is setting, and we want to talk to you about something.”

“Okay.” I rolled off the bed and followed her downstairs.

Marcus was already outside waiting on the deck with his phone pressed to his ear. Emerson walked over to the outdoor seating area and picked up her wine tumbler from the table and a blanket hanging over the back of the chair.

“I just talked to her,” Marcus said into his phone. “Thanks for the update. Have a safe flight.” He ended his call and slipped his phone into his pocket. “That was Bass. He’s on his way to the airport. They should be here tomorrow before lunchtime.”

“Do you have anything planned for Alex while he’s here?” I asked as Emerson handed me a beer hidden inside a bottle-shaped Koozie.

Marcus shrugged and turned, leading the way down the path toward the beach. “I figured we’d just play it by ear. I’d rather spend time with him in private. I don’t want to risk going out in public and having the paps scare him off.”

“Good plan.” I chuckled.

Stopping just a few feet from the shore, Emerson passed her tumbler to Marcus and opened the blanket, spreading it out over the sand.

Marcus sat down first, and Emerson situated herself between his legs with her back to his chest. At this time almost every evening, the two of them came down here to watch the sunset. This was their spot. It was the first time I’d come with them. I sort of felt like an intruder. I sat down on the blanket beside them, pulling my knees up and draping my arms over the top of them.

I took a long pull from my beer, then asked, “What did you guys want to talk about?”

Emerson tilted her head back and looked at Marcus.

“Earlier when I told you about Alex, I mentioned that something important has come up.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sick, Dylan.”

I jerked my head to the side. “Sick? Like—”

His expression was a mixture of sorrow and… fear? “I have a brain tumor.”

I just stared at him as his words washed over me. “Can’t the doctors remove it? Can you do chemo?”

“I tried chemo in the beginning. It didn’t work. I’ve met with some of the top surgeons in the country. I’ve gotten second, third—hell, fifth opinions. They’re all the same. The tumor is inoperable.” He rubbed a hand over his head. “The doctors gave me a year, give or take.”

Tears burned the backs of my eyes. “So….” I couldn’t say the words, let alone even think about it.

“I’m dying.”

I shook my head. “Does Jay—”

“She knows I’m sick. We’re going to tell her when she gets back from St. Thomas.”

“Does the rest of the family know?”

“Only your parents, grandparents, Liam, and Cam. I told them at the same time I informed them I had a son.”

I hung my head and let the tears fall. “I’m sorry.”

* * *

Sunlight streamed through the windows of the guest room I’d been sleeping in for the last couple months. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I stared up at the ceiling fan. My eyes felt heavy and raw, my chest hollow. I’d practically cried myself to sleep last night, feeling helpless, wondering why this was happening to one of the best humans I’d ever known. A man who’d been such a huge part of my life—of our family.

This was a prime example that life is short and we should appreciate every moment we’re given with the people we love, because tomorrows are never promised. I decided I was done with this push-and-pull bullshit Jade and I had been going through for the last few months. I’d listen to whatever she had to say, and then I’d ask her to move in with me.

I reached for my phone on the nightstand to check the time. It was almost noon, which meant Alex was probably downstairs. After a quick trip to the bathroom to take a piss and brush my teeth, I slipped on some shorts and a tee and headed downstairs.

Collective chatter echoed from the outside deck. When I reached the bottom landing of the stairs, I spotted the newcomer, Alex, through the opening. I expected a scrawny teenager, but I was surprised. His back was to me. He was tall—about my height—with wavy dark brown hair that was on the longer side and an athletic build.

I continued across the living room until I was standing at the threshold. Emerson spotted me first and plastered a smile on her face, but I could see in her eyes that she was freaking the fuck out.

“Good afternoon, Dylan,” she teased, prompting everyone to turn in my direction.

My attention was on Alex, and my steps nearly faltered. I didn’t know what I was expecting. I wouldn’t say Alex was Marcus’s twin, but knowing they were father and son, I saw the resemblance.

Now I understood why he needed me to stay. People would definitely ask questions if they saw Marcus out and about with Alex, but if it were me and Alex, it would be less obvious.

“Dylan,” Marcus said, gesturing to the younger man. “This is Alex. Alex, this is my nephew, Dylan.”

I held out my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Alex nodded with a tight smile. “You, too.”

The kid was nervous as hell, and I couldn’t blame him one bit. I couldn’t imagine what was going through his head. He was just a normal kid like me. Like my brothers. Like everyone I knew back home. Marcus was famous, but at the end of the day, he was still just Uncle Marcus. But to Alex, his biological father was the Marcus King.

* * *

“You look like you could use one of these.” I held out a beer to Alex.

“Thanks.” He accepted it but didn’t move to open it, just set it in his lap.

“You’re not a beer guy?”

“Yeah, I just….” His eyes darted to Marcus, who was standing at the grill laughing at whatever ridiculous story Liam was telling him. “Do you think he’ll get mad? I’m not twenty-one.”

“Nah. It’s one beer, and we’re celebrating.” I held up my bottle and waited as he twisted the top off his, then tapped it against mine. “Welcome to the family.”

“Thanks.” He tipped the bottle to his lips, then sank back in his seat, taking in the view. “It’s nice here.”

“This house was the first thing Marcus bought when Royal Mayhem signed their first record deal.”

“I actually read that in one of his interviews.” He picked at the label on the bottle. “I like that he’s not flashy with his wealth or celebrity status.”

“You’re still overwhelmed though,” I stated.

“I’m still trying to process the fact that my biological father is Marcus King. A rock star and a man I’ve idolized for years.” He huffed out a short laugh. “I always knew the man who raised me wasn’t my biological father, but he’s still my dad. I wasn’t expecting this.”

“I can’t even imagine. I was a toddler when he married Emerson, so I’ve only known him as Uncle Marcus. I mean, sure, I idolized him growing up because he’s talented, and he’s taught me a lot about the music industry. I have a degree in music management.”

Alex perked up, grinning. “Really? That’s what I’m majoring in. I just transferred to the University of Heritage because of their music program.”

“I just graduated from UH in May.”

“Do you live here or Heritage Bay?”

“Heritage Bay. Have you ever heard of Mac’s?”

He nodded. “Yeah. My mom and I had lunch there once after a meeting with our lawyer.”

“My dad owns Mac’s.”

His eyes lit up. “No shit? I’ll have to stop in sometime.”

I nodded. “Definitely. I’ll hook you up with the Marcus King discount. Do you play?”

“Yeah. Guitar, drums, piano. You?”

“Guitar and drums. Never had the patience for the piano.”

His eyes darted to Marcus again, then back to me. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” I stretched out my legs.

“What’s his daughter like? I tried looking her up, but there aren’t many pictures of her on the internet. The ones I did find are old, and in most of them, she’s covering her face.”

“You won’t find anything. She’s off-limits to the media. But she’s exactly what you’d expect a rock star’s kid to be. A typical celebrity brat.” I smirked.

His brows pinched. “Really?”

“Not at all.” I laughed. “Jay is cool as shit. She’s a daddy’s girl. Talented, can play just about every basic instrument, and she’s an excellent songwriter.”

“Sounds like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

I pointed my beer at him. “I could say the same about you.”

* * *

Marcus had a meeting this morning, so I offered to show Alex around King Records. Pushing through the doors, I waved to Leslie at the front desk as we crossed the lobby to the bank of elevators. I pressed the call button, and the elevator doors slid open. Stepping inside, I pushed the button for the top floor.

“Dylan, hold the elevator,” a familiar feminine voice called out.

I stuck my hand out to keep the doors open as the sound of heels clicking against the polished marble brought her closer.

Evangeline Skye stepped onto the elevator slightly breathless, her dark glasses covering half her million-dollar face.

She flashed me a megawatt smile. “Thanks.”

She reached over and pressed the button for the tenth floor, then leaned her back against the wall. Her head turned slightly, lips pursed, and even behind her sunglasses, it was obvious she was curious about Alex.

“This is my friend Alex,” I told her. “Alex, this is Evangeline. We call her Eva. My brother calls her a bitch.” I laughed, and she flipped me off.

“Your brother is a punk.” She extended her hand to Alex. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too.”

“What are you two up to?” she asked, her attention still on Alex.

“Alex is interning for school, and I’m showing him around,” I lie. Kind of. “You?”

“I’m meeting my dad for lunch.” Her father, Chandler Skye, was the CFO of King Records.

The elevator stopped on the tenth floor and the doors slid open. “See you later.”

After Eva stepped off, the doors slid closed and the elevator continued.

“About the whole friend comment—” I started.

“It’s all good.” He grinned. “Marcus gave me a heads-up.”

“Okay. I just didn’t want you to think he’s ashamed of you or anything. Marcus is very private about his personal life. Trust me, he’s not just protecting himself, he’s protecting you.”

“No. I get it.” He paused. “She looked familiar.”

“Probably because her face is all over the goddamn place. That was Evangeline Skye. A wet dream and your worst nightmare.”

Alex chuckled. “She’s hot.”

I hummed, nodding. “That she is. I wasn’t kidding, though. She’s kind of a bitch.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

I lifted a careless shoulder as the doors slid open, and we stepped out into the hallway. I tilted my head to the right, and we made our way toward the recording studio.

“She’s not that bad once you get to know her. I’ve known her pretty much all my life. She’s like an annoying little sister. She and Jay are best friends. Eva, Lucas, and Jay grew up together. They’re about as close to siblings as you can get.”

“Who’s Lucas?”

I grabbed the door handle. “I’ll introduce you.”

A couple hours later, Alex and I were sitting in my office shooting the shit about the different artists I’d met while interning for Marcus when Eva appeared in the open doorway. Her aviators were pushed into her wild blonde hair, and her eyes were zeroed in on Alex. I wouldn’t lie, he was a good-looking dude, but something in my gut told me her stare wasn’t because she was attracted to him.

She finally looked my way. “Hey, Dylan.”

“What’s up?”

“Do you mind if I have a chat with your friend?” She quirked a brow.

I looked over at Alex, and he shrugged. “It’s cool.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you sure?”

He nodded.

I stood from my chair and stalked toward the door where she stood. “I’m gonna go grab some drinks from the break room. Is that enough time?”

“Grab some snacks, too. I could go for a candy bar or something sweet.”

I tilted my head. “When the fuck did you start eating candy of any kind?”

She gave me a pointed look. “Today,” she growled. “Fifteen minutes, Dylan.”

We stood in the doorway for what felt like ten minutes but was probably less than thirty seconds. “Be nice,” I warned before I started down the hall, hearing my office door close with a click.

Fifteen minutes later, I returned to my office with a couple of sodas and a fucking candy bar. Eva was in my chair, and Alex was where I left him. Both heads turned my way when I walked in and tossed the candy bar on my desk.

Eva stood from my chair. “I need to get going.” She turned to Alex. “I’ll see you later,” she said with a lilt in her voice.

Is she flirting? What the hell did I miss?

“Absolutely.” Alex smirked, and Eva fucking giggled. Never in all the time I’d known this girl had I ever heard her giggle.

“Thank you, Dylan.” She kissed me on the cheek, then walked toward the door.

“You forgot your candy bar,” I called out.

“You know I don’t eat that shit.”

* * *

Bass pulled up to the curb outside the King Records building, and the three of us climbed into his car. “How’d it go?” he asked Marcus, who slid into the front seat.

“I got stuck in a meeting for most of the day, but Dylan kept Alex entertained. My son’s been here less than forty-eight hours and already has a date.”

My heart warmed at hearing Marcus calling Alex his son, and the expression on Alex’s face told me he was feeling some kind of way, too.

Bass chuckled as his eyes moved to the rearview mirror. “You snag a pop princess, MJ?”

He’d been calling Alex MJ—Marcus Junior—since he brought him to California.

“Better,” Alex quipped. “A supermodel.”

A beat passed, and then Bass barked out a laugh. “Bro, you must have serious game, because that girl don’t like nobody.”

“She knows he’s my son,” Marcus told him.

Bass’s laughter faded. “That could be a problem.”

“She won’t say anything,” Alex said. “She knows this isn’t her business and it’s not her place to tell Jayla.”

I looked over at Alex in amazement. “Bro, you’re like the bitch whisperer.”