Chapter Seven

Harlan had a ton of questions with very few answers. He headed to the front door of the church with a whole of lot of rage in his heart. Matt had dropped from the face of the planet, refusing to answer his calls. Their mom had been breathing down his neck relentlessly about her poor missing baby. He knew damn well the only thing she missed was the way Matt always gave in to her demands for money. Matt was the soft one. The easy target. He wore his heart on his sleeve and people crushed him for it. Matt hadn't learned to be heartless like the rest of them. That was doubly why Harlan needed to see this guy who probably wanted to use Matt for his career or money, or both. All Harlan knew was he had a text on his phone inviting him to Matt's wedding. He didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or kidnap Matt before he made a huge mistake.

The church turned out to be a large cathedral. The crowd was ridiculously thick. Harlan hadn't known Matt even knew this many people. A lot of folks were dressed like they had a meeting with the king. In jeans and a dress jacket, Harlan started feeling a little underdressed. People were definitely eyeing him like he didn't belong. There were guards at the door.

"Name?"

"Uh. Harlan Bailey."

The guy didn't look up from his iPad. "Front row. Left side."

Harlan nodded and walked inside like he owned the place. An overabundance of confidence had gotten him pretty damn far in life. Still, when he spotted his older brother, Rider, with his husband Ben already seated in the front row, he felt a load lift from his shoulders. He wouldn't be here alone. He headed that way.

"Harlan."

Everything inside Harlan lit at the sound of a familiar voice. He forced his features to stay neutral as he turned. Tanner Paige headed his way. Tanner owned the hockey team Rider managed. They had met when Tanner threw a surprise party for Rider's forty-second birthday. While Harlan's mom had seen dollar signs when she met Tanner, and immediately began flirting, Harlan had seen something totally different in Tanner. The guy was a huge bear with an even bigger ego. He was spoiled and abrasive. Tanner was a man who got what he wanted, but he liked it when people were a little mean to him. Harlan was into that.

"Tanner."

Tanner's smile grew at Harlan's emotionless tone. "Are you headed my way?"

Harlan pulled a face. "It seems I am. How else will I get a look at this guy who popped up from nowhere to take my little brother for a ride?"

An odd look passed over Tanner's face. "Have you still not spoken to Matt since he started dating Slater?"

Harlan shook his head. He eyed the room as he answered. "He's been dodging me. There are an odd number of guards here."

Tanner didn't say anything.

Harlan's gaze moved back to Tanner's face. He looked perplexed. "I told Matt to call you." He glanced around and scanned the room. "Honestly, I expected there to be more security than this. A duke's wedding is a huge deal."

Harlan blinked. "What do you mean?"

Tanner looked more confused by the second. "Matt is marrying the Duke of Kilshire."

Harlan's head spun. "Where is that?"

"Ireland."

Everything felt surreal as hell. "I didn't think Ireland had any sort of royalty."

Tanner shrugged. "I believe Slater's is more of an honorary title, but Northern Ireland is actually part of the United Kingdom, so yeah."

That was a lot to take in.

"Do you want to sit together?"

Harlan's head still spun, but he nodded. They fell into step beside each other and filled the space next to Rider. Their knees brushed.

Rider nodded at him. "Hey. Did you know our brother was dating a duke?"

Harlan shrugged. "Man, I never know shit."

Before they could say more, music began. No one stood at the altar, so that was a bit worrisome. Then everyone stood. Harlan followed the lead of the crowd. Matt appeared in the mouth of the doorway holding another man's arm. The guy was huge and wore a fancy outfit that screamed royalty. People made the appropriate noises as the pair made their way to the altar together. An elaborately dressed officiant appeared before them like smoke. Everyone sat.

Harlan couldn't focus with Tanner's knee pressed against his. Tanner draped his arm across the back of the pew, crowding Harlan's space.

His mouth touched Harlan's ear. "Are you busy tonight?"

Harlan gave a subtle shake of his head.

Tanner's fingertips stroked his nape on the sly, sending goosebumps skirting his skin. "Spend it with me."

Harlan's gaze slid Tanner's way. A smirk pulled at his lips. He didn't know if he planned to be quite that easy. Despite what everyone thought, Harlan didn't play with just anyone. Tanner would have to earn him.

He was likely a little biased, but Slater thought it was the most beautiful wedding he had ever seen. His mother behaved after meeting Matt. Slater got the impression she was more than a little smitten with him. Matt was hard to hate. Plus, Matt's mom refused her invitation to the wedding. She was still angry over getting cut off from Matt's money. Slater's mom loved nothing more than everyone seeing her as the wonderful mother who had shown. In fact, she held Matt's hand a lot and made sure people caught photos of her smiling and welcoming her new son-in-law. Appearances were everything.

She patted Matt's hand for the thousandth time. Her green eyes sparkled with joy. "I still can't believe your mother refused to come. Despicable."

"That's our mom in a nutshell." A man with blue eyes like Matt's appeared from nowhere.

Slater's mom got carried away by a few members of Parliament before she could respond.

Matt smiled. "Hey, Harlan."

Harlan nodded. "It's good to see you… for once."

It was more than obvious Harlan was upset but trying to behave.

Slater appreciated that. He held his hand out to Harlan. "I'm Slater. It's nice to meet you."

Harlan shook his hand. "Harlan. The middle son of our bunch. It's nice to meet you too." His gaze moved between them before settling on Slater again. "It's obvious you make my baby brother happy. I appreciate that. It would be nice if we didn't get shut out, though."

A pair of men shoved their way forward before Matt fussed at Harlan the way he looked prepared to do. The smallest of the two new arrivals hugged Matt enthusiastically.

Matt smiled with genuine affection. "Hey, Ben. It's been so long."

Ben pulled away, smiling. "Agreed. We haven't heard from you."

Slater brought his champagne glass to his lips to stop himself from saying the phone rang two ways. He had a hard time letting go of Rider not helping Matt in his time of need. Slater knew he shouldn't feel that way. He wouldn't have met Matt if things had gone differently between the brothers. The larger man standing at Ben's back looked the most like Matt, except his eyes were a shade lighter and harder. His gaze met Slater's. He nodded.

Matt made the introductions. "You just met my brother, Harlan." He motioned Ben's way. "This is my brother-in-law, Ben."

Ben shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You, as well." He meant it. Matt had only good things to say about Ben.

Matt motioned toward the man with his hands resting on Ben's shoulders. "This is my oldest brother, Rider."

They shook hands.

"It's odd to be meeting you for the first time at your wedding," Rider said, obviously being the no bullshit type.

Slater dipped his chin, acknowledging the words. "You've always been welcome to visit."

Matt laughed, sounding nervous.

Slater didn't intend to be an ass. He knew he had a prejudice against brothers in general.

"Your Grace." George appeared with two glasses of champagne. He handed one to Matt. His gaze moved Slater's way. "And Your Grace." He passed the other glass Slater's way.

Matt laughed. "That'll take some getting used to. You're off duty, George. You don't have to bring us champagne."

George gave Matt a small bow. "It is my honor to serve you, Your Grace." George sounded almost loving, using Matt's new title. His expression turned uncomfortable for a second. "But if I may be so bold, welcome to the family."

Matt being Matt, he hugged George.

Slater bit back a laugh at George's expression. His lifelong guard adored Matt, but he wasn't accustomed to being shown affection. Still, George smiled. "Thank you, Your Grace." He made his getaway before anything else untoward happened.

Slater laughed.

Matt's brothers were smiling. "People actually have to call you ‘Your Grace' now?"

At Harlan's question, Matt blushed and shrugged. "I guess."

A huge smile lit Rider's face, making him look like an entirely different person. "Does a duke's husband get to play hockey?"

An uncomfortable-sounding laugh fell from Matt's lips. He tucked his hand beneath Slater's elbow. "Well, maybe, but I'm retiring anyhow. A player who owns the team probably isn't a good look."

The three men looked between them. It was almost comical the way all three heads turned in unison to eye Slater and then Matt.

Rider focused on Slater. "So you're the mystery buyer of the Blue Fires?"

Slater flashed a bland smile. "I am."

All three men looked between themselves.

Ben was the first to break. "Wow. That's just… wow." He focused on Matt. "This guy really loves you."

Matt beamed. "I know."

Thankfully, Harlan changed the subject. "Imagine Mom's face when she realizes she skipped this wedding out of spite and Matt married a duke."

Everyone roared with laughter.

Matt was the first to recover. He swiped at his eyes. "That's why I purposely didn't tell any of you. I wanted to see what she would choose to do."

The brothers all exchanged looks and laughed again.

This time, it was Harlan wiping his eyes and trying to speak through the laughter. "Emotional trauma." The brothers laughed harder.

Slater shook his head. It really was, but he could understand why the brothers needed to laugh at the situation. His life was the same. "You should go find my mom. She loves nothing more than being better than the competition. She'll be more than happy to mother you for the public's consumption."

This time, Slater joined in the laughter.

Matt hugged his arm.

Slater looked over at the man who had stolen his heart. Their gazes met. Love filled his chest the way it always did when he looked at Matt. This was his husband now. Damn. His life had changed so much the moment they met. He had gone from shattered to whole again almost instantly. Everything he should fear about marriage, he didn't. Their love was bigger than anything else. He would try harder with Matt's brothers. Slater knew it wasn't completely their fault Matt had chosen to distance himself for a while. He loved Matt more than anything. He would be the perfect husband in any way his boy needed.

"His Graces, William and Matthew White."

The loud announcement brought the room to thunderous applause, signaling their need to move into the reception hall. Slater never looked away from Matt. His husband. His whole world.

The entire day had been surreal as hell. Matt had known they couldn't elope, since Slater's mom was all about station and appearances. Allowing her to go wild planning the wedding had done him all the favors. He hadn't had to stress about it, and she loved him for letting her completely have her way, with the exception of holding the wedding in Ireland. Thankfully, Slater had been the one to put his foot down on that one. Matt didn't have to look like the bad guy.

Despite the extravagant wedding and the overwhelming happiness, Matt was beyond glad to be home. The fort over their heads and tiny bubble they enjoyed was so much better than sharing their love with the world. Matt looked forward to a quiet life.

"Are you sad about retiring? Until you said the words aloud to your brothers today, I hadn't thought to ask. We just made the decision and moved on from the topic."

Matt loved this man. Slater honestly cared about Matt's feelings and always took them into consideration. It was the nicest change from life before him. "No. I thought I would be, but nope. Honestly, this season, I've noticed the aches and pains a lot more. I've been working so hard trying to prove I still have what it takes that it made me realize I don't."

A line appeared between Slater's eyebrows. "What do you mean? You always look amazing on the ice."

Matt shrugged. "But it shouldn't feel like such a challenge. I mean, it's work, but quite a bit of it is talent. If you're struggling to the point of bone-weary exhaustion to still look talented, then you've lost what it takes." Matt smiled. "Plus, I found something I love even more. This is what I want. Being here with you is everything to me."

Their fingers linked. Their wedding bands bumped. Warmth spread through Matt's chest.

"I never thought I could be this happy."

Slater's confession made Matt's eyes sting. He never thought he could make anyone this happy or be right there with them. Matt sure as hell never saw Slater coming.

"Same."

"I'm ready to go on our honeymoon."

A laugh burst from Matt as he agreed. "So ready." Their flight didn't leave until the morning. The pomp and circumstance of the wedding had drained them. They needed a vacation.

"I bought you something."

That perked up Matt's ears. "You did?"

Slater smiled. He rolled from the fort. "I'll be right back."

On his side, Matt watched Slater pad across the room in nothing but pajama pants. His solid body was sexy as fuck. Matt could watch him all day. Slater returned. He crawled into their pile of blankets and passed Matt a new coloring book.

Matt read the cover with laughter lacing his words. "Blow jobs around the world. Where do you find these things?"

Slater's eyes danced with laughter. "I have my ways. Which country will you color first?"

Matt set the coloring book aside and shifted to his knees. He crawled Slater's way. Happiness had him ready to burst. "I think I can create a combination of America and Ireland right here." His fingers curled around the edge of Slater's pajama pants. "I promise it'll be colorful."

Slater's laughter was everything. Matt loved knowing he was the reason for Slater's open happiness. So much love created from a singular lost wallet. Fate was a crazy thing. Matt would never stop being grateful.

Keep an eye out for the next Thin Ice, So Pucking Wrong .