Chapter Thirty

Blake

It was the perfect day to get married in Canfield. Not too hot or too cold, no wind or rain. The sun was warm and bright without a hint of a cloud in the sky. All of Maverick and Jackson’s friends and family were sitting in the backyard as we waited for the groom to make his appearance. Jackson’s hockey teammates, Beau’s sister, Sam, who had shown up early to help Maverick with his hair, and friends of both grooms, Holt Walker and Watts Brooks, who lived in North Carolina. The photographer, Brooklyn, was the wife of NASCAR driver, Rand Shepard, and even though we had met a few times, he was more than intimidating with his tattoos and height. But he had always been kind and a little obsessed with his wife and children.

Dean might have been the best man, but that didn’t leave us out of the wedding party. Killian, Matthias, and I were the groomsman, Mav making sure to include all his band members and friends for his special day. I was so thankful that we were all friends again. That we were going to be able to continue doing what we loved, together. I wouldn’t want to be with any other musicians. These three men weren’t just my friends, they were my brothers.

I caught Tommy’s eye as he spoke quietly with Wyatt Murray, one of Jackson’s teammates, and a groomsman. He smiled at me, then winked, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread over my face. I knew Tommy had been nervous about standing in front of all these wedding guests with his scar on full display. I had reminded him that everyone would be paying more attention to the two grooms, and then I kissed his face, making sure to give extra attention to what he was most afraid of.

I didn’t hate his scar. I loved it because it was part of Tommy. And I had always loved everything about him.

When the upbeat music that had been playing changed to the wedding march, I was sure that everyone heard the gasp Jackson released when he caught sight of Maverick as he stepped into the backyard. The love that sparkled in Jackson’s brown orbs, the same look that his soon-to-be-husband gave him right back, had me searching for Tommy again.

I love you. I love you. I love you. I chanted those words in my head hoping he could feel how much I meant them. The wink he shot me told me he did.

I had to admit, Maverick looked fantastic. He wore all white, but it was the lacey shirt, tucked into a pair of white slacks that drew the most attention. Not the crown nestled into his snow-colored hair or the small bouquet of white roses he carried in his hands. Maverick never dressed in anything other than layered shirts and blue jeans, but this outfit gave everyone a chance to see who he really was. Corded muscles wrapped around his biceps, showing off his lean, taut frame.

Jackson didn’t say anything, his dark eyes wide as he stared at Maverick and reached for his hand to lace their fingers together.

Pink dotted Maverick’s cheeks as he ducked his chin. “You’re staring,” he whispered.

“I have a right to stare at what’s mine, sweetheart. You’re beautiful,” Jackson told him, and Maverick’s cheeks darkened even more. Then he beamed happily and giggled.

Maverick hummed. “Thank you, Goose.” His voice caught in this throat. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mavs.”

Dean, whose green hair was piled on his head in a tight bun with white flowers wrapped around it, sighed softly, and I caught the way Beau was watching him as he stood up for Jackson. Maybe they’d end up just like this, a small wedding in our hometown then maybe something bigger, an event fit for two huge celebrities. Either way, I was rooting for all the good things to happen between the two of them. Dean deserved that.

A soft sniffle had me looking to my right to find Killian wiping his eyes.

“Are you crying?”

“As if.” He grunted. But there were tears in his blue eyes. “Whatever. Fuck off.”

I snorted and then grimaced. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself. This day was all about Maverick and Jackson. “It’s okay to feel, Kill.”

He glared at me and then straightened the lapels on his suit jacket. “I feel plenty of things.”

“Yeah, we know. ‘Matthias, harder.’” Dean snickered before he met his brother’s narrowed eyes. He coughed. “Sorry, Mav.”

Jackson huffed out a laugh. “Let’s get married, sweetheart.”

Maverick nodded, and they turned to face the justice of the peace, their hands linked together and love blooming happily in the air.

***

After the wedding, we stood around for an endless number of photographers. Most of the grooms, some of the band, the groomsman, wedding party, and Jackson’s parents. When we finally arrived at the reception, all I could think about was food. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and that had only been a donut. We were all seated around a giant round table in the middle of the room, laughing and talking while we enjoyed our meal. I couldn’t help but scarf down the rolls like my life depended on it.

“Hungry?” Tommy teased, his dark eyes dancing with something I couldn’t put my finger on.

I finished chewing before I answered. “What do you think?”

“I have something you could eat.” His voice was husky.

My hand froze midair as I reached for another roll. “Tommy.” I nearly moaned out his name when he smirked. Only all our attention turned back to the two grooms when Maverick huffed angrily.

“You said I could.” The huge smile that Maverick had been sporting since he said ‘I do’ disappeared when he pouted at his husband and folded his arms over his chest.

Jackson shook his head. “I never said any such thing, Mavs. You told me you wanted to burn down your parents’ house. You’re not doing that on our wedding day.”

“Why not?” Maverick played with the boutonniere that was pinned against his husband’s tuxedo jacket. “It could be your wedding gift to me. The flames would be all romantic and shit.”

Jackson raised his hand to trace the gold septum ring in Maverick’s nose before he tipped his head back. “Maybe I already have a gift for you. Something much better than arson.”

“Here we go.” Killian rolled his eyes, but he broke into a smile when Maverick slapped his arm. “It’s sex, right? Your gift to him? Loud, kinky sex?”

Jackson shrugged. “Could be. Or maybe it’s jewelry. Or something sexy for my husband to wear for me later.”

Maverick’s mouth formed a perfect circle, but when he went to speak again, Jackson placed a finger over his lips and then kissed him like his life depended on. Camera flashes went off, and I felt Tommy’s hand on my thigh. He winked when I met his heated gaze.

Dean leaned into Beau; their hands clasped together on his leg. “I could do it for you. Maybe as my gift or just because our parents are assholes. Anyone have a lighter?”

“No, you will not,” Beau growled.

Dean’s pupils dilated. He tugged Dean’s arm and then we all watched with fascination as our guitar player climbed up into the hockey player’s lap without a care in the world.

I’ll take “Things I Never Thought I would See” for six hundred, please, Alex .

“You’re such a dad,” Wyatt commented and hooted with laughter when his teammate—and possibly something more—Asher Andrews, wiggled his brows suggestively. “Am I wrong?”

Beau shrugged. “Not really.”

Dean sank his teeth into his bottom lip. “No, you’re not wrong.” He flashed a shy smile around the table at everyone. “It’s kind of hot how alpha daddy he can be.”

“Blech, gross.” Killian wrinkled his nose and made like he was going to throw up.

Matthias bumped his shoulder. “You can be my hot alpha daddy any time, baby.”

Killian swore under his breath and then he broke into a giant smile, deep dimples appearing on his cheeks. “Are our obligations done? Can we leave?” He barked out a laugh when Maverick threw a napkin at him.

“When it’s over. Jax and I haven’t even danced yet or had cake,” he reminded him.

Tommy’s hand slid up my thigh as he leaned toward me. “Mm, you going to dance with me, Bug? Press your hot body against me?” His lips brushed my ear. He was frisky tonight, and I was here for it.

“Yes.” My cock twitched in my briefs.

His breath was hot against my skin. “I can’t wait.”

Goosebumps broke out of my skin. No one had ever made me feel the way Tommy did, and no one ever would. Despite what had happened, our falling out, breaking up, and all the things in-between, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“I love you.” I surged forward to claim his mouth.

Tommy gripped my head in his hands, his chocolate-brown eyes searching my face. “I love you, too, Bug. Always.”

Always and forever.