“I agree. I didn’t push Aoife, but I kind of told her some stuff about you. Tried to get her to ease the path.”
“You did that for me?” he asked rawly.
“Sure. I can see you want to know her. Jen’s difficult though,” I warned. “She’s not an easy person to get to know.”
I watched him preen. “She’s an O’Donnelly, Finn. She was born difficult. Your grandma used to say all O’Donnellys are born breech.”
My lips curved. “I can believe it. Did Conor help you get shit sorted with Liam’s finances?”
“He did. Got it all back. Liam actually thanked me. Thought there was a great big hole about to open up beneath my feet. He should be here, but it’s the playoffs.”
“I get it. I bet a couple grand on him, so he’d better win.”
Beaming from ear to ear, he tugged on his tie. “Thanks to you as well, son. Appreciate the help with my finances. Feels good to be in a new suit that I bought.”
“My pleasure.” I clapped him on the back. “Okay, I’m going to go check on the groom.”
“He’s nervous she ain’t gonna show up.”
“Why?”
“Some hairstylist ran wailing out of the mansion or something after Lena waded into the fray. Savvie called him and said if he didn’t get his ma off her back there wouldn’t be a wedding.” He wafted a hand. “You know, the usual shit.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, usual around here.” Before I left, I told him, “Think about it, Paddy. New York’s home, and Jen’s here…”
“Liam’s in Quebec though.” He looked torn. “I will think about it, Finn. Don’t mistake me for being ungrateful.”
I shrugged and squeezed his shoulder in a farewell, wondering if Conor was likely to get Liam transferred to NYC whether he wanted to move or not…
Aidan was sinking back a shot of whiskey when I found him; Brennan and Declan were as well. Conor was seated at the piano in the room and was playing—
I rolled my eyes. “Ozzy Osbourne shouldn’t be played on the piano, Kid.”
He paused to flip me the bird then continued playing.
“Heard it’s chaos here today,” I said to the room.
“Savannah’s gone ape shit,” Declan agreed.
“Can’t say that I blame her. Ma never did know when to butt out,” Eoghan said as he wandered into the room, handing me a bottle of beer.
With a nod of thanks, I took a sip as he sank down on the sofa while we watched Aidan limp from one side of the room to the other.
“She’s not going to cancel,” I told him. “She spent too long getting this place how she wants it.”
“Aidan, want me to go and deal with Ma?” Brennan asked, getting to his feet and fastening his topcoat.
He’d been taking his role of best man deadly serious. That was the only reason I didn’t tell them that Lena had Jake to distract her now.
“If Savvie doesn’t calm the fuck down, then yeah, please.” He scrubbed a hand over his hair. “I’ll fucking kill Ma if she wrecks this for me. Best thing that ever fucking happens to me and she decides to get in my bride’s face because the dress has a deep V and it’s the wrong color.”
“I won’t let her, bro,” Brennan soothed, grabbing Aidan’s shoulder and squeezing it.
“I think you should tell us your speech, Bren,” Conor mused. “Let’s make sure there aren’t too many curse words in it.”
He squinted at Kid. “You looking to pick a fight?”
The smile dancing on his younger brother’s lips confirmed Con was up to something.
It was like being around a communist dictator—Orwell was probably doing the fucking tango in his grave.
Aidan shot Brennan an alarmed look. “What the fuck does it say? Don’t embarrass me in front of my in-laws, Bren. Jesus. They’re already marrying into the mob and that meeting with Da didn’t exactly go down well—”
Bren’s ears turned pink. “Look, it’s okay.”
“Nah, you’re blushing,” Declan mocked. “That means we need to hear it to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself.”
Brennan sent him a look that promised retribution.
Declan hid his grin in the beer bottle in his hands.
“You gotta be fucking kidding me. You want me to—”
“Yes,” we all declared at once.
His nostrils flared. “I’ll get you fucking back for this, Con,” he warned, dipping his hand into his pocket and dragging out a piece of paper.
Clearing his throat, he announced:
“I never thought I’d see the day where I stood up as best man at my oldest brother’s wedding. I was pretty certain he’d ask our brother Finn to do it, and to be frank, being here, giving this toast, is the proudest day of my life.
“Standing up here for him, after all he’s been through, with a woman who's his choice and his equal, I couldn’t be more pleased for him.
“In the grand scheme of things, I’m the spare heir, but I’ve always looked up to Junior. He’s got something about him that compels people to listen. I don’t share that talent. In fact, I’m probably boring you. But with these weak words, it’s important I convey to you that my brother is a better man for having Savannah in his life.
“I recently got married myself, and while I was happy single, it wasn’t until I met my Camille that I realized what it is to actually have a wife. To have a partner. To have someone who’ll stand by your side no matter what. I have that now, and I’m happy that Aidan’s found that too.
“My brother’s soldiered through so much to make it here, gone through more than you know to stand at the altar, to walk his bride back down the aisle. There were times when I wasn’t sure if he’d make it, if his demons would cling too hard and we’d lose him forever, but I should have realized… he was waiting.
“I recently found out that he’s known Savannah for five years, and even though he wouldn’t say it himself, that’s why he never let go.
“So, this speech isn’t my send off to Aidan, but my thank you to Savvie. Thank you for coming into our world, for becoming a part of our family, but more than anything, thank you for being the reason my brother’s still standing and fighting today.
“Let me propose a toast to the bride and groom.”
As he finished speaking, he clearly expected for us to joke around and to have shit hurled at him, but there was silence.
Aidan and I shared a glance, and I watched him dip his chin in thanks.
Thanks for letting Brennan be his best man, a role that was clearly an honor for him.
“Brilliant speech, Bren,” Dec muttered into his beer. “Better than the shitshow Conor gave me.”
Conor grunted. “I planned your fucking wedding. I didn’t have time for fancy speeches—”
Sensing a brewing argument, I was glad when a knock sounded at the door.
As I yelled, “Come in,” I saw Aidan and Brennan clap each other on the back and smiled to myself.
“Hey, I’m looking for the kitchen?”
Aidan tossed a look at the door, dipped his chin, then waved a hand at the coffee table. “Come in, Camden. You want a drink? Some snacks? Con brought the entire fucking pantry in here when Savvie threatened to cancel the wedding.”