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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.”
When Conor shot Camden a look, Ozzy Osbourne morphed into Noxxious—his favorite band, and who Camden and Savannah’s father played for.
Unlike Savannah who’d gone into the entertainment industry as a journalist, Camden was a rockstar too.
“I wouldn’t worry about her canceling,” Camden told him. “Savvie’s a bitch but she got the tantrum out of her system.”
Aidan’s shoulders wriggled. “You don’t want to hear this, Camden, but I’ll spank her ass until it’s red then I’ll fireman’s lift her down the fucking aisle if need be.”
Camden mused, “She probably needs a good spanking. She always was more vinegar than honey.”
“Well, this conversation got weird fast.”
I smiled at Declan’s grumble.
