Page 14

Dev

The following day

“By the power vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you married and husbands to each other. Go ahead, guys. Seal it with a kiss.” Judge Barry Graves stepped aside, and I took Brody’s face between my hands.

“I love you, husband,” I murmured for his ears only and brushed his lips with mine, then placed a kiss on his forehead. “Forever and for always.”

Tears swam in those big blue eyes, but Brody smiled and ran his nose down my cheek, settling his mouth on mine for a brief moment. “I love you too, husband.”

Hands clasped together, we turned and raised them above our heads. Our small audience clapped, cheered, and whistled. Ms. Faith, stunning in a blue dress to match her eyes, was the first one to greet us.

“You both look so handsome. I love you so much.” I watched as she kissed and hugged Brody, her small frame dwarfed by his bulk. Afterward, she turned to me. “Come give me a hug.”

She put her arms around me, and I bent to kiss her. She stopped me and put a hand to my cheek. “I know how much you love Brody and how hard he loves you in return. Always be honest with each other. And don’t be afraid to lean on him. I love you like my own, but my greatest wish is to see you try and find your way back home again.”

“I love you too. And I promise to keep loving Brody with everything I have.”

Next, I hugged Roe, followed by Ezra. “I know I’ve made it difficult by not taking the big deals, but some things are more important than money.” Sunlight gleamed on my thin gold band. We’d decided not to get matching rings and to wear them on different hands so as not to call attention, in case people noticed.

“I get it. And I admire you, even if I could’ve made a nice juicy percentage off it.” His laughter was infectious, and I joined him, so damn happy, my heart hurt.

“Thank you for giving us this wedding and doing all you have for us. You’re way beyond merely my agent. You’re a good friend, and I appreciate everything.”

“You and Brody are a wonderful couple, and I know you’re going to be happy together. Maybe you’ll even bring home another Lombardi trophy.”

“That’s the plan, my man.” I hugged him again.

“Not so fast with that trophy, my dude. I might have somethin’ to say about that.”

A bright smile greeted me when I faced Vette, and we jumped each other. “Aw, man, it’s so damn good to see you.” I hugged Dora Lee. “And you’re still as pretty as ever. How’s the baby?”

She accepted my kiss on her cheek. “He’s great. Just started walking, and of course his first word was Daddy .” She gazed up at Vette with adoring eyes. “Vette’s already got him a football and tiny cleats.”

“Never too young.” He took out his phone and showed me a picture of the four of them. Nicky held EJ’s hand, and Vette had his arm around Dora Lee. They’d gotten married two years earlier, and Brody and I, along with about half the team, had gone to the wedding. We’d decided to tell them because we wanted one friend to share the day with us, and since Vette had pretty much guessed on his own.

“Proud papa.”

“You know it.” He squeezed Dora Lee. “We want a houseful. Working on number three.”

Bright red, Dora Lee gasped. “Vette, stop.” She put her hands to her cheeks, and he swooped in and gave her a kiss.

“Aw, baby, this is Devil we’re talkin’ to. He knows what’s up.” He winked at me. “Even if he is playing for the other team.”

I groaned and shook my head. “Oh God, that was bad. But I’m really thrilled you could come and support us. I know family time is precious in the off-season.”

Dora Lee said, “Brody was always nice to me in high school and didn’t treat me bad like the other kids. And Ms. Faith was like a mother to me. I don’t forget.” She twirled the huge diamond on her hand. “I’m so grateful.”

“I love you, baby.” Vette hugged her tight. “You don’t ever have to worry about stuff like that. Not anymore. You’re my lady, and you deserve the best.”

“I’ve got that. You.”

It was bittersweet to see them so in love. On the one hand, I was happy for them and I knew how much they cared for each other. But it also made me recognize the big divide and how Brody and I had to create a sham life to be together. I sighed, knowing it was unfair, but that I couldn’t change things.

“What was that sound?” Brody slid his big arms around me, and my dark thoughts vanished. I leaned into his muscled chest.

“Nothing. Just thinking.”

He chuckled. “No thinkin’ today. Only feeling. And I feel like giving my husband a kiss.”

I faced him and held onto his big, broad shoulders. “I like the sound of that. Husband. Even though I’ve always belonged to you, hearing those words makes it all so real.”

Brody kissed me, and Vette whooped it up in the background. I laughed, wishing it could always be like this—surrounded by friends, with the sun in our faces. The only person missing for me was Fallon, who’d gotten the flu and stayed home. His cousin Kelsie had stayed to take care of him. Brody’s PA, Lizzie, stood to the side, having flown in late last night. She was leaving early in the morning—she had exams she couldn’t miss—and Brody and I would have a small dinner for all three of them when we got back.

“What’s real is I’m starving.” Still holding on to Brody with one hand, I pointed at the long tables set up in the expansive patio area. “Let’s eat.”

Ezra and Roe had really outdone themselves with the wedding feast. Not because it was so elaborate, but because of the love and attention I could see had been put into every detail. One table held fresh seafood—crab legs, shrimp, poached salmon, and trays of caviar with all the accompaniments. Ezra’s housekeeper attended to the platters of prime rib and filet mignon, and the people who ran his West Coast office, Sunny and his wife, Angie, were there too, passing platters of mini hot dogs, meatballs, and assorted finger food. There was a gorgeous display of fresh fruit and cheeses, and a round table for the three-tiered wedding cake, along with another setup with every kind of cake, cookie, and pastry imaginable.

In order to keep the number of outsiders down, Ezra had used his own staff and had made them sign confidentiality agreements, plus Brody and I had given each person a substantial payment for working that day. Was it a bribe to keep quiet? Maybe so, but I put my faith in people’s innate goodness, as well as the money we gave them, to do the right thing.

We trusted our guests to take candid photos and videos, and there were plenty of cameras out when Brody and I smashed the cake in each other’s faces, then kissed off the buttercream. It was a perfect day, and at one point I pulled Brody aside for a moment to ourselves. Music had started playing from the backyard speakers, and Vette slow-danced with Dora Lee. I was anticipating our honeymoon. Ezra had loaned us the house in Newport Beach. It was private and had a view of the water, which was all that mattered to us. We planned to drive up tomorrow after brunch—and after making sure Ms. Faith got off okay—and stay there for the week. Ezra had reassured us that he’d lent the home to other high-profile clients who needed anonymity. All I wanted was sun, sleep, and Brody, not necessarily in that order.

“How’re you doing?” I asked Brody.

“I’m good. Just thinkin’ about my daddy and what he woulda thought of me.”

This was new. Brody rarely talked about his father. “I’m sure he would’ve loved you no matter what.”

Brody leaned against the wall, pensive, and figuring he was working out something in his head, I waited, giving him the time he needed.

“And I can’t stop thinkin’ about Theo. I was so wrong, Dev. All those years Momma and Theo were married. I shoulda given him a chance. He wasn’t a bad guy—I woulda resented anyone who came in and tried so hard to be my daddy. I thought I’d have time to talk to him, but it just slipped away. And now he’s gone, and I never got a chance to tell him I was glad he was there to make Momma happy.”

Guilt was a crushing weight to bear, especially for someone who possessed such a soft and loving heart, like Brody. While it was true that he’d never given Theo a chance, I couldn’t imagine how hard it must’ve been for a little boy to lose the father he loved, only to have another man try and take his place.

“Maybe now’s the time to tell your mother that. She always wanted the two of you to get along. It would probably bring her some peace. But don’t beat yourself up over things that can’t be changed.”

Brody listened, but being the stubborn man he was, I knew he’d gotten that perception of himself ingrained in his head, and it was hard to change his mind. Only one person could do that. When it was apparent he wasn’t going to respond, I decided to change the topic and nudged him.

“Look at Vette and Dora Lee. He sure is crazy about her. Reminds me of the first time I saw you.” That day in the Waves’ locker room, at our first team meeting, I was so damn nervous, knowing I was the backup quarterback to the number one college player in the country. Then I saw Brody, and a different kind of nerves blossomed in my stomach. “I couldn’t believe I’d have to play with a guy on my team and worry about getting a hard-on every time I’d step out on the field.” I ran my knuckles along Brody’s jaw. “I took way too many cold showers all those years, thinking of you and that gorgeous body under me. But the connection was instantaneous. So many times I wanted to say something, but I held back.”

“Instead, you teased me. Callin’ me choirboy.” A dimple popped out on his cheek. “And I remember checking you out in the showers. Wishing I could run my fingers over those tats. Feel your skin.” His eyes grew heated. “Now they’re mine.”

“You’re still my choirboy. So good and honest.” Unable to resist him, I kissed his lips, feeling them soften beneath mine. “You’ve made me see God plenty of times.”

“You better stop ’cause it’s about to get X-rated if you keep it up.”

“Oh, I’m gonna keep it up. All night long.” I winked and patted his cheek just as Ezra came by and grabbed Brody’s hand.

“Come on, big guy. Let’s boogie.”

Roe leaned against the wall and held up his hands. “I’ve had enough. He and my ninety-five-year-old grandmother can wear me out. Please take him.”

We watched as Ezra and Brody danced alongside Momma and Vette while Dora Lee took a video. Roe accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

“How do you feel being a married man?”

I thought about it for a moment. “Not much different than before. I know Brody didn’t really understand why I wanted to do this so badly, but it means a lot to me, someone who didn’t grow up with a sense of family like he did, to have us legally formalized.”

“I’m very sorry your parents aren’t here. They’re missing out on seeing your happiness, and it’s a shame.”

I gazed at Brody laughing as he, Ezra, and Vette now took control of the floor. Ms. Faith had given up and stood with Dora Lee, watching Brody.

“I think it’s shameful on their part, but there’s nothing I can do to change their minds. They’ve never tried to understand me, and I’ve given up trying.” The waiter passed by again with flutes of champagne, and this time I took one.

“I understand how frustrating it can be. Ezra’s parents were similar—they didn’t think I was good enough and wanted him to marry a girl, have kids, and run the family business. They did everything they possibly could to keep us apart. In the end, they came around because they saw how badly Ezra and I wanted to be together and how much we loved each other. I’m hoping the same will be true for your parents.”

The bubbles from the champagne tickled my nose as I drank it, mulling over how to put my emotions into words. I knew Roe was trying to make me feel better.

“There’s a difference. Ezra’s parents loved him. In their heartless way, they thought they were doing what was best for him. My parents simply don’t give a damn. They don’t care if I’m happy. They don’t care at all.” I gulped the rest of my bubbly. “If they did, they wouldn’t have spurned every single invitation I’ve ever sent them, including my college graduation.” My smile was paper thin. “I know what you’re trying to say, but the only way my parents would ever accept me is if I followed in their footsteps.”

“And they don’t know you’re gay.”

A bitter laugh burst from me. “Not a chance. I’m sure that would be another failure on my part. Another rejection from them. I’ve had enough already, thank you. They don’t get to diminish me or my love for Brody with their snobbery and arrogance.” I blinked to clear the tears from my eyes. “That’s enough serious talk for the night. I have to say it again, thank you so much for putting this all together for us. You have no idea how much we appreciate it.”

Roe hugged me. “Yeah, I do. It’s one of the most important days of your life, and you want to spend it with people who care about you.”

Which should include my parents, but that wasn’t going to happen. “Come on. Let’s get some food.”

When I checked, Brody had left the dance floor and was sitting at one of the small round tables with his mother. I hoped he was planning on talking to her about Theo. At least one of us deserved to heal.