Finn Again (The Finn Factor Book 5)

by R. G. Alexander

  “Yes.” Owen’s lean, beautiful body quaked against him as they came together. Jeremy wasn’t sure where his orgasm ended and Owen’s began. They kissed and caressed each other, shivering with each pulse of release, whispering words of praise and love.

  When he came back to himself, Owen was guiding him back into the shower, gliding soapy hands lovingly over his body. He touched him with a reverence that made something tighten in Jeremy’s chest. Owen rinsed him and dried him off with a towel, kissing him softly once more before stepping away to reach for his robe.

  “I should go back to my room now.”

  Jeremy frowned. “No you shouldn’t. I was wrong. This was a stupid idea.”

  “Yes it was.” Owen laughed. “And I’m going to remind you how wrong you were until we celebrate our first anniversary. Maybe longer. But we don’t want to spoil your reputation as the responsible one in this relationship, do we? Besides, my tuxedo is in the other bedroom and we both need to get dressed.” He reached for the doorknob, pinning Jeremy to the spot with something painfully beautiful blazing in his Finn blue eyes. “I have a wedding to get to.”

  He opened the door and Jeremy saw Ken and Brady break their embrace and look guiltily in his direction. “Sorry,” Brady mumbled. “You two done in there already?”

  Owen snorted and walked past him without looking back. “The wedding is in an hour,” he called over his shoulder. “Don’t take too long with my best man.”

  A flushed Ken caught Jeremy’s eye and sent him a stunning smile before dragging Brady away. “An hour? I can handle that.”

  ***

  “Are you ready?” Jen was holding his hand as they stood at the top of the stairs, just out of sight, listening to old Irish melodies drifting up from the cellist Declan Kelley’s wedding planner had hired for the occasion.

  Jeremy took a breath and squeezed her fingers gently. “I’m ready. That doesn’t mean I’m not nervous.”

  Jen started sniffing and Jeremy shook his head. “If you start crying now, Little Finn, we’re not going to make it down the stairs.”

  “Can’t have that,” Jen said with a watery laugh. “Owen would never forgive me.”

  “And Trick and Declan would never forgive me for making you cry. You look great, by the way.”

  Jen was wearing a gray silk dress layered with sheer silver. Her strawberry-colored hair was pulled back and tumbling in large curls down her back. She looked like an angel to Jeremy, and as she walked beside him and guests started turning in their seats to stare, she felt like one too. An angel saving him from facing this alone. He would always be a member of the Little Finn Fan Club.

  From the base of the stairs, Shawn and Ellen were looking up at them, all smiles. When Ellen saw her daughter her eyes filled and she held her hand over her heart, mouthing the words, “So beautiful.” Then she turned to Jeremy and that hand reached out for his. Jeremy took it and squeezed it gently.

  Jen lagged behind them as Shawn gripped his shoulder in a silent statement of affection and pride. Jeremy nodded and started to move toward the dais where Owen was waiting, pausing when he realized the three of them were still walking with him. Ellen hadn’t let go of his hand.

  A few more steps and Stephen and Seamus were suddenly in front of him. Their identical smiles were supportive and encouraging. They didn’t say a word, just stepped aside, joining the small army of Finns gathering behind him.

  Jeremy almost stumbled when he realized what was happening. The other guests—graphic artists, construction workers, pub regulars and longtime family friends—seemed to figure it out at the same time. They were all walking him down the wide aisle. Supporting him. It was the same thing they’d done after they’d found out about his relationship with Owen, only this time they were showing everyone there what they’d shown him that day. Finns stood by the people they loved. Always. No one who left here today would have any doubt that Jeremy was a welcome addition to the family. That all the Finns approved of the marriage.

  Solomon and Rory showed up in front of him, patted his arm and nodded as they fell in line. Then came Noah and Wyatt. Jeremy’s vision was blurring by the time he saw James stand up beside his chair. He made no move to join them, gesturing to Sol sitting beside him, staring resolutely at his shoes. Jeremy felt Shawn’s hand—still on his shoulder—flex, but he didn’t pause beside his brother or stop the procession. In that moment he felt sorry for Sol. He’d forgotten what it felt like to be surrounded by this much love. Shielded from harm. Jeremy covered Shawn’s hand with his own, hoping he could share that feeling with Owen’s father.

  He got the impression of a beautiful room filled with people sitting on pristinely white chairs. The runner was cranberry red and the garland lining the aisle was a lush green. There was a giant Christmas tree in the corner of the room glowing with warm fairy lights and overflowing with small white RSVP cards signed by all the people who’d come to the wedding. It was simple, but breathtaking. He hadn’t expecting anything like this.

  He’d say he felt like a damn Disney princess, but Owen would never let him hear the end of it.

  Owen. Jeremy looked up, but Tasha caught his eye first. She was sitting in a wheelchair wrapped with sparkling garlands, in a silver sheath dress similar to Jen’s. She was radiant and smiling through her tears as he got closer to his destination.

  Jeremy blinked swiftly and sought out Owen. Standing beneath an elevated bower draped in holly, mistletoe and more small sparkling lights, he stood proud and tall and so handsome Jeremy caught his breath. Brady stood beside him, his head even with the arch and his hand clutching a leash attached to the dog at his side.

  He let out a short, soft laugh. Badass was wearing a Santa hat and sitting obediently beside Brady. His tail wagged furiously the instant he spotted Jeremy and Brady muttered something to the excited dog, pulling a treat from his pocket for good measure. Leave it to Owen to make Badass a groomsman.

  Somewhere through the fog in his brain he heard the music change and his heart started pounding in his ears, nearly drowning it out. Almost there. Almost where I belong.

  He stepped up onto the dais, Tasha momentarily squeezing his hand affectionately, and then Owen was facing him. They twined their fingers together and Jeremy tried to remember to breathe. He glanced down and chuckled again, loving the man beside him as he saw the shamrock cufflinks glittering green at his wrists.

  “You like?”

  He loved.

  The justice of the peace they’d chosen stepped forward and the music stopped. The room was momentarily silent as they waited for her cue. “Who gives this man in marriage?”

  For less than a second he thought about the parents that had kicked him out for being different. The aunt who’d hardly noticed his existence when she’d agreed to let him sleep under her roof. The loneliness.

  “I do.”

  “I do.”

  “We do.”

  “I do.”

  Shawn chuckled. “I think we all do. We’re his family.”

  Jeremy heard several soft sobs at that, unsure of where they were coming from but agreeing with the sentiment. He couldn’t have imagined… But he shouldn’t be surprised. Nothing this wonderful family did could surprise him ever again.

  “You may be seated,” the justice said, beaming at Owen and Jeremy as the family found their seats.

  She set down the book she’d been holding and clasped her hands in front of her while Jeremy’s gaze clung to Owen’s. “We’ve come together today to join two souls together in marriage. But I think we’ve all just seen that this union is particularly blessed, and that there are more souls involved than we can count. The couple’s family and friends have shown their unconditional love and support with their actions and their words, and I know we all join them in their joy for this occasion. It’s hard not to root for Owen Finn and Jeremy Porter when you get to know them. The city has been captivated for weeks. Personally, I don’t think it has to do with Owen’s brother or the gender of his f
iancé as much as it has to do with their story. A simple, but powerful story about two good men and the close, unflinching friendship they’ve shared for more than half of their lives. Without planning or expectation, that friendship blossomed with the fullness of time into so much more than either of them ever dreamed. And it brought them here before us today.”

  Jeremy had dreamed. He’d just never imagined his dream had a chance in hell of coming true. Owen’s crystal blue eyes were dark with emotion that matched his own as she continued. “There are many kinds of love—each one a gift that makes life worthwhile. The love of a parent for their child. The love of siblings and friends. And a love like the one Owen and Jeremy share. A love that demands to be acknowledged and celebrated, because it cannot be denied when witnessed.” She smiled and turned in his direction. “I believe Jeremy has something he wants to say.”

  Jeremy’s throat went instantly dry. He licked his lips, feeling a flutter of panic. He’d written something he’d thought was good and memorized it, but everything had flown out of his head the second he’d gotten to the stairs. After his proposal, Jeremy knew Owen deserved a public declaration of his own. Now he only hoped he hadn’t lost the ability to speak. And that his heart knew what to say.

  “Owen—” He swallowed past the frog in his throat and started again. “Owen, I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. And I remember everything. That first day you invited me over to your house after school, when your mother insisted on feeding me and got out her sewing kit without saying a word after she saw a hole in my shirt. I remember when you showed your dad my sketchbook at the dinner table and he told me I had real talent. That we were having so much fun you asked if I could stay the night, and when she realized there was no one I needed to call to ask permission, your mother said I was welcome anytime, whether you were home or not.” He saw Owen’s lips subtly wobble as he glanced down at his family and he knew Ellen was crying. “I remember that you gave me the world and you didn’t even know it. Proud parents who worried about me, a little sister who was more than happy to let me spoil her rotten, and two older brothers I couldn’t help but admire. And you, a best friend who is the star of every good memory I have. You taught me how to laugh at myself, never once judged me for my life choices and always had my back, right or wrong. How could I not have loved you?”

  Jeremy took a breath, feeling Owen’s fingers clutching his. “But what I thought was love back then is nothing compared to what I feel for you now. After all those years of you being my constant, you suddenly turned everything upside down without warning and made me happier than I knew it was possible to be. You are the love of my life and you never have to imagine walking through this world without me. I’ll always be at your side and on your side.”

  He heard Brady’s muttered, “Damn” a second before Owen yanked him into his arms and kissed him, right there in front of everyone.

  “Son, she didn’t tell you to kiss him yet,” Shawn called from the front row, causing a ripple of warm laughter to flow over the room.

  “No one has to tell me when to kiss him,” Owen responded gruffly, but he took a step back, still holding Jeremy’s hands. “Is it my turn to talk?”

  Jeremy knew Owen hated giving speeches. He hadn’t wanted to write any vows or speak at the wedding, insisting he’d already said everything during his proposal. Apparently he’d changed his mind. There was a moment’s fear that blowjobs would be mentioned, but it disappeared as soon as he opened his mouth. “I won’t try to top that. I will never be as good with words as you are. But with you I don’t have to be. You already know me. You always have. I’m not sure I deserve that heart you’ve given to me, but I’m not giving it back. And knowing me the way you do, you know that I’ll spend the rest of our lives together trying to earn it.” He tilted his head toward the justice. “Let’s say these vows so I can kiss my husband again.”

  Jeremy vaguely heard himself repeating the words. Love, honor and cherish. Sickness and health and forsaking all others. He heard Owen promise the same in a low, reverent tone. The rings he’d picked out went on and then there was cheering as Owen kissed him again, pulling his head down and making him forget his own name.

  Hands clapped his back and arms engulfed him as they pulled him away from Owen’s side. Jeremy turned from Noah to see Stephen on his knees beside Tasha’s wheelchair, his arm around her as she sobbed. He knelt down and kissed her hand. “You hanging in there, best woman?”

  “Barely,” she choked out. “My baby is married. It was so beautiful.”

  Stephen shrugged as if to blame her emotion on the pregnancy, but his eyes were suspiciously bright when he gripped Jeremy’s arm. “Proud of you both.”

  Jeremy rubbed something out of his eye that was not a tear and kissed Tasha on the forehead. “No dancing now. Those little ones need their rest.”

  “If Rory had gotten me a motorized wheelchair the way I asked him to, I wouldn’t promise anything.” She smiled up at him weakly and then started crying again. “I hate hormones. And I think the babies need cake.”

  “Not until we have pictures.” Jen appeared beside them, her face glowing and a compact in her hand. “Back up brothers, I’m the best woman’s official touch up girl.”

  “Yes.” Tasha pushed Jeremy and Stephen away. “And I’m standing for some of the pictures so deal with it and don’t try and stop me.”

  Jeremy felt Owen’s hand slide back into his and he smiled in relief, allowing himself to be led away. He wasn’t sure how many pictures were taken or who they took them with, though he did remember that Trick had to snag the leash from Brady and run when Badass started to whine.

  “Don’t forget to put on his booties,” Owen called, and the Finn men teased him mercilessly until the photographer said it was time to cut the cake.

  Owen kissed his cheek. “Declan didn’t get cake,” he murmured. “Apparently really, disgustingly rich people like to get creative with their chocolate.”

  “Holy shit,” Jeremy said, stunned as a life-size replica of the vigilante demon from his bestselling comic book series was wheeled out in front of him. It was made entirely of chocolate. White, dark and milk. He glanced at Jen’s boyfriend for a second before his gaze returned to the piece of art. “Holy shit, Declan.”

  Owen slid an arm around his waist. “He had them make tiny pizzas for me, too. Very upscale, but I’ll need at least twenty to tide me over. The professor is good at sucking up.”

  Declan snorted. “I’m standing right here.”

  “You’re standing on the top ten list of my favorite people at the moment.” Owen’s voice was charm itself. “So don’t go changing.”

  He saw Seamus grab his twins, Penny and Wes, as they ran full tilt for the statue, their legs bicycling wildly in the air. “You need to wait, guys,” he said with a patient smile. “This isn’t Willy Wonka’s, it’s your uncle’s wedding.”

  “It’s Vini, Dad!” Wes cried. “Uncle Jer, look, it’s Vini!”

  Jeremy beamed. Five-year-old Wes wasn’t old enough to be into comics, but he’d seen some framed art when they’d come to visit and demanded to know everything about the strange little character that lived in Jeremy’s head. He wouldn’t stop talking about it. The adorable towhead would be pleased to know he was getting his own framed drawing of the demon on an adventure with Wes and his twin sister for Christmas.

  Right now, however, chocolate was all Wes wanted. “Jake,” Seamus called. “Can you grab one of these sugar addicts?”

  “When can we ditch this party?” Owen asked after distracting him by nuzzling his neck while the photographer circled them, snapping one shot after the other. “After we cannibalize that statue?”

  “This is our party, Owen.” Jeremy laughed quietly, still watching Seamus trying to wrangle his children. His older son, Jake, had stepped in to help at his father’s request. “We can’t ditch our own wedding reception.”

  “You shouldn’t tell him he can’t do things.” Jeremy turned to see
Rory grinning at them with two strange men beside him. “You know he thinks the word is a dare.”

  Owen stood behind Jeremy, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his chin on his shoulder. “Pot meet Kettle,” he said lazily, practically purring against Jeremy like a contented lion. “Introduce us to your friends.”

  Jeremy saw a warning in Rory’s eyes before his smile widened and he slid his arms through both of theirs. “Rig and David? This is my cousin Owen and his new husband Jeremy.”

  Rig was not as tall as he was bulked up with muscle. With his Roman nose and dark hair he was definitely attractive, but he was eyeing them as if they were on the auction block at Owen’s favorite BDSM club. “Pleasure to meet you. And congratulations.” His words were polite, but his eyes were anything but. He was as sexual as Rory. No wonder they were friends.

  The other man was different. Gorgeous, his tall, muscular frame had a more “naturally gifted” feeling. Very hot boy next door. Jeremy saw Rory steal a glance at his friend as though waiting for his reaction. “Nice to meet you both,” he said politely. “I’m David Mills. Sorry we horned in on your special day, but we’ve been hearing about this wedding for months and couldn’t resist when Rory called to invite us.”

  “He talks about us,” Owen faux-whispered to Jeremy. “And you thought he didn’t like us.”

  “You’re a conversation starter, that’s all,” Rory said with a smirk. “My proof that no man is a straight line.” His gaze flickered to David’s again.

  What was that about?

  “So true,” Owen agreed easily. “We are fascinating. Tell us how you know Rory, David.”

  Brown eyes looked momentarily startled. “Oh. Well, we met in our senior year of high school. I was a transfer student and Rory took pity on the new kid.” He smiled at his friend. “He was all about school spirit back then. Everyone loved their mascot, so I had an easier time adjusting.”

  But Jeremy frowned, suddenly realizing how little he knew about Brady’s brothers. At least, the lives they led between Finn Agains. They needed to fix that. He needed to fix that. “Mascot?”