by Marie Force
“What time the guys will show up and which one of them will be first through the door.”
“They’re betting on that?”
Linda McCarthy joined them, patting Chloe’s arm. “It’s become tradition. The men are rather predictable, so they make it fun to take wagers.”
“You people are insane,” Chloe said, astounded and amused.
“We know.” Janey looked up from the floor with an expression that could only be called diabolical. “And we own our insanity because it’s so damned fun to torment them.”
“Although Mac makes it super easy because he’s almost always the first one through the door,” Laura said.
“Not tonight he won’t be,” Maddie said. “I had a talk with him and told him it’s time to pass the torch to someone else.”
“That’ll be the day.” Linda produced a fifty-dollar bill. “My money is on him.”
“Whoa,” Janey said. “Mama just upped the ante and bet against her own son!”
“I’ll put a hundred on Alex,” Jenny said. “If he hears there might be strippers, he’ll be here so quick, his head—and mine—will spin.”
“I’ll put a hundred on Luke,” Sydney said.
Linda pulled out another fifty. “Not to be outdone, make that a hundred on Mac.”
“It’s a sad day when your own mother bets against you,” Maddie said, feigning sadness on behalf of her husband.
“I’m nothing if not a realist, sweetheart, and I know my son. He’ll be the first one through that door or my name isn’t Linda McCarthy.”
“I wish I could disagree with you,” Maddie said, giggling.
“We wouldn’t have him any other way, would we?” Linda asked her daughter-in-law.
“Um, well…”
The others cracked up laughing.
“Remember the last time we told them there’d be strippers?” Tiffany said. “Blaine was so mad that we had the hottest makeup sex ever.”
“Oh God, Mac was, too,” Maddie said.
“We got them so good,” Jenny said.
“What’s going to happen when they find out there really are strippers coming?” Chloe asked.
“The shit’s gonna hit the fan,” Chelsea said bluntly. “And it’ll be epic.”
* * *
After he took a ton of grief for kissing Chloe in front of everyone, Finn tried to settle in and enjoy the evening with his favorite men. The whole crew was there, including Grant and Evan, who’d made it home to Gansett in time for the bachelor party and would be staying for the summer. Dan Torrington and Slim Jackson were also back on the island after wintering in Los Angeles and Palm Beach, respectively.
Those guys had the right idea—party all summer on Gansett and then head for warmer climates in the winter. Grant had come home with the news that Stephanie was expecting and that they’d be staying close to home for the rest of this year.
Blaine introduced Riley and Finn to his brother, Deacon, as Owen walked around handing out bottles of beer to newcomers that included David Lawrence and Seamus O’Grady, who was married to Joe’s mom.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, and don’t tell Grace that I did, but we’re knocked up, too,” Evan said with a giddy grin.
“So are we,” Adam said.
“Wait, what?” Grant and Evan said in stereo.
Mac put his arm around Adam’s shoulders. “You heard him right. Turns out our boy is going to be a dad—again.”
“That is fantastic news.” Grant hugged Adam. “I’m thrilled for you guys.”
“Thanks. We’re pretty thrilled, too. At least we are when Abby isn’t puking up her guts.”
Owen groaned. “That’s the worst. Laura went through that both times. It was brutal.”
“How long did it last?” Adam asked.
“Um, I hate to tell you, but she was sick the whole time.”
Adam groaned. “Ugh. I can’t imagine that. Abby is barely functioning. She even hired someone to run the store for her this summer because she doesn’t think she can do it.”
“Wow, that’s hard-core,” Evan said. “We’ve been lucky so far. Grace has felt great, and she’s super-duper horny.”
“Shut it, Evan,” Big Mac said as he came in with Ned, Frank and Kevin. The fabulous foursome was back together since Ned returned from Italy. “No one wants to hear about your horny wife.”
“Um, I do,” Evan said, grinning. “That’s my favorite subject.”
“Ciao,” Ned said, as he accepted a beer from Owen, who was Shane’s best man. Mac, Riley and Finn were his groomsmen.
“How was your trip?” Finn asked Ned.
“Magnifico,” Ned said, kissing his fingertips with dramatic flair.
“You can barely speak English,” Big Mac said to him. “And now we’ve got to put up with you speaking Italian?”
Ned huffed with pretend indignation while the others howled.
“Good one, Dad,” Evan said, slapping Big Mac on the back.
“Watch yerself,” Ned said to Evan. “Or I’ll start becoming an unsilent partner in yer studio.”
“Oh God,” Evan said, recoiling. “I take it back. I take it all back.”
Ned chuckled. “Thought ya might say that.”
“How’s the studio doing?” Adam asked Evan.
“It’s great. Josh has done a fantastic job of keeping things moving while I was gone. I’m going to be recording my new album there this summer.”
“That’s awesome,” Grant said. “It’s so freaking great to be home. I love the sunshine in the winter, but there’s no place like Gansett Island.”
“Hear, hear,” Evan said, raising his beer bottle. “Now, let’s talk about Shane.”
Shane groaned. “Let’s not and say we did.”
“You know better than that, son.” Frank squeezed Shane’s shoulder. “Let me go first.”
“Here it comes, cuz.” Adam handed Shane a fresh beer. “Drink up.”
“Hush,” Frank said. “All of you.” When he had their attention, Frank cleared his throat. “I can’t think about your wedding to Katie without getting a great big lump right here…” Frank pointed to his neck and cleared his throat again as he battled his emotions. “…because you got it so bloody right with her. The two of you are perfect for each other, and I can’t wait to welcome yet another Lawry to our family. Everyone here, we all know what you had to go through to get to where you are now, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that no one deserves the happiness you’ve found with Katie more than you do, son. I love you, I’m so proud of you, and I can’t wait to dance at your wedding. To Shane.”
The others raised their bottles. “To Shane!”
“My turn,” Big Mac said.
Shane groaned, earning a glare from his uncle.
“I just want to say that your dad is absolutely right,” Big Mac said. “You deserve this happiness so very much, and we are thrilled for you and Katie. Love you, Shane.”
“What they said.” Kevin used his thumb to point to his brothers. “We’re all so proud of you and how you’ve weathered the storm to get to this moment with Katie. She’s the best, and we couldn’t be happier for both of you. Love you, buddy.”
Chapter 30
Finn found himself oddly emotional, listening to the tributes to his cousin, who had, indeed, been to hell and back while married to his first wife, Courtney. Quite some time after they were married, Shane had learned that she was a drug addict. He’d gotten her through rehab only to receive divorce papers for his troubles. For a while, they hadn’t been sure that Shane would ever get over the way his marriage had ended. But he’d come to Gansett to help Laura with the renovations to the Sand & Surf, had met Katie and had rebuilt his shattered life. And then, over the winter, Courtney had overdosed and died, breaking Shane’s heart all over again.
“Thanks, everyone,” Shane said, understated as always. He was, by far, the quietest and most contained of the McCarthy cousins.
“We’re not finished yet,” Owen said. “I
t’s the best man’s turn.”
“Now you’re in trouble,” Adam said.
Owen ignored the razzing to focus on Shane. “You guys all know what my family and I went through at the hands of my dad growing up. I never would’ve survived it without Katie and Julia, who were right there with me through the worst of it as we protected our younger siblings and ran interference for them with our dad. I’ve always known that someday, I’d have to let them go, and I hoped that when the time came, I’d be able to be somewhat graceful about it and refrain from throat-punching any guy who dared to even look at them.”
“Jesus,” Mac muttered. “He’s worse than I am.”
“No one is worse than you are,” Evan said.
“No one,” Grant added.
Mac raised his middle finger and directed it at his brothers.
“As I was saying,” Owen continued, giving Mac a pointed look, “the thought of either of them falling in love and getting married was almost too much for me to bear. Until Katie met Shane and showed me that when it’s the right guy, there’s no need for me to throat-punch him.”
“Gee, thanks,” Shane said, rubbing his throat while trying not to laugh.
“You’re welcome,” Owen said, super serious.
Another ripple of laughter went through the group.
“I absolutely love that Laura’s little brother is marrying my little sister and that our kids will be double cousins and that the four of us will take this journey together. I love you like a brother, Shane, and I just ask you to take good care of my Katie. She’s the absolute best.”
Shane’s eyes were bright with unshed tears as he hugged Owen and said something that only Owen could hear.
Owen nodded and patted Shane on the back.
“Can we drink now?” Mac asked.
“Don’t let me stop you,” Shane said. “And, um, thanks, everyone, for coming out tonight and for all the good wishes. Katie and I are excited for the wedding and for everything else.”
“Especially the wedding night,” Evan said, “which is the whole point of the wedding.”
“Dad, will you please do something about him?” Grant said.
“Sorry,” Big Mac said, “he’s a lost cause.”
Evan beamed with pleasure. “Yes, I am. Now, about the wedding night—”
“Shut up, Evan,” the others said in a loud chorus.
Joe Cantrell came in through the wide garage doors. “What’s he saying now?”
“It’s not worth repeating.” Mac handed Joe a beer. “Good of you to join us.”
“I had the last run from the mainland.” As the owner of the Gansett Island Ferry Company, Joe often filled in as needed.
“Thanks for coming,” Shane said.
“Wouldn’t have missed it. But, um, listen, I think we might have a very small problem.”
Everyone gave Joe their full attention.
“What kind of problem?” Big Mac asked.
“The stripper kind.”
“Oh no,” Mac said. “I’m not falling for that nonsense again.”
“This could be legit,” Joe said. “I saw them. They were on the boat just now.”
After a long silence, Blaine spoke first. “You saw actual male strippers on the ferry.”
“Yes.”
“How do you know they were strippers?” Evan asked.
Joe gave him a withering look.
“What? It’s a legit question! I assume you don’t have a ton of experience identifying male strippers. Although, I could be wrong about that…”
“Shut the fuck up, will you? I’ve never seen a male stripper in my life except for on TV and in movies, but there were eight guys on the boat in cowboy hats and chaps and not much else. Caused quite a stir with the women in the office who sold them their tickets. There was actual screaming when they turned to walk away, because their ass cheeks were out and proud.”
“Oh my God,” Mac said, his face purple with rage. “And they’re headed to my house. Let’s go, boys.”
Big Mac stood in the doorway and held up his hand. “Before you run off half-cocked, may I remind you of what happened in Anguilla when you thought it was a good idea to steal their clothes while they were skinny-dipping?”
“That was different, Dad,” Mac said through gritted teeth. “That was a prank. This is actual half-naked men going to my house where my wife and children live to do God knows what.”
“Um, actually,” Joe said, “it’s more like three-quarters naked.”
Mac charged forward.
His father stopped him with his hand on Mac’s chest. “Take a minute and think before you act.”
“I don’t want to take a minute. I want to get to my wife before a band of naked cowboys arrives at my house.”
“I agree with him,” Blaine said. “This is not happening.”
Big Mac kept his gaze fixed on Mac. “Why do you care if a band of naked cowboys is at your house?”
“Why do I care? Are you really asking me that?”
“Yeah, I guess I am. Are you afraid your pregnant wife is going to take off with a naked cowboy and leave you and her three other children to fend for yourselves?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the problem? It’s harmless fun.”
“And you don’t care if your wife is drooling over a naked cowboy?”
“Nope, because at the end of the night, she’ll come home to me and tell me all about it.” Big Mac’s eyes sparkled with delight as he leaned in closer to his son. “And she might even drool a little over me.”
“The old man does have a bit of a point,” Grant said, “even if the thought of Mom drooling over him is disgusting.”
“Nothing disgusting about it, my friend,” Big Mac said with a dirty grin.
“He does not have a point,” Mac replied, seething.
“Ah, yeah, he does,” Adam said. “The last time we followed you into battle, I didn’t get any for a month. Abby was seriously pissed.”
The other guys nodded.
“Maddie was so pissed, she nearly broke your arm marching you off the beach,” Grant said to Mac. “You sure you want to go there again?”
“They’re probably taking bets on which one of us is going to come busting in first,” Shane said. “They’re evil that way.”
Finn glanced at Riley, wondering what his brother thought.
Riley shrugged, but his eyes were wide with dismay, probably because Nikki was at the party.
Quinn and Jared James approached the garage door, stopping when they seemed to realize they were interrupting something.
“What’s going on?” Quinn, who was engaged to Big Mac’s daughter Mallory, glanced between the two Macs.
“Word on the street is that there’s gonna be strippers at the bachelorette party,” Owen said.
“Didn’t you guys already fall for that once before?” Jared asked.
“Saw them with my own eyes,” Joe said, grimacing. “Need a brain scrub.”
“You don’t say.” Quinn chuckled.
“There is nothing funny about this,” Mac said, glaring at Quinn.
Owen stepped forward. “If I know my sister Julia, and I know her as well as I know anyone, the strippers are legit and they’re probably as dirty as it gets.”
“That’s it,” Mac said. “No more dicking around. I’m going over there.”
Realizing he was fighting a losing battle, Big Mac sighed, dropped his arm and stepped back to clear the way for Mac to leave.
“Who’s coming with me?” Mac asked.
“I am,” Blaine said.
“No way am I missing this,” Deacon said, chasing after Mac and Blaine.
“Mac’s apt to get himself killed if he gets between the women and their strippers,” Finn said to Riley.
“Yeah, it could get ugly. Let’s go keep an eye on him.”
“Hold our beers,” Finn said to the others. “We’ve got this.”
“Oh Jesus,” Kevin said. “The babies are in c
harge.”
He and Riley chased after Mac, Blaine and Deacon, managing to jump into the bed of Mac’s truck in the second before he peeled out of the parking lot and gunned it for home.
Riley grasped the side of the bed for something to hold on to. “He’s gonna get us killed.”
“No shit,” Finn said, white-knuckling it.
After a swift and perilous ride to Mac’s house, Finn and Riley were more than ready to get the hell out of that truck bed.
“Christ on a stick,” Riley said to Mac. “You’re a lunatic.”
“No one asked you to jump in the back.”
“Someone has to keep you guys from doing something stupid,” Finn said.
“So the babies decided to be our keepers?” Mac shot the comment over his shoulder as he made for the stairs to the back deck.
Riley, Finn and Deacon followed Mac and Blaine up the stairs. The first thing Finn heard was the music—loud, wild and twangy. Oh shit, they were too late. For the rest of his life, he’d never forget the sight that greeted them in Mac’s living room: buff cowboys in chaps, gyrating, and the women who were also gyrating, laughing and screaming. Was Katie getting a lap dance? For the first time ever, Finn wished he was blind.
“Oh. My. God.” Riley’s words summed things up rather well.
“Mom is the winner!” Janey screamed. “Mac was first again!”
Blaine went over to shut off the music, and the stunned silence that followed seemed to get the attention of the women who hadn’t noticed the arrival of the men.
Maddie spoke first. “Uh. Oh.”
“Show’s over, boys.” Blaine flashed his badge. “Get out. Right now.”
“The show is not over, boys.” With her eyes flashing with anger, Tiffany went to her husband, placed her hand on his chest and walked him backward. “Move it, buster. Don’t you dare come in here flashing that badge when we are having innocent fun.”
“There is nothing innocent about naked men flashing their junk in your face!”
“They are not flashing their junk, and if you want me to ever look at your junk again, you will get out of here! Now!”
For a long, charged moment, no one moved or even seemed to breathe.
Until Blaine blinked and the fight seemed to go out of him. “Tiffany…”