by DJ Jamison
Before Rory could speak, a middle-aged woman stepped forward with a question about budgeting and taxes. That led to a longer, more convoluted answer. When it looked as if Kinkaid would call on yet another person—obviously avoiding Rory—he jumped in without being recognized.
“I have a question, Senator Kinkaid,” he said into his microphone before anyone else could speak. “Your son is here at your side, but is it willingly or because you’ve pressured him to support you publicly?”
Avery gasped, eyes widening with shock. He obviously hadn’t noticed Rory before he spoke. There were murmurs through the audience. Rory felt everyone in the room look at him more closely.
“Ah, Rory Fisher. I’m sorry your ‘relationship’ with my son didn’t work out,” Senator Kinkaid said, lifting his fingers to make quote marks. “This is not the time or place for you to vent your frustration.”
“It’s a legitimate question. Didn’t you tell Avery that you’d get me fired if he didn’t come home?”
“Can someone get him out of here?” Kinkaid said, glancing toward the back where Rory presumed there might be some security guards. It was a low-key event, but there was sure to be someone to handle any surprise protests.
“Your threats are meaningless now, Senator Kinkaid,” Rory said, rushing out the words. “I quit my job.”
Security had reached his side, but Avery stepped forward hastily. “Wait, what? You quit your job. Why would you do that?”
“Because I love you. He can’t keep us apart now.”
Senator Kinkaid pushed Avery away from the microphone. “Don’t humor him, Avery. He’s clearly unbalanced.”
“Rory, you love that job,” Avery said, resisting his father’s attempts to brush him aside. “You can’t just quit.”
“No employer will want someone who faked an engagement,” Avery’s father snarled. “I’ve got the proof right here that you used my son for his connections. Your agency needed money, and you saw an easy mark.”
“That’s not true,” Rory protested. “Avery helped me present a proposal to the Kinkaid Foundation. The board voted to assist my agency. I never used Avery. We helped each other. Maybe, yes, we did…use media interest to highlight the terrible legislation you were advocating that would have infringed on LGBTQ and minority rights, but—”
“Get him out of here,” Kinkaid ordered, and a security guard grabbed Rory’s arm, tugging him from the microphone. “He’s a fraud and a fool, and my son wants nothing to do with this conman.”
Rory couldn’t fight the grip on his arms. He was dragged back up the aisle as Avery stepped in close to the mic, saying, “He’s not a conman. Rory Fisher is the best man I know, and I love him. Call our engagement anything you like, but I’d marry him right here, right now if I could.”
Sen Kinkaid leaned in to speak into Avery’s ear. Clearly, he meant his words for Avery alone, but some of it was picked up by the nearby microphone. “…watch yourself…idle threats.”
Avery backed away, shaking his head. “I’m done letting you pull my strings.”
“Avery, if you step off that stage, there’s no going back,” the senator hissed.
Avery didn’t even blink. “I’m already gone.”
He rushed down the steps, heading toward the aisle where Rory was being towed away. Senator Kinkaid pulled out his phone before he spoke into the mic. “I didn’t want to reveal this, but you’ve given me no choice. I have proof here on my phone that my son’s engagement was a hoax.”
The audience, which included a few reporters, was nearly as loud as Senator Kinkaid with the amount of questions and gossip flying among the crowd. But Rory was prepared for Kinkaid to make good on his threat.
It didn’t matter.
He’d given Carol his two weeks’ notice just before the gala. He’d had to wait long enough to ensure Senator Kinkaid didn’t destroy the event that had been months in the making. The gala had been a huge success, making up much of the Equal Justice League’s shortfall in funds, which was largely due to senators like Avery’s father who’d cut their support for grants that had in past years helped the agency operate.
Rory was passionate about his work, and about helping the disenfranchised, but there were a lot of ways to do that. He’d become dissatisfied with the fundraising burden placed on him at Equal Justice League; his job was no longer as focused in the areas he wanted. His biggest concern had been that prospective employers might take issue with the engagement hoax if it got much media attention, but he’d gotten lucky when Barrett Shephard, the lawyer who often worked with Equal Justice League, got wind of his resignation and came to him with a proposal. He asked Rory to help spearhead a local activist organization that would specialize in policy reform and advocacy that would span everything from the justice system to the schools. It was an amazing opportunity to effect real change at a systemic level in the state of Maine, and if it went well, Barrett wanted to expand to regional and eventually national efforts.
Rory had told him everything, even though it sounded like a dream come true, and Barrett had assured him that he wasn’t worried about it. Rory’s work would largely be behind the scenes, and it would take them months to get off the ground before they officially launched and became the subject of their own media coverage.
“I know your heart, and I know your work ethic,” Barrett had said after Rory’s confession. “If it came out that you faked an engagement for political reasons, it wouldn’t be ideal. But we’re an advocacy organization focused on reforming the type of law you were hoping to prevent. We can put a positive spin on that, about how you’ve set your sights on reforming policy through the proper channels. But if you happen to marry Avery, it might all be a moot point.”
Rory had laughed. “I do want to marry him, but not as some protective shield for my career. This is an amazing venture, and if you think I’ll hurt it more than help it—”
“No, Rory.” Barrett took his hand and squeezed. “You’re the right guy for this job. I feel it in my gut. I know how dedicated you can be, how smart and hard-working. I’m behind you on this.”
Rory had planned to move forward with or without a job in place, but it was a huge relief to know he had the support of a guy like Barrett and a passion project to throw himself into.
“Avery, get back here,” Senator Kinkaid bellowed from the stage. “You’re forcing my hand.”
He still scrolled through his phone, muttering, “Where is it? Where is… Avery!”
Avery ignored him, barreling down the aisle and brusquely speaking to security, which had slowed their progress, seemingly unsure of whether to toss Rory out or not. He was clear of the microphones and near the doors when Avery arrived. “Let him go. We’re leaving.”
They released him, and Avery rushed toward him, grabbing his face and kissing him. “You’re crazy, you know that? You love your job. I didn’t want this—”
Rory tugged him into another kiss, silencing his words decisively. When he pulled back, he said, “Screw the job. I want you.”
“But—”
“I have another, better job waiting for me, Avery,” Rory said impatiently. “But even if I didn’t, it wouldn’t matter. There are hundreds of jobs I could take, but there’s only one you.”
Avery hugged him tightly. “I’m glad you feel that way,” he murmured, “because I’m probably unemployed as of…oh, about five seconds ago.”
They laughed together while Senator Kinkaid, sounding flustered, suggested taking a new question. He was trying to move on, but it was clear that he was off-balance. Despite his threats and fumbling with his phone, he hadn’t revealed any proof to the audience. Rory knew he might do it later, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered now that he had Avery back in his arms.
“What now?” Avery asked as they pushed through the doors, crossed the lobby, and stepped into bright sunshine.
Rory squinted against the glare, sunspots dancing over the image of Avery’s face as he looked at him. “Now, you live your
life.”
“With you?”
“If that’s what you want,” Rory said. “You’re free now, Avery. You get to make your own choices without anyone else pulling the strings.”
Avery nodded decisively. “Then I choose you. I’ll always choose you.”
“I’ll always choose you too,” Rory said seriously, feeling a weight to Avery’s words he needed to reciprocate. “Ready to go home?”
Avery’s smile was nearly as bright as the springtime sun when it spread across his face. “Home sounds really good.”
Neither of them needed to clarify that Rory meant his house. It’d become Avery’s home months ago, and if Rory got his way, they’d continue to share a home—and a heart—wherever their future led.
Epilogue
One year later
“Enough photographs, Julien!”
“One more.”
Avery groaned theatrically, turning to Rory. His eyes were bright, his cheeks rosy from the slight chill in the brisk springtime air. “Guess we better make it a good one. It is our wedding day, after all.”
“It is,” Rory agreed solemnly.
They both wore tuxes. Rory had dressed in traditional black, with a pink vest beneath and a white tie, while Avery wore a white tux, with a pink vest and a black bowtie. Rory left his hair down—at Avery’s request—and Avery wore lingerie beneath his tux at Rory’s request. He couldn’t wait to get Avery alone and see just what surprises he was hiding under the custom tux that fit every line of his body perfectly.
Over time, Avery had found a balance that worked for him, lightening up his wardrobe, wearing the colors and fabrics he wanted, but saving his sexiest attire for time alone with Rory or nights out with trusted friends. He was much more settled in who he was, and Rory had come to admire Avery so much. Not just because he’d overcome a lot of toxic baggage, but because he’d had to walk away from money, connections, his only remaining family. Avery had even given up the trust fund his mother had designated for him, donating it to the Kinkaid Foundation—and a chunk to Rory’s policy reform venture with Barrett as well.
For the past year, they had focused on building a relationship that was open and honest. They’d both had to adjust.
Avery had to build an entirely new life: a new job (at a start-up company that helped write business plans and launch small businesses; he had a passion for it that surprised and delighted Rory), new friends (except for Gil, who remained close but continued to refuse to work in politics), new family (he’d fully adopted Rory’s family as his own, and he talked to Rory’s mom daily). The media had been fixated on him for a while, but when it became apparent Avery was not going to yield anymore stories—staying far away from the political arena—they lost interest and left them in peace.
Watching Avery flourish had been amazing, but Rory had wrestled with his own role in their relationship. He was no longer Avery’s white knight, if he ever really had been. He didn’t need to help Avery find self-acceptance because Avery was there. He’d made amazing strides and seemed to be at peace with who he was now, even if Rory knew that it still pained Avery to lose all faith in his father. Watching Senator Kinkaid flounder with his own less than flattering news coverage and drop out of the gubernatorial race had been a bittersweet victory. But as the months went by, Rory realized he didn’t need to save Avery; he only had to be there, standing beside him. He could support him, love him, listen when Avery wanted to vent about a bad day or to celebrate a victory.
And fuck him into the mattress—or occasionally in front of the mirror—in lingerie or out of it, whenever Avery wanted. That went without saying.
Avery grabbed him now, startling him, and dipped him low, smacking a dramatic kiss to his lips for the camera. Several whoops went up, and Rory laughed as Avery yanked him up, head swimming.
“And that concludes our wedding photo session,” Avery said decisively.
They’d already posed for photos at the lighthouse, which had been an emotional experience for both of them, but especially for Avery. He’d changed so much since they first visited Julien’s photo tribute to queer love, but it still hit him hard when Julien reminded them their own photo would be going up on his wall of happy couples.
They’d had a bumpy road, but they’d come through to the other side.
Ignoring Julien’s protests, Avery grabbed Rory’s hand and led him away from the beautifully decorated gazebo where their most recent photo session had ensued. The ocean shimmered behind them under the mid-day sun.
“Where are you going?” Caleb called out. “The ceremony starts in fifteen minutes!”
Rory turned, laughing at the dismay on Caleb’s face. “In the bar, right?”
“No, in the chap—” Caleb caught the mischievous expression on his face and rolled his eyes. “Just be there.”
Rory turned back around, grinning at Avery. “Where are we going?”
“Somewhere without photo lenses.”
“You’re wearing white,” Rory reminded him as Avery drew him into a thick stand of trees of the road.
“Fuck it, they’ve already got photos,” Avery said, drawing Rory close, and pressing their foreheads together. His eyes fluttered closed as he sighed. “I just need a minute.”
Rory felt a flicker of concern. “You’re not having second thoughts?”
Avery’s eyes flew open. “God no,” he said. “I just wanted a minute alone with you. Soon, we’re going to be surrounded by friends and, uh, family.” Avery only hesitated a beat before saying family. Avery had become comfortable with Rory’s family, but he knew the absence of his own father was a void no one could really fill. “I know we have vows, and this fancy ceremony, but Rory…I just need to tell you that meeting you changed my life, and I can’t imagine a single day without you now, and I just need you to know that if I could go back to that day we were seventeen and you asked me to choose, I’d choose differently.”
“Oh, love.” Rory drew him into a hug, kissing his cheek, his temple, his closed eyelids. “You’re everything to me, and if I could go back, I wouldn’t ask you to choose. I’m sorry you were ever in that position. We were young, Ave, and we might not have made it to this day, even if we’d both acted differently. I’m just so happy that we’re here together.”
Avery sniffed, his arms squeezing Rory tight. “You’re right. We made it.”
Rory drew back smiling. “So what do you say? Want to go get married?”
Avery chuckled. “Yeah, what the heck? I know a guy who has a chapel.”
“God, who is that? He sounds pretentious as fuck!”
Together, hand in hand, they laughed as they walked to the chapel. Inside, friends waited. Mal and Holly, Gil and Barrett, Caleb and Julien. Family, too: Tyrone, the girls, Rory’s mom, even Rory’s aunt and uncle from Florida had made the trip up for the wedding, to his surprise.
Rory stopped outside the open chapel doors. He and Avery had decided to walk down the aisle together, hand in hand, as they did every day in their relationship.
The first notes of a wedding march started up. Rory turned to Avery.
“When you look into that room, you might think you don’t have family here, but you’d be wrong,” he said. “They’re all here for you too.”
Avery gazed at Rory, eyes shining. “I’ve got everything I need right here. Let’s go get married.”
Together, they stepped forward.
Their happily ever after awaited and there was no one to stand in their way.
Want more Rory and Avery? A free bonus scene, A Real Honeymoon, is available for download!
Thank you for reading!
Thank you for reading Faking A Groom! If you can spare a few minutes to write a review, even a few words can help.
I have to acknowledge my beta readers, Michael, Susan, Anita, Gwen, and Beth for helping me refine Faking A Groom into the best version of itself, as well as my editor, Abbie Nicole, and my formatter, Gwen Martin. Thank you for helping me put out the best book I can!
My head is full of ideas for where the Marital Bliss series can go. Matias, my Cuban go-go dancer, awaits his story. And my wheels are already turning on storylines for a few of the secondary characters who appeared in Faking A Groom. Mal, Gil, Barrett. Who will get their own book? Join my Facebook Group, DJ and Company, to let me know who you’d love to read about in coming books!
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About the Author
DJ Jamison is the author of more than a twenty m/m romances. She writes a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual, with a focus on telling stories of everyday life and extraordinary love. DJ spent more than a decade in the newspaper industry before chasing her first dream to write fiction. She spent a lifetime reading before that and continues to avidly devour her fellow authors’ books each night. She lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, one snake, and a sadistic cat named Birdie.
Books by DJ Jamison
Hearts and Health
Heart Trouble
Bedside Manner
Urgent Care
Room for Recovery
Surprise Delivery
Orderly Affair
Operation Makeover
Rapid Response
Marital Bliss
Surprise Groom
Wrangling a Groom
Nobody’s Groom
Real Estate Relations
Full Disclosure
Buyer’s Remorse
My Anti-Series
My Anti-Valentine
My Anti-Boyfriend
My Anti-Marriage