“You did that on purpose,” I laughed.
He shrugged. “Maybe. Should be fun for everyone to try to figure us out. Besides, you can duck out if you need to. They’ll never know it’s not you.”
Picking up his bag, I slung it over my shoulder. “Let’s try your theory out on my friends.”
Axel grinned. “Yeah, Thomas mentioned they were coming. Lead the way, little brother.”
When we stepped outside the airport, they turned, wide-eyed and stared at us. Thomas folded his arms over his chest and smiled. Lennox was the first to step up. “Don’t say anything and let me see if I can tell which one is which.”
Colin rolled his eyes. “You know what Mason was wearing, genius.”
“Shh,” he spat. “I didn’t pay attention to that.”
Colin barked out a laugh. “If you don’t pay attention any better than that, how can you be our quarterback? Maybe I should take a go at it.” He winked at Carson.
Lennox turned to glare at him. “I hate you.”
Colin grinned. “Ya don’t. Ya really don’t.”
In the end, he got it right. But when it came to when we were dressed alike for the wedding, all bets were off. Melinda wasn’t going to know what hit her, and that just made me smile.
Chapter 32
Mason
When we arrived at the beachfront rental house, our sisters and soon-to-be brother-in-law were waiting for us. As soon as I got out, both of my sisters came running. And when Axel stepped out of the car, they squealed and engulfed him in all the sibling affection they’d shown me over my lifetime. I’d always been terrified I’d lose them if and when we found out the truth, but our bond had only grown stronger.
After making the introductions, we spent the evening with them as Zane and Lennox offered to showcase their BBQ skills and grill whatever was in the refrigerator. Dane and Thomas went to the local grocery store to get whatever else was needed, while Carson and Colin took a walk down the beach.. That left me and Axel with our sisters. They kept looking back and forth between us as if they couldn’t believe it either.
“I’m so happy you’re both here,” Maddie said, reaching out to us. “It means the world to me to have both my brothers here.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her how close I’d come to not showing up, but Axel wasted no time. “Mads,” he said, using his nickname for her. “Do you know your mother texted Mason and told him not to come?”
Her face contorted as she stared in shock. “What? What do you mean? I knew the reservation was cancelled. I thought that meant you were opting for the rental.” The ire rose in her eyes as she reached her boiling point. “How dare she do that?”
“I’m sorry to tell you, love, but I think she’s trying to get back at Mason for your…” he sighed, “ourfather leaving her. That’s gonna take some time getting used to.” Axel looked at me. “Mason has every right to be spiteful, but that’s not how our brother operates. If anyone causes a stir, it will be me.” I saw the twinkle in his eye. “But do not worry,” he said to her in his sweetest British accent, “I shall not ruin the nuptials.”
Maddie smiled at Axel. “Do what you need to do.” She looked at me, then at Axel. “You’re protective of him, and that makes me really happy.”
He shook his head. “I feel an immense need to protect all three of you. I’ve been told that’s my job as the oldest brother. I’ve been watchingBridgertonand the hunky Jonathan Bailey. And if I compare myself to him, I’m going to be outstanding at it.” He grinned at all three of us, making us laugh. My anxiety began to slip away as we talked and laughed. As I watched my siblings get to know each other, I was already feeling sadness for when we had to say goodbye again. Axel could see how I was feeling without having to ask. And I was grateful for that.
We easily drifted into one conversation after another about the wedding details and sports season, baby names, and where Maddie and Zane had planned to live. At one point, I saw Thomas pull her aside and hug her. I knew he was probably thanking her for the part she played in designing his office. I felt like a fly on the wall observing all the emotions and genuine friendship, hovering above everything, absorbing all the love these people had for me. My friends didn’t have to come, but they did. My brother crossed an ocean to be here, and the love of my life made sure he stood like a sentinel by my side, loving mewith every touch and glance my way. My heart was full, and I was happy that I hadn’t let Melinda separate me from my siblings once again.
The following afternoon, Axel and I dressed in our matching suits to walk Makenna down the aisle. We stood flanking her as our father walked Maddie down the aisle to Zane. I watched as his eyes filled with tears at the sight of all three of us standing at the end of the walkway. Axel stood seemingly unaffected, while the reality of the moment got to me. Fixing my eyes on Maddie, she beamed at us with tears in her eyes before she turned to look at Zane. From that point on, she only had eyes for him. As it should be.
I glanced at Melinda as she ignored us, then chose something better to fixate on. Tommy. He sat with his eyes on me throughout the ceremony, and as my sister and Zane said their vows, I stared at him, hoping that one day, it would be he and I doing this. When he mouthedI love you, I forgot where I was and replied with a silentlove you.
When the officiant pronounced them man and wife, my attention went back to my sister as she kissed her new husband. But I couldn’t keep my eyes off Tommy, and he couldn’t keep his off me.
When the ceremony ended, we headed into a cocktail hour while photos were being taken. Maddie had given the photographer a list of photos she wanted, many of which included her brothers. When the family photo was taken, my stomach roiled at having to be in the same vicinity as Melinda. I kept my eyes on Axel until he nodded toward the back of the room, where Tommy and my friends stood. All five of them stood like security at the back of the room, like soldiers ready to go to battle, daring anyone to step out of line.
Axel leaned in, and I dropped my head to hear him. “Quite a bunch of mates you have, little brother. I’m glad you have them.”I could hear some emotion in his tone, but when I looked at him, it was gone.
“I’m glad you found me,” I said to him, my eyes beginning to tear up. I gave in to the fact that I was always going to be the emotional one, and I was more than okay with that.
After the speeches were given, the dancing started under the twinkling lights of the romantically decorated ballroom. I wanted to wrap myself around Tommy as we watched my sister dance with her husband, then with our father. When the DJ asked for the family to join them, I sucked in a breath and stood. Axel got up and went to Makenna. I didn’t want to dance with Melinda, but I knew I needed to show her I was no longer the child she could manipulate. Otherwise, she would think she had won. So I went to her and held out my hand with the barest of smiles. My heart was beating so hard I thought it might stop. For a moment, I thought she might decline. But in perfect blueblood form, she smiled pensively, then took my hand. As we took the dancefloor, I banked on the fact that she wouldn’t make a scene in front of everyone. She wouldn’t want to tarnish her reputation in the eyes of all her friends.
Taking her in my arms, I pretended I was dancing with Shannon. I focused on Axel and Makenna dancing close by as both of them kept their eyes on us. Melinda smiled for the crowd as we turned several times, but like the viper she was, when her back was turned to the guests, she was unable to keep her cutting tongue from me. “You don’t belong here anymore, Mason. I should never have agreed…”
