Page 79 of Convenient Rivals

“It’s your wedding,” said Charlie.

“I know, but when one of us is in pain, what do we do?”

“We give them what they need.”

“Exactly, so go.”

“Do you want to go with them?” asked Oscar.

This wonderful man. He couldn’t love him anymore, but he shook his head.

“Jason needs the two brothers who have emotional intelligence.”

“Hey, don’t talk about my husband like that.”

Gregory smiled and leaned in to kiss Oscar, then turned and saw Paolo and Charlie looking at them with heart eyes. He chuckled.

“Go. And call me when you can.”

They both pulled him into a hug and left to find Jason. He looked over at Patrick, who was being comforted by Sebastian. Max and Eric were by the bar, laughing over something they’d shared. The remaining guests were oblivious to what had just happened.

“Do you want to dance?” said Oscar.

Gregory glared at Oscar, but then smiled. He was taken back to the memory of their first dance at the Christmas ball, when he’d been confused about his feelings for Oscar and all their murky history. But there was no confusion now, only a lifetime ahead of them to write the second chapter of their story.

EPILOGUE

OSCAR

Three months later

Oscar was nervous.

He’d met all of Paolo’s brothers before, many times, and he loved them all. Together, they could be an intimidating bunch, especially in the way they all looked out for each other, and there was usually one of the other boyfriends, fiances, or husbands. Yes, Oscar and Gregory weren’t the only married couple in the group now. If the whole Grant and Jason thing had been dramatic enough at his own wedding, it was nothing compared to the drama which had happened at Charlie and Sebastian’s.

Oscar had gotten to know the partners of all Gregory’s brothers over the last three months, and he loved them all as well. They’d started their own monthly dinner, which had been met with some scepticism from their men. Sebastian had suggested they do it in New York, and said he’d fly them over in his private jet. This hadn’t gone down well with Charlie, or the others, who didn’t like the idea of missing out on a trip to New York. It had only been said in jest, but given their reactions, Sebastian was now determined to make it happen before the year was out. Oscar was keeping out of it, and would let Sebastian handle that one with Charlie.

Now he was going to be on his own with the five of them; his first and only invite to Sunday brunch. According to Jason, who had a penchant for the dramatic, it was a rite of passage to finally be integrated into the group. This would have happened sooner, but a lot had happened over the last three months in all their lives. It had been tough for the brothers, and Gregory had wanted Oscar to join their brunch when things were more settled.

The last three months had been hectic for Oscar as well. The regulatory investigation had resulted in a two-million-pound fine, and Barty being charged with fraud and market abuse. He’d been remanded into custody, as Gregory had refused to cover his bail. It was the first and only time his family had reached out to him since their confrontation, and Gregory had agonised over the decision and been racked with guilt when he’d decided not to pay for it. Oscar would have supported him either way, but he was proud of him for standing firm. It was safe to say the family ties were completely broken now. It didn’t matter; his husband had everything he needed right here.

Oscar had met his half-sisters, and he really liked them. They loved having a big brother, and he was slowly building a relationship with them. He’d put money away for them into trust for when they were older. Nobody had asked him, and as far as his father’s mistress was concerned, they weren’t getting anything. They were innocent in all this, but he wanted them to be successful in a self-made way. He would help them any way he could, but it was why they wouldn’t get the money until they were thirty. He had thought about making it younger, and was advised to consider it, but his grandfather had been right. Even though he’d built his own business in his twenties, it was only once he hit thirty that Oscar felt he’d truly grown up and was an adult.

His father’s mistress had gone to the press, as she’d threatened, but Oscar’s father had weathered the storm. His mother had filed for divorce, to save face with the public. She didn’t want anyone to know she was in an open marriage, but Oscar knew she’d fallen out of love with his father many years ago. She just didn’t want to admit it. Oscar was supporting her through it. He was definitely on team Victoria, as he’d barely had a relationship with his father before all this had happened. His mother had also cut all ties with Lavinia Balfour, disgusted at her behaviour when she learned the full story of how they’d treated Gregory. The Balfours were now as good as blacklisted in societal circles.

“Are you ready?” asked Gregory.

“Yeah, just coming.”

He walked out of the bathroom. They’d moved into their own flat near Chancery Lane, bang in the middle between Oscar’s city office and Gregory’s office in the West End. Flat was a bit of an understatement, though. It was the top-floor penthouse of a remodelled Victorian building. It had five bedrooms, two of which were set up as their separate home offices, and had a spare bedroom for guests, as well as a secret room that nobody else was allowed into. Gregory’s bench had needed a new home. After a stressful day at the office, Oscar liked to let off some steam in there, and Gregory was always happy to oblige.

They arrived at KC’s Café, and the others were already there. He greeted KC as he always did, with a kiss on the hand, which made her blush and go all giggly.

“You’re late,” said Jason with a smirk.

Gregory frowned and looked at his watch. They weren’t late. Gregory had been clear that he wouldn’t be giving Jason any ammunition, which is why he’d fucked him quick and hard this morning. His arse had that delicious ache in it. You’d think after four months of daily poundings he’d be used to it by now, but he loved the burn he still experienced every time Gregory owned him.

His husband had an insatiable sexual appetite, and Oscar was happy to satisfy it. They say you have to watch out for the quiet ones, and they were right, although the one thing Gregory wasn’t when they were fucking was quiet. Oscar smiled at the thought.

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