Dare to Stay (Dare Nation 4)

“I’d like to make a toast,” Austin said, picking up the glass of scotch. An expensive bottle had been left in the room along with appetizers. “Does everyone have a glass?”

“Yep.” Damon lifted his. He’d been adapting well to the new job, dressing in suits, not a uniform, and being around family more often.

“Here, here,” Jaxon said, lifting the tumbler with the amber-colored liquid.

“Apple juice,” Uncle Paul said in disdain. “Gotta protect that kidney you gave me.”

He grinned at Austin, who shook his head and laughed. “I won’t drink much, either, don’t worry.” With only one kidney, as well, he was extra careful now.

Ron raised his glass. “Sympathy apple juice.”

He and Paul had had a solid relationship for so many years, it was one to emulate in any marriage, and Braden took note.

Glancing around at the brothers and men he couldn’t imagine his life without, he knew how lucky he was to have them all. Despite the frustrations growing up with a difficult parent, they’d made it through to this. They were all married or to be married, in his case, to the women they loved.

Austin cleared his throat. “Many of you beat me to the altar, but remember, I found Quinn before you guys discovered your women.”

Braden grinned at the competitive statement, so like each of the brothers.

Austin chuckled, but his expression grew serious. “I feel good getting married knowing you’ve all discovered the same happiness in your lives. Well, except for you, Hudson.” With a joking grin, he glanced at Braden’s friend, who was here since, as a bridesmaid, Bri needed a partner to walk her down the aisle, and Hudson was the perfect choice.

Everyone saw the sparks brewing between the two, and putting them together would be fun to watch.

“Thanks for the reminder.” Hudson lifted his glass in a mock toast. “But marriage isn’t on my radar, and I’m perfectly fine as is.”

As far as Braden knew, it wasn’t on Bri’s, either, so he wasn’t worried about her getting hurt if something happened between them. Besides, he trusted Hudson not to break her heart, because if he did, Braden would have to smash his nose, and things wouldn’t be pretty. Something Hudson was well aware of.

“You’ll find that right person and change your mind,” Damon predicted.

“Agreed.” This from Jaxon, who then turned to Braden. “When are you and Willow tying the knot?”

They wanted to marry before training camp began in July, which gave them three to four months to plan and execute. Willow didn’t want this-sized wedding, not that Braden would insult Austin by saying so. To each their own. But her idea of perfection was just the men in this room, their wives, his sister, Christine, Bella, and her best friend, Steffy.

“We’re thinking of pulling a small ceremony together in May sometime. We wanted to wait until Austin and Quinn’s ceremony was finished before we picked a date and made it about us.” He grinned. “Those were Willow’s words.”

“Women.” Austin shook his head and laughed. “Here’s to happiness and the women who complete us.”

Short and sweet. So very Austin. None of the Prescott-Dare men, as they’d begun to jokingly call themselves, had thought marriage or monogamy was in their future, but it had taken the right women to change their minds.

A knock sounded on the door. “It’s time,” someone called out.

Braden glanced at his brother. “You ready?”

“I can’t fucking wait.”

A few minutes later, they were lined up, their women on their arms. Willow glowed in a cream-colored dress with material that shined, perfectly applied makeup on her face, her beautiful blonde hair curled and falling around her shoulders.

“I can’t take my eyes off you,” he whispered in her ear, causing her to shiver.

“You’re pretty sexy yourself.” Her approving gaze took in his attire, a tuxedo and cream-colored bow tie.

And as he leaned close, the scent of her light perfume hit him hard, his body hardening, and he counted backwards to attempt to get rid of his erection.

But the music started, and they had to focus on their walk down the aisle behind the other couples. He glanced around as they stepped slowly and in tandem.

His mother sat beside Paul and Ron, Jenny in her arms. The baby wore a cream dress she’d spit up on as his mother carried her down the aisle, making everyone laugh. His mother’s eyes were filled with happy tears as her children strode down the aisle.

Evie and Damon had already announced her pregnancy, and since she was showing, her bridesmaid’s dress had to be adjusted to fit. At least according to Willow.

As Macy and Jaxon passed the crowd, Macy’s teenage sister, Hannah, waved from her seat.

He and Willow made their way next. After them, Bri and Hudson walked together, and Braden knew it was only a matter of time before their chemistry either exploded or imploded. Time would tell.