Coach Love(65)

Kent put his arm around her and looked at the gathered gawkers. “The wedding is off. For a lot of reasons, most of which aren’t anyone’s business but ours.” He fixed his gaze on his parents who were stock-still and speechless in the face of their son’s sudden confession. “Please feel free to have some refreshments outside before you go. All your gifts will be returned and your money refunded.” He looked right at Kieran. “I understand how you feel and don’t blame you. She is an amazing woman.” Then he took Cara’s hands and said, “I’m sorry,” loud enough for everyone to hear him. He was visibly shaking when he put her fingers to his lips.

“Go,” she said, clearly and without a trace of sadness. “Go to him.”

Kieran heard a low voice behind him. “Would somebody please explain to me what in the hell is—”

“Anton, mind your language in the house of the Lord,” Lindsay cut him off.

“You aren’t going to tell me this about my son, Lindsay. Not here. Not anywhere.” Antony grabbed their father’s shoulder. “Not here, no,” the oldest brother said.

They all moved when Kent headed toward them on his way to the open doors.

Kieran reached for his father’s other arm to restrain him. But it was no easy feat.

“You...he....” Anton yanked out of his son’s grip. “Not in my house,” he declared, his expression wild with fury as he pointed at Lindsay who looked horror-stricken and at a total loss. That terrified Kieran more than any loud ranting of his father’s. “Not in my world, my brewery, or anywhere around, do you get me? I’m not about to have it, Lindsay. I won’t have it.”

Alarmed at his father’s red face and clenched jaw, Kieran tensed. Something in him knew this would be Anton’s reaction but when faced with it, in front of God, and a church full of people here for a wedding, he withered inside. Cara was now next to him, her hand on his arm. When Kent reached the door, he turned to face Anton then lifted his chin at someone behind them.

“Mother, I am sorry. But I’m done pretending.” He addressed Anton next. “Sir, your son hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“The hell you say,” Anton growled as he lunged for Kent. “My son is no fag.” It took Kieran and Antony both to restrain him. “Let go of me.” Anton pointed a shaking finger at Kent. “Stay away from my son.”

“I can’t, sir, I’m sorry that you feel this way. But we....”

“Shut up,” Anton roared, filling the church with the echo of his fury. Aiden forced his body between the men, facing his father.

“Daddy, let’s go home and calm down, okay? This is no place for—”

Anton shoved his youngest son aside so hard he stumbled and dropped to his knees. Kieran’s head pounded in agonized fury at the sight. It was just the leading edge of what he knew would be a colossal, messy, family breach—one that his messy, breach-making sibling may not be able to claw his way out of.

“My son is dead,” their father declared before spitting on the floor of the church. The finality of his words punctured a hole in Kieran’s chest, and he gasped as if in the grip of an asthma attack. Anton stomped down the steps, giving Kent a wide berth. Lindsay let out a sob and dropped into the pew before getting surrounded by well-dressed women fanning her face and demanding someone bring them ice water.

Cara still had a death grip on his arm. Kieran grabbed her and pulled her around in front of him. “Marry me?” He’d never been more sure of anything.

She shook her head. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I...I don’t know....”

He gripped her arms. “Please.”

The room got quiet as the crowd realized the drama had taken a shift in a positive direction. He got down on one knee, and slipped Kent’s engagement ring off her finger never taking his eyes off hers. The crowd applauded but Kieran heard nothing but the beating of his own heart.