Page 72 of Her Three Tech Bros

“Penny, enough,” Logan’s dad says, cutting her off.

“What? I’m not allowed to ask her questions?”

He presses his lips into a thin line but doesn’t answer. What a fucking coward. He doesn’t deserve a son like Logan.

I feel utterly defeated. I knew this dinner would be hard, but I didn’t expect this. How can people be so hateful? So your sons are dating the same girl at once, who cares?

All I want is for this to end. Being so judged when I know I’ve done nothing wrong is a terrible feeling because there’s nothing I can do to change these people’s minds.

I look at Ethan, who’s watching his mom. She refuses to look at him, keeping her eyes on the table. Ryan just stares at me, as if I’m the only thing keeping him grounded. Logan is staring at his father, his face beet red.

My men don’t deserve this. Directly after this thought comes another. This is my fault. If I hadn’t been so selfish in wanting to keep all three of them, then none of this would be happening.

I take a subtle deep breath, trying to force this thought away. I remind myself once again that there is nothing wrong with what we’re doing. That these people are the problem. I know it’s true, but I fear that the longer I sit at this table, the harder it’ll be to remember.

32

RYAN

Once the waiter brings out our entrées, the hostility takes a pause, though not by much. All I can do is look into Jade’s hazel eyes and try as hard as I can to hold it together, but it’s getting harder by the minute, especially with the dirty looks my brother keeps shooting at her.

My brother Chris and I have never had the best of relationships. Truthfully, I think he’s always been jealous of my success. But this is the worst I’ve ever seen him act, and I’m not sure how much longer I can put up with him.

“This steak is amazing,” Ethan says from across the table.

I look down at my own steak, barely eaten. Any appetite I had went out the window as soon as Logan’s dad first opened his mouth. We all knew this wouldn’t be easy, but for everyone to flat-out disrespect us like this is a bit much. I just thought they would at least try to be polite, but it seems everyone came here to argue today.

Logan’s dad hasn’t even touched his food. He just sits there, glaring. I’ve never seen a grown man act more like a child.

“So, Jade, what are you hoping to get out of dating three millionaires?” Chris asks suddenly.

Jade’s face changes instantly. She looks so genuinely sad that it makes my heart ache. I won’t let anyone make her feel this way, not anymore. I slam my fork down on the table and turn to Chris.

“What the fuck does that mean?” I ask, gritting my teeth to stop myself from strangling him.

“You know exactly what it means.”

“No, I actually don’t. Please explain.”

“Oh, come on, you’re telling me you haven’t thought about it? A poor girl, new to LA, who isn’t satisfied with being a gold digger to one man so she has to have all three of you? It’s obvious.”

I force myself to breathe, blowing out a shaky breath.

“You know, Chris, I’ve given you money every single time you’ve ever asked me for it, no questions asked. Should we call you a gold digger?”

He scoffs. “I’m family.”

“So what, you’re entitled to my money? Jade has never once asked any of us for anything. Can’t say the same for you.”

“She’s just playing the long game. Probably waiting for one of you to marry her or let her into your company so she can steal all of your money and then disappear.”

“I would never do that,” Jade says quietly. She looks at the table, a tear slowly sliding down her face.

Logan stands up. “Anyone who’s going to continue to say things about Jade and our relationship can leave. At the end of the day, if you can’t accept us for who we are, then we don’t want you around.”

“How do you expect us to just be okay with this?” his dad says.

“I don’t. I don’t give a fuck if you’re okay with it.”

---