Page 302 of Steamy Ever After

He shrugged and stuffed the money into his front pocket. “We’ll see.”

“Hey!” Finn punched his brother.

“I’ll share it, you little bugger.”

Alex held her hand in Jamison’s direction. “Bugger? Now, you owe me.”

“That isn’t a bad word.”

“Sure is, especially in my house.” Maddox Butler walked into the room and over to Peyton. “Hey there, pretty little mama.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Hi, Maddox. I’m doing okay, thanks for asking.” Peyton tried to be polite, but inside, she was fraught with anxiety. She looked over in time to see her parents and Alex usher the boys out of the room and close the door behind them.

“So he’s here?”

“Brought him in about an hour ago. He’s in the ICU, but it’s only precautionary. They expect to have him in a regular room later tonight or tomorrow.”

“Does he know?”

“No, Peyton. We discussed it as a family, and we all agree it’s up to you to tell him. Only Naught and I, and our parents, know. We haven’t told Skye or Ainsley.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Alex told me what happened earlier. Sounds like you had quite a scare.”

“It was…horrible.” Peyton’s eyes filled with tears she brushed away.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“It’s why I’m here, so it’s hard to avoid the subject.”

“Right.”

“How is he?”

“Better every day. Stronger. More obstinate.”

“Mad?”

“Yeah?”

Peyton laughed. “Sorry, I meant is he mad?”

“Oh, gotcha. I wouldn’t say he’s mad. He’s worried. Beatin’ himself up bad. Naught and I aren’t letting him off the hook either.”

“Did he tell you what happened between us?” Peyton asked.

“Promise you won’t get mad?”

She folded her arms. “Get to the point.”

“Alex told me.”

“I see.” Peyton wasn’t surprised.

“You promised you wouldn’t get angry.”

“I’m not angry with Alex.” Her best friend only knew part of the story anyway. She hadn’t shared the part where Brodie left her in a shit pile of humiliation. All Alex knew was she and Brodie had had sex, she ended things, and he left the country. She’d fudged the order, but it was mostly the truth.

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