Page 90 of Training the Heart

“In all seriousness, we know you and we just want you to admit it to yourself, that you care about her, we can all see it. The way you look at her, it’s like a lit-up neon sign is stuck to your forehead that says,‘I’m fucking obsessed with Ivy Spencer.’You deserve to be happy, so don’t let her or a potential future like that slip through your fingers,” he says, like the sappy fucking romantic my sister has turned him into.

He and Cole grin like the shit disturbers they are.

“We’re just getting your goat, you prick. You gotta choose sometime to settle down, you’re getting up there.” Cole smirks as he pops a nacho into his mouth.

“You’re five years younger than me,” I deadpan.

“Yeah, maybe, but at least I don’t need to inscribe the wordmineacross my hand so I don’t forget who’s cock I’m fisting.” Cole motions the universal gesture for jerking off and I look down at my newest ink and shake my head.

“I, for one, am appalled,” Nash jokes. “I doubt your cock wants to be objectified like that.”

“That’s what I’m saying!” Cole adds. “Have some respect. Your cock’s feelings matter.”

Nash leans back then continues. “He stuck with you through the dry years …”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I mutter.

“Look, the honest truth is, we really just love to see you get that mushy little grin on your face whenever Ivy’s anywhere within a fifty-foot radius of you.” Cole chuckles.

My phone lights up with a new message from Ivy on the table, and at the precise moment they see it, they double over with laughter. I shake my head at them but I can’t help but grin back.

“I rest my case.” Cole points at my face.

Just as I feel like the afternoon can’t get any more awkward than discussing the state of my love life with my brothers and my employee, the high-pitched tell-tale laugh of Janelle fills the air.

Motherfucker.

“We’re not letting Janelle chase us out of here, we’ve got one more game, we’re playing it. Just ignore her and her crew,” Cole pep-talks me as Janelle saunters over to us.

I just got this woman out of my life for good in December when her financing came through, but she just had to walk into the bar I’m in on a goddamn Wednesday afternoon. She’s with two women I’ve seen around town. They wait at the bar area.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favorite husband.”

“Ex-husband,” I correct.

“Actually, you’re just the person I want to see, Wade. I was gonna call you tomorrow …” She looks at me, waiting for me to ask why, and when I take a sip of my beer instead of biting, she continues. “So, they finished the roofing job and I’m a little shortfor the remainder of the cash. I was hoping you could help me out.”

I pull my hat up and rub my forehead. Of course she is. “Goddammit, Janelle, you had a refinance, you were supposed to set that money aside.”

“How was the cruise? You know, the one you went on with Gemma last month?” Cole asks with a knowing and cocky look in his eye. He told me she went with Gemma to the Bahamas; Gemma bailed on Mabel’s school play to go.

The funny thing is that Gemma and Janelle never even liked each other until they became our exes and started working together. Seems they bonded over the break-ups and formed a little anti-Ashby-men club. I shoot Cole a look that sayswhy the fuck did you have to poke the bear?He sees it and shrugs.

“The cruise was just lovely, Cole, and none of your goddamn business, but thanks for asking,” Janelle retorts, her blue eyes narrowing, not disguising her disdain for the way my brother has always called her out on her bullshit.

I study her face as I watch her. It’s mid-afternoon and she already seems tipsy. She almost has a weathered look about her now, as if her years of drinking and partying have started to finally catch up with her. That would torment her to her core.

Her biggest fear is getting older. She’s only in her mid-thirties but she looks quite a bit older. Comparing her to the delicious, vibrant woman I crave every moment of every day just seems so different now. Watching how incredibly confident Ivy is and the glowing beauty she emits daily reminds me I’m dealing with vastly different women. One is self-loving and the other self-loathing.

For a moment I feel really fucking sorry for Janelle. This will probably always be her life—alone, searching for the next man to make her feel good about herself, never getting that from within. I smile to myself.

Fuck, I’m starting to sound like Ivy. “Love the earth and your body” and all that shit.

Cole makes a face at Janelle and she back at him. I let out a sigh, and not wanting to make my business public, I grab her by the elbow and pull her into the hallway to the restrooms. Without even looking at him I already know Nash is shaking his head; he can’t stand Janelle.

“Janelle, you’re thirty-five years old, you have to start looking after your finances better. The house is yours, not mine. I’m not your husband anymore. I’m sorry, but you’re on your own this time.”

Janelle blinks in shock. She tosses her long bleach-blond hair over her shoulder.

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