Page 28 of What if I Told You

“Is it too late to kick you out?”

The elevator door dings and then slides open. Ella doesn’t even look at me as she steps forward into the hallway. “Afraid so. Oh, hello…”

She stops mid stride before we reach the door to the apartment. I nearly run into her and then look ahead to see why she stopped. There in front of my door are my five brothers from other mothers. Griffin, Ledger, Harrison, Oliver, and even Bear.

“What the hell are you guys doing here?”

“Well, asshole,” Griffin starts with a smirk. “We heard there’s a new mascot in town and you’ve been holding her up here in your high tower.”

High tower.

Like they don’t all live near the top of their respective buildings.

Ledger grins. “Yeah. So like the gentlemen that we are, we decided to come meet the Tuesday girl who’s had your heart since before you could grow a boner.”

I shake my head. “Oh, for fuck’s s?—”

“Aww. I guess that’s me!” Ella smiles and waves at the guys. “Hi. I’m Ella. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

Griffin steps out of the group and offers Ella his hand. “Hey. I’m Griffin. It’s great to finally put a face to a name.”

“Ah, the guy with the pants,” she says with a smile gesturing to Griffin’s choice in pajama pants. Today’s pair has tacos all over them with the words ‘Let’s TACOBOUT it’ scribbled around each one. “Auggie talks about you all the time. Love your choice in comfortable apparel by the way.”

Five sets of eyes shoot to me when Ella says my name, causing me to wince. She’s the only one who calls me Auggie. She’s done it since we were kids.

“Well thank you very much,” Griffin drawls, grinning like the damn Christmas Grinch and I can tell whatever he’s doing, it’s going to piss me off. I watch as he wraps an arm around Ella’s shoulder and gestures towards the door. “Auggie here can’t get enough of my penchant for fun comfy pants, isn’t that right…Auggie?”

Ugh.

They’re never going to let me live this name down.

“Isn’t it time for you all to leave?”

“What?” Ella squeals. “No way. You guys have to come in!” She turns, still in Griffin’s arms. He glances my way when she’s not looking and winks knowing damn well I’m hating that he’s openly flirting with my girl right in front of me.

Okay, she’s not really my girl, but close enough.

“Oooh, actually Auggie and I were just planning to sit down and talk about his lover girl list. Maybe you guys could help!”

Harrison’s eyes bulge as a smile grows across his face. “Oooh, a lover girl list huh? What’s that about…Auggie?” He offers his hand to Ella. “I’m Harrison by the way.”

“Right. Yeah. Sorry. Pleasure to meet you, Harrison. “I hear you’re the Captain America of the team.”

Harrison’s gaze turns to me as his he cocks his head and sighs. “Aww, Auggie really does like me. Thanks, pal.”

Yep. I’m never living this down.

For as long as I live.

“And this lover girl list is being created so I can find my best friend a serious girlfriend,” Ella explains, patting my chest. “He needs someone to spend his money on. He’s too rich and lonely.”

I shake my head, unlocking the door and pushing it open. “I’m not lonely. I never said I was lonely.”

Ledger shakes his head, clapping my shoulder. “Oooh, I disagree Auggie. A serious girlfriend is just what you need.” He offers his hand to Ella next. “Hi. I’m Ledger.”

“Hi Ledger. I’m Ella.”

“Ella, I’m Oliver…or Oli, whichever you prefer.” Oliver adds gesturing to Cunningham on his left. “And this is Barrett, but we all call him Bear.” They both shake her hand. “And I think you’re right. We should absolutely help you find the right girl for our friend Auggie. Good thing we showed up when we did, huh?” The fucker has the audacity to wink at me when I glance back at him.

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