Page 39 of My Ex-Boyfriend's Brothers

“H-how?” She sounded as stunned as I felt. “Who did it? Did she tell you?”

“No. I don’t know for sure but I have a feeling.” I was afraid to say it out loud, afraid of what it meant.

“Is this because you slept with the Heath brothers? Are you that talented in the bedroom, Maggie?” She only sounded like she was half joking.

“Mom!” I couldn’t say no, though. Just earlier that day, Ryan had offered to pay Mom’s bills. Had he gone through with it? I couldn’t put it past Luke, either. Or maybe it was all three of them. They seemed to like coming together to take care of certain things when it came to me.

“You’re not denying it.” There wasn’t a judgmental tone anywhere in her voice. “I noticed you didn’t call me back last night. Were you busy?”

“We should be focused on what this means, Mom. You’re going to get better care. I won’t have to worry that no one is coming to make sure you get physical therapy. You won’t have to deal with whatever roommate they put you with day to day. This means that we’re going to get you back home, Mom.”

“I want that desperately, sweet girl. I miss you. You can start saving up for a deposit for a house now. Make sure I have my own suite, of course. Away from the primary suite, since it seems you’re going to be having company.” She laughed happily, sounding more like her old self than I’d heard her sound in over a year. “You better give those boys a proper thank you. That’s all I’m saying.”

“I’m not going to talk about that with you. Ever.” I bit my lip and then blew out a sigh. “If they did it, I’m going to spend the next week and a half thanking them as much as possible. But… It makes things weird, doesn’t it? If they just spent that much money on me? I’ve never had something like this happen and I’m not sure how to feel about it. I don’t want to feel like I owe them.”

“If they chose to spend some of their money on you, you don’t need to feel any kind of way about it. It was their choice, Maggie. You just let them do what they want, as long as they’re good to you. And good to me. That’s important, too.”

I sat on the edge of my bed and smiled at her antics. “I love you, Mom. Things are going to be better now, aren’t they?”

“They already are. Now, if we could just get me laid.” She let out a happy cackle. “Maybe my next physical therapist will be hot.”

33

***Maggie***

Ilooked up from the chart with the seating plan and smiled when I spotted Jackson and Luke coming my way. I’d just had a quick dinner and was trying to wrap up a few more small details before turning in for the night. I’d also been hoping that one of them would find me so I stayed in the dining hall instead of going back to my room. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to talk to them about paying for Mom’s medical bills first or just be hugged. Either way, I was over the moon to see them.

Luke was in another bespoke suit but Jackson was less casual than usual. His black jeans and black button down shirt made him look dressier than I’d ever seen him. His black moto boots were still there, though, so I knew the makeover hadn’t gone too far.

“Guess what, Bubbles.” Jackson wrapped his arms around my waist and tugged me into his chest. “If you’re not too tired, it’s my time to take you out. I heard Ryan skipped the line earlier but I get you tonight, so I’ll live.”

I looked around to make sure we were alone. “I’m not too tired. I’m actually kind of wired right now.”

Luke grunted at Jackson and pulled me into his own arms. “Come here, pretty. It’s been a long day since I last saw you.”

“It really has. Did you two have a good day?” I pulled back, just in case anyone walked in, and wrapped my arms around my waist as I studied them. “Did you maybe make a few calls regarding business that wasn’t yours?”

Jackson leaned against the table I’d been working at and crossed his arms over his chest. “I didn’t do a fucking thing all day. Unlike big bro here, I know how to vacation. Why? Is someone in trouble?”

Luke couldn’t keep his hands to himself. He ran his hands through my hair and cupped my cheek. “I rushed to get through my work just to find out that Jackson plans on stealing you away tonight. So, my day is ruined now. I only made calls regarding my own business, though.”

I’d decided to just be upfront with them and ask about which one of them paid. “I got a call from Waverly Place, the nursing home I’ve been trying to get my mom into. Someone paid for Mom’s place. She’s being transferred soon. Was it one of you?”

Jackson looked confused but Luke’s slightly raised eyebrows gave him away. Instead of confirming my suspicions, though, he added to them. “I won’t lie. I did call today. Someone beat me to it, though. A very happy woman informed me that your costs had been paid in full for several years going forward.”

“Why didn’t I know about this so I could’ve taken care of it?” Jackson frowned at me, his eyes giving away that he actually felt hurt that he hadn’t known.

“You’ve got big donor money?” Luke didn’t seem to ask the question in a rude way but it was clear Jackson took it that way.

“Yeah, I do. You and everyone else in the family think so little of me. My shops are now in seven states. I’m doing just fine.”Shaking his head, Jackson focused on me. “I make plenty of money to support you and your mom, Bubbles. Not that I think you’d let me.”

“Hey, man, I didn’t mean it like that.” Luke ran his hand over his hair and sighed. “I’m sorry. I should’ve already known that about your shops. Congrats, Jack.”

I smiled as I watched them and held both of their hands. “This is cute.”

They both groaned at me. Jackson glared at me but it held no heat. “Moving on.”

“If neither of us took care of the nursing home, I don’t know who did. Ryan was with me when I tried to do it this afternoon. He was just as surprised as I was.” Stroking his thumb over my wrist, Luke narrowed his eyes. “I know for a fact that Brad doesn’t have that kind of money or I’d be pretty pissy right now.”

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