Page 10 of My Ex's Brothers

There are thirteen years between me and the twins, Dexter and Dane. Though sometimes I feel more like a middle child, considering Dane is the pragmatic one, most of the time.

He’d called me immediately after Amelia’s phone call, asking for help.

I know he thinks no one knows about his feelings for Amelia, and while my brother and stepbrother might be too blind to see a flashlight in front of them, I’m not.

After all, I was there that night too. At the bar, after the Badgers’ championship win. I saw them making eyes at one another, saw him finally reach out of his comfort zone andtry.

Dane is an excellent athlete. But outside the rink, all the confidence he packs on the ice disappears.Because he’s always been stuck in Dex’s shadow.

Though, if I’m being one-hundred-percent honest, back then I didn’t think either of the twins were what Amelia needed. A woman like that? The kind that lights up the entire room with just her smile…

I look at her now, knowing my thoughts haven’t changed, despite the fact that a year has passed.

Amelia stares out the window as we pull into the parking lot of Apropos, the local Mediterranean café. I remember from the last time I saw Amelia, before she and my brother left for Florida, she had raved about missing this place.

Apparently, it’s her favorite place in Barrington.

Before she can even say a word, I’ve parked the car and found my way outside. I open her door before she has a chance, and she shoots me a skeptical glare.

“I can get my own door, Richard,” she says, and fuck if the sound of her voice isn’t as smooth as silk.

I shove off the thought, knowing it’s probably highly inappropriate to think about my brother’s baby mama that way, but I can’t help that I find Mia…

Appealing.

Dex has always had good taste when it comes to women. Even though I’ve only met a few of them, I saw the photos leaked across the internet, and in the hockey circle. His secret wife? A total ten. And all the other women…

Well, they are pretty, I’ll give them that, but…

They’re no Amelia Corbett, that’s for sure.

What the hell were you thinking, man?

“I know you can, but that doesn’t mean you should, baby girl,” I tell her with a laugh. “Some things should be left to the men,” I tease.

She rolls her eyes. “No wonder you’re divorced,” she says, but her tone isn’t vicious. It’s humorous. “I mean, this is 2024, not 1950, Richie.”

I still for a moment at the cavalier nickname. Usually people call me Dick or Rich. Dane and Tripp are the only ones who call me Richie. My mother still calls me Richard, but…

The way Amelia’s tongue rolls when she says my name sends a damn jolt straight to my cock.

I clear my throat, shutting her door if only to give myself the briefest moment to adjust my cock. Given the situation at hand, I’m pretty sure the last thing Amelia wants is to see my damn erection.

I offer her my arm, but she doesn’t take it. Instead, she looks at it like it’s a snake.

“What’s the matter, you never had a man escort you to a restaurant before?” I tease, but her plain, stoic stare tells me it’s no joke.

I’m fairly disgusted to learn that Dex would not have done such a thing, considering we were all raised by the same two parents our entire lives. Well, until dad passed away, ten years ago. The raising was done by the time Gary Adams came into the picture. A single mother with three grown boys and a single dad with a teenager? What could have been better?

I look at Amelia, heat flaring in my gut as I realize that because of my brother’s idiocy, she’s a single mom too.

With ababy.Nothing pisses me off more than knowing Dex wasn’t at the hospital the night his kid was born. I may not want kids of my own, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be pissed about my brother making stupid decisions. And the worst part is, he was with his wife. In the grand scheme of honor, I’m not sure which is worse.

“It’s fine,” Amelia says, but I shake my head.

“It’s not. You should be treated with more respect,” I tell her, opening the door for her.

I don’t miss the slightest flush of pink in her cheeks, or the small gasp that escapes her throat. Both reactions go straight to my cock, and once again I have to fight the urge to adjust myself right here, right now, and draw attention.

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