Page 122 of My Ex's Brothers

But being with Amelia is different. I feel different with her. I want people to see her holding my hand. I want people to see me kissing her. I want to make her feel loved in a way I didn’t think I was capable of because of my failures and my shortcomings.

I never thought of myself as a great husband, and certainly I never thought of myself as a father. But the more time I spend with Amelia, the more I feel like I could be those things.

I don’t have to have kids of my own to be a father, I guess. And I certainly want to be a good partner. Maybe not a husband, because I’m sure Dane would murder me if I stolethatfrom him.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he proposed to her soon enough. We all know he’s madly in love with her. And I can’t blame him, because honestly…

I feel the same way.

Tripp might have some complaints, but I think he would be okay too. In the end. Like the rest of us, we just want her to be happy.

If that ends with marriage or babies…

So be it. We’ll figure it out. Together.

“Here, let me help you,” I say as I tie her laces.

“It’s so tight!” she mewls, and I laugh.

“I’ll show you tight later.”

I don’t miss the flush of scarlet in her cheeks, and I grin. She’s far too easy to rile up sometimes.

When I have her skates tied tight enough, I help her up. I lead her to the ice and she wobbles a bit, but I don’t let go. I hold her hands tight and guide her along the ice. She glides beautifully.

“You’re doing so good, baby girl,” I tell her.

She looks up at me with bright eyes. “Really?”

“Really.” I smile. “I’m going to let you go now,” I say as I gently pull my hands away, but she stops me.

“No! Not yet.” She shakes her head and squeezes my hands.

I pull her back into me and kiss her. Hard.

I can’t remember the last time I felt like this with any woman. Young and in love. But Amelia makes me feel things I didn’t think were possible.

“Okay,” I say, pulling her once more along the ice. “I’ll guide you as long as you want.”

We go around the rink twice before she lets go. On wobbly skates, she moves like a turtle. But she moves, nonetheless.

And as I watch her, I know I couldn’t be more proud.

When we’re done, we head back to the house so I can get ready for practice. Dane and Lyla are on the couch, but not for long. After he passes her off to Amelia, he heads to grab his things.

“See you tonight,” he says, kissing both Lyla and Amelia before heading outside to his car.

I’m frozen for a moment as Amelia gives me a soft wave. “See you later, Richie,” she says.

I look to the door, which Dane has left open, then back at Amelia and my niece. I take two shaky steps forward. I kiss Amelia softly, and then let out the anxiety as I turn and kiss Lyla on her smooth head.

“See you girls later,” I say as I stand up straight. The wistful look in Amelia’s eyes makes me feel on the spot. I blush, running a hand through my hair. That wasn’t so bad, I guess.

And the way Amelia’s looking at me has me feeling not so bad, either.

Baby steps, Richard.

I don’t think I’ll ever be in a place to reverse my vasectomy. I still don’t want kids of my own.

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