Page 2 of My Ex's Brothers

“Actually, that’s why I’m calling…” I say, clearing my throat.

“You want to go on a coffee and donut run?” she says with excitement.

“Not quite,” I say with a laugh. Though the lure of caffeine and sugar is tempting, I know I have to budget until I actually get a job. When I met Dex, he turned my entire life upside down. I left my corporate job in the city to move with him to Florida because I thoughtthis was it.This was the fairy tale I’d been waiting for, but it was a nightmare in disguise.

And I didn’t really go back to work after having Lyla, not with Dex and his trading deal. For the first time in my life, I feltcomfortable.But that all went up in flames along with Dexter Rose and his lies.

I let out a sigh, hoping Sam will be able to help.

“I may have a job interview today…”

“May?” she asks in surprise. “What do you meanmay?”

“Well, apparently the Bugle is only doing interviews today from noon to four, and being as I just got here, and Lyla isn’t even set up yet…” I blow out a breath.

“The Bugle? That’s a big deal for you. You’ve wanted to work there ever since I can remember.”

“Yeah, I know…” I say, chewing on my bottom lip. “I was wondering if you’d be able to babysit, possibly? Just for a few hours…”

Sam sighs, and my shoulders tense. I know that sigh. It’s the sigh that means “Here comes the bad news.”

“I can’t, Mia. I’ve got a huge meeting at noon with the board of executives about the merger as unfortunately my boss is an idiot, so…”

I close my eyes in defeat. The remorse in her voice only makes me feel worse. I know Sam’s been working her ass off with her company’s latest acquisition, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes miss the excitement of working a fast-paced job like Sam does.

But unfortunately, I need something that I can either do from home, or that offers hybrid and pays enough for daycare.

And Sam’s job might pay well, but it also means high stress, and long hours. Not great for a newly single mom…

“It’s okay, I’ll just…message them and tell them I can’t make it. Maybe we can do a donuts date another time…”

“What about Dane?” she asks nonchalantly.

My body freezes at the very mention of my ex’s twin. Dane Rose, number 24 for the Barrington Badgers.

Sam’s words make me a bit anxious. If there’s anyone my ex is close with—aside from his secret wife—it’s his twin. I only met Dane a few times in person, the first being the same night I met Dex. My thoughts threaten to wander back to that night, but I shut them down. The last thing I need to think about is what would have happened if Dex hadn’t shown up to sweep me off my feet.

Sure, Dane and I have talked a few times, over text, usually about movies…or he’d text to see how Lyla was and I’d send him photos here and there to share with Dex’s family back home, but that was it.

After the news broke about Dex’s secret second life, I went dark. Changed my number, packed my things, and…left. I haven’t spoken to anyone, except Sam, since.

“You do still have his number, right?” Sam asks.

“I do, but…”

I’m not certain the Roses want anything to do with me. Especially Dane.

“Call him. I mean, it’s his niece, and his brother’s the one being a total dickwad, so…”

“Yeah, dickwad doesn’t even begin to cover it,” I say through my teeth.

“It’s just a few hours, right?” she says, her voice light, coaxing.

I don’t really have a choice unless I take Lyla with me. Which, if Dane says no…

I sigh, not wanting to admit defeat just yet. It’s a last resort. It’s not like it’ll become a thing, and yeah, maybe Sam’s right. Though, I don’t want to admit that, so I won’t.

“Yeah, sure,” I say, forcing a smile onto my face.

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