Page 55 of My Ex's Brothers

“It’s good to see you too, Tripp,” I say softly, offering him a smile before meeting Richard’s steely gaze. “A cup of coffee sounds great,” I answer him, meeting his knowing look. He shakes his head, setting about pouring me a cup.

Dane nods for me to take a seat at the island. “Have a seat.”

Tripp gently places his hand at the small of my back, guiding me toward the tall chairs. He quietly pulls one out for me, and I feel flush again.

“Thanks,” I say, avoiding eye contact if only because I think if I look at him right now, I might be too tempted to fall into those gorgeous baby blue eyes and forget where I am and what I’m actually supposed to be doing here.

“So, Richie said you wanted to talk to us,” Tripp says, leaning on the counter next to me. The motion draws attention to his rather defined forearms, which stand out against the tight fit of his white T-shirt. My gaze travels down his shoulders, over the curve of his ass as he props one foot up.

In the light of the kitchen, he looks positively divine.

“Uh…yes,” I say as Richie pulls my attention.

“Cream? Sugar?”

“Yes, both, please,” I say as Tripp scoots closer to me. Dane clears his throat, dousing the tension in the room as he takes a seat next to me. He still has Lyla against him, and for the moment I let him hold her. Richie slides me my coffee and I grasp it with both hands, reveling in the warmth against my palms. One sip soothes my nerves barely a fraction, but it’ll have to do for now.

“Richie uh…suggested it might not be a bad idea for me to uh…”

“Move in,” Dane finishes my sentence, but his voice isn’t stern or harsh. It’s soft, sympathetic almost.

“That’s right,” Richie grunts as he leans back against the kitchen counter, sipping his own cup. Trip pushes the box of donuts toward me.

“No thanks,” I say, shaking my head.

“Suit yourself.” He shrugs, grabbing another donut. I watch as he swipes some pink frosting from the top, a small dab on his finger.

“Maybe the little princess will be down for some sugar,” he says, and Dane shoots him a glare, but the minute Lyla sees Tripp, she lights up, squirming in Dane’s arms as she tries to reach him.

“That’s my girl,” he says as he brushes the slightest bit of icing on her mouth. Her tiny pink tongue darts out, licking his finger. Richie curses something incoherent as Dane tries to pull her away, but I can’t stop watching them.

My heart grows a few sizes, I think.

“Right,” I say, trying to catch my breath. “But uh…I didn’t want to unless?—”

“Well, you don’t need my permission,” Tripp says with a laugh. He turns to me, making eye contact directly as he slides his icing clad pinky into his mouth, his tongue rolling around his finger as he grins at me.

Richie curses again as Dane chastises him, but Tripp only smiles as he leans closer to me.

“So it’s a hell yes from me. And I’m pretty sure Dane would?—”

“I can speak for myself, Tripp,” Dane cuts in. I move to grab Lyla off of him, needing something to ground me to the here and now, because everything feels so upside down right now. Including my stomach.

Dane regards me with a soft look, despite the bite in his words.

“You know I’d be more than happy to have you,” he says, reaching out to trace Lyla’s cheek. “Both of you.”

Richie takes a long sip of his drink, pulling my attention. I watch how he leans against the counter, his broad shoulders tight, his muscles standing out even beneath his long-sleeve shirt.

His steely gaze meets mine and he nods, grunting in response. “Wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t want you here, baby girl.”

Tripp and Dane both shoot him scowls, and though I should feel weird about the strange tension between them, I don’t. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, actually.

Something about the posturing, the testosterone…it only fuels the fire inside of me that is slowly catching.

But can I actuallylivehere in the thick of this?

What’s the alternative, Amelia? Barely scraping by in a shitty apartment you can’t afford?

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