Page 57 of My Ex's Brothers

His attempt at humor actually does make me laugh. I shake my head, crossing my arms.

“They’ll never learn unless they do it themselves,” I tell him.

Dane smirks as Tripp uses one hand to flip his stepbrother off.

Dane laughs, capturing my gaze once more. “See you at home, I guess.” The way he says the words is soft, careful. Full of so much hope and excitement it’s hard to ignore.

When we gethome, to the Rose residence, things are just as hectic. It’s a wild rush to get Lyla’s room set up, and because my daughter has the worst timing ever, that’s when she decides to spit up her lunch all over me. Tripp fusses, worried he is somehow responsible for my five-month-old’s queasy tummy, even though I know he’s not.

Still, it’s nice to see his concern. While Richie takes off to work on my car, Dane works on setting up Lyla’s crib, leaving me and Tripp alone on the porch as I rock her back and forth, trying to settle her.

“Are you sure?” he says, reaching out, stroking her soft hair. The way he looks at her has my stomach in knots, has my thighs warm and slick.

That is a terrible idea, Amelia. You don’t need to catch baby fever this soon, and especially not with Tripp. He’s far too young, and he’s…

He grins when Lyla coos, his fingers stroking her soft hair with gentleness.

“I’m sure, we have it from here. You need to go to practice. Seriously.”

He sighs in defeat, looking at me with warm blue eyes as he purses his lips. “Fine. If you say so…”

“Absolutely. I might be staying with you guys for a little bit, but I don’t want to upset any order or throw a monkey wrench into your routine. Just…do what you need to do. I promise I won’t get in the way too much.”

He stands, dropping his fingers from Lyla’s hair, and I think she’s finally settled, so I get up as well.

“You willneverbe in the way here, Mia,” he says, taking a step closer to me. I know I should push him away, but I don’t. The crickets chirp and the setting sun lights him up, and all I can do is take in the sight of him like this.

I know once the dust settles it will really hit me. I’m going to be staying here with them. With him.

And while I’m not sure how to navigate one relationship, let alone three, I do know that in their presence, there is a peace and feeling of relief that is addicting.

I want to believe him. I really do, but he’ll likely be singing a different tune after a few days of midnight crying, feeding, and early morning rises.

But right now, I just want to live in the illusion for a little bit, feel the excitement and the warmth of being here in this moment.

With him.

I nod. That’s the moment Dane opens the door.

“Crib’s done,” he says softly.

Tripp takes a step back. “I’m off to practice,” he says, his playful demeanor shifting back to the one he’s had all day around his brothers. With them he’s a bit cockier, a bit more assertive. I can’t say it’s a bad thing, at least from my point of view, though I prefer the playful, flirtatious Tripp.

“Might go out with the guys after for drinks, so don’t wait up, okay?” He says the words to Dane, quickly flashing his gaze at me.

“Be careful,” Dane says as he exits the door, coming to stand beside us.

“I will,” Tripp says, leaning in to kiss the top of Lyla’s head.

“See you later, princess,” he says, and then he leans in, kissing me on my cheek. It’s quick, chaste, even, but it makes my cheeks heat.

“See you later, Mama Mia,” he whispers in my ear, before leaving Dane and me to ourselves.

We both watch as he gets into his Mustang, racing off toward the setting sun.

“He’s such a…”

“Trip,” I say with a smirk.

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