Page 6 of My Ex's Brothers

So instead of pouring my hopeless heart out to Amelia in front of my adorable niece, I smile and tell her she’s going to kick ass today.

Watching her leave dredges up the memory all over again of what felt like the worst day of my life.

I’d lost the home game that day, because I had just found out that Dex was traded to the Stingrays. The team I’d had my eye on for ages. I’d always planned on trying out, after I built up some years under my belt for the Badgers, anyway.

And then, like always, Dex had to come in and steal the things I wanted. First with Amelia, then with the Stingrays, and then the perfect image of the family I wanted so badly.

As she pulls out of the driveway, I let out a sigh. Lyla is quiet, and one check shows she’s still sleeping like a little angel, so I do the only thing I can do to keep my mind from spiraling over the should haves, could haves, would haves of my life.

I busy myself with unpacking the boxes, one by one, because at least for the moment, I can give Amelia what she needs.

Even if I can’t give her the love she deserves.

When I’m mostly done unpacking and organizing, Lyla finally awakens. Picking her up out of her pen, I can’t help but marvel at how tiny she really is, settled in my arms against my chest. She coos and blows little raspberries against my shirt, and the anger I feel for my brother only intensifies.

With my niece as my witness, I promise her and I promise myself that I will do whatever it takes to make things right.

3

AMELIA

The whole wayto the Bugle, I can’t stop thinking about Dane. Granted, he and Dex look alike, but they couldn’t be more different.

Though, it is unsettling to see the image of the man who wronged me and his daughter standing on my doorstep with those gigantic brown eyes looking at me with warmth.

Warmth that my ex does not possess in the slightest.

Of course, there’s also the physical attraction I feel, an echo of an attraction to someone else, but I found Dane appealing that night even before Dex ever showed up.

I thought he was hot, but it wasn’t his looks that drew me in. It was his quiet, reserved personality. He was the only man at the bar who was reading a damn book.

How could I not be intrigued by such a social rebel?

I push all thoughts of Dane out of my mind, knowing there are more important things at hand to deal with rather than my walk down memory lane in Barrington. Obsessing over the past won’t fix things. I need to do that myself.

As I open my car door, the heat hits me like a tidal wave. Of course, I’m not all that certain it’s not just my nerves making me flush. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this nervous.

Walking through the revolving doors of the Bugle, I take in the sight of the office. There’s a section of egg-shaped chairs and some wavy blue rugs on both sides of the room, and a large desk in the center, but there isn’t anyone there. A few people are walking about, and I check my phone. I’m on time, but without anyone to ask, I’m left to my own devices to figure out where to go. No one’s waiting in the lobby, so I take it upon myself to try and find someone, anyone, who looks like they’re either here for the interview or who work here. I climb the steps, trying to catch up to a woman who looks corporate enough to speak to.

“Excuse me,” I say, but she ignores me. I pick up my pace, trying again. “Ma’am…”

Halfway up the stops, she spins around, nearly knocking me down a step of my own.

“What?” she asks.

“I just uh…wanted to…”

Her gaze roves over me. She looks familiar, but I can’t place her.

Then she wrinkles her nose at me. “Oh, you’re that woman from the Rose scandal, aren’t you?”

My blood chills instantly.No…this…this isn’t supposed to happen…

There’s no denying the truth, though, not on the spot like this, so I don’t. I hold my head as high as I can, despite the panic swelling in my stomach, the anxiety.

“I am not just some woman who dated a Rose, I am?—”

I am capable of doing more with my life than being some punch line.

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