Page 84 of My Ex's Brothers

“It’s complicated!” she shouts.

And then I realize two things. The first is that Amelia has feelings for Dane.

I should have known, should have seen it from the beginning. They did meet before, and we all know the story by now. Missed connection and all.

Apparently she still has those feelings, because why else would she run from me only to jump onhisdick?

The second is that I have no right to tell her what she can and can’t do. Or more accurately, who. I don’t even know what we are or what this thing is between us. How can I be angry with her for doing something with Dane when we don’t have clear boundaries or definitions between us to begin with?

“I thought you had class, Tripp,” Dane growls. “You’re never home early.”

I purse my lips, hearing the accusation in his voice. The audacity. What, did he just think he could sweep Amelia off her feet and what? Steal her from me?

No, she’s not yours, Tripp. You don’t even know what you are to her!

I think about our conversation this morning. I felt like we were on the same page, but maybe I was wrong.

Because I’m pretty sure getting dicked down by Dane is a whole other book.

“What the hell are you two bitching about?” Richie gripes, and I freeze. Amelia lets out a small gasp. Richie stands in the hallway, looking between the three of us.

“Richie,” she says faintly, and I can see the worry in her eyes. But there’s something else there. Her breath catches and she bites her lip. And I don’t know how I know, I just…know.

“Not him, too…” I growl.

“What?” Dane’s voice elevates as he looks back and forth. “What the fuck are you talking about, Tripp?”

“I don’t know, Dane. Why don’t we take a show of hands? Who here has made Amelia come?”

I raise my hand as Dane scoffs at me and Richie hisses, “What the fuck?”

Amelia hides her head in her hands, and I can’t help but laugh. “Oh, so just me then, huh? Guess you two have some things to learn.”

“Shut the fuck up, asshole!” Richard yells as he steps forward. “You think you know more than I fucking do? You don’t know shit about women, Tripp. You’re a fucking kid.”

“I’m twenty-four! I am not a fucking kid! And I know more than you obviously, because you didn’t raise your hand!”

Richie’s eyes glare. “Show of hands if you made Amelia come without taking off her fucking clothes.” He raises his hand high and she screams into her hand.

“Oh my God, stop!” she yells. She flashes her gaze at Richie and then at me. “Both of you, what the hell is wrong with you?” she yells.

“I think the better question is what is going on withyou?” Dane asks, his voice faint.

“Don’t look at me like that, Dane,” she says.

“Like what?” he asks, looking between Richie and me.

“Like I don’t have your fucking cum in my panties right now.” She glares at him, then she glares at the both of us. “All of you. No one standing here is innocent. You all think you can just sway me, that you can tempt me and what, win your way into my fucking pants?”

“Amelia, that’s not—” I say.

“Of course not,” Dane says, his voice hurt.

“It’s not a competition,” Richie says, and we all look at him.

“Thank you,” Amelia says, but Richie only scoffs.

“It’s not a competition because no one can compete with a man who actually knows what he’s doing.”

---