Page 63 of Three Pucking Ex's Brothers
Zack nods as he puts his shoes on, one at a time. “Yeah? What about her?”
“She and Brett broke up. Apparently he cheated on her.”
“What? That’s crazy!” Zack says. I shrug, looking between my legs at the sliver of wood on the bench that’s visible. I can’t stop thinking about what happened last night. Not just Nora and Rush coming home together, but…
WhatIdid.
What I didn’t stop myself from doing, even though I knew it was wrong.
I debate how much to tell Zack. I’m not sure telling him I came hands free by listening to Nora kiss and make out with my brother is a good idea. But I also know it’s not just the sex stuff that’s bothering me.
It’s the conversation she and I had earlier, in my car when I took her home.
I’ve never really had a girlfriend, so I don’t have the best advice when it comes to dating. The closest I’ve ever been to having a girlfriend is when I hooked up with Katie Clarens my junior year on a truth or dare at Chloe’s birthday party, and that was a disaster.
It was my first kiss, and the first time Ileta woman touch my dick—even though it was purely over top of my pants—and let’s just say my only sexual experience ended with a very irritated Katie and me having a damn meltdown. Which is probably why I decided after that, that waiting was a better option for me. I didn’t want a repeat of pissing someone else off because I couldn’t handle my cock or my emotions.
Freaking out in front of women is a huge turnoff—that I know.
But still, something inside of me feels connected to Nora and her plight. Her experience. I opened up to her. This morning, in my truck, I told her things I’ve never told anyone. Not even my brothers.
I told her I’ve never had a girlfriend.
That I want to get married some day and have kids.
I told her I don’t know how to process my feelings sometimes—like right at that moment—and she didn’t brush me off.
She understood. Because she wanted those things too.
A family.
With my brother.
It was like a hockey puck to the damn chest when she said she loved him. And maybe I knew that already, but…it was something else to hear her say those words—but to see the sadness and pain in her eyes, knowinghewas the cause.
I’ve never felt so angry in my life.
Nora is everything good this world has to offer. I don’t need anyone to tell me that, because I can see it firsthand in the wayshe treatsme.She doesn’t ignore me or act like what I have to say doesn’t matter, just like Zack and Chloe.
My brothers…they mean well, I know that, but I don’t feel like I connect well with them because we have nothing in common apart from our DNA and our affinity for sports.
I’m not a charismatic playboy like Rush, or a grumpy old man like Freddie, and they certainly aren’t into anime, Legos, or romance novels.
But Nora…Nora and I just…clicked. And it was like I’ve been talking to her forever, even though I know this morning was the most I’ve ever spoken to her.
To a girl that wasn’t Chloe, period.
I want to talk more, but I also know not everyone wants you to dominate the conversation when they’re going through stuff. Sometimes they just want you to listen.
And Iwantedto listen. Even though I knew I probably shouldn’t, all things considered.
I mean…she was dating my brother pretty seriously. I don’t pretend to know everything that goes on in a person’s relationship, and it’s not like Brett and I talk about…well…anything.
When I was a kid, I used to think he was the coolest person in the world, but he always acted like I was annoying or a problem. Freddie was always the one to step in and say something, or just pull me away all together. Which I guess didn’t help much, but still.
It’s hard to notknowwhat’s going on in Brett’s life since he’s A—my brother, and B—an up-and-coming star pro athlete. Which isanother reason why talking to anyone—especially girls—isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
I’ve definitely had girls flirt with me just because theyknowI’m a Sterling.
