Page 5 of My Ex's Billionaire Brother

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

I walked over to the barn, checking on Blaze. I looked at his leg, noticing that it was healing a little bit better. “Looks like it’s getting better.”

“Sure is. He’s not walking around yet, but he can stand a little. He’s got more energy. I’m just glad that Blaze is well here,” he said.

“I get that. I’m glad he’s doing okay.”

“Yeah, it’s because you’re such a great veterinarian. Taking care of animals like that, it’s . . . it’s super admirable,” he said.

“Thanks,” I muttered, going back to the horse.

He walked a little closer, practically invading my bubble a little bit. “You know, David told me you were such a bitch, but honestly, I think he’s wrong. You’re like . . . the nicest person I’ve met in a minute.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“I’m serious. You’re really sweet, and I am thankful for everything you did for Blaze. I mean it.”

“You’re welcome.”

He stepped forward, grasping my hand. “I’m serious, Tina. You’ve got a good heart. I want to give you something as thanks for this.”

I pulled my hand back, shaking my head. “Flattered, but I’m busy. I have a clinic to run.”

“All right. Just so you know, though, I’m not like David. I know that . . . he was a shithead to you, but I never knew the full story or who you were. David just called you a bitch and left it at that,” he said.

“Well, he’s an asshole for cheating on me with another woman and then running off like he did nothing wrong, calling me the bad guy. I get that you’re trying to show me that not all the Branson boys are dicks, but I don’t . . . I don’t trust you like that, Caleb. No offense, but I just can’t. Not after everything I’ve done,” I said to him.

“That’s fair. I’m just trying to be a nice guy.”

“Well, try a little less, will ya?”

I finished redressing the wounds, stood up, and stretched.

“You’re done?” he asked.

“Yeah, it looks like Blaze is off to a speedy recovery. I’m excited to see how he does,” I told him.

“Thank you so much, Tina. And I’m sorry if I’ve been a little much. I’m just trying to be a bit friendly,” he said.

“Okay. Thanks,” I told him.

I got up, about to walk out the door. I looked at my phone, and there weren’t any more appointments until four. It wasn’t like I had to leave immediately, but honestly, I didn’t want to be around Caleb.

He wasn’t a bad guy, but he was . . . way too overbearing for my tastes. I didn’t know what to make of him. Part of it might have been my own bias, but there was also that little part of me that couldn’t trust him, even if I wanted to.

As I reached for the front door, he walked over, stopping me from opening it.

“What are you doing?”

“Giving you the money, isn’t it obvious?” He grabbed a check from his pocket, scribbled something, and gave it to me. I looked at the amount, my eyes wide.

“This is way more than what it costs to help Blaze.”

“Consider it a bonus. I appreciate what you’ve done for Blaze. I mean it. This isn’t me just trying to get in your pants,” he told me with a wink.

I was stunned.

Caleb didn’t . . . act like he was some fuckboy who could get away with murder. He was just a guy with a horse he cared about. I felt the urge to ask him more about Blaze, but that was something I’d inquire about next week.

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