Page 42 of Filthy Rich Brother’s Best Friends (Filthy Rich Harems #5)

Lola

I ’m trying this new thing called letting people help me; it’s hard as hell and there are definitely some hiccups along the way. Miles, Reid, and Jude make it easier, though.

I have to keep repeating the words to myself. I’m not alone in this anymore.

So, we make a plan. I listen to all of their ideas without judgement. Then we have a discussion about the pros and cons of each option, with my opinion getting the most weight. It’s my business after all and all three of them openly respect that without question.

I also spend some time thinking about how I want to handle everything with my ex-roommates and the rumors about the sale of the studio. I’m still so angry and going public with it would be incredibly satisfying. But what will I really get out of that?

I decide to be professional about the whole thing.

I create a post, reread it several times, and then hand the phone to Miles.

“Is this enough?” I ask.

He reads it once, then again, and hands my phone back. “It’s perfect.”

The statement is short and direct. I confirm that I am not selling the studio. And I tease that there are loads of new things coming soon.I choose not to bring my ex-roommates up—they’re not worth the effort.

I hit ‘post’ and feel a flood of relief.

The response is immediate. Clients start reaching out within the hour. Instructors that used to work for me send messages of support. There are offers from friends to help.

From there, the three of us start putting all our focus on my studio and building the new brand.

It starts with structure. Miles builds out internal systems I never realized I needed. He makes everything tighter and cleaner and so much easier to use.

Reid takes over marketing. He creates a launch calendar and starts building the kind of buzz I didn’t think I could afford. He handles outreach and coordinates the media.

Jude works on the buildout. We rent out a larger space that gives us more room to expand. We could have started with my original studio and moved when we were ready, but my landlord is an asshole and I couldn’t wait to get out of there.

He meets with contractors and manages the front-of-house transition. His plan to add massage and spa services takes shape fast—and we announce the partnership at the end of the month.

The response is bigger than I expected.

Clients book out the new calendar within the first week. Instructors start asking to come back.

It takes months to pull together, but when it’s done, it feels exactly right.

We host an open house to mark the relaunch and people actually show up!

For the first time since I started this business, I don’t feel overworked or overwhelmed.

It’s finally become everything I wanted it to be.

I’m in the middle of talking with another old instructor who is asking for her job back when I look over and see him. Wes. We make eye contact and he gives me a little nod. I continue talking to the instructor and try not to think about whether he’s going to make a spectacle of himself.

It’s almost time for the open house to end and I wonder if he’ll stick around or disappear.

He comes over to where I’m standing as the last guest leaves.

“You really did it,” he says.

“ We did it,” I answer, nodding toward all the guys who are cleaning up wine glasses and little plates of food. I know they know Wes is here, but they’re giving us some space. I’m guessing they’re listening to every word we’re saying though.

He takes a breath and looks away before he looks in the eye. “I’m sorry, Lola. For all of it.”

I study him for a moment. I love my brother and he’s always been there to support me, but I’m not sure what to think about him anymore.

“You hurt me,” I tell him. “I know you were surprised, but what you said and did was way out of line, Wes. I’m not a child and you can’t treat me like I am.”

“I know,” he says. “I thought I was protecting you. But I obviously didn’t go about it the right way.”

“I don’t need your protection, Wes.”

Miles steps up beside me, his hand immediately settling on my lower back. Reid is right behind him, coming up on my other side. Jude moves in close to my back, pressing a kiss to my head to let me know he’s there.

Wes looks at them, and something changes in his face.

“I owe all of you an apology too,” he says. “I crossed lines I shouldn’t have. The things I said…”

Reid speaks first. “You were angry. I was too.”

“I handled it badly,” Wes admits. “You didn’t deserve that.”

Reid glances at me, then back at Wes. “I could’ve handled it better too. We all could have.”

Wes turns to Miles, and for a second, it’s awkward.

Then Miles offers a short nod. “We’re not going to pretend it didn’t happen,” he says. “But let’s stop holding onto it. Time to move on.”

Wes nods again. “Thank you.”

Jude tilts his head. “So are we good now, or should we have a fight to the death in the new mat pilates room? There’s plenty of room in there for it.”

Wes huffs a laugh. It’s enough to eliminate the last bit of tension.

The guys resume the clean up portion of the evening.

“I’m proud of you,” he tells me, giving me a hug. “You built something better than I ever expected.”

I don’t need the words anymore—but I still like hearing them.

“Thank you.”

“I still don’t fully understand it,” he admits. “The three of them. This. You.” He shrugs.

“But it’s obvious you love each other.And that’s enough for me to shut up and get out of the way.”

“We do love her, man,” Reid says from across the room. “I know we should have said something to you, before you had to walk in on it. It just wasn’t an easy conversation to start.”

Wes snorts. “You start by not sneaking around.”

Reid spreads his hands. “It wasn’t our best work, man.”

“I’ll say,” Wes mutters.

“To be fair,” Jude adds, “I had no idea who she was when I met her. But, there was no way I was walking away from her once I found out her connection to you.”

Miles shakes his head. “It was fucked up, Wes, I know. I wish we could have handled it differently.”

Wes looks at each of them. Then at me.

“I’m proud of you,” he says. “All of you. Even if this is still weird as hell.”

“Fair,” Reid says.

Wes glances toward the door. “I should go.”

“Will you come over for dinner sometime soon?” I ask.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” He turns and walks out the door and I’m so grateful he was man enough to come tonight. That horrible event has been weighing on my mind for too long.

Jude comes up behind me and his hands slide around my waist.

“Now that the heartfelt family drama is out of the way, I think we should totally break in the new massage table,” he says.

I turn just in time to catch the wicked grin spreading across his face.

Then he lifts me off the ground without warning. I yelp and clutch at his shoulders.

“Jude,” I gasp, half laughing.

He’s already moving down the hallway. “Come on. I need to test how sturdy they are.”

Reid and Miles follow without hesitation.

This is mine now. All of it.And I couldn’t be happier.