Page 109 of Three Pucking Ex's Brothers

He doesn’t jolt or startle, but relaxes almost instantly. His hand in mine is warm and I like it. It feelsright.

And with that, he starts walking, leading me to the parking lot. To his truck.

He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t need to. He opens the door for me and helps me in before getting in on the driver’s side and starting the car up.

22

TOMMY

I can’t stop smiling,and it has nothing to do with the fact that we won our game.

Nora smiles, sipping her wine casually, and I have to say she is the prettiest woman in the damn room. Even in her tight-fitted leggings and pale blue sweater.

I can’t help but think aboutthatphoto. The one in her bra. The pale blue color of her sweater reminds me of it. I push the thought out of my head though, because that’s not why I brought Nora on this date.

I haven’t been on a date in a long time and it feels like a step in the right direction.

My mom always says you need ten seconds of courage and the rest is smooth sailing, but I doubt she ever got nervous about asking someone out. Considering she had Brett when she was sixteen and married my dad only a few years later and had Freddie.

And I doubt my dad ever had any issues talking to women or putting himself out there. He’s one of the most confident men I know.

Still, when I look at Nora, as nervous as I am, I also feel bolder. Braver. She makes me want totry.Makes me want to push past the confines of my comfort zone and see what’s on the other side.

Which is why I need this wine, but I’m not about to be irresponsible. One glass, and that’s it. It’s all the liquid courage I need.

Despite the fact that we’ve been talking all evening—about shows and movies and of course, hockey, because hockey is in this family’s blood—I know the night is coming to a close, and I know I need to just do this and get it over with.

She’ll either say yes or no, and that’s that.

But if she says no…I won’t lie, I might not recover from the embarrassment for awhile.

“I’m having a great time tonight, Tommy,” she says. “Seriously. A lot has been going on and I just…feel like I haven’t had a chance to breathe. And now with Brett being gone and me staying with you guys?—”

“Huh?” I look up curiously. “Staying with us?”

She blinks, sipping her wine as the waiter brings our check. She moves for it, but I grab it first.

“Tommy—”

“Don’t even think about it. This is a date. And a gentleman always pays for a lady on a date.”

She gives me a soft smile. “Still…you don’thaveto.”

I throw down my credit card without a second thought like I always see Zack do and try to look as manly and confident as possible.

“I know I don’thaveto,” I say matter-of-factly. “I want to.”

Nora smiles, and it’s genuine.

“Besides, don’t think I don’t see what you’re trying to do. Changing the subject.”

Her eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean?”

I cock my head. “You said you were staying…with us?”

“Yeah, Rush said he told you…ran the idea by you first?”

Rush certainly did not run anything by me about anyone staying with us. But as I look at Nora’s worried face, I realize what he must have done.