Page 137 of Three Pucking Ex's Brothers

TOMMY

“I told you,Tommy, I don’t know when she’s going to be in,” Abby says with a sigh. Pam, the shop owner, eyes me from the back of the shop while the male stylist, Zayne, periodically glances back at me.

“You’re her best friend, you have to know something,” I press.

It’s been nearly a month since that night.

The night Brett showed up and stole Nora from us.

Though I know whatever happened between them, they are most certainlyover.In fact, Brett told the entire family he was done and moving to Canada and never wanted to see any of us again. Mom was pretty upset, but Dad said maybe it was for the best. That perhaps one day, Brett would figure out what family really means.

And Brett retaliated by saying some rather unsavory things aboutus.

Things I would rather my mothernotknow about me, but I guess we deserved that.

Freddie says we didn’t, but…

Then again, Freddie doesn’t say much these days. Not to Rush or to me. He takes his anger out on the ice.

Rush too.

When he isn’t drinking most nights because he feels like he’s to blame.

They may have given up on Nora, but I haven’t.

I have to believe that somewhere deep inside, she knows I haven’t given up. I’ll come to the shop as much as I have to. Beg Abby as long as I need to, if it will get me five minutes with the woman I love.

I need her to know I don’t blame her.

That I love her. I still love her, and I’m not going anywhere. Brett or no Brett.

And I know if I could just get her to talk to me…if I could get her to listen…the guys would too. We could figure this out.

Because for better or for worse, there’s nothing to hide now.

We can be together, if she just gives us the chance…and I know Rush and Freddie would welcome her back with open arms.

They’re miserable without her. Hell, we all are.

Which is why I have to do this. Not just for me, but for them.

I always thought Freddie was the strongest of us. Turns out, we don’t know our strength until we’re pushed.

“It’s not my place to say,” Abby says, and her eyes plead with me to stop.

The only reason I haven’t texted Nora already is because Abby said she needed time to process what happened, and that pushing the issue would only push her further away. But I’m done waiting.

I need to see her. Need to talk to her. Tell her how bad I fucking miss her and how I need her in my life. In all of our lives…

She heads for the door and waves for me to go.

“I need to talk to her,” I say. “Abby, you don’t understand, I?—”

“I do understand, Tommy,” she says. She bites her lip as she adds, “Maybe…just…wait a day or two.”

“For what? You to tell me to fuck off again?”

She shakes her head. “Shewantsto talk to you,” she says, and my heart lifts. “But she has to do it when she’sready.”