Page 18 of Three Pucking Ex's Brothers

“I’ll be f-fine,” I say weakly, but the tears still fester behind my eyes, my stomach is upside down, and I’m suddenly acutely aware of how wet I feel. My thighs are slick.

What the hell?

“This is not negotiable, Eleanor,” Freddie says, and this time his voice is harder. Edgier. Like when a father tells you you’re grounded.

I look up at him, my mouth parting just the slightest, but I know the worst is over.

Freddie walks two feet and Rush pulls all of me back into the car. He doesn’t let go, and I make no move to push him off either. His arm around my waist feels good. Warm. Strong.

I like how it feels right now, so I don’t fight it.

His hand twists in my hair, wrapping it around his wrist as he carefully pulls it out, laying it in a soft ponytail over my bare shoulder. His fingers trace my skin there and I feel another flux of warmth between my thighs.

“Do you understand?” Freddie asks, sternly.

“Yes, sir,” I say without thinking, because his commanding air is scratching some part of me I’ve never felt before.

Iwantto do as he says. No, Ineedto do as he says…

“Good girl,” Freddie says as he shuts the door with a resounding thud.

I lean into Rush, his arm still wrapped tight around me. I tilt my head back, resting it on his shoulder, and close my eyes. I don’t miss the deep breath he lets out, the rumble of it vibrating his chest against my back. A moment later, the car starts up. I keep my eyes closed the whole wayhome, and Rush holds me the entire time.

I like that more than I know I should.

When the car stops and the door opens, I realize we’re at Freddie’s place. Well, Freddie, Rush, and Tommy’s place, considering they all live together. I’ve been here once, for Tommy’s birthday, so I’m not all that familiar, but I do remember the place is pretty big. Even for three notorious bachelors.

Freddie opens my door and offers me his hand. “You can let her go now, Russ,” he says, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

To my surprise, Rush doesn’t say anything. He just…lets me go. And I hate how cold and empty it feels without his arms holding me, without his warmth enveloping me.

I take Freddie’s hand, noting how small mine looks in his.

Freddie is a big guy. Brett has always been built, as most of the time when he’s not at practice, he’s in the gym at home working out if he’s not away.

Home.

I look at Freddie’s expansive five-bedroom ranch and realize my home—the one I’ve called home for nearly six months—is no longermyhome.

I moved in with Brett, and now…

I spent the last six months decorating and making the place feel likeourhome. I moved all of my things in there, which wasn’t much. I left the furniture I had in my apartment for the next tenant, since Brett was fine getting new things, and I gave up my lease on my apartment because I was sosurewe were going to work. That our beautiful life was ahead of us.

“Hey.” Freddie’s voice takes on a calm air as he closes his hand around mine. His touch is gentle. Warm. Like his smooth, silky voice.

“Look at me, Nora.” He speaks softly, and something about that makes me want to listen. Makes me want to obey, and so I do. I look at him.

“It’s all going to be okay, sweetheart.” He licks his lip, his gaze dipping from my tearful one to my mouth for the flash of a second.

“Freddie…” I say, the sound fractured and broken. Because I’m fractured and broken.

“It’s okay. I promise. Now let’s get you inside, get you cleaned up.” He looks to his side and I turn to see Rush, watching us intently. “Russ can lend you some clothes, and we’ll take you home in the morning.”

I sniffle. “I don’t have a home,” I say.

Freddie’s hand squeezes mine as the rush of spice and citrus hits me, and I realize Rush is beside me.

“We’ll figure it out in the morning, baby,” Rush says, his palm once again resting on the small of my back.