Page 73 of Three Pucking Ex's Brothers

“Well…” I sigh and stare at the ceiling. “Tommy didn’t say anything other than we should hang out sometime, but he and I talked earlier, and so it feels like maybe he didn’t see it? I don’t know. Or if he did, maybe…maybe he just didn’t think anything of it. I know he’s a bit shy when it comes to stuff like that.”

“Maybe,” she says curiously. “Or maybe he just didn’t know what to say, and wanted to see what you would do first? I don’t know him as well as you probably do, but he isn’t exactly the go-getter type like his brothers.”

This is true. She does have a point.

“Maybe,” I say. “Freddie was kind of the same. I think he knew it wasn’t meant for him, because he just said ‘wrong number, sweetheart,’ and that was it.”

“And Rush?” she asks carefully. “How did Rush react to your little saucy sext?”

I swallow, hard. “Um…”

I close my eyes as the words rush out of my mouth. “With a saucy sext of his own?” I say the words meekly, but Abby’s squeal is all I need.

“Oh my God!” she screams. “Details, Nora, I need details!”

“No, you don’t.” I groan. “You do not need the details of Rush’s hockey stick.”

She laughs. “Oh, man…you’re no fun. At least tell me if it’s…you know…” She giggles. “Was it good?”

Heat crawls into my cheeks.

“You’re asking my about my ex’s brother’s dick, Abby.”

“That good, huh?” she teases, and I bury my face in the pillow. “Did you text him back?”

“What?” It’s my turn to yell. “No, of course not! What would I even say to that?”

The phone goes silent.

“Did you like it?” she asks carefully.

“That’s a loaded question, Abby.”

“No it’s not. It’s simple. You were either disgusted and wanted to tell him off, or…” She speaks plainly. “Or you saw it and you liked it.”

My silence is my answer, and we both know it.

“You know what it sounds like to me?” she says smoothly.

“What?”

“Sounds like you have the perfect chance to give good ol’ Brett Sterling a taste of his own medicine.”

I sit up straighter. “What are you talking about?”

She sighs. “I mean, why settle for one brother when you could trade up for two? Hell, maybe even three if Tommy’s asking you out because helikesyou and not just for coffee.”

That’s insane. There’s no way.

No.

But yet…Abby’s words stir something inside of me. Something deep and primal, hungry and curious.

“I can’tdatemy ex’s brothers.”

Abby giggles. “Who said anything aboutdating, Nora? All you need to do is play the game and stick the knife into that asshole.”

“That still doesn’t change the fact that I need my things, and Brett and I?—”