Page 92 of Three Pucking Ex's Brothers

19

RUSH

I don’t knowwhat’s wrong with me. I’ve never second-guessed anything in my life. Not like I am this morning, about what I did last night.

I know I can’t entirely blame it on the alcohol. I’ve sent plenty of girls pictures of my dick while stone-cold sober. But last night I didn’t just send a photo of my dick to some girl I met at a club or on a dating app. I sent a photo of my dick toNora.

The woman I’ve been harboring feelings for, who I kissed the other night.

The woman I can’t stop thinking about, who is my oldest brother’s ex.

The woman I know Freddie has feelings for too—even if he doesn’t say it.

I’ve seen the way he looks at her, with that look of need. My brother loves to beneeded.And maybe Tommy and I reap the benefits of that too. I don’tneedanyone to take care of me, and Tommy doesn’t either, but it’s nice to have someone you can count on, someone you know has your back.

I’ve never felt afraid to talk to a woman. I’ve never had a problem talking to women, in general, so why do I feel so nervous about walking into the damn hair salon and just…asking Nora out?

Seriously, did Tommy spike my pancakes or something?

All the signs are there?—

We kissed. We might have been drunk, but it stillhappened.

Then there was the whole dirty picture thing—which, okay,maybethat wasn’t meant for me, but if not for me, then for who?

Surely she didn’t send it to Tommy or Freddie, or…Brett?

Though I can’t rule the last one out completely because Brett is the one who has actually dated her, and while Nora has always seemed like a good girl on the surface, I get the feeling that she could be vindictive too, if pressed.

Like if she found her boyfriend in bed with another woman…

I’ll admit I’m not just coming here to get my hair cut—though it does need it—and to ask Nora on a date. I’m coming to offer an olive branch. A fresh start.

Because something tells me we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, and I don’t like feeling out of the loop. And I definitely feel out of the loop right now, where Nora and I are concerned.

On my way home from picking up my dad from the airport, he told me he actually ran into Brett—who was headed off on some last-minute show thing that had a cancellation.

Normally, I wouldn’t care what kind of television bullshit Brett is doing, but the fact that Dadsawhim physically at the airport told me something very important.

Brett is going to be out of town for at least a few days, which means the house is empty, which means Nora can go over there and get her shit without worrying about running into him.

Which is exactly what I plan to tell her. Or more likeofferto help. I know she won’t be able to moveeverythingherself, and her stuff sure won’t fit in just the back of her little Toyota.

Which is why I intend to drive her over there myself in my SUV and help her move her shit to our house. I haven’t really discussed it with Freddie or Tommy, and I know I should, but—I prefer to ask forgiveness rather than permission.

And knowing how much Freddie likes to take care of people, I’d wager it’s a safe bet he won’t make Nora pack her shit and leave.

The only one I really have to worry about is Tommy. I know he’s a creature of routine, and having someone new in his space is sometimes upsetting to him, but it’s not like he doesn’tknowNora.

Still, it wouldn’t be a forever thing. Just a temporary thing until Nora gets back on her feet and gets over my asshole brother.

Which I will gladly help with, if she lets me…

I slide my hands into my pockets and open the door, glancing in the space. “Be right there!” a voice calls, but it’s not Nora’s. It’s someone else. Familiar, but…

“Rush? Hey.” Nora’s friend, the dark-haired one with the sarcastic tongue—Abby, I think—waves at me.

“Hey,” I say casually as she smirks.