After discovering that indiscretion—something Beau did alongside Kirsten, theother man’swife, the disgruntled pair became friends and later fell in love.
I glare over at Braxton and Luke next. I don’t even need to gear up for these guys. "And you two…” I shake my head. “Braxton, good for you for suddenly growing a human heart after acting like a pig for all these years. You finally found your dream woman. I’m happy for Maggie and you both."
I don’t sound like I mean it, but I mostly do. I turn to my twin next. "And Luke, you're still waiting for that transplant, aren't you? At leastIknow how to treat a woman. At least I treated Gabrielle like a queen when we were married."
"Yeah, too bad she was busy treating you like a peasant," he says with a sneer.
The jerk probably sat across from me for a reason. If he were any closer, I’d clock him.
"Well then, it's no wonder I'm having a hard time moving on!" I slam my hands on the table, glad we’re in a noisy sandwich joint and not some fancy restaurant with fragile china and haughty guests. "You think I’m supposed to just trust again all of a sudden? After I gave Gabrielle my heart, my life, my everything, and she just crapped all over it like it was garbage?"
“That’s the whole point. It’s been almost two years, and you're still sussed out by everyone. You think they’re all going to be exactly like Gabrielle, and that’s just not the case.”
“I don’t thinkeveryoneis going to be like her,” I defend.
“No?” Braxton snaps. “You came up with the codeGVfor every time a woman gives youGabrielle Vibes.”He shakes his head. “Not healthy.”
My inner coach comes out and tells me to take a few deep breaths.
Beau gives Braxton a nod in the quiet pause.
Braxton tips his head. “I put it in Luke's briefcase."
All eyes turn to Luke as he produces something from his case. Instead of sliding it toward me, though, he hands it over to Braxton.
Braxton shields the cover with his chest and lowers his chin to point a serious look at me. "I think this book could change your life,” he says. "And when I talked to Beau and Luke about it, they agreed. This copy has been signed personally by the author, who Maggie met at her coffee shop. This guy knows what he's talking about, trust me."
With that dramatic introduction, Braxton finally hands over the stupid book. It’s a hardbound copy with huge black and red font across the cover. I'm tempted to read it aloud, but since that would be for my brothers’ benefit, I read it silently instead.Not Everybody Is Your Ex; A guide to getting over yourself and getting into someone new.
I plop the book down and turn my chin to one side. I glare at each of my brothers in turn. "Getting overmyself? Are you guys freaking serious?"
Braxton’s the only one with enough decency to look ashamed with a downcast glance, but soon he looks back at me. “I knew you wouldn't like the subtitle."
"I don't like any of it. This is a slap in the face after everything I've been through."
"Maybe youneedto get slapped upside the head," Beau says. "How else will you get out of your lame,poor merut?"
Coach is waving both arms now, a desperate attempt to delay my reaction until I calm down.
“You know what?” Luke says. “I know I agreed to back you up with this little powwow here, but I'm kind of with Liam on this one. I don't thinkhe'sthe problem, and I don't think I'm the problem either.Womenare the problem. And now that youtwo are living in Lala Land with your brides-to-be," Luke says accusingly with nods to Braxton and Beau in turn, "you're out of touch with how things really are. We've been out here playing the forty-something field, which is something you never had to do, Braxton, and something Beau barely had a taste of. But for Liam and me, man, it’s rough. I think we’re killing it under the circumstances.” Luke pins a satisfied look on both brothers in turn, his shoulders and chest puffing like he's proud of himself.
"What a load of crap," Braxton says.
“Seriously,” Beau agrees.
Luke secures his napkin and dabs his face. "I thought it was poetic." He crinkles the napkin, throws it toward the center of the table, and tosses a few bills on top of it. "I've got to get back to work." He stands, makes his way toward the exit, and swats Tina, a waitress he used to date, on the tush before walking out the door.
“Luke,” she squeals playfully. “You’re so bad.”
I shake my head. “Luke’s doing crap like that, andI’mthe one you’re worried about?”
“He’s beyond help,” Beau says like it’s obvious.
The fact is, I don't want to be lumped in with the Lukes of the world. I study the two left sitting at the table. They say if you want to become successful, you should surround yourself with successful people. Braxton and Beau have successfully found what I, myself, am looking for. And while I think it’s got more to do with luck than anything else, I'd rather be like them than like my divorced chronic–bachelor twin brother who’s now reverting to his old high school behavior, which—Tina aside—doesn’t exactly fly in this day and age.
I look down at the book and groan. My defenses are revving hot and ready for battle.Barry Brownis the author’s name. That joker doesn’t know what I’ve been through. No one does, not even my brothers. Heck, I couldn’t tell them all the crudGabrielle did while we were married, or they’d hate her. After the divorce, I still couldn’t tell them, or they’d lose respect for me. Not that they hadn’t seen enough for themselves at family events.
“If it will make you guys happy, I'll take the book,” I say, “but I’m probably not going to read it."
