Page 177 of Three Reckless Words

I remember why I shouldn’t feel too guilty over these pricks.

Dexter points his pen at me like a dagger.

“It’s different and you know it. I don’t know what this Winnie means to you, but if she’s helped you get over Rina, she has my respect.”

“Helps that she’s hot,” Patton adds with a chuckle, shrugging at Dexter’s glare. “What? She is. Nothing on Salem, obviously, but who is? For runner-up, she’s not bad.”

“Runner-up? And you’re saying my Junie gets fucking bronze?” Dex growls.

“Goddammit, guys, not now.” I groan, dropping my head into my hands.

However hot she is—and she could beat Helen of Troy with a beauty stick—it doesn’t change the truth.

I fucked up massively and she’s probably not going to be hot for me any longer.

But you’re right. This isn’t working.

Her words float back to me like angry ghosts.

“We’re going to fight this,” Dexter tells me, tapping the table again to get my attention. “All of us, not just you. And not for thecompany, but for you. Fucking hell, Arch. How many times have you fought our battles?”

“Like when Dex screwed up that deal with Haute?” Patton dodges the swipe Dexter aims at him. “Look, it’s not like you’re the only one who ever stepped in it here. Even Mom didn’t see it coming when Arlo got sick.”

I shake my head, wishing we’d never speak of that insanity again.

“Yeah, but this is next level, Pat.”

“So what? We’ll get through it like we always have.” Patton leans back in his chair and spears me with a look. “Whatever happens, Bro, just promise me you won’t screw it up with Bee Lady. That’s my one condition. You gotta keep getting laid. It helps your mood.”

“Cute,” Dexter deadpans.

Too late, I think bitterly, but then I shake myself.

What the hell am I still doing here listening to my brothers squawk?

I could be trying harder, fixing the gaping hole I cut in our relationship.

He’s right.

I need to move my ass and patch this up before she walks out the door forever.

And knowing Winnie and how willing she is to flee when things seem hopeless, it’s probably going to be sooner rather than later.

“I need to go,” I say, and Patton smirks.

“That’s the spirit. Go get her, Arch.”

“We’ve got this,” Dexter says, waving me to the door. “Just go home and relax. Remember to talk to her like a normal human being. You’d be surprised how far it’ll get you.”

“Fuck you guys,” I mutter on my way out.

They both dissolve into laughter.

My brothers are adults, yes, but they still behave like punk-ass teenagers with me.

Even so, I’m grateful for their shit.

If it wasn’t for them, I’d probably be paralyzed, rather than driving home, looking for Winnie’s heart.

---