Page 3 of Mine to Love
Miles knew what it was like to be an outcast. He’d struggled all through school because of his learning disabilities, and he’d tried to explain that to Liberty, but they’d been interrupted, yet again, by her fucking prick of an ex-husband.
“I’m sorry she couldn’t come, but glad you at least asked.” Emmerson lowered his gaze and leaned closer. “You like her and don’t try to tell this old man otherwise.”
“Old man? Is that what Rumor is calling you these days instead of Mr. Saucy, all because you won’t let her?—”
“Shut the fuck up.” Emmerson shook his head before dropping it back and downing the last drop of his drink. “This family’s obsession with my sex life is fucking weird.”
“Only because you’re the one who constantly got caught with his pants down when we were kids.”
Emmerson held up three fingers. “Three damn times and no one will ever let me live it down, including my wife.”
“She’s the best damn thing that has ever happened to you.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Emmerson said. “And stop changing the subject. You’re so damn good at doing that, it drives me crazy. We’re talking about you. And Liberty.”
Miles lifted his drink and took a long slow slip. He swirled it around in his mouth, letting his taste buds get their fill of the rich wood flavor before swallowing. “There’s nothing to discuss.”
“I don’t believe that for one minute. As a matter of fact, I think she’s more the reason you’re sitting over here by yourself than Mom’s insanity.”
Emmerson was only half-right because their mother had gotten under Miles’ skin with her constant badgering. The only question was, would Miles own it?
Fuck it. He could at least tell his brother some of it, although Emmerson didn’t need a recantation of Miles’ insecurities. Emmerson already knew and had chimed in his two cents years ago.
“Her ex-husband keeps coming around,” Miles said. “She doesn’t seem to like that or him. But she puts up with it because of Gabriel.”
“Ah, I see. He’s put a damper on anything happening between you and Liberty.” Emmerson nodded. “That would put me in a shitty mood too.”
“It’s more than that. It’s her little brother. He adores Charlie and because of how Gabriel is, Liberty can’t break that bond. I respect that, but I can see the pain in that girl’s eyes and it’s got my mind and my gut going down a dangerous path. I can’t put a lid on it, even though it’s none of my damn business.”
“Do you know why they got divorced?”
Miles shook his head. “I’ve never had the chance to talk with her that long or have a deep conversation. But it doesn’t matter.I’m going to have to let this one go. Besides, even if something did happen between us, it’s not like it would go anywhere. We all know what I’m like and long-haul relationships and me do not mix.”
“Don’t get pissed, because I’m not being Mom here, but that’s bullshit. You choose to be this way, and I’m not judging. Take it from a man who had one foot out the door in every relationship until Rumor and that’s exactly what you’re doing right now.” Emmerson cocked his head. “If you go into anything believing it won’t last, then it won’t. Trust me, I know that from experience.” He tapped his finger on the table. “I’m not trying to tell you what to do or how to live your life. I wouldn’t do that to you. But what I am telling you, is that if you like this girl and want to see if you have it in you, then go for it. Otherwise, you’ll never know.”
Miles shifted in his seat, tugging at his slacks. God, how he hated anything with pleats. His heart fluttered in a manner he wasn’t accustomed to. The words his older brother spoke filled his brain and something unfamiliar snaked through his system. No one had ever quite broken it down that way before. Most of his family pushed him hard. Told him he had to be lonely, which he wasn’t. Or that he was avoiding life. Again, that’s not what he was doing. He had no regrets. Not a single one. He loved every second of how he’d lived right up until a few months ago. He couldn’t even say Liberty had been the catalyst, because he’d been feeling this itch before he met her, but she certainly tossed him over the edge.
Emmerson was right. He liked this girl more than he’d liked most. He might have been what most people called a player, but he treated women with respect. All the ladies he dated received his full attention. He was up front with them, telling them he couldn’t fully commit. But he wasn’t a cheater. He never dated more than one girl at a time, and when he was with someone,that woman was the only one he had eyes for, until it was time to call it quits.
Sure, he’d broken a few hearts. He’d had more than one woman call him a few choice words. One even tossed a lamp at his head when he broke up with her, but he’d let that relationship go on a little too long. And frankly, he deserved a slap across the face for that one. However, he’d honestly truly cared for Trixi. Even if he hadn’t ended up being a jerk in the end, her father was right, Miles wasn’t good enough for her and he had to accept that fact.
A concept he struggled with when it came to Liberty, and why he was in a sour mood.
But he wasn’t as bad as people made him out to be. He didn’t have as many ex-girlfriends as the town made it seem. He was just a guy who didn’t want to get married, for more than one reason. One of which was, he didn’t want to suffer what his father had gone through. Or what some of his brothers had experienced, but witnessing that firsthand had been almost as bad as being the one who had to survive it.
“By that contemplative look on your face, I’d say I struck a chord,” Emmerson said softly in that kind and caring voice he had. As kids, Emmerson always knew when to play the asshole older brother, when to be the friend, and when to straddle the two.
This was one of those moments and Emmerson did it well.
“Yeah, you did,” Miles admitted. “I’m just not sure what to do about it. There are always two things that get in my way.”
“You know what I think of both of them.” Emmerson lifted his drink and sipped it with the same arched brow their father had when he was making a point and he knew he was spot-on.
Miles hated that expression on his dad and it was worse on his older brother.
“There’s also the fact she could still be hung up on her ex,” Miles added for good measure.
“Only one way to find out,” Emmerson said.
