SWNOVELS My Ex-Boyfriend’s Brothers: Chapter 30
“Open the door, Mags.” Ryan’s voice was soft with worry but as soon as he heard me sniff, it grew more urgent. “Maggie. Come on, baby, open up.”
I pushed the door open for him, still crying. “What if I’d been pooping?”
He took in the state of my face and his eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t care. What did Brad say to you?”
I pouted but let him pull me up from where I was sitting on the toilet seat. I sniffed again as I tried to stop the tears. “Nothing. It’s fine.”
“Maggie.” Ryan’s serious tone was unusual for him but it worked.
“He freaked out because a band that I told him was unavailable is unavailable. He told me I was bad at my job but I’m not. I’m not bad at my job and it’s not fair for him to be such an ass about every single thing. I told him, Ryan. I told him we couldn’t get the band.” I sniffed harder and leaned into Ryan’s embrace. “I don’t even know why I’m crying. I think I’m just overwhelmed. Normally I don’t let him bother me this much.”
“Fuck him. Quit, Maggie. He doesn’t deserve you. He never did.” He cupped my face and forced me to look at him. “You don’t need to do this. Fucking quit and let him handle this shit himself.”
My lip wobbled as I tried to shake my head. “I can’t. I need the money, Ryan. I never would’ve taken the job if I wasn’t desperate.”
“Nothing is worth letting him hurt you over and over again.”
“I need the money to put my mom in a better nursing home. I need the business and the referrals that I’ll get from this wedding. I can’t quit.” I pushed away from him and walked to the sink to splash my face. “I wouldn’t, anyway. I’m not a quitter. How else do you think I lasted three years with your brother?”
He wrapped his arms around me from behind and met my eyes in the mirror. “I’ll give you the money. Any of us would, Maggie. You know we would.”
I sank back into his chest and sighed. “I can’t. I can’t let you, or your brothers, do that. Whatever we’re doing, I don’t want it muddied by me taking your money.”
“It wouldn’t.” He splayed his hands out across my stomach and pressed his lips to the shell of my ear. “You aren’t alone anymore.”
“I shouldn’t like that so much.” I slowly turned and wrapped my arms around his neck. “You’re doing enough by just being here for me. I’m already feeling better.”
“Well, if you think you’re feeling better now, wait until you’re on our date.” He pressed his lips to my nose and squeezed my butt. “Are you too busy to sneak away right now?”
Shaking my head, I smiled up at him. “I have stuff I could be doing but I’d rather sneak away with you. Since I’ve already been called bad at my job…”
“Come on, then. How does a dip in the lake sound?” His eyes took on a mischievous glint. “I’ve wanted to go for a swim since I got here but I’ve been a little distracted.”
I laughed, thinking he was kidding. When he didn’t laugh with me, I started shaking my head. “No way! It’ll be ice cold! You’re nuts.”
“Jump in with me, Maggie.” He ran his fingers up my sides and tickled me. “Live a little.”
I smirked. “I let your brother go down on me against the side of a building this morning. How’s that for living a little?”
He groaned and pressed his hips into mine. “Why does that turn me on? Is my brain already fucked after one night? Either way, you’re definitely going swimming with me now. Would you like to take this pretty dress off first?”
I gasped as he picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder. “Ryan!”
He slapped my butt and took off at a jog that should’ve left him out of breath but when he reached the edge of the lake, he was breathing just fine. Fine enough to cackle as I struggled to get away from him. “Dress on or off, Maggie?”
“Ryan, no! Put me down, you goof!”
“I guess you want the dress on!” His gait changed as he ran down the small wooden dock and then we were weightless. Until we broke the surface of the water and cold water sucked us in. Ryan let out a loud shout as he came up for air. “Fuck, that’s cold!”
I spashed him and pushed my hair out of my face. “As soon as I can feel my body, I’m going to kick your ass, Ryan.”
He grinned and swam closer. “It’s not so bad. Here. I’ll warm you up.”
I let him come closer, but only because I wanted his warmth. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at him as he pulled me close and wrapped my legs around his waist. “You’re lucky I’m nice.”
“I am.” He slowly moved us closer to the dock. “I’m also lucky that you’re forgiving and hot.”
“Oh, yeah?” I ran my hand through his soaked hair and watched his curls spring back at me. “You like the drowned rat look?”
He nodded. “A lot.”
“It’s just too bad that it’s so cold in this lake. You know, cause of shrinkage.” I grinned at the look of annoyance on his face. “You didn’t think that through, did you?”
Ryan pinned me to the dock ladder and let me feel just how little the cold water was affecting him. It was his turn to grin when my eyes went wide. “The water isn’t that cold, baby. I’m a trooper.”