Page 116 of Filthy Rich Brother's Best Friends

I’m in the middle of talking with another old instructor who is asking for her job back when I look over and see him. Wes. We make eye contact and he gives me a little nod. I continue talking to the instructor and try not to think about whether he’s going to make a spectacle of himself.

It’s almost time for the open house to end and I wonder if he’ll stick around or disappear.

He comes over to where I’m standing as the last guest leaves.

“You really did it,” he says.

“Wedid it,” I answer, nodding toward all the guys who are cleaning up wine glasses and little plates of food. I know they know Wes is here, but they’re giving us some space. I’m guessing they’re listening to every word we’re saying though.

He takes a breath and looks away before he looks in the eye. “I’m sorry, Lola. For all of it.”

I study him for a moment. I love my brother and he’s always been there to support me, but I’m not sure what to think about him anymore.

“You hurt me,” I tell him. “I know you were surprised, but what you said and did was way out of line, Wes. I’m not a child and you can’t treat me like I am.”

“I know,” he says. “I thought I was protecting you. But I obviously didn’t go about it the right way.”

“I don’t need your protection, Wes.”

Miles steps up beside me, his hand immediately settling on my lower back. Reid is right behind him, coming up on my other side. Jude moves in close to my back, pressing a kiss to my head to let me know he’s there.

Wes looks at them, and something changes in his face.

“I owe all of you an apology too,” he says. “I crossed lines I shouldn’t have. The things I said…”

Reid speaks first. “You were angry. I was too.”

“I handled it badly,” Wes admits. “You didn’t deserve that.”

Reid glances at me, then back at Wes. “I could’ve handled it better too. We all could have.”

Wes turns to Miles, and for a second, it’s awkward.

Then Miles offers a short nod. “We’re not going to pretend it didn’t happen,” he says. “But let’s stop holding onto it. Time to move on.”

Wes nods again. “Thank you.”

Jude tilts his head. “So are we good now, or should we have a fight to the death in the new mat pilates room? There’s plenty of room in there for it.”

Wes huffs a laugh. It’s enough to eliminate the last bit of tension.

The guys resume the clean up portion of the evening.

“I’m proud of you,” he tells me, giving me a hug. “You built something better than I ever expected.”

I don’t need the words anymore—but I still like hearing them.

“Thank you.”

“I still don’t fully understand it,” he admits. “The three of them. This. You.” He shrugs.

“But it’s obvious you love each other.And that’s enough for me to shut up and get out of the way.”

“We do love her, man,” Reid says from across the room. “I know we should have said something to you, before you had to walk in on it. It just wasn’t an easy conversation to start.”

Wes snorts. “You start by not sneaking around.”

Reid spreads his hands. “It wasn’t our best work, man.”