Page 128 of Twins for Three Bad Boys

“Not even a little,” he says firmly. “If anything, it tells me you need backup.”

My throat tightens again.

“I hate that he can still get to me,” I admit.

“Of course he can,” Rex says gently. “You loved him. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.”

Bolt shifts and nudges his head harder against my leg, as if emphasizing the point.

“See?” Rex adds. “Even Bolt thinks you’re solid.”

Bolt suddenly lets out a sharp bark at absolutely nothing.

I jump.

Rex doesn’t even blink. “He’s protecting you from… that shrub.”

Bolt growls suspiciously at a mailbox.

I stare at him.

“Fearsome guardian,” I say.

“Very selective,” Rex agrees solemnly.

The absurdity of it cracks something open inside me.

I laugh again, softer this time.

We crest the hill overlooking town. The lights below flicker on one by one.

Rex squeezes my knee gently before pulling his hand back to the wheel.

“You don’t have to carry this alone,” he says. “Not the texts. Not the rumors. Not the legal mess. None of it.”

Legal.

I look at him.

“What do I do?” I ask quietly.

“You call Naomi Keller,” he says immediately. “Best lawyer in Redwood Run. She loves a harassment case. It’s like cardio for her.”

I snort.

“I’m serious,” he continues. “If there’s something actionable here, defamation, cyber harassment, she’ll know. And if there isn’t, she’ll still scare him for sport.”

The idea of someone scaring Max instead of the other way around sends a small, fierce spark through my chest.

“Would that make things worse?” I ask.

Rex turns fully toward me at a stop sign.

“Darlin’,” he says softly, brushing his thumb once across the side of my knee, “things are already worse. The only question is whether you stay scared or get strategic.”

Bolt suddenly decides this is the perfect moment to stick his entire snout into my hoodie pocket.

“What are you doing?” I laugh.