My Ex-Boyfriend’s Brothers (Ex Marks the Spot)

33. Maggie

33

***Maggie***

I looked up from the chart with the seating plan and smiled when I spotted Jackson and Luke coming my way. I’d just had a quick dinner and was trying to wrap up a few more small details before turning in for the night. I’d also been hoping that one of them would find me so I stayed in the dining hall instead of going back to my room. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to talk to them about paying for Mom’s medical bills first or just be hugged. Either way, I was over the moon to see them.

Luke was in another bespoke suit but Jackson was less casual than usual. His black jeans and black button down shirt made him look dressier than I’d ever seen him. His black moto boots were still there, though, so I knew the makeover hadn’t gone too far.

“Guess what, Bubbles.” Jackson wrapped his arms around my waist and tugged me into his chest. “If you’re not too tired, it’s my time to take you out. I heard Ryan skipped the line earlier but I get you tonight, so I’ll live.”

I looked around to make sure we were alone. “I’m not too tired. I’m actually kind of wired right now.”

Luke grunted at Jackson and pulled me into his own arms. “Come here, pretty. It’s been a long day since I last saw you.”

“It really has. Did you two have a good day?” I pulled back, just in case anyone walked in, and wrapped my arms around my waist as I studied them. “Did you maybe make a few calls regarding business that wasn’t yours?”

Jackson leaned against the table I’d been working at and crossed his arms over his chest. “I didn’t do a fucking thing all day. Unlike big bro here, I know how to vacation. Why? Is someone in trouble?”

Luke couldn’t keep his hands to himself. He ran his hands through my hair and cupped my cheek. “I rushed to get through my work just to find out that Jackson plans on stealing you away tonight. So, my day is ruined now. I only made calls regarding my own business, though.”

I’d decided to just be upfront with them and ask about which one of them paid. “I got a call from Waverly Place, the nursing home I’ve been trying to get my mom into. Someone paid for Mom’s place. She’s being transferred soon. Was it one of you?”

Jackson looked confused but Luke’s slightly raised eyebrows gave him away. Instead of confirming my suspicions, though, he added to them. “I won’t lie. I did call today. Someone beat me to it, though. A very happy woman informed me that your costs had been paid in full for several years going forward.”

“Why didn’t I know about this so I could’ve taken care of it?” Jackson frowned at me, his eyes giving away that he actually felt hurt that he hadn’t known.

“You’ve got big donor money?” Luke didn’t seem to ask the question in a rude way but it was clear Jackson took it that way.

“Yeah, I do. You and everyone else in the family think so little of me. My shops are now in seven states. I’m doing just fine.” Shaking his head, Jackson focused on me. “I make plenty of money to support you and your mom, Bubbles. Not that I think you’d let me.”

“Hey, man, I didn’t mean it like that.” Luke ran his hand over his hair and sighed. “I’m sorry. I should’ve already known that about your shops. Congrats, Jack.”

I smiled as I watched them and held both of their hands. “This is cute.”

They both groaned at me. Jackson glared at me but it held no heat. “Moving on.”

“If neither of us took care of the nursing home, I don’t know who did. Ryan was with me when I tried to do it this afternoon. He was just as surprised as I was.” Stroking his thumb over my wrist, Luke narrowed his eyes. “I know for a fact that Brad doesn’t have that kind of money or I’d be pretty pissy right now.”

“That little shit wouldn’t do anything if it wasn’t for him.” Standing up straight, Jackson ran his eyes down my body. “We’re going dancing. Are your shoes going to hurt your feet?”

I laughed at Luke’s unhappy face and then looked down at my flats. “Can I change? I haven’t been dancing in so long!”

“Go ahead. We’re taking the bike. I still want a dress, though.” Jackson’s grin was filthy. “Please.”

Luke threw up his hands. “I don’t know if this is going to work.”

Jackson patted his shoulder and gently eased me towards the exit. “We’ll come home to your cabin tonight if you’re going to throw a fit about it.”

A flutter of emotions washed over me as I watched them easily settle how they’d take care of each of their needs for me. As ridiculous as it sounded, they were pretty good at sharing. “Be right back!”

When I came back from changing into a new, flirty dress and heels, Luke was gone and Jackson was waiting with a hungry smile for me. He took my hand when I reached him and spun me around. I felt the flowy bottom of my dress fly up, exposing my thighs, and heard Jackson’s sharp take of breath.

“Maybe we should stay here…” He saw my expression fall and grinned. “I’m kidding, Bubbles. I’m taking you out. I’m just going to have a very hard time keeping my hands to myself. You look beautiful. I’ll start there. You also look like sex on heels, like I could bend you over right here and-”

“Jackson!” I laughed and lightly slapped his chest. “Take me dancing. Please.”

“Whatever you want, Bubbles. Literally whatever you want.” He pushed the door open for me and the chilled night air raised goosebumps on my legs and arms instantly. Jackson noticed, of course, because his eyes hadn’t left me for a single second. “I thought ahead.”

I watched him jog to his motorcycle and come back to me with his leather jacket in one hand and something that looked like leather pants in the other. Raising my eyebrows at the pants, I shook my head. “What the hell is that?”

“As much as I love the idea of you riding behind me with no pants on, you need to be safe first. We’re taking the highway tonight and I’m not chancing those sexy legs. These will be too big but they’ll cover you during the drive. So, don’t complain.” He studied me with a stern expression and nodded when I didn’t argue. “Good. Luke was already bitching at me before he knew I had these. My brother is not only worried about your safety, he’s also jealous as hell about the idea of any other man seeing your bare thighs while you ride with me. It’s the first time I’ve ever known him to be possessive.”

I lifted my leg when he knelt down to help me into the leather pants. “I never thought any of you would be possessive or jealous. You always seemed so open and carefree with the few relationships I heard about.”

Snorting, he didn’t even look up at me as he answered. “They weren’t you.”

I stayed quiet while he pulled the pants up and buttoned them over my dress. They were much too big, a very flattering feeling, but I was instantly warmer. I stared at him, amazed at how lightly he could say something like that, something that made me seem so special.

“Alright. Into the jacket, Bubbles.” He finished wrapping me in his leather gear and stepped back to smirk. “Honestly, you make them look good. Maybe I’ll get you a set of your own for our drives.”

Butterflies erupted. “Planning lots of drives for us?”

“Fuck yeah. Also, I lied. I ran one errand today.” He pulled a smaller helmet off the bike that I hadn’t even noticed. It was bright pink with yellow daisies all over. “I tried to find one with bubbles on it, but it turns out that it’s not super common. This one reminded me of you, though. Bright, cute, and it makes me smile.”

I fought back an overly emotional response as he buckled me into my new favorite headgear. “Thank you.”

He patted the top and slung his leg over the bike before turning to help me climb on behind him. “Come on, Bubbles. Let’s go paint the town.”