Page 76 of Filthy Rich Brother's Best Friends

Miles

Idon’t need to understand body language to know that Reid is pissed the fuck off right now. He slams the door as he comes in from the patio. I don’t have to ask what happened. I already know.

Lola.

I’m not even surprised anymore. He’s been orbiting her for weeks. And not with any real purpose that I can see. He’s just…circling. If he wanted something real, maybe I could respect it. But this? This feels like a game. Push, pull, provoke. Leave just enough behind to keep her twisted up and second-guessing everything.

Reid shows up when it suits him.

And now that Jude is in the picture, it’s only gotten worse. I don’t think Reid’s even sure if he wants her or if he just doesn’t want anyone else to have her. That hits hard, because Reid knows exactly how I feel about Lola and he’s playing this game anyway.

He doesn’t look at me as he stalks toward the fridge. The man looks like he’s moments away from exploding. I half expect him to grab something and throw it at the wall just to release some of the pent up energy he’s clearly carrying.

“You want to talk about it?”

He yanks open the fridge door and grabs a beer. “Not particularly.”

“Then I’ll do the talking,” I say. “What exactly are you doing?”

His head jerks up. “Excuse me?”

“With Lola,” I clarify.

He finally looks at me, and there’s nothing calm in his expression. “You want to start something with me right now?”

“No,” I say. “I think you’ve already started something. I just don’t know what it is.”

His eyes narrow. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

I stand up and look him in the eyes. “It means I’ve watched you play this push-pull game with her for weeks. Actually, years. You get close, then back off. You let her think it means something, then act like it doesn’t. I’m trying to figure out if this is about her…or if it’s just about winning.”

“Mind your own business, Miles.” He walks toward the living room.

“This is my business.”

He stops. “Since when?”

“Since you started treating Lola like something you’re entitled to.” I lean back against the counter. “You’re out there acting like this is a competition.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Not for me.”

He sets the beer hard and the foam dribbles over the top. “So, what then? You want her all to yourself?”

“I want you to treat her with respect.”

He snorts. “Spare me.”

“You know how I feel about her. You’ve known for a long time. And you’re still dragging her into this mess because you don’t know what you want.”

He scoffs. “That’s what you think I’m doing?”

“I think you don’t know how to want something without destroying it.”

He doesn’t move. And for a second, I think maybe he’s actually hearing me. Then his mouth twists, and I know better.

I fold my arms. “You’re not just hurting her, Reid. You’re confusing the hell out of her. And I don’t think you even care.”