The Ex Files (Ocean View, #1)

by Morgan Elizabeth

I was raised in a loving household with happily married parents and two older sisters. My dad taught me how to wine and dine, throw a ball, and get my hands dirty in an engine, but my mom and sisters taught me how to treat a woman. They showed me the ropes: from holding doors open to how to treat a woman when she’s emotional to making them feel good about themselves to the right way to break up. Once, Quinn heard I’d broken up with a high school girlfriend via text message. When my mom picked me up that day, all three were in the car. We sped home and they ripped me a new one, telling me they wouldn’t endure having that kind of man in their family. When I tried to get my dad on my side, he’d sat me down. “Son, one day you’ll have someone in your life, and you’ll realize you’d do anything to keep her happy, even if it means letting her sit your son down and bustin’ his balls with feminist chats and conversations on how to treat a woman. There are worse things, bud. Just accept it. If not for whatever future lady you have in your life, then for your old man who doesn’t want to hear his wife bitchin’ all night about the piece of scum son they’re raising.” “I heard that, Jeffrey!” my mom had called from the other room, my sisters giggling after her, and my dad just rolled his eyes, but the smile was genuine. Because he loved her, and he’d endure this to get her, to keep her happy.