Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I can’t deny there’s a part of me that wants to lean back into him, that has felt empty ever since he pulled out of me, and that emptiness is like an echo chamber inside me.
“We gonna eat, or are you trying to fuck me again? Can you get it up that fast?”
“I’m not trying to fuck you. I just wanted to kiss you.”
“Well, it’s weird.” I scoop fried rice, chicken, and veggies onto two plates.
Archer chuckles. “You have a strange idea of what’s weird.”
“Warm yours up first.” I point to the microwave. Archer gives me a dumb smile that I don’t even understand the reason for, but then does as I say.
I get us drinks, warm my food up, and then we sit down at the small table together.
He takes a bite…and so do I. He doesn’t say anything, so I don’t either, and we just…eat in silence.
Ask him how his day at work was, you dork.
Not now, El.
He takes another bite and shoots me a grin.
“How was…work?” Christ, I sound like a fucking idiot. Is this my first time having a conversation with another human or what?
“There was that accident. Two passengers were injured pretty badly. One…I don’t know if she’ll make it. Fire department came out, and Cora was working. I hate that she has to see that shit.”
I nod. It’s not something I ever really thought about—Archer running into his family at work that way.
“She’d kick my ass if she heard me saying something like that. She’s damn good at what she does, and it’s part of the job, a career she loves, but…I guess I just want to protect people from the ugly shit out there.”
I’m not sure anything has ever sounded more Archer. “You can’t, though. Not really. No one can.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t try.”
“You two are close?” I still have trouble looking at him when I speak, so I pay attention to my food, looking down as I scoop some up.
“Along with Cass, she’s my best friend, yeah.”
Jealousy sweeps through me like a wildfire, burning everything in its path. I want that. Want it so fucking much. I should have always had Ella, and she should have always had me.
Flashes of memories play in my head.
The boat tipped over.
Ella in the water.
Diving in as Morgan came running.
“Hey.” His hand hooks beneath my chin and tilts it up.
I’m not sure if it’s only been seconds I lost or if it was longer.
“Stay with me, East.”
“I’m fine.” But I don’t pull away from him.
“You wanna talk about her?”
My head snaps back. “No. Fuck no. Talk to me about something else.”
He studies me, and for a moment, I’m not sure if he’s going to listen, but he gives me a slow nod. “What do you like to do for fun?”
“Fuck you, play with my dogs, and work on cars. What else do you think I do?” But then, I haven’t been to any bar in a while—something I used to do a lot, though not since the night I was last arrested.
“I’m grateful to be included.” He winks.
“You’re such a dork. Do people actually wink?”
He laughs. “Goddamn. I’m gonna have to up my game with you. I used to think I was pretty smooth until I started trying to win over Easton Swift.”
I roll my eyes. He’s not trying to win me over, not really, but the thought does make me uncharacteristically warm inside.
It’s that warmth, those normal, almost happy feelings he sometimes gives me, or at least tries to give me, that has me saying, “I can draw.”
“Good boy.” He leans back in his chair.
“I’m a good boy because I can draw?”
“No, because you told me.”
Goddamn him. I shake my head, trying not to show him I’m pleased.
“I don’t have an artistic bone in my body.”
“Eh. Not all of us can be as talented as me.”
Archer chuckles. “You’re such a brat.” He takes another bite of his food. Once he’s swallowed, he says, “You should draw me sometime.”
“Oh, I should?”
“Yep. You can draw me naked if you want.” He pumps his brows, and though laughing isn’t something I usually do easily, I can’t help but do it with him. Often.
“I like the sound of your laugh.”
“Do you google shit like that to say?”
“No, sweetheart. I’m just that good.” This time his wink is exaggerated and obnoxious, the two of us chuckling together.
We finish eating, then put our plates in the sink before heading for the couch again.
Ask him about himself, East.
I don’t need your advice.
But really, I do. “What do you like to do for fun?”
“Outdoors stuff. Be with my family. Meadow has been trying to teach me to sew, but it’s not going well. When I’m around the house, I’ve gotten into building these 3D wood model kits. I’ve done cars, boats, a clock. I did this train that was really cool.”