Page 22 of Easton

I nod, wishing I hadn’t asked. I’ve been asking him a lot of questions today. It’s annoying as shit.

“What’s Rhett been up to?” he asks.

“Don’t know.”

“You guys don’t talk much?” He sounds like that’s unfathomable to him. But then, my family does a good job pretending we’re a normal, healthy family when we’re anything but.

“We’re not like most people.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why do you ask so many questions?” I snap.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep. I’m just making conversation.”

There’s been one person in my life I could never stay mad at, hardly be mad at, and that was Ella, but for some reason, it’s difficult with Archer too. He makes me want to apologize, when that’s something I’ve rarely cared to do with anyone else. “It’s fine. Just not good at this.” Which I’ve said before, but it bears repeating. If he didn’t keep trying to do this with me, to talk to me and be friends with me, we wouldn’t have this problem.

“You’re doing fine. Cut yourself some slack. We all snap at people sometimes.”

But I do it more than most…and I want to make it up to him, want to show him that I appreciate the fact that I’m here, even if I know it won’t last. “I’m younger than Rhett and Morgan…which you know. Not sure why I said that. And they had to take care of me a lot. My dad—Gregory. He’s not like other people’s dads. I’m the reason Morgan didn’t leave for college and the source of fights he and Rhett get into. I don’t stop getting into trouble. I’m sure both of them think their lives would be better off if I wasn’t…me.”

“Jesus, East. Do you really think that? I don’t believe that for a second. They—”

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I’m not trying to be a dick, but if you can’t respect that, I’m gonna have to leave.” If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t have even given them that warning. Hell, I wouldn’t have said what I did. My skin feels itchy, his gaze like it’s trying to dissect me, trying to see beneath the surface, but once he does, there’s no doubt in my mind that he won’t like what he finds. “Burgers are good.” I take a bite, hoping to change the subject.

“Yeah…yeah they are.”

He wants to say more. I can feel it, and I’m glad he doesn’t. When we’re done eating, I help him with the dishes.

“Bathroom?” I ask, and he tells me where it is. I take a piss, wash my hands, then splash water on my face, before looking at myself in the mirror.

I should go home. He said dinner, and we’ve done that. There’s no reason to stay.

El?She’s been quiet since we got here.

I’m here. He’s nice, East.

I know.That makes it worse, makes me feel worse because he’s nice and I can’t figure out how to accept nice, or how to deserve it.

I like that you’re making friends with him.

I’m a glutton for punishment.Because I know it will hurt when he walks away, and thatissomething I deserve.

I finish up, then head back into the living room. As soon as I step out of the hallway, I see Archer sitting on the floor, leaning against the couch, with both of my dogs around him.

“Daddy will be back soon. He just went to the bathroom. He’s not leaving you. I promise.”

My throat clogs up, my feet rooted to the floor. I don’t know why seeing him love on them, hearing him talk about me, gets inside my head, but I can’t stop watching.

“You’re lucky he found you, Casanova. I’m sure Pretty Girl already told you that.” He bends down, nuzzles Casanova’s neck, and the dog lets him. My heart starts going crazy for reasons I don’t understand. “Be good to him. He deserves it.”

I don’t. I really fucking don’t, but in this moment…I want to believe I do. Want to make Archer feel as good as he’s made me feel, which isn’t something I ever experience.

My brain shuts off, all good sense, if I ever had any, scattering to the wind. I walk over, and Archer looks up at me and smiles. It’s a nice smile, all full lips and kindness.

The dogs scoot out of the way, and I kneel, straddle his lap, take his face in my hands, and drop my mouth to his. I might be a shitty friend, might be terrible with words, but this I can give him. This Iwantto give him.

He’s stiff for just a moment before his lips soften against mine. I tease his seam with my tongue, and Archer opens for me, lets me inside, hands grabbing my hips, allowing me to explore him. His tongue is tasting me next, and I moan into him, go for his shirt to try and pull it over his head, but the second I reach under it, touch him warm skin to warm skin, Archer pulls back.