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)
The conversation is stilted but peppered with moments where the past slips away and we forget the walls between us, before they’re suddenly up again. Archer and Dusty carry a lot of the heavy lifting, asking questions and bringing the rest of us into the fold.
When dinner is done, Archer says, “I’m gonna let the dogs out real quick.”
“I’ll go with you,” Morgan tells him, and Dusty follows.
Rhett and I stand there and look at each other for a moment, unsure what to do. We sure as hell don’t know what to say.
“What’s this?” Rhett walks over to the counter and picks up the finished 3D puzzle.
“It’s something Archer does. He brought one over, and we put it together.”
“I didn’t know you liked puzzles.”
“I didn’t either, but it was cool. We’re doing another. Want me to show you?” I fear he’ll say no, that he’s not interested, because why would he care about me? Logically I know that’s not necessarily the case, but my brain plays tricks on me sometimes.
“Yeah, sure. I’d like that.”
The other one is a ship. We’re not nearly close to being done, but I show Rhett the progress and what it’s going to look like finished.
“Do you like building things?” he asks.
“Real stuff? Nah, not really. I mean, I can. And, well, I like putting cars together, but I don’t do much of anything else. Why?”
He shrugs. “Just curious.”
Quiet weighs heavily on us again. I wish Ella would give me some ideas of what to say to him, but she hasn’t spoken to me since before they showed. “I’m sorry I suck at this.”
“I suck at it too. I spent my whole life pretending I have all the answers, and now I don’t have any of them and don’t have the energy to pretend otherwise.”
That’s how I used to see Rhett, as this know-it-all who thought he was better than the rest of us, but I think Gregory wanted us to see him that way, and wanted Rhett to feel that way, trying to mold him into the version of Rhett he wanted to flaunt. One he thought he could make to be just like him. “You’re better than him. Don’t think you know that, but you are.”
He closes his eyes, jaw tense, like he’s scared if he opens his mouth, truths will come spilling out. I understand the feeling of wanting to keep those locked away, where we’re safe and nothing can hurt us. It’s so fucking exhausting.
A noise comes from the doorway, and I look over to see Morgan lingering there, unsure.
None of us speak right away, and it surprises me that I’m the one who talks first. “I was showing Rhett the puzzles Archer and I have been doing. I mean, it’s kinda dumb, but—”
“It’s not dumb,” they say at the same time, their gazes snapping together, shock clear on both of their faces. And then they smile, and shake their heads, the two of them looking so much alike with their dark hair and eyes…and the same smile, which I’ve never noticed before. My two brothers.
El?
I’m here, East. No matter what, I’m always here. And I’m proud of you, happy for you. I love you.
I smile, so thankful she replied. For the first time since I was nine, I feel like all four of us are together.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Archer
“We should go out to lunch or something, take the dogs with us. We can go to Birchbark Grill. They allow dogs on the patio. Have you ever done something like that with Pretty Girl before?” I know he hasn’t with Casanova, but I think they would both be good. Pretty Girl gets excited every time she meets new friends, like when people come over or when we went to the park with Meadow. “It might be good for Casanova, get him used to being around people.”
East looks at me from where he’s folding a butterfly at the table we’ve set up for puzzles. It’s been nearly a week since Dusty, Morgan, and Rhett were here. While East has still been a little off, I think it’s because he’s got so much going on in that head of his. He’s been stepping out of his comfort zone so much lately, making unexpected strides, but I know it’s emotionally taxing for him.
“Why would we want to go be around other people? They’re terrible.”
With a smile, I walk over to him, tilt his head up, and press a kiss to his lips. “Yes, they are. But there are some good ones out there too. It’ll be fun. I’ll get to show off my guy.”
He rolls his eyes, but there’s a spark of joy in his blue irises.
“Or should I say my good boy?” I add, quirking a brow at him.
“You just said that so I’ll say yes. You know how it gets to me.”