Balance (Oakley’s Crew #2)

6. Archie

6

ARCHIE

“ S o you’re an event planner?” Evie’s bright eyes light up as she talks about her career. How we got into this discussion, I don’t really know. I’ve been working for this woman for almost a week, trying like hell to avoid her gorgeous fiancé, but not really having to try at all.

He hasn’t been around since he confronted me—telling me that they weren’t together when we hooked up. I know it’s plausible that they were broken up at the time and got back together—I guess I knew that the entire time, but I still don’t want to believe it.

That would mean that he was perfectly single and still chose to walk out on me after we fucked. And my brain just can’t seem to handle that. Still, when I was showing Evie examples of the firepit materials, I couldn’t help opening my big mouth to ask her about what she does for a living.

“I am. Which you wouldn’t think would be a super busy job around here, but it really is.”

I smile at that. “Yeah. I mean, people in small towns get married and have birthday parties all the time. Don’t see why it wouldn’t keep you busy.”

“Exactly,” she says with a bright smile. “I have a one-year-old’s birthday party tomorrow, and I cannot wait. I got the cutest little decorations. Ugh, I just love babies, don’t you?”

I laugh a little at that. “Sure.” I haven’t been around many babies, but what kind of psycho doesn’t like babies? Of course, her question makes my stomach twist in on itself—just thinking about the beautiful babies she’ll likely have with Cane.

Goddamn him. Why does he always have to pop up in my head?

And then I just go and make it worse. “So what does Cane do?”

Her expression loses no excitement at all, switching to the subject of her fiancé. “Oh, he has this great little furniture shop in town.”

“Furniture?” I ask with real interest. That’s not at all what I expected. Not sure what I thought though. The man seems like a hard worker—I thought maybe oil field or farming—but furniture store?

She nods her head exuberantly. “Antiques mostly. He travels around and finds what I would consider junk—well, most people would—but not my Cane.” She’s smiling big at me, but I don’t think I’m able to match the grin when I hear the words my and Cane coming from her mouth.

“He sells junk?” I ask, trying to tease, but I think it falls flat.

If she notices, she doesn’t seem to care as she laughs lightly. “No. He repurposes them. My God, you should see his work. He’s incredibly talented. People will pay high prices for Cane’s art. And they are art, though don’t tell him that.”

I hear a truck pull up in front and see Cane climbing out of his truck in my peripheral vision, even though I don’t acknowledge him, and he doesn’t acknowledge me either. He waves at Evie, and she does a cute little slow-finger flirty wave his way before he goes into the house.

She looks back at me, shaking her head fondly after her man leaves her sight. “I swear that man still gives me butterflies.”

Yeah, I’ve got to finish this job. I can’t stand here and listen to how much she loves him. I’m happy for her—I mean, sort of—but I can’t take this shit. I’m about to move the conversation back toward the samples, so I can get them ordered and another thing checked off the list when she speaks again.

“You know, I never thought we’d get here. To a wedding.”

I notice her eyes look a little wet now and kind of sad. “You said that, but why? You two seem pretty in love to me.” Do I sound bitter? I think so, but I don’t think she notices.

“I swear, that man in there...” She points to the house where Cane disappeared. “He’s the sweetest, strongest man I’ve ever known.” I bite my tongue, not wanting to say anything right now. Not interrupting her because it wasn’t but a few days ago that her man was trying to explain how he wasn’t a cheater to me. I still have no idea why he seemed so desperate for me to know that.

To believe him.

I’m still not sure I do.

“But he’s terrified of commitment. Always fighting with himself. He’s been at war with himself since I can remember. I think it all goes back to his dad.”

“How do you mean?” I find myself asking, even though it’s none of my business. I really need to walk away.

“He’s the mayor. His dad.” Her eyes lift to meet mine, and I realize she’s still looking at the house. “His dad takes the role really seriously. He’s a prominent figure in Larnard. Which doesn’t sound like much, but it kind of runs in the family. Lines of Butlers.” I nod in understanding. Small-town mayors usually take pride in their jobs around here. I get it. “But Cane, it was like he resented it. I’m not sure why. Our families were friends. My family has old money and has always been pretty prominent in the town too.” She’s not saying it in a bragging sort of way—more like a fact.

“Sounds like a perfect match.”

She smiles at that, but it turns sad. “We were the golden couple in school. Always homecoming court. Prom king and queen. I loved it.” Her cheeks flush a little with a shy smile.

“Nothing wrong with that.” And I mean it. Not sure why people have to hate on the popular people. But I have no doubt that some did by the way she looks admitting that.

“He quit football our sophomore year. Just up and quit.” Her eyes are wide, like she still can’t believe it, and again, I get it. We don’t have a lot around here, so we take football pretty seriously.

“Guessing that didn’t go over well.”

“No.” She laughs. “It was just to rile up his dad, and it worked, but Cane missed it, so he went back the next year and played senior year too, thank goodness.” I smile, but I’m not sure what this has to do with them. Or why she’s telling me. I’m about to ask her, when she speaks up again. “It was kind of always assumed that we’d get married and be together forever.” Her voice has turned kind of whimsical. “But it was just another thing Cane couldn’t stand for a while.”

“Being married to you?”

She winces, and I do too, thinking about it. What an asshole. She shakes her head. “He loves me. I have no doubt, but every once in a while, he’ll get it in his head that he can’t marry me just to please his dad. As if that’s the only reason we’re together.”

I purse my lips now, not even sure who or what to be angry at, but knowing I am. “That’s shitty.”

She lets out a shocked laugh but doesn’t disagree. “We’ve broken up so many times. But this time feels different. We’re finally almost married.”

Okay, so I’m almost 100 percent sure now that Cane and she were broken up when we hooked up, but it doesn’t matter. Why the hell is he doing this to her. The back and forth.

Is he actually gay and too afraid his father won’t accept it?

Wouldn’t be the first or the last time that’s happened. I came out, and my parents were assholes, but it doesn’t mean everyone is ready to face that. Still, stringing this poor girl along is not okay.

“What makes you so sure he’ll stay when you get married?” I try not to be an asshole, but come on. The girl needs to wake up.

She lifts her chin in quiet determination and looks at the house again before meeting my eyes. “Marriage is a lifetime commitment. It means a lot to Cane and me. If he walks down that aisle, he’ll stay.”

She seems pretty sure of that fact, and I’m not going to argue with her. Hell, for all I know, maybe she’s right. I can’t help but feel bad for the poor girl. Maybe Cane really is bisexual, but maybe he’s not.

Maybe he’s just terrified of his father, and the rebellion is starting to run out. I don’t know, and I shouldn’t care, but I place my hand gently on her small shoulder and give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. “I’m sure it will all work out.”

“Thank you,” she says, finally smiling brightly again. “God, who knew landscapers were like therapists? I’m sorry to dump all that on you.”

I chuckle. “I’m happy to be of service.”

“Are you single? There’s no way you are.”

I grin. “I am, actually.”

Her jaw drops and her eyes light up. “I should set you up!” She claps her hands together, and oh no.

I start shaking my head. “Oh no, thank you.”

“Listen, my little sister is fantastic. So sweet and funny. A little quirky, but that’s why we all love her, and she’s totally single.”

“I’m flattered,” I say honestly, unable to not like this woman. “But unless you have a brother, I’m not interested.” God, I hope she doesn’t actually have a brother because the interested part is a lie.

“You’re gay?”

My hackles rise a little in defense as I study her. I don’t think she means it in a bad way. “Yes,” I say carefully. “That a problem?”

“No,” she says quickly. “Not at all. I just, well, I don’t think I know any gay men.”

My jaw works as it clenches tight, and I try not to think about Cane. He’s at least bisexual, and she has no idea from the sounds of it. Not like I’d out him or anything.

“Well, you do now,” I say with a teasing smile.

“I guess I do,” she says happily, and I breathe a little easier that this didn’t have to get ugly. I won’t ever go back in the closet for anyone, and I won’t be around raging homophobes either.

Life is way too short.

We finish up picking materials for the firepit, and I sign off for the day, heading out to my work truck. Walker and Jackson already headed back an hour ago in one company truck, so I’m heading back solo. But before I reach my truck, I notice Cane heading into one of the old run-down barns on the property.

I shouldn’t.

I know I shouldn’t. This has become my motto, but I like Evie. Part of me already feels protective of her, and I can’t stand the thought of him marrying her if he’s hiding a bigger secret.

If he’s lying to her and himself.

I have to at least try. So I do something insanely stupid, and I follow him into the barn, closing the door behind me.

And it has nothing to do with me and the insane attraction I feel to this mysterious man. It doesn’t, damn it.