4. Archie
4
ARCHIE
“ S o wait, it’s the guy from the bar? And he’s getting married? To a woman?” I wait for Dutton to catch up to what Walker just said to him as we sit out on their deck, eating steaks and freshly grilled veggies.
I’m still reeling from the whole thing. I did my best to keep my mind on the work today, but I couldn’t help but think about Cane and his deep, soulful eyes right before he walked back to the house after giving us lemonade.
Maybe I should have heard him out, but I didn’t want to. Disappointment was too busy turning my stomach at finding out he’s a no-good cheater.
“Does the woman part really matter that much?” I ask, taking a sip of my beer. “Bisexuals exist, city boy. I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
I’m hit with a piece of grilled bell pepper as Dutton laughs. “I know that, asshole. I’m just wrapping my head around this. I can’t believe the guy you were obsessing over for months is getting married.”
“He is,” Walker says with a shake of his head, still clearly as shocked as I am. “She’s really nice too. Like impossible to hate her, even in solidarity.” He winks at me, and I roll my eyes.
“I don’t want you to hate her. She didn’t do anything wrong. It’s the lying cheater who cheats we should hate.” I take another sip of my beer, but it doesn’t taste anything but bitter at the moment.
Hating him just doesn’t seem quite right.
His eyes. Those damn sad eyes, just pleading with me to hear him out. I shake my head and put my beer back down on the table, trying a bite of steak. I chew it but don’t enjoy it. My stomach is still twisted in knots.
“I can’t believe he’s getting married.” Dutton says with sheer disbelief written all over his face.
“Believe it. We go back tomorrow to make their land absolutely perfect for their dream wedding.”
Walker looks concerned as he shares a look with his man, and it makes me want to scream. I don’t want their pity. I want to make a joke and move on, but I can’t quite seem to make myself do it. I’m frustrated and angry that this is how it all worked out. I think a part of me did think I’d run into Cane again, but not the way I did. It’s just another mindfuck.
“I’m sorry,” Dutton says softly.
“It’s no big deal.” He starts to open his mouth to speak, so I quickly add, “It sucks, but it wasn’t meant to be.” Adding a dose of realism, for once.
“What an asshole,” Walker mumbles into his beer, and I know he’s talking about Cane. For whatever reason, a moment of protectiveness washes over me, wanting to defend him. But I don’t do it.
“Well, maybe they weren’t together. Maybe he’s not a cheater,” Dutton says, stepping up to the protective role. “Did you ask him?”
“What?” I look over at my friend like he’s insane. “Why the hell would I do that? I was there for a job. That’s it. It’s not talking time.”
Walker snorts, and Dutton gives him a pointed look before his gaze slides over to me. “Archie, I’ve seen you all work. You talk the entire time.”
“Not to the clients.”
“Might I remind you, I’ve been a client of Oakley’s Crew before,” he says with a sly smile, and I wonder what Walker and he used to talk about when we were on the job.
I smirk over at him with a knowing look, and he blushes slightly. “Well, some of us are professionals.”
“Bullshit,” Walker coughs into his hand, and I flip him off.
Dutton just sighs loudly, clearly regretting some of his life choices in the moment. Too bad, we’re a package deal, and he knew what he was getting into when he locked down my best friend. “I think you should talk to him. Ask him what the hell is going on.”
“Yeah right,” I scoff at that because no-thank-you.
“You have to grow up sometime, Arch,” Dutton says, the words not meant to be hurtful, I’m sure, but they still sting. “He meant something to you, or you would have been right back on the hookup train.”
I can’t help but grin at that but refrain from making a joke about a hookup train and where I can find one.
“Talk to him. There has to be an explanation.”
“There isn’t. He felt bad. I could see that when he asked to talk to me.” I hold up a hand to stop Dutton from piping up. “But it doesn’t matter what it is. I don’t need him to explain. It was a hookup, Dutton. That was it. Maybe they had a fight or maybe he’s a cheating asshole. I don’t know, and I don’t care. Whatever happened that night doesn’t matter. He’s getting married.”
“But—”
“No,” I say when Dutton starts again because I need to shut it down. “They’re getting married. We’re going to finish this job, and I’m not going to think about it ever again.”
Dutton doesn’t look convinced. Folding his arms and sitting back in his chair, he looks thoroughly annoyed with me, but I can’t let him get his lovey-dovey crap in my head. I don’t want to hope for anything different.
“Fine,” Dutton finally says, and Walker shoots me a look that tells me he’s pissed off because I got his city boy all upset.
We all sit up a little straighter with the sound of a vehicle pulling up to the front, and Walker is the first to stand. “Expecting someone?”
Dutton stands, putting his napkin next to his plate. “Yeah, Thatcher is supposed to stop by with a few hardware samples for the kitchen cabinets.”
I eye them both suspiciously, but Dutton just huffs. “It’s not a setup. I don’t think Thatcher would put up with your ass anyway.”
“It’s a great ass,” I tease, hoping to lighten the mood. Thankfully, Dutton smiles as he shakes his head, and we walk inside the house. We all walk toward the front door where Dutton lets Thatcher inside. I’m met with his blue eyes and grim smile. Thatcher Langley doesn’t smile much, kind of a total one-eighty from my boss Oakley, but they seem to get along just fine.
I guess Oakley is used to the strong quiet type after being with Travis for so long. “Thatch,” I say with a nod.
He grunts in my direction. “Archie.” He looks at Walker and nods before turning to Dutton. “I’m sorry to interrupt your evening.”
“Are you kidding?” Walker says with a laugh. “All this guy can talk about are our kitchen cabinets. No way he could have waited until tomorrow.” I swear I see a hint of a smile playing on Thatcher’s lips before he quells it.
Dutton nudges him but doesn’t argue and leads Thatcher into the kitchen. Walker bumps my shoulder with his. “Let’s go back out and finish dinner. They’ll be in there forever.”
I grin and follow him out back. “Aren’t you worried about leaving your man with that sexy contractor?”
I’m teasing, of course. Walker has nothing to worry about, and he knows it. Their love is strong.
“I’m more worried about Dutton playing matchmaker despite saying Thatch wouldn’t put up with you.”
I frown. I’d normally have no problem flirting with the sexy man in their kitchen or any man at all, but for some reason, it just doesn’t feel right. “He’s right though. I’m pretty sure Thatcher doesn’t put up with much. Surly bastard.”
“You know he’s a widower, right?”
I scrunch my nose. “What? No, I didn’t know that. He was married?”
He can’t be much older than we are, though I guess plenty of people get married young around here.
Walker nods grimly. “His husband died in some sort of accident a few years ago. Oakley let it slip once. Guess it messed Thatcher up.”
“Of course,” I say, feeling sad for the man I barely know. “Way to depress me, dude,” I joke and take a drink of my beer.
He smiles slightly and takes a drink of his own. “I’m just saying, life can change in an instant. I think you gotta take chances when you can.”
My eyes narrow in his direction, picking up exactly what he’s saying. “You yourself said Evie’s a nice girl. He’s marrying her. They’re happy. Anything with me would be messy and make them unhappy. Sometimes chances aren’t worth it.”
“Don’t you want some sort of closure? Aren’t you curious?”
I put the beer back down on the table and lean forward toward him ever so slightly. “No. Curiosity kills. He’s out of my mind and will soon be out of my life.”
“Arch—”
“Don’t,” I interrupt sharply. I can’t do this. I can’t entertain these ideas. “Drop it.”
I love my friends. I do. But sometimes they push way too damn hard.
I’m right. This needs to be over, and I need to move on with my life. The whole thing is absolutely ridiculous.