Chapter 54
54
LAYLA
I finish up my shift at work and head across town to pick Sky up from daycare, leaving Archer behind to close up Hammers and Hardware for the night.
Things are back to being weird between the two of us, and I hate it. Felix and Daphne’s wedding is over, which means our fake dating agreement has technically expired. What does that mean for us now? It’s supposed to mean we’re over, too, right?
I don’t like thinking about that. Even though I now own my own home and I have my own savings and I’ve secured all the resources I need to move on with my life, I don’t like thinking about leaving Archer behind.
So I don’t.
I’m distracted as I get out of my car. That’s why I don’t notice him until it’s too late. I’m almost to the entrance of the daycare center before my ex rushes up the sidewalk and blocks my path.
“R-Razor?” I stutter, taking a startled step backward.
What is the man doing here? Did he follow me? I didn’t think he even knew where Sky goes to daycare. He’s certainly never dropped him off or picked him up and I have no clue what he’s doing here today.
“Layla!” He runs a hand through his greasy hair. He looks sweatier than usual even though we’re still in the dead of winter. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“What? Why?”I squint in bewilderment.
“I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you a lot,” he announces theatrically, like it’s supposed to be some grand love declaration.
I arch an eyebrow. “And Sky?”
My ex-boyfriend’s face wrinkles in confusion as his eyes dart around. “What about Sky?”
Is this guy for real? “You miss him too, right? You know, your son ?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Geez.” He waves dismissively. “I just want us to be a family again. You and me, Layla. Please.” He grabs my hand, tugging on it as he begs.
“And Sky,” I remind him as I try to yank my hand out of his clammy grip.
“Right. And Sky. You, me, and Sky. Of course. We can all move back home together and go back to—”
“Your grandma got you kicked out of the house. You just found out that she signed it over to me, huh? That’s what this is about.”My frown deepens, as I finally manage to free my hand from his. I give a little snort.
Fucking pathetic.
Not that I was about to fall for any of Razor’s despicable tricks. I’m just embarrassed over being accosted like this outside of Sky’s daycare. I’m sure everyone inside is watching, and I don’t know how to get rid of Razor.
If I go inside, he’ll just follow me into the daycare center, and the last thing I want is for Sky to witness this mess.
“You are unbelievable, Razor. There is no me and you. You really need to leave.”
He only steps closer. “Please just give us a chance. You have to. You’ll never meet another man like me.”
“Thank god for that,” I mutter.
He glares. “You’ll never have anything better than—”
“You heard the lady!” A deep, dangerous growl rumbles through the air.
Razor’s head swings over to where Archer is suddenly approaching.I glance across the street and notice his truck parked haphazardly at the curb.
“Mind your own business, Brighton,” Razor murmurs, his face turning red.
Archer responds with another growl. “Layla is my business. She’s mine now, buddy.”
I stare at his handsome face. Wow. Archer is so convincing. The way he’s marching toward Razor, shoulders strong and wide, expression set in stone.
Razor is shrinking back instantly. “Wh-what?”
“You heard me,” Archer says, effortlessly elbowing his way between my ex and me. “Layla is mine now.”
Razor twists up his nose in disgust like someone just served him a week-old tuna fish sandwich. “She’s your…g-girlfriend?” he asks, incredulous.
“She’s my woman ,” Archer corrects him.
His log-like arm slips around my waist. And my traitorous body must have amnesia because every part of me responds on an electrical level to his touch.
But why is Archer saying I’m his? The wedding is over now. He can go back to life as usual. No more pretending. No more faking. For a second, his words give me hope.
Archer goes on, his glare on my ex. “So from now on, you will not look at her, you will not talk to her, you will not even utter her name without getting my permission first. Do you understand me?”
My ex stomps his foot like a petulant child. “But Layla is—”
Archer doesn’t even let him finish. He releases me and grabs a fistful of Razor’s collar. “Oops! There you go, saying her name without my permission. What did I just tell you about doing that?”
Razor’s skin flushes redder. His lips flap wordlessly as he struggles to respond.
“Yeah, that’s right,” Archer grinds out. “Keep your mouth shut. With the state of your gums, the only person you should be opening your mouth for is your dentist.”
Razor’s shocked eyes zip to me, like he expects me to speak up in his defense or something.
Lifting onto my tiptoes, I kiss Archer’s cheek, playing up the whole lovestruck girlfriend thing. “Looks like Sky and I found a happy ending after all. Without you.” I shrug a shoulder.
Razor has the nerve to look betrayed.
Archer makes a dismissive waving motion. “Get the fuck out of here, Razor. And if I ever see your face near Sky or Layla again, I’m sending you headfirst into the nearest dumpster. Where you belong. Do you hear me?”
Razor doesn’t answer. He only stares at me in disbelief.
Archer’s fingers snap in front of his face, grabbing his attention. “I don’t want to have to hurt you, Razor. If I have to go to jail for snapping your neck, who’s going to be a dad to Sky? Who’s going to love Layla and cherish her and fuck her the way she always deserved to be loved and cherished and fucked? You see, you may not have a purpose in life, but I definitely do. Making Layla happy is it.” Archer grips Razor’s collar again, lifting him up onto his tiptoes. “Tell me you’ll stay away from my woman and her son.”
Razor nods, jaw clenched and eyes full of tears. “Yes. I’ll stay away.”
Archer releases him with a hard shove. “Good. Now, get out of here.”
My head is swimming. Oh my god. Archer just lifted my baby daddy off the ground—with one hand—and made him cry .
Razor’s face pinches, and he looks like he’s going to say something else, but then he turns, trips on the curb, almost falls on his face, and runs off down the street. I don’t even see a car. There’s no telling how he got here or where he’s going.
I’m just glad he’s gone.
By the time he disappears around the corner, Archer takes a step closer to me. His big, warm palm cups my cheek, his worried eyes searching mine. “Are you okay?”
I allow myself to sink into the gentle caress of his rough hand. But then I remember where things stand between us and it pierces my soul like a spear.
“Thank you,” I say to Archer, stepping back and squeezing his forearm. Then I turn and head inside to get Sky.