Chapter Ten
Archie
I pay the cab driver via contactless on my phone, and sling my bag over my shoulder, before pulling my keys from the pocket of my clean sweatpants.
I’m humming a stupid little tune that’s been stuck in my head all day as I walk up to the front door.
The house should be empty. Colt and Mom should both be at work.
I unlock the door quietly, still humming, and step inside; dropping my bag by the door, I kick off my shoes, and close it softly behind me. Mindlessly, I head toward the living room, already looking forward to collapsing on the couch for a bit.
I walk through the doorway and freeze. My mom is completely naked, riding Colt on the couch. For one horrible second, I see everything… her back arched, his hands on her hips, the way they’re moving together. I don’t need to see that; I really, really don’t.
“Oh my god… shit…” I blurt it out before I can stop myself.
Mom gasps. “Archie!”
I’m already spinning on my heel. “Sorry!”
I bolt back toward the front door, heart slamming in my chest. I hear Mom’s panicked voice behind me, “Oh God, Archie, I’m so sorry!” and Colt’s deeper guilty murmur, “Fuck… Archie!”
I snatch my keys and bag from the floor, yank the door open, and slam it shut behind me. My hands are shaking so badly it takes two tries to lock it. I don’t want them coming after me; not right now.
Then I run; I don’t usually react like this. Normally I would’ve just mumbled an apology and gone straight upstairs or headed to a friend’s house. But this… this hurts differently.
I knew Colt still sleeps with Mom, of course he does; he’s married to her.
But over the last two weeks he’s been giving me every second he could…
touching me, fucking me, praising me, and holding me.
We’ve had sex ten times in fourteen days.
And somewhere in all that stolen, intense time, I stupidly let myself forget that he’s still doing this with her. That he’s still hers.
My chest feels like it’s cracking open as I run down the street, bag bouncing against my back, eyes stinging. I knew this… I knew this. But knowing it and seeing it are two completely different things.
…
I run for at least a mile, before my legs finally give out. Then collapse onto a bench in the local park, chest heaving, sweat sticking my shirt to my back.
The park is alive around me: dogs chasing balls, kids screaming with laughter, families having picnics on the grass, an old couple feeding ducks by the lake. Normal life moving on like nothing’s wrong.
I drop my bag between my legs and lean forward, elbows on my knees, trying to catch my breath. The guilt slices through me like a knife. What the fuck is wrong with me?
I’m such an idiot. Who the hell fools around with their stepdad? And Colt… Colt’s just as much of a prick for starting all of this. For making me feel seen, making me feel wanted… for fucking me like I actually mattered; I feel sick.
A few minutes later, when my breathing has mostly steadied, a guy sits down on the other end of the bench. I glance over and give him a polite nod. He smiles at first, then his expression drops as he gets a proper look at my face.
“Hey, man… you okay? You look a bit pale.”
I let out a weak, embarrassed laugh and sit up straighter, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “Yeah… thanks for asking. Just drama.”
The guy grins sympathetically and nods. “I get that.” He holds his hand out. “I’m James.”
I shake it, kindly. “Archie.”
“So, Archie,” he says, leaning back on the bench, “is this girl drama… or boy… whatever, no judgment.”
I manage a small grin. “Something like that, yeah.”
James nods thoughtfully. “Look, I don’t know the details, but if you’re the one sitting here looking like your world just ended…
maybe it’s time to put yourself first for once.
If this person is hurting you, they might not be worth the pain.
I was with my ex for only five months, and I kept convincing myself it was fine, that I could handle the ups and downs.
The day we finally broke up, it hurt like hell…
but a month later? I felt lighter than I had in ages.
Sometimes walking away is the kindest thing you can do for yourself. ”
I sit here quietly for a second, letting his words sink in. “Thanks,” I say eventually, voice a little rough. “I appreciate that. Really. A stranger giving decent advice is… surprisingly helpful.”
James chuckles. “Anytime. Hope it gets better, man.”
He stands up, gives me a friendly nod, and walks off toward the lake. I stay on the bench, staring at the grass.
It doesn’t magically fix the hurt, not even close. But if a random guy I’ve never met, thinks I should put myself first for once… maybe I really should.
…
I sit on the bench for another half an hour, just people-watching.
My phone vibrates in my pocket again and again.
I eventually pull it out, turn it to silent without even looking at the screen, and shove it back in.
I don’t care who it is. They probably finished having sex and then remembered I existed.
I run my hands over my face, exhausted; I’m gonna have to go back.
Another ten minutes pass before I pull my phone out again, swiping away all the unwanted notifications without reading them, and open my contacts; I scroll down to Jay’s name.
He’s got an off-campus studio apartment, I’ve crashed there a few times before; I’m really hoping he’ll let me stay tonight.
I press call; Jay picks up almost immediately, like he was already looking at his phone. “You miss me already, Arch?” he says, cheeky as ever.
I let out a tired little laugh. “You busy?”
“Nah, just walking home. What’s up?”
I hesitate, then push through it. “Would you mind if… uh…”
Jay doesn’t even let me finish; he’s known me too long. “You wanna crash at mine?”
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “Would that be okay?”
“Of course, man. You’re always welcome, you know that.”
I close my eyes for a second, relieved. “Thanks, Jay. You’re a lifesaver. I owe you.”
“Nah, you’re good,” he says fondly. “Just bring socks; your feet stink.”
I bark out a genuine laugh. “Fuck off.”
Jay laughs with me, then asks, “What time you coming? Guess I should make it look like less of a dump for my best friend.”
“As soon as I can, if that’s alright,” I say. “Just need to grab some stuff from home first.”
“Alright, no problem. See you in a bit, man.”
“Bye.”
I hang up, stare at the phone for a second, then pick up my bag, and start the walk back toward the house.
…
About ten minutes into the walk, I’m silently counting the paving slabs under my feet… one, two, three… a dumb little distraction to make the journey feel less endless. The sun is still warm on my back, but my chest feels tight and heavy.
A vehicle slows down on the road beside me. I frown at first, worried it might be some creep, until I hear Colt’s voice shout out the window. “Archie! There you are!”
I sigh deeply and keep my eyes glued to the pavement, jaw clenched tight. I don’t look at him.
He keeps the truck rolling slowly beside me. “Archie, get in, please.”
I flip him off without even turning my head; it’s petty as hell, but I can’t be bothered right now. I already feel like absolute shit for my mom. The last thing I need is to look at Colt’s face.
“Oh, real mature, kid…” he calls out. “Come on, let me just talk.”
I inhale sharply and wish more than anything I had my headphones on. I just shake my head and keep walking. Of course, Colt doesn’t give up though. Why would he?
I notice the traffic light up ahead turning red and time it perfectly. The second the truck has to stop behind the line of cars, I bolt; legs pumping hard, using every bit of speed I’ve got from track. I cut down a side street to lose him completely.
I have no right to be this mad, but I can’t help it; so, I let myself feel it. Jay will probably cheer me up later easily.
When I finally get to my street, I take the narrow back path; the little dirt track that cars can’t fit down. It’s mostly used by joggers and cyclists, but right now it’s perfect.
I reach home and open the backyard gate quietly and slip through, heading for the back door that leads straight into the laundry room. I can see Mom moving around in the kitchen through the window, so hopefully I can sneak in and out without her noticing.
I unlock the door as silently as possible and creep inside. As soon as I’m in, I hear the familiar rumble of Colt’s truck pulling into the driveway. Shit. I scramble upstairs as quietly as I can, heart pounding. Mom doesn’t seem to have noticed me.
I get into my room, lock the door behind me with a soft click, and drop to my knees.
I yank the duffel bag out from under my bed and start throwing things in…
clothes, chargers, my laptop. I even laugh for a second when I remember Jay’s comment about socks and toss a few pairs in.
I don’t even know if Jay will let me stay long-term, but I can’t stay here; I just can’t.
A few minutes later I hear Colt’s muffled voice through the floor. “Love, did you leave the back door open?”
Then more murmuring for a minute or so… then footsteps coming up the stairs. Fuck. I zip the bag shut, sling it over my shoulder, and stare at the door handle as it starts to wiggle.
“Archie, you okay, sweetie?” Mom’s voice comes softly through the door.
I run a hand down my face and answer, “Of course, Mom.”
She sighs; probably able to hear it in my voice, that I’m not. “I’m sorry you saw that, sweetheart. We thought you’d still be at college.”
I let out a bitter little laugh. “It’s fine, Mom. I don’t care.”
I brace myself, holding my duffel, then unlock the door and swing it open.
Mom’s standing right there, looking worried.
Colt is right behind her, jaw tight, eyes burning with everything he clearly wants to say but can’t while she’s here.
I push past them both without another word and head for the stairs.
“Archie, where are you going?” Mom asks, following me.
I jog down the stairs, bag bouncing on my shoulder. “I’m off to stay with Jay.”
She catches up to me at the bottom and gently grabs my shoulders, turning me to face her. “What? Why?”
I look at her, trying to keep my voice steady. “Mom, I’m an adult now. I already feel like a guest here. I’m just gonna crash with Jay for a bit and find my own place to live. Maybe look into getting a student loan and moving into a dorm room.”
She shakes her head, frowning. “Because you saw us having sex? That seems a bit drastic, son.”
I know she means well, she really does, but she just doesn’t get it.
“Mom, this is what I want,” I say quietly. “You two should be able to do whatever you want in your home, without worrying about a twenty-year-old being around.”
She lets go of my shoulders, looking hurt but unsure what else to say.
I turn toward the front door; It’s already unlocked from when Colt came in earlier.
“Archie, wait,” Colt says behind me, his voice is layered with a pleading that suggests he’d rather my mom wasn’t standing there right now, but I’m glad she is.
I turn to him, deadpan. Without saying a word, I pull my house keys out of my pocket and drop them on the floor; the metallic clink sounds final. Then I walk out.
I head straight to the nearest bus stop, bag slung over my shoulder, feeling unwanted and lonely all over again. But the fact that Jay is so willing to let me stay makes me smile just a little.
Colt
I’m just standing here, staring at Archie’s keys on the floor like they’re a bomb that might go off. My jaw clenches repeatedly.
Sarah lets out a sad little huff behind me and turns, stomping up the stairs.
She’s probably upset that her son just walked out like that; said he was leaving and then actually left.
I don’t follow her; it wouldn’t do any good right now.
She’ll probably just fall asleep on our bed, exhausted and hurt.
I walk over slowly and pick up the keys; they’re still warm from Archie’s hand.
Then drop them into the bowl by the door with a quiet clink.
I inhale sharply, not even sure what I’m feeling anymore, and head into the living room.
Slumping down hard into the armchair, I stare out the window, hands curled tight around the edges of the armrests.
So many thoughts are crashing through my head.
Of course Archie reacted like this. I’ve been giving him every spare second I had for the past two weeks; touching him, fucking him, praising him, holding him, and treating him.
The amount of sex we’ve had is ridiculous…
but so fucking good. Hell, today was the first time I’ve had sex with Sarah in three weeks.
She’s always busy, or tired, or it’s her time of the month, or she has a headache.
We’re just at that stage in our marriage where it isn’t as regular anymore because life gets in the way.
And of course, of course, this is the exact day Archie happens to have the afternoon off and comes home early. I run a hand down my face and laugh bitterly. The universe really fucked me over today; couldn’t have been a bigger coincidence if you tried.
This is probably karma; probably the universe telling me to be better for my wife. To stop leading Archie on the way I have been. I really shouldn’t have caved that morning; I really shouldn’t have started any of this with him.
I didn’t even finish having sex with Sarah.
She got up, got dressed, and immediately started worrying about where Archie had gone.
I was still mostly dressed; I just sorted myself out and jumped in the truck, driving around hoping to find him so we could talk privately.
But I didn’t get the chance… and now he’s just… gone.
He’s got to come home at some point, right? I shake my head, remembering how full that duffel bag looked; he probably won’t need to come back for a while.
So that’s it then… Archie’s gone; he’s done. Fuck. I knew I could never have both of them; I knew it from the start. But it still hurts like shit. Archie is smart, kind, and so fucking gorgeous; I don’t think I could ever look at him like he’s just my stepson again.