Chapter Thirteen
Colt
It’s been three and a half days since Archie walked in and saw me and Sarah having sex. He messaged her a couple of times, letting her know he’s fine, but she just spoke to him about thirty minutes ago and apparently, he’s coming over to talk.
Thank fuck. I haven’t been able to apologise properly or make things right with him yet, and it’s been killing me. I feel so bad; guilty. Like I fucked up the good, complicated thing I had with him.
But I guess… it has been nice having this time with Sarah; just the two of us.
The house has felt a little empty though, especially yesterday when she was at work and I got home.
The past two weeks I’d gotten used to spending that time with Archie…
talking, touching, fucking, just being with him. And now… well, it’s just been quiet.
I hope he’s had a little time and is ready to come home. Though I wonder what he wants to talk about. Is he angry? Hurt? Done with me completely?
I’m sitting on the couch, leg bouncing, when I hear the front door open.
Sarah and I move into the hallway; I smile for half a second when I see Archie, relief flooding through me, but then Jay steps in behind him and my expression tightens into a frown.
It’s not that I don’t like Jay, he’s a good lad; always been there for Archie.
But it just makes having any kind of private conversation with him that much more complicated.
I glance past them out the front door and see Jay’s car parked on the street. Fair enough; he wasn’t just going to sit out there for God knows how long.
Sarah immediately goes to hug Archie tight. “So glad you’re okay.”
But Archie doesn’t hug her back, he’s clearly still uncomfortable after walking in on his own mother naked; I think anyone would be. He laughs awkwardly and gently pushes her back.
She frowns. “Oh…”
Jay laughs and closes the door behind them. “Not being rude, Mrs C, but I’ve also walked in on my parents fucking and it’s pretty uncomfortable for us, as the children.”
Sarah laughs despite herself. “Oh, right. Okay.”
Archie turns to Jay and lightly smacks his stomach. “Why you gotta say it like that? ‘Fucking’?”
Jay laughs and winks at Archie, and Archie… blushes a little? What the…
Sarah gasps suddenly and we all just look at her; she grabs Archie’s head and tilts his neck. He groans like he knows what’s coming and whispers, “Fucking hell.”
I grin a little at his attitude, though he still hasn’t acknowledged me yet, but he can’t ignore me forever.
Sarah’s eyes widen. “Archie! Another bite?! Oh my god, you’re going to be covered in bruises. Who did that, seriously?”
My blood runs hot and my heart rate picks up. Another bite? Has he… slept with someone else?
Sarah lets go and looks at him, waiting, crossing her arms.
Archie rubs his neck, looking even more uncomfortable. “Uh…”
Jay nudges Archie playfully with his shoulder, a shit-eating grin on full display. “That would be me.”
Archie makes an embarrassed noise and covers his face with both hands.
Sarah says, “Seriously?”
Jay nods. “Yep.”
Sarah laughs like she’s relieved. “Oh, well that’s alright then. Just… thought you weren’t into men, Jay?”
Jay shrugs, seemingly unbothered. “Well, it is what it is.”
Sarah pats Jay’s arm. “I know you’re a good guy. Maybe less of the biting though.”
Jay laughs and gestures at Archie. “Hey, look, he liked it!”
Archie groans; clearly embarrassed they’re discussing this so casually.
But I’m not finding this as interesting as Sarah is.
Archie had sex with Jay… and I know I have no right to feel any kind of way about this.
I’ve got Sarah; I should be happy Archie could potentially be with someone his own age.
Especially Jay; hell, maybe Jay’s the perfect match for him.
They know pretty much everything there is to know about each other.
But still… it hurts; I wanted to be the one there for him.
Sarah gestures between Archie and Jay. “So… how on earth did this happen?”
Archie lowers his hands, still bright red. “Do we have to talk about it?”
Jay puts an arm around Archie’s shoulders, it looks so easy, so natural. A flicker of jealousy rolls through me because Archie wasn’t this comfortable around me.
“We got drunk, then he started humping my leg and then yeah… just happened,” Jay says casually.
Archie looks at him. “Oh, it just happened, did it?”
Jay shrugs looking down at Archie. “What?”
Archie shakes his head, laughing. “Well… you were a bit feral.”
Sarah laughs. “Okay, that’s enough. I don’t need details.”
Archie adds, “But… I do think it’s important to know.” Then he looks directly at me for the first time. “Jay asked for my permission.”
His eyes flick away like it was casual, but I know exactly what he’s saying. Unlike me… I didn’t really ask; I just showed up and took… took his fucking virginity in the most dominating way.
Archie claps his hands together once, regaining some confidence. “Anyway, I’m just gonna grab some more clean clothes and I’m gonna stay with Jay for a bit.”
Sarah frowns, looking torn. “Oh, I thought you’d be coming home.”
“Mom, I’m not a kid anymore. I have my own life. I’m independent, and Jay doesn’t mind.”
Sarah crosses her arms. “Well, how long for?”
Archie starts to say, “Well I’m not…”
But Jay cuts in, smiling happily. “Indefinitely.”
Archie looks at him, shocked. “Indef… what?”
“Yeah, if you want.” Then he easily and gently presses a kiss to the tip of Archie’s nose and Archie blushes again; clearly positively affected by his best friend.
Sarah grins, motioning toward the kitchen. “Jay, do you want a drink while he packs some stuff then?”
She inhales sharply, like she’s steadying herself for her son basically moving out, and then they head into the kitchen and Archie rushes upstairs. Oh, he’s not getting away without us having a conversation.
I jog upstairs after him and push open his bedroom door just as he pulls his suitcase out from under the bed.
“Archie,” I say deeply.
He stiffens for a moment, then carries on unzipping the suitcase like I’m not even here. “What?”
I move to stand beside him. “So… that’s it then?”
Archie throws some clean underwear into the case and finally looks up at me. “Well, yeah… obviously, Colt.”
I look down at him. “That easily? Really?”
Archie laughs, but there’s no real humour in it. “Yes, that easily, Colt! It should have never happened, okay?”
Wow. That hurts a little more than I expected. I inhale sharply. “I can’t believe this. You see me and your mom having sex and you freak and rebound?”
Archie shoves me and I stumble back a small amount.
He points at me, eyes flashing. “Yes, I freaked! Because I feel guilty as shit for Mom. What we were doing was completely fucking wrong, and it’s done.
We are done, Colt. No more. And no, Jay is not a rebound.
He’s made me feel really free and safe the past few days and sex with him…
well, it just opened my eyes. I already have a deep connection with Jay; it feels natural.
It doesn’t feel complicated; he’s not trying to hide me. But most of all… I enjoyed it.”
I swallow. “And with me?”
Archie throws his arms up. “It’s not the same!
I enjoyed being wanted, and I really appreciate all of your emotional support, truly I do.
But you’re my stepdad; that’s not going to change.
I refuse to be anyone’s second choice, I refuse to be kept a secret my whole life; I deserve more…
but mostly, I refuse to ruin my mom’s marriage and break her heart.
I’ve been a terrible son, and I truly hope she never finds out. ”
I nod slowly. My heart hurts a little, but at least we didn’t take it too far; it was just two weeks. At least no real feelings were involved, the lust will fade, and the hurt will fade. But I fear something will always linger deep inside.
“Okay, yeah… you’re right,” I say quietly. “And I’m sorry… for not asking permission. For taking your first time. For sneaking around.”
I pause, swallowing hard to steady myself. “But Archie, I want you to know… I’ll always be here for you, for anything. You’re never alone.”
Archie softens and nods genuinely, like he appreciates that. He smiles a little sadly. “We’ll get over this, Colt. At the end of the day… it was just a bit of thrilling fun, right?”
I laugh a little, the sound hollow. “Yeah… yeah, I guess so.”
I leave him to pack his suitcase, really hoping that if he starts dating Jay, Jay will be good to him.
…
Fifteen minutes later, Sarah, Jay, and I are standing in the kitchen talking casually. Jay’s easy to talk to. We’ve known him for a long time… Sarah longer than me, of course, from before I was even in the picture. He’s always been a solid kid.
Then we hear the thudding of a suitcase coming down the stairs; it stops, and Archie pops into the kitchen doorway. “Okay, I’m sorted.”
Jay looks over at him and smiles; the most caring, proud, respectful little smile I’ve ever seen.
He really cares about Archie, even before they slept together; something about that settles in my chest. I knew deep down this was never going to work; it wasn’t fair to Archie.
But to know Jay cares, really cares, well…
I’m glad Archie has someone like that. I hope Archie will be better than me and not cheat on whoever he ends up with.
Sarah says, with hope in her voice, “Will you stay for dinner?”
I jump in quickly. “Oh, it’s alright, love. He’ll want to get sorted.”
Archie gives me a little smile, like he’s grateful I stepped in. We’ve just gone through some sort of weird breakup; the last thing we need right now is to play pretend. One day, I guess, we’ve got to get used to being stepdad and stepson again: but not right now.
Sarah nods. “Yeah, you’re probably right, I suppose.”
Archie adds, “Hey, maybe next weekend, yeah?”
Sarah nods and opens her arms with a sad smile, he laughs a little and steps into her arms, hugging her tight.
Jay winks at me over their shoulders. “At least you don’t have to worry about this guy intruding on your private time anymore.”
I laugh and nod. “Yeah, that’s something, isn’t it?”
Any normal parent would probably want their kid to experience college properly. But me… well, it’s gonna take a little time with this one.
We all head out into the hall and Sarah opens the door for them.
Jay grabs Archie’s suitcase without being asked.
I’m really noticing all the small things…
the things he’s done for Archie in just this short amount of time, the way he looks at him, the way he kissed Archie’s nose, the way he came all the way here with him. Yeah… Jay will be good for Archie.
To my surprise, Archie turns to give me a hug; I breathe him in and hug him back tight. “I’m sorry, Archie. Really.”
Archie says quietly, “Yeah… me too…” He pulls back and gives me a little smile, whispering. “You know, Colt… one day, I think this will bring us closer. You’ll see.”
I laugh a little, sad but full of hope. “Yeah. I’d like that, Archie.”
He nods, and it’s truly nice to see that bit of healing in him.