Chapter Ten
Archie
Archie dropped his duffle bag onto the floor with a soft thud, stretching his shoulders as he took in the familiar space.
The scent of the room—clean linen and a hint of something sweet—wrapped around him like a comfort he hadn’t realized he needed.
Then he saw Molly, curled up in a furry heap on his bed, a picture of serene slumber, a small, luxurious queen.
She brought him comfort, and he reached out, scratching behind her ears.
She flicked her tail lazily but didn’t budge, making it clear she wasn’t going anywhere. Smart cat.
Archie sat on the edge of the bed, listening to Molly’s faint, rumbling purr, a soothing vibration in the silence.
The day had been a whirlwind—Jade’s chaos had left him raw, like a wire stripped bare.
The house settled into an uneasy calm, and he felt the weight of it all pressing against his chest. He was exhausted, but it was the kind of tiredness that made his thoughts race.
Brogan lingered in the doorway; his broad frame half-illuminated by the light from the hallway.
He wasn’t pacing or shifting, just standing there, solid, like he’d decided something.
Archie could feel it, the unspoken thoughts hanging heavily in the air.
His stomach twisted, not out of dread, but from the strange anticipation of whatever was coming.
Brogan’s presence had a way of doing that to him—making him feel seen in a way that was both comforting and unnerving.
After feeling the silence seem to stretch forever, Brogan spoke. His voice was low, steady, like the rumble of a distant storm, but it carried a sincerity that made Archie’s breath catch. “I want to make up for the stress Jade caused you,” he said, his eyes locking onto Archie’s.
Archie froze, his fingers stilling on his sleeve.
The words hit him like a soft punch, unexpected but not unwelcome.
He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Brogan’s voice dropped even lower, barely above a whisper, as if he was afraid the words might break if he said them too loudly.
“Would you let me take you out tomorrow night?”
The question hung there, delicate and raw, and Archie’s heart gave a sudden, unsteady lurch.
He looked up, his brows lifting slightly, his hazel eyes catching the faint glow of the lamp in the corner.
Surprise flickered through him—not the kind that made him want to pull back, but the kind that made his chest feel warm and tight all at once.
Brogan, with his quiet strength and steady gaze, was asking him out.
Archie had spent the last few months feeling like his life was unraveling at the seams and how does being asked out connect to this? How does it change that feeling?.
He didn’t know what to say at first. His mind scrambled, replaying the mess of the day, the way Jade’s drama had left him questioning everything—his choices, his home, his ability to keep things together.
But this? This was different. This was Brogan, who’d been nothing but kind.
The idea of going out with him didn’t feel like another weight to carry.
It felt — nice—like sunlight casting a rainbow after a long, dark storm.
Archie nodded, the motion small but certain. “Yeah,” he said. “I’d like that.”
Brogan’s tense shoulders relaxed, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
He took a breath as he stepped closer—close enough that Archie could smell the faint cedar of his cologne.
“I mean—” Brogan started, his voice dipping with a vulnerability that made Archie’s pulse quicken.
“I’m interested in you. Not just as a renter.
I want to get to know you more. Would you give me that chance? ”
Archie’s fingers paused in Molly’s fur, his mind flipping through all the possible responses at lightning speed.
He wasn’t entirely sure where he stood on it.
But there was something about Brogan’s honesty, the way he put himself out there so plainly, that made Archie feel safe enough to meet him halfway.
Not just as a friendly gesture, not just a way to smooth over Jade’s mess, but something real.
Something making his heart pound in a way he hadn’t felt in years.
He looked at Brogan—really looked at him—and saw the earnestness in his eyes, the slight furrow in his brow, like he was holding his breath, waiting for Archie to decide his fate.
A rush of emotions swirled through Archie—fear, because opening up always came with risk; hope, because Brogan’s words felt like a lifeline; and something else, something warm and fragile that he wasn’t ready to name.
He swallowed, his throat tight, and nodded again, this time with a genuine smile.
“Yeah,” he said, his voice steadier now. “I’d really like that.”
Brogan grinned—pleased, but not cocky. He motioned toward the back patio. “Come have a beer with me?”
Archie could have said no. He could have stuck to his usual routine of solitude.
But the evening air was warm, and the idea of sitting outside with a cold drink and easy company sounded like exactly what he needed.
He followed Brogan to the kitchen, where he pulled two cans of beer out, then handed one to Archie.
Archie followed Brogan outside, just as he had only last night, settling into the cushioned chairs as they cracked open their drinks. The conversation began light, nothing too serious.
“I can’t tell you how upset I was when I realized you left,” Brogan said, with more emotion than Archie had expected.
“I couldn’t stay, but I’m upset I can’t trust anyone anymore. No one keeps their word.”
“I never lied to you. I hope you can learn to trust me.”
“Maybe, I can. We’ll see.”
Finally, the heat got unbearable, and Brogan suggested, “Let’s jump into the pool.”
Archie barely had time to process the suggestion, and Brogan yanked off his shirt, jeans, and underwear, so he was completely naked.
Before Archie could study Brogan’s dangling cock, he dove in, the water splashing against the concrete.
Archie hadn’t planned on stripping down and jumping into the pool, but Brogan had a way about him—loose, like rules were just suggestions.
One minute, they were lounging on the patio, and the next Brogan was stripping with a grin.
Why not? Archie thought, and before he could overthink it, he was tugging off his own clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor.
The water was cool, a shock at first, but then perfect as it wrapped around him.
Brogan surfaced beside him, shaking water from his hair like a dog, and Archie laughed, shoving him away half-heartedly.
They swam lazy circles around each other, trading dumb jokes, splashing just enough to be annoying.
It was stupid, pointless fun, the kind Archie rarely let himself have—too busy watching his back, weighing every word before he said it.
But here, with Brogan grinning at him like an idiot, that weight didn’t feel so heavy.
It was like it had drifted up, out of reach, just for a little while.
At one point, Brogan flicked water at him and said, “You’re way too tense for a guy floating naked in a pool.”
“Sorry, I forgot the official naked swimming etiquette,” Archie shot back, kicking a small wave in Brogan’s direction.
“Race you to the other side!” Brogan challenged, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“You’re on,” Archie replied, pushing off from the stairs and cutting through the water with strong, confident strokes. They swam side by side, their bodies slicing through the pool, the competition fierce but friendly.
As they neared the other side, Brogan dove under, grabbing Archie’s ankle, and pulling him down. They tumbled beneath the surface, a tangle of limbs. When they resurfaced, they were both gasping for air, grins plastered across their faces.
“You cheated,” Archie spluttered, pushing water at Brogan.
“All’s fair in love and war,” Brogan shot back, dodging the splash. Then, inching closer, he pulled Archie into his arms, the warmth of his body comforting, and their lips met in their first tender kiss.
“That was precious,” Archie heard himself say without any filters.
“It was. Now, how about a game of Marco Polo?” Brogan asked.
“Sure, why not?” Archie agreed, closing his eyes and turning away from Brogan. “You start.”
Brogan took a deep breath and called out, “Marco!”
Archie listened for the sound of Brogan’s movement, then struck out in the direction he thought Brogan was heading.
He swam a few strokes before calling out, “Polo!” He could hear Brogan’s laughter as he darted away.
The game was on. But that kiss lingered in his mind, leaving him wanting more than a kiss.
They played for what felt like hours, taking turns being “it,” splashing and laughing the entire time. The water felt warm compared to the cool air, and their skin was pruned from the prolonged exposure.
“Let’s race one more time,” Brogan declared, turning serious.
“Right on,” Archie agreed, and they took off, their powerful strokes sending water flying in their wake. They reached the end of the pool at almost the same time, both of them panting and laughing.
“Tie,” Brogan said, clapping Archie on the back.
“Fuck yeah, tie,” Archie agreed, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him.
Brogan closed the distance between them and kissed him again. It was quick, impulsive, the kind of thing Brogan did blindly. And for once, Archie didn’t either. He just let it happen, let himself enjoy the moment without picking it apart.
When Brogan pulled back, he was still grinning. “See? Not so hard.”
Archie should’ve had a comeback, but all he could do was laugh.
They climbed out, and Brogan grabbed two beach towels from a chest beside the door. He handed one to Archie, who draped it over his shoulders. He realized maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Maybe, for the first time in a while, he was looking forward to something.
Brogan followed Archie to his room, reached for him, and pulled him closer. Their lips met; the kiss a sudden spark that ignited a fire between them. Archie wanted more, but he had to remember he was still only a well-liked renter at this point. Time would see what could develop.