Chapter Sixteen
Archie
Archie stretched his arms above his head, inhaling the crisp morning air with deliberate slowness.
It was rare to have a day where neither of them had responsibilities, where time wasn’t measured by shifts or emails or obligations.
Today was just theirs, and though they could have wasted it lounging on the couch, he was grateful they’d decided to do something else.
Hiking meant movement, fresh air, and more importantly, uninterrupted time with Brogan.
Brogan had packed lunch, insisting on handling everything, so Archie could actually relax.
Archie had argued, but secretly, he loved the way Brogan fretted over him, loved how he always seemed to anticipate his needs before Archie even realized he had them.
Water, snacks, sunscreen—Brogan thought of everything, while Archie was the type to show up on a day-long excursion without so much as a granola bar.
As they walked, conversation flowed in that natural way it always did between them—light and meaningless one moment, serious the next. At some point, their shoulders brushed along the narrow path, and Brogan had murmured, “I like this. Just… being with you.”
Archie felt warmth spread through his chest, more than just the midday sun. “Yeah,” he replied. He knew Brogan understood. It was simple, but real. He didn’t need over-complications. Brogan had smiled like that was enough.
As the forest stretched around them, Archie wondered what Brogan was thinking. Did he feel the same quiet contentment? Did the day feel significant to him, the way it did to Archie?
Then Brogan asked, “Tell me more about work. I want to hear how you really feel about your job. It’s important we tell each other about our ups and downs for our relationship to work.”
Archie hesitated. Should he tell him? Should he bring up the thing that had been gnawing at him?
Did Jade see Brogan and talk shit about him?
To be honest, he didn’t want to bring up Jade even after it happened.
He wasn’t sure how he could calmly discuss Jade without looking jealous, which he was.
The guy could travel across the Atlantic and just wait around in a motel room for his ex-lover.
Who does that? He must have money to just hang out, stability and savings.
“Have you seen Jade recently?” The question came out before Archie could stop it.
Brogan stopped short. The shift was immediate, a tense stiffening of his shoulders, a heat rising in his face that made Archie’s pulse quicken.
“Jade? What brought that on?” Brogan’s his hand clamped down on Archie’s shoulder, his face reddening with a flush that spread up his neck.
Archie gripped the straps of his backpack tighter, weighing his words. “He showed up at the diner on my first day.”
Brogan’s expression darkened. “And you didn’t tell me?”
“I didn’t know how.” Archie exhaled. “It was humiliating. He treated me like crap, like I didn’t belong there. And I wanted to kick him out.” His voice tightened. “But…I need the job.”
Brogan’s jaw set. “That’s what I’m talking about. You should have told me right off. Telling me what’s bothering you shows you trust me, trust us.” His voice, a low growl simmering with barely contained rage, made Archie’s stomach clench.
Archie couldn’t tell if Brogan’s rage was directed more at him or at Jade; the air crackled with unspoken fury. And suddenly, Archie was asking the one thing he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to. “Why were you ever with him?”
“Let’s sit down and talk about it.” With a decisive gesture, Brogan pointed to a nearby tree.
They sat side by side beneath the sprawling oak, the cool shade a welcome relief from the summer sun.
Brogan stared blankly at the distant hills before finally speaking.
“We grew up in Dublin together. Friends first. Then…more, but not like it mattered. He got kicked out of his house and my parents let him stay in our home. Then they kicked him out after I got into my apartment. My parents didn’t want him anymore when they found out he was stealing from them, so I let him stay with me.
But when my parents gave me a trip around the world after graduation, I traveled for a year without him. ”
“Did Jade use you?”
Brogan nodded once. “Yeah. My side of the relationship wasn’t ever romantically intense. Jade didn’t want to work, so he stayed in my flat. It was paid for. Then he needed money to live, and I sent him money because I felt guilty for traveling without him.”
“How did you end it?”
“I signed the flat over to him three years ago. That’s how I ended it.”
“Are you saying the only reason he flew here was to milk more money from you?”
Brogan nodded. “He only shows up when he’s out of money. I stopped sending any money six months ago. I should have known he’d show up.”
Six months ago? A burning anger consumed Archie, hating the thought of Brogan being used.
The revelation of a past where Jade had relied so heavily on Brogan for everything nauseated Archie.
More than anything, he detested the gnawing uncertainty, a bitter taste in his mouth, wondering if Brogan had shown Jade a love Archie had never known; this question clawed at his mind.
“If you ended it three years ago by giving him your flat, then why were you still sending him money after you broke up?”
Brogan shook his head. “He told me about a motorcycle accident.” His voice became strained. “He couldn’t work because of his injuries.”
Archie studied him, searching his face for something unsaid. “Do you still want to help him?”
“Absolutely not!”
Archie clenched his fists. “Did you buy his one-way ticket to California?”
“Not intentionally.”
“I wish you’d send him back.”
“I’m done. No more money for Jade.”
Archie swallowed hard. “I don’t want to be him in our relationship.” His voice cracked slightly, fear tugging at the edges of his words.
Brogan’s eyes softened. “You’re nothing like him. You’re not a user.”
Archie hated the way doubt still lingered in his mind.
He intended to cover his expenses and resist any of Brogan’s attempts to make him indebted to him.
He shuddered at the thought of sharing Jade’s fate, a loser and user, his life wasted and full of bitterness.
He’d believed Jade had his life together, but in truth, it had been Brogan supporting him.
And for all he knew, Brogan was still sending him money, regardless of what Brogan claimed.
Archie met Brogan’s gaze. “No, I’m nothing like Jade, and I’m definitely not a user and never will be. But don’t make me dependent on you.”
“I won’t.” Brogan reached for Archie’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Promise to tell me if you see him again.”
Archie hesitated, then nodded. “I will.”
Brogan pulled Archie close, their bodies touching, then kissed him tenderly. “Are you ready to hike some more?”
Archie nodded as he stood. They continued their hike; the conversation weighing heavily between them.
The more Archie thought about Jade and Brogan, he feared didn’t stand a chance.
He didn’t buy they were mostly friends. It had to be much more than playful benefits between them.
The uncertainty surrounding the Jade situation filled him with a quiet dread he couldn’t ignore.
They found a clearing with enough space to settle in, and Brogan got to work building a fire to grill the steaks he’d packed.
Archie, needing a little distance to think about their Jade conversation, found a way to help. “I’ll get some water from the lake to quell the fire when we’re done.”
“Not before you kiss me,” Brogan said.
Archie leaned in close, the sharp, lime tang of Brogan’s cologne a heady wave against his senses. Warm breath mingled as their lips met, a soft press of skin against skin. “You taste good.”
Brogan’s fingers brushed against Archie’s cheek, the contact sending a wave of icy chills through him. Archie closed his eyes for a moment, a silent sigh escaping his lips before the smile touched his face.
“Don’t talk to strangers,” Brogan teased. “Just follow the path to the lake.”
Archie smartly saluted as he grabbed his water container and walked away.