Chapter 42
Everyone partied hard, except Silas. It was his turn to drive. Once Rafe noticed how much Morella had partied, he decided to switch to water for the rest of the night. We were all ecstatic for our first win of the season.
Rafe walks ahead, one arm looped under Morella’s, his hand steady on her waist. She’s already half-asleep, her head nodding against his shoulder.
He doesn’t say anything as he leads her upstairs, but he glances back.
“I’m gonna head to bed after I help her.
You guys know where your rooms are.” He stops on the first landing, “Make sure Wendy gets to bed and doesn't end up sleeping on the bathroom floor.”
“Hey. I'm not that drunk. And I’m not Wendy.” I try to stand on my own and wobble. Silas catches me and laughs.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got…Wendy.” Silas says, a question in his voice.
Silas, Archer and I aren’t ready for bed yet, so instead of following Rafe upstairs we head for the den.
“I think a movie sounds great.” Silas says as we enter the room.
Archer shrugs off his hoodie and tosses it to the side.
He sinks into the couch, running a hand through.
Silas crashes on the opposite side of the couch from him in his usual lazy sprawl, legs spread wide, head tipped back against the back of the couch.
His thigh brushes mine when I sit beside him, but he doesn’t move away.
I kick my shoes off because my feet are killing me.
Archer grabs the remote and flicks through a few titles before settling on some sports movie. The lights stay low. Just the flickering of the screen and the dim glow from a lamp in the far corner.
Silas shifts beside me. “You cold?”
I start to shake my head, but then his hand brushes my knee and he doesn’t wait for an answer. A blanket gets thrown over my lap, and I feel him settle in closer, his body heat instantly soaking through the fabric. Archer also leans in, shoulder to shoulder with me.
I curl my legs beneath me and let the blanket cocoon me in warmth. I don’t even realize how tired I am until my eyelids begin to drift, the guys voices fading beneath the soft hum of the movie.
The last thing I register is the weight of Silas’s hand.
I wake to the sound of low voices.
The movie’s still playing, but they’re barely paying attention to it now. Archer’s voice is deeper, tired but edged with something sharp. Silas responds with a soft laugh that sounds like he’s mocking something.
“His second block was solid,” Archer says. “Guy’s all arms, though.”
“He kept eyeing Liv the whole damn time,” Silas mutters. “Like he thought he had a chance.”
My mind has woken up. They are talking about someone else, being interested in me.
I kissed Archer. My heart stutters. Is Silas going to be upset?
I don’t want to pit them against each other.
I don’t want to hurt Silas, or Archer. Kissing Archer felt as right as kissing Silas.
I couldn’t resist the pull I have to him, to either of them.
I sit up a little, rubbing my eyes. “I kissed Archer.” I blurt out, unable to hold it in any longer.
Both boys freeze. I blink at them, still halfway in a haze.
Archer doesn’t speak. His eyes are locked on the screen, but I can see his jaw flex.
Silas turns his head slowly. “When?”
I swallow. “Earlier. After the game.”
“Where?”
I shift in my seat slightly. My nerves feeling like they want to burst through the roof. “In the hallway to the locker rooms.” I say quietly.
He shifts closer. “Why?”
I open my mouth, but I don’t know how to answer that at first. I know deep down why I did it but why then?
“Because he defended me.”
Silas’s voice drops. “Did you like it?”
My breath catches and my stomach flips. “What?”
He leans in, eyes locked on mine. “Did you like it?”
“I—” I glance at Archer, but he still won’t look at me.
“Don’t look at him,” his fingers slip under my chin, pulling my gaze back to his. “Look at me Olivia. He won’t save you.”
My pulse spikes.
I nod. “Yes.”
I feel Archer shift beside me.
Silas’ voice drops to a husk. “Then kiss him again.”
“No,” Archer says sharply, finally looking at us. “Don’t do that. She doesn’t have to.”
“She wants to,” Silas says, his mouth curling into a smirk. “Don’t you, Liv?”
I stare at Silas. My heart is beating too fast. I can barely think.
Archer shakes his head. “Seriously, don’t let him push you.”
My voice is a whisper, breathless and electric. “And if I want to?”
Silas lifts his brows, looking to Archer.
Archer stares at me. Something deep and dark passes through his eyes.
“Okay then, but only if you really want to.” he says.
I move slowly, crawling into Archer’s lap. His thighs are solid beneath me, his breath catching as my hands settle on his shoulders. I look at him for a long second, waiting for any sign of hesitation. There isn’t one so I kiss him.
It’s deeper this time. His hands settle at my hips, steady and firm, but he doesn’t pull me closer, he lets me come to him. My fingers tangle in his hair. His lips part with mine and he breathes against my mouth.
Next to us, Silas’ voice cuts through the haze. “Don’t leave her hanging, Arch. You could at least act like you like it.”
Archer pulls away exhaling a laugh into my neck and kisses the soft space beneath my ear, dragging his lips down my neck until I can barely breathe.
“Give me a taste,” Silas murmurs.
I go to climb off Archer but he holds me in place. Our eyes meet as his hand slides up my thigh to my waist and then up to the column of my throat, gentle but unyielding, and he turns my face toward Silas. My pulse skips and my lips part.
Silas’ fingers brush across my cheek. He leans in and kisses me.
It’s different. Rougher, messier, and full of heat. His tongue sweeps against mine and Archer’s hands tighten on my thighs.
Silas breaks the kiss and pulls a breath’s distance away. He smirks. “You taste like him.”
I blink several times trying to process what’s happening.
As I’m catching my breath I see movement behind Silas.
I look up and my gaze lands on Rafe. He looks shocked but not angry like usual.
His normally icy grey eyes are full of fire, turning his grey blue darker, but as soon as I see it, the look is gone and replaced with a scowl.
His jaw is twitching and his fists are clenched. He turns and storms from the room.
What. The. Fuck?
I’m petrified. Rafe literally saw us. This is just, oh my god no.
I realize I’m still sitting on Archer’s lap.
The guys are looking at me with concern.
I quickly scramble off Archer’s lap, grabbing the blanket I had been sleeping under and pull it to cover me, as if I’m naked.
I feel naked. That was an intimate moment with Silas and Archer, and Rafe just stood there and watched it.
“Hey, Liv, what’s wrong?” Archer reaches out for me, but I step out of his reach. He looks hurt that I stepped away.
I look between Silas and Archer. Silas, who usually has a smug, playful look is staring at me like he’s afraid I’m going to disappear. I feel like I might pass out. My head is spinning. Archer’s brows are knit tight as he watches my every move.
“What is this?” I actually ask out loud. Silas settles back into the couch, slinging one arm over the back. Archers fingers twitch like he wants to reach for me again. He doesn’t sit back like Silas does. He keeps his eyes locked on me.
“What do you want it to be?” Silas asks. He sounds different. His usually joking and playful demeanor is long gone. Is he upset I kissed Archer? I look to the floor and pull the blanket higher. I search the ground as if it will help me find the answers I’m looking for.
“Liv, look at me.” Silas says, his voice stern.
My eyes fly up to meet his. I’m shocked by what I see. The green in his eyes is mesmerizing. I fall to my knees in front of them. I look to Archer, my lips parting. His face is pained, his eyes still just locked on me.
“I can’t choose.” I whisper, my head falling.
My eyes close, as tears sting my eyelids.
How could I let this happen? Not only have I fallen for Silas but I’ve fallen for Archer as well.
One is playful and fun, the other silent and strong.
Both protective and safe. My hands fall into my lap and the blanket pools across my legs.
I hear the couch shift. “Who told you that you had to choose?” Archer asks, his voice gravelly.
“That’s how it’s supposed to be. You get one person who loves you and that’s it.” I say, my voice weak. My throat burns and tightens.
“Maybe for weak minded, insecure men but not us.” Silas says.
My head snaps up and a few tears slip down my cheek. In an instant both guys are at my sides. Archer's thumb wiping away the tears. Silas’ hand rests on my thigh.
Archer's hand stays cupping my face. “Why are you crying?” His expression pained.
“I won’t choose.” I swallow hard, willing myself to not be upset with my decision.
“You will never have to.” Silas says. “Archer and I have talked. If sharing you is how we both get to have you then we’re happy to share. Shit, I’m more than happy. It’s like the perfect ending to my story.”
My gaze turns to him. His eyes still stealing my breath away. He’s so handsome.
“Or beginning.” Archer says soft but firm. “Your story isn’t over yet man.” He stares at Silas.
My mind wanders back to when I went to Silas’ and saw the bruises.
I think of how he told me that his mother had left him.
My lower lip wobbles. I push the blanket off of me and climb into his lap.
Was he hoping he wouldn’t have to live long, dealing with that?
My arms thread around his neck and I bury my face in his chest and breathe him in deeply.
His arms wrap around me tightly and he kisses the top of my head.
“Liv, tell us you’re ok.” He mumbles into my hair.
I stay a moment longer, relishing in his warmth, but they need to know. So, I pull back slowly.