Chapter Twelve
DARCY
Sitting alone at the restaurant table that Jenna booked for a last-minute girls’ lunch, I’m halfway through completing an online sudoku challenge when Mum’s text pops up.
Mum: I need your honesty on something really serious.
Me: Oh, yeah? What’s the issue?
I’ve always had a good relationship with my mum, and it’s grown stronger since I moved to New York.
Shortly after my parents divorced and my dad’s temporary work contract in Seattle ended, meaning he would be returning to the UK, I was keen—no, gasping—to get back to Oxford and see Liam after way too long apart.
Back then, our relationship felt different and exciting, until it didn’t anymore.
The compromise was living across the other side of the Atlantic from my brother and mum.
Like I blurted out to Archer last night, it wasn’t until I was older when I started to piece together the narcissistic side to my dad, especially when he didn’t have Mum in his life anymore and his controlling ways focused more on me as a result.
That’s when I took a step away and started considering the benefits of moving back to the US to be with the blood family I respected.
Liam cheating and behaving like a first-rate arsehole sealed the deal, and I guess the rest is history.
Mum: Do you think the dusky pink or the sage green? *pictures attached*
I chuckle when I open two images of Mum wearing dresses in a fitting room. They’re both similarly styled, with thin straps and a cowl neck, in a satin material that clings to her stunning figure and falls to the floor.
Mum and I are alike in so many ways, but we do have our differences—she has deep emerald eyes and wavy chocolate hair.
I study the pictures for a few seconds, rotating my phone to see all angles. She’s not wrong; dress shopping is a serious matter.
Me: You know my preference is pink, but Jon has always been right—green truly is your color.
Mum: Okay, thanks, honey. I’ve been agonizing over them for what feels like forever. Dress shopping without Jon here to give his opinion is a bloody nightmare.
I shake my head to thoughts of my stepdad. He might be one of the biggest names in ice hockey, but sports isn’t his only talent. That man has an incredible eye for fashion.
Me: Where is Jon?
Mum: At the rink for practice. The Blades have a preseason game tomorrow, and he wants to iron out a few plays with the team.
I’m immediately thinking about Archer in his goalie kit.
Jesus.
Me: What do you need the dress for?
Mum: Didn’t Jack tell you? Last week, the Blades general manager confirmed he’s leaving after ten years with the team due to poor health.
His replacement—who is yet to be announced—is attending a dinner the week after next.
He’s going to meet the team, and it’s doubling up as a farewell to the existing GM.
Not great timing ahead of the start of the regular season, but it can’t be helped.
Players and coaching staff, along with close family and friends, are all invited.
Me: No, I hadn’t heard.
“Look at you, sitting over here, all alone.”
I place my phone face down on the table and look up to find Jenna hovering over me.
Picking up the wine I ordered when I arrived, I take a sip. “I was early for once.”
Jenna takes the seat next to me, looping her bag over the back of the chair. She looks like a woman on a mission, and I’m confident that mission is me.
“Since we have a few minutes before the others arrive, care to tell me why a certain Blades goalie wanted your undivided attention last night?” She tags a wink onto her question.
I quirk a brow at her, considering how many details to divulge. Fuck it. It’s not like Jenna—or any of my girls—is untrustworthy. Plus, if I start sneaking off with Archer, the first people to notice are going to be my best friends.
“All right, bitches.” Collins plops down on a seat opposite us, followed by Kendra.
Jenna’s still looking at me, and Collins and Kendra share a glance. The entire table is now in silence, apart from the gentle Italian music playing in the background.
“Oookay, what did we just walk in on?” Kendra finally speaks up.
I drop my head between my shoulders. “Jenna was asking me about the party last night.”
“Annnd …” Kendra pushes. “What happened? You’re over your headache, right?”
I flush pink because I’m a terrible liar, and I knew she could see through me when I left the party early.
They do say honesty is the best policy.
Inhaling a deep breath, I look around at my friends as they gaze back with equal intensity. “I didn’t go home sick. I left earlier because I wanted to spend the night with Archer. He’d invited me back to his place and … yeah …”
“H-O-L-Y HELL.” Kendra’s jaw hangs open.
Collins tips her head toward her friend, whispering low, “You’re drooling.”
Kendra scoffs once, eyes bugging out. “Y-you slept w-with …”
“Yep,” I reply, sitting up straighter in my chair. I fold my hands on the table in front of me. “I did, and it was fucking amazing.”
Jenna leans forward, elbows braced on the table. “Ladies, you didn’t see the text I received from him, asking to talk to Darcy alone, but I think we have a boy obsessed on our hands.”
“Pah!” I swivel to my friend, the short outburst garnering a few turned heads.
On a wince, I lower my voice and hold up a hand.
Anything Archer said last night was in the heat of the moment, and, boy, was it hot.
“That’s completely ridiculous. We’re just friends with benefits, and we’ve agreed to have fun together.
Last night was the first time, and I can’t lie—we both find each other attractive. Call it scratching an itch.”
Jenna, Kendra, and Collins all raise their eyebrows, staying silent.
“Okay, are we ready to order?” A server approaches our table with a bright smile and notepad in hand.
I fluster and open the menu in front of me, finding the first item on the list. “Yes, I’ll get the chicken Parmigiana, please, and a side salad.”
The rest of the table goes about ordering while I zone out of the conversation.
Sure, Archer wants a fuck-buddy arrangement, but that doesn’t mean anything. He’s a friend, giving me what I want and benefiting from it himself in the process. To me, that sounds like the perfect scenario for a playboy.
“Earth to Darcy.” Collins waves a hand in front of me. “We aren’t done with this conversation.”
I rest my chin in my palm. “It isn’t as big of a deal as you’re making it out to be.
It’s just sex. He’s hot, he thinks I’m hot, and you all know I wanted some fun after Liam.
This is the perfect solution. Plus, we agreed to be exclusive, and I guess that’s ideal because I’m not sure how safe sleeping around really is. ”
Kendra clears her throat. “Well, I, for one, have multiple questions.” Collins and Jenna hum in agreement before my sister-in-law continues, “Number one: what happened to Abbie?”
“Didn’t work out,” I reply on a casual shrug.
Kendra narrows her eyes, doubtful. “Question number two: who suggested a fuck-buddy arrangement?”
“He did.”
They all look between each other again, more brows raised.
“Question three,” Kendra presses on with her inquisition, “at what point are you both planning on breaking the news to Jack? Because I sure as hell am not. He’s already convinced Archer wants to fuck you around, and this just confirms it.” She crosses her arms, sitting back in her chair.
Drinks are set down in front of us, and I finish the last few sips of my wine before speaking.
“I don’t plan on telling my brother. Ever.
Archer offered to come forward and straighten things out, but I really don’t get why we should.
It’s just some fun that will eventually fizzle out.
Why do I need my brother’s permission to do what I want with who I want?
He also doesn’t need to know everything that’s going on in my life.
I’m telling you all as my trusted girlfriends and because all three of you clearly worked out something was going on.
I’m not even sure I’ll tell Mum since she has no clue, and again, this whole thing isn’t a big deal. ”
They all nod in understanding.
“I get that, Darcy.” Jenna smirks at me, mischief in her tone. “But my question to you is this: was he as good as the rumors suggest?”
Every single one of them edges closer, waiting on the tea, as memories race back and settle between my thighs.
“I’d say good is the understatement of the year.”
Collins picks up her water, the glass halfway to her mouth. “Details, Thompson. We need details.”
I shake my head at her. “You’re engaged to be married. And you”—I motion to Kendra—“already are.”
“Looks like I’m the only one finding out the deets then.” Jenna looks particularly smug. “My best guess is, it all started when he asked you to meet him in Jack and Kendra’s spare bedroom. That’s what his text said after all.”
Collins throws a hand up. “What the fuck is it with that spare bedroom?!”
“Tell me about it,” Kendra replies between laughs. “First Sawyer and Collins hooking up with handcuffs in there, and now … wait.” She looks at me, jaw agape. “Did you actually bang while Jack was in the other room?!”
My entire body flushes—I swear it does.
“Oh my God! You did, didn’t you?!” Jenna squeaks out, way too excited.
Waving a hand in front of me, I shush them quickly. “No, I did not,” I whisper-hiss. “We might’ve gotten a little close, but even Archer isn’t crazy enough to think we could get away with that. You just know Jack would have been heading to the bathroom right as I screamed his goalie’s name.”
“He made you scream, did he?” Collins croons. “That’s the best—when you come so hard that you can do nothing except wail.” She looks off into the distance, sighing.