Chapter Seventeen
ARCHER
Me: I’m bored. Let’s sneak out when no one’s watching.
I hit Send on my message to Darcy and look on from my position in the corner of the room for her to read it.
She’s standing at the bar, dressed in a silky pale pink gown that crisscrosses down her back, stopping just above the curve of her ass. Looking phenomenal.
The entire Blades team is here tonight with their families and partners, celebrating the appointment of our new GM and the long tenure of our retiring one. I should be socializing or even flirting with the blonde server who keeps bringing me drinks even though I haven’t finished my current soda.
Instead, I’m laser-focused on my girl as she laughs and jokes with Kendra and Collins, sipping on her favorite cocktail—a cosmo.
Her purse—containing her cell—rests on the corner of the bar, and she hasn’t looked at it once all night. I know we’re trying to keep a low profile, but I’ve barely spoken to her all week since she reaffirmed what we are—fuck buddies.
With a hand to her chest, she leans back, laughing at something one of the girls just said, when Jack joins the group, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He’s as proud of his sister as he is protective—anyone with eyes can see that.
I see that.
“Dude, you have got to stop staring. It’s making me feel violated, never mind the girl.” Sawyer takes a seat at the empty round table I’m sitting at, setting his half-finished pint on the white tablecloth. He mirrors my position, resting his leg across the opposite knee.
Groaning, I sit back in my chair. I’ve confessed to wanting Darcy, but I’m not about to tell my captain about the latest mess I’m in with her. If he discovers I’m boning Jack’s sister for “fun,” as Darcy describes it, then he’ll throttle me with the bow tie I’m wearing.
“I really think you need to let it go.” Sawyer twists the pint glass around in front of him, dropping his foot to the floor when he leans forward, elbows braced on the table.
I continue watching Darcy have a good time as she accepts another cocktail from one of our forwards, and a smack of unjustified jealousy hits me straight on.
“I’ve been giving this entire thing you have for her some thought, and you need to let it go.” He repeats his advice, but it washes over me for a second time. “Archer,” Sawyer demands my attention, frustration in his voice.
“I’m not letting anything go,” I reply. “That isn’t an option for me.”
From beside me, Sawyer grumbles something inaudible against the ambient music. I choose to ignore whatever he said, watching as our rookie forward, Blake Harrison, lingers with the group. He just bought her a drink, and I don’t like it.
Not one fucking bit.
“You’re going to tear the team apart. With the story about Abbie and your secret obsession with his sister, Jack won’t forgive you for the deception.”
My molars grind. Stress and tension taking ahold of me. “It doesn’t matter what you say; you aren’t going to change the way I feel.”
Sawyer sits back in his chair, running a palm across his mouth. “I don’t know what to say to you. You’re playing with fire. Has Darcy even hinted that she feels the same way?”
I huff out a despondent laugh.
“I’ll take that as a no then,” Sawyer replies.
“Have you and Collins set a date yet?” I pick up my soda and take a large pull, my mouth dry and throat thick.
“Way to change the subject.” Sawyer chuckles, although I can sense his relief since we’re heading nowhere fast on the current topic.
“Collins wants a small wedding at the city clerk’s office with a meal for friends at a restaurant we like at Brighton Beach.
We’re thinking in the offseason, so maybe July and then go all in on a big honeymoon to Japan—she’s always wanted to head back after she visited when she was younger. ”
As I twist around to face my captain, I can’t help but smile.
“What’s the grin for?”
I shake my head. “Nothing, just thinking how fucking stoked I am for you. You deserve the world, Cap.”
Sawyer inhales deeply, rolling his lips together as he studies me.
“You know, I thought I had you all figured out when you joined the Blades from Philly. But you just keep proving me wrong, don’t you?
When Ezra had the motorcycle accident, you were there with words of wisdom.
You’ve always had my back, and I’ve always had yours. ”
Now feels like a better time to revisit the previous conversation. “I’m serious about Darcy. I don’t know how many ways I can say it, but I am, and I’m not going to let her go. There’s something there between us.”
I’m desperate to tell him I’ve fallen harder since I had her in my bed.
Sawyer hums like he understands, but doesn’t necessarily agree while I glance over my shoulder to find Darcy.
Christ, she’s beautiful. Every time I look at her, she realigns my brain chemistry.
Her contagious laugh brightens everything in her vicinity.
My parents might’ve separated after years of marriage, but I’m confident I could never let Darcy get away.
I could make her the happiest girl on this planet.
“You chased Collins when she kept blowing you off.” I say the words and bite down on my cheek—hard.
Sawyer rises from his seat and clamps a hand on my shoulder.
“That’s true, and I remember talking to you about it.
You told me to go after the girl and tell her how I felt.
” He squeezes his palm, and I know it’s to comfort me ahead of whatever he’s about to say.
“The thing is, you were also correct when you said your situation with Darcy wasn’t the same as mine with was with Collins.
I wasn’t trying to bone my best friend’s sister, and neither was I trying to push something I knew was a lost cause.
I don’t want to see you get hurt, Archer.
I want to see you happy and settled and with a woman who makes you feel worthy.
Darcy isn’t at that time in life. She wants to have fun and explore the new city she just moved to.
Be a friend to her, man. Be a friend to yourself and let it go. ”
He picks up his pint, and the words I’m sleeping with her are right on the tip of my tongue. They won’t materialize though because perhaps he’s right; maybe I am fooling myself, and the only reason Darcy climbs into my bed is purely out of fun and nothing more.
Maybe my playboy days aren’t just actively playing against me, but fully laughing in my face. Revealing to Darcy that I haven’t slept around in a while might have done nothing to change her opinion of me, even if she’ll never judge me for my past.
Still, I want her next to me again tonight. My addiction to this girl won’t allow anything else. And if I have to lean into my playboy reputation, then that’s what I’ll do to keep her coming back to me. I guess you could say that at this point, I’m caught between the ultimate rock and a hard place.
“I’m worried about you, Archer.” Sawyer’s voice permeates my thoughts.
I wave a nonchalant hand in front of me, eyes still on Darcy. “I’m good. You don’t need to be concerned.”
Before walking away, he hesitates for the briefest of seconds, and I pray he doesn’t say anything more. In the past, I might’ve turned to him for women-related advice, but he knows this circumstance is different, and he’s aware I’m reluctant to pull him into it too.
“You won’t change my mind,” I breathe out. “No one will.”
He disappears, and I squeeze my eyes shut, whispering to myself, What the fuck are you doing, Archer? only for it to be absorbed by the music and open dance floor in front of me.
When I open my eyes a few seconds later, it’s like she can sense my pain. From across the room, Darcy glances at me briefly. Jack’s arm is still around her shoulders as she throws me a quick smile.
In your purse! I mouth to her, pointing toward the end of the bar.
She looks confused, and I feel frustrated.
Grabbing my cell, I wave it at her subtly, being sure not to capture anyone else’s attention in the process.
Check this , I mouth again.
For good measure, I type out another text.
Me: You look fucking incredible.
Making her excuses, Darcy shimmies out from beneath her brother’s arm and grabs her purse, fetching out her cell phone.
I can feel my adrenaline spike, watching her read my messages and type out a response.
Doll: Let me guess … in your mind, you’re already peeling this dress off me.
Me: I’ve got your dress, bra, and panties in a heap by my feet.
Doll: Well, that’s an interesting revelation …
Doll: Since I’m not wearing any underwear.
The rumble as it vibrates in my chest only leaves me more grateful for the music in this place.
Me: I need to be inside you. Now.
Doll: No can do, I’m afraid …
She sends the message and leans across the bar, lifting her cocktail at me with a smile.
Brat.
Me: Are you trying to play me?
Doll: Tell me, is it working?
Jesus, if only she knew.
Me: I’m hard as fuck, if that’s what you mean.
Doll: That’s exactly what I was getting at.
I can feel the throb of my pulse as it beats in my ears.
Me: I need to fuck you. Right. Now.
Doll: You’re a dirty boy, Archer Moore.
Me: Tell me you aren’t desperate for it.
I watch the way her fingers hover over the keyboard.
Come on, Darcy Doll. Keep coming back to me.
Doll: I cannot tell you that. Because I am.
Me: Tell me you’re desperate for my cock.
She pauses and looks up at the group, Jack standing a few feet away.
Doll: If I were wearing them, my panties would be soaked.
Me: In around thirty seconds, I’m going to walk out of this room and into the lobby. I want you to follow me a few seconds afterward. Bring your bag and things.
Doll: Why would I need my stuff?
Me: Because once we leave, we aren’t coming back.