Chapter 42
DARCY
My favorite Brooklyn bakery, Rise Up, brings all the sensory goodness and comfort I’ve come to love about living in this city. The smell of freshly brewed coffee alongside baking, sparks a feeling of England, but with the added vibe of living in Brooklyn.
It’s also a favorite meetup spot for me and my girls. Whenever shit goes down or someone needs advice, the first place we gather is around a table at the back, armed with baked goods and ready to put everything right.
However, as I push through the entrance and the soft jingle of the bell above the door fills my ears, I’m struggling to find anything comfortable about today’s visit or the reasons for it.
It’s been twelve days since Jack caught us at the airport, and things show no sign of improvement.
I know he hasn’t fallen out with me; he messages me daily to check on how I’m doing or if I need anything.
He was choked up when I told him the name we planned to give our daughter.
But in spite of our open communication, things don’t feel right.
Vibes don’t lie, as they say, and that phrase couldn’t be more relevant to our relationship.
Truth be told, I’m pissed at my brother.
I expected him to be disappointed in Archer for the ruse about Abbie and the initial sneaking around we had done.
We had known back then that we were playing with fire.
What I didn’t anticipate was for him to shut my husband out entirely and for this length of time.
I didn’t even tell him that Emily was Archer’s idea, for fear of ruining the name-reveal moment.
Maybe he already guessed it was his suggestion since it was the name Archer originally used for me in the boys’ group chat, but that doesn’t really matter.
We should be able to work past this, or at least talk through feelings.
Instead, Jack’s done the complete opposite.
Last night on the phone, Mum told me the GM is getting angsty, concerned that the team is fractured, even though Archer’s game is on point and so are their results.
Getting married was what Archer and I both wanted, but it was also to ensure we weren’t separated.
If Archer is forced out of the team, then I’ll lose everyone around me as I follow my husband to another state in a huge country.
The fact that Jack can’t see that leaves me angry and frustrated.
So, last night, I called an emergency meeting between my girls and Mum. Clearly, the men can’t and aren’t going to sort their shit out. Might as well leave it to the girls.
“I got you the strongest decaf I could find.” Kendra slides a steaming mug of coffee across to me as I pull off my coat and hang it on the back of my chair.
I take a seat as Collins, Kendra, Jenna, and Mum all drop their eyes to my stomach.
“Figured there was little point in hiding it now,” I muse, pointing to my tight jumper dress. “And what do you mean strongest decaf? Isn’t that a bit of a contradiction?” I say to Kendra, forcing a smile.
She tucks a piece of wavy blonde hair behind her ear. “I asked Ed to add an extra shot of vanilla.”
I snort and bring the latte to my lips, enjoying the first sip before setting the mug back down and clearing my throat. “Thank you for meeting so last minute. It’s just … I need my girls right now.”
From beside me, Mum takes my hand in hers. “My nine o’clock meeting with my client, the Barnetts, can wait.”
“Anything for you.” Jenna takes my other hand, and from opposite, Kendra and Collins smile at me reassuringly.
My senses sting as I work up the courage to speak what I know everyone else is thinking.
“I’m worried my relationship with Archer has destroyed his friendship with Jack.
Archer has been … not himself at all. Yesterday, after dinner, he took my plate, planted a kiss on top of my head, and retreated into the home gym for hours.
I took myself to bed because I’m constantly exhausted, and when I woke up at midnight, I found him sitting on the couch, scrolling through photos from last season.
His heart is breaking, and I can’t stand to watch it. ”
Kendra nods her head, fingernails tapping against the side of her mug.
“Honestly, Jack is the same. I told him to go and talk with Archer, even if it’s just to clear the air.
But you know when an issue is left too long, it then creates a void between people that’s arguably bigger than the initial problem?
That’s how I feel about this. He’s hurting, and I get that.
” She looks at me, nothing but honesty in her eyes as she pauses.
“I get why he’s upset because so much has happened behind his back and without his friend being honest. He wasn’t happy with me because I didn’t tell him what was going on.
Now, he understands my reasons for keeping your confidence and I only hope he can take a step back and see all this from Archer’s perspective too. It’s time to let bygones be bygones.”
She pushes her coffee mug away like she’s done saying her piece.
“When I told Jon about everything, he actually took it better than I’d thought he would.
” Mum rolls her eyes. “Naturally, he was disappointed he didn’t know about your wedding, let alone get a chance to arrange the shit out of it.
” She chuckles and returns to a serious expression.
“All things considered, he was relatively calm after an initial outburst.” She clicks her tongue.
“Obviously, he’ll dismember Archer if he hurts you, but he is willing to give him a chance.
I think that comes from experience more than anything—he knows what it’s like to fight against a reputation as an unreliable playboy. ”
I turn to Collins. “You’re quiet.”
Taking a sachet of sweetener, she empties it into her coffee, rolling her lips together as she does. She’s always been unreadable, but never more so than in this moment.
“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life. Some through premature death and others because I struggled to maintain a friendship through fear of getting hurt.
The only true bonds I’ve made in my adult years are with the people sitting around this table and the two boys I have waiting for me back home.
Before we know it, a beautiful baby girl is going to enter our lives, and I, for one, want to snuggle the shit out of her without awkward-as-ass silences.
Unfortunately, I don’t see that there’s much we can do other than remind our men that friendships come before egos.
That, and we’ll kick their butts into next week if they don’t sort their shit out. ”
Mum hums from beside me, Jenna nodding along with Kendra.
“Well, ladies, I have nothing more to add. You all speak sense and a lot of it,” Jenna says. “I personally enjoy nights out at Lloyd’s, and the last one was awkward as shit.”
Everyone makes their agreement known, including me.
I release Mum’s hand and drop a palm to my stomach, circling it slowly.
“I’m praying when I reach my twenty-week scan and I can share more photos of Emily, that this will all be forgotten.
Archer deserves to enjoy this pregnancy as much as I do, and all I can see is the sadness in him.
I know he’s not perfect, but who is? He loves me and …
” I trail off as my friends and family all look at me.
I know I’m ready to say the words, but the first time will be to my husband.
I clear my throat and continue, “Jack has nothing to worry about.” I retake my mum’s hand, squeezing it softly.
“And neither does Jon. I don’t think there’s anything Archer wouldn’t do for me or our baby. ”
When the elevator doors to our apartment open, I can tell Archer’s home from the faint sound of music as it filters down the hallway.
He’s working out. Again.
Dropping the tan tote I take everywhere these days, I head towards the sound of Tate McRae.
“Archer?” I call, pushing the soundproof gym door open, but finding no one inside.
I try our bedroom, but still nothing.
“Archer?” I call out again, a little louder this time.
As I step up to the spare bedroom door, the music grows louder, and paint fills my nostrils when I crack it open and peer inside. Archer has his back to me, halfway up a stepladder as he paints the back wall a bright yellow—a similar shade to the bows on my wedding shoes.
He’s not wearing anything but a pair of light-gray athletic shorts and old white sneakers.
I pin my lip between my teeth as I observe the way the muscles in his back flex and roll with each stroke of the brush.
Jesus freaking Christ. That’s my husband.
I stand, watching him for maybe thirty seconds more before the music ends and he climbs down from the ladder, immediately stopping when he turns and sees me.
“Hey.” He drops the brush down into the paint tray and begins walking over to me, wiping his hands down his thighs to clean them. “I thought you’d be a while longer at Rise Up.”
I’m too busy staring at his sculpted chest—which is dotted with paint—to answer, and he tips my chin to look at him.
“My face is here.” He smirks, smoothing his lips over mine.
When he pulls back, his eyes fall to my stomach. The fitted jumper dress I’m wearing does nothing to hide my bump, just like the girls noticed earlier.
“Are you decorating the nursery?” I ask on a whisper, the way he’s studying my body leaving me breathless.
Archer drops to his knees in front of me, rolling my dress up past my stomach to expose bare skin.
“Yes.” He presses a single kiss to my bump.
“I promised you we’d go shopping, and given another two weeks have passed since I originally planned, I want to get all the things—clothes, furniture, equipment for Emily.
Anything and everything my wife wants. You know, the usual.
I figured if the room’s painted already, then we don’t need to worry about messing up anything we buy. ”
I cup his face in my palms as he looks up at me. His eyes are one of my favorite features. “But we didn’t discuss color themes.”
His lips find my skin, and as he speaks, goose bumps break out. “I’m sorry, Darcy Doll. But Pip here told me that she wanted the same color as the bows on her mommy’s wedding shoes.”
“Is that so?” I say, although it’s more of a gasp as he moves his mouth toward my apex.
With both hands, he tears my thong away from my body, tossing it across the room. Next, he kisses just above my pussy, adding a swipe of his tongue for good measure.
“Did I guess the color correctly?” he asks, hooking one of my legs over his shoulder. “Because your pussy tells me I did.”
He swipes a finger through my wetness.
“Yes,” I moan.
In one easy motion, Archer picks me up in his arms, carrying me over to the stepladder.
“I wanna fuck my wife,” he rasps into the crook of my neck.
Who am I to say no?
“Yes,” I reply, already desperate for his cock.
When he sits me on a wooden rung, Archer pushes his shorts to the floor and steps out of them. Eyes dark and totally naked, thigh tattoo visible for me to salivate over.
I reach out and grab his hip, pulling him toward me. He’s hard and leaking already.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly.
I don’t need to elaborate; he knows I’m referring to everything going on with Jack and the team.
Archer blows out a long, steadying breath, his broad shoulders dropping. He wraps a large palm around his cock and inches forward, holding the stepladder steady with one hand and pushing my thighs apart with his knee.
“I’m fucking great whenever I’m with you.”
I place my hand in the center of his chest, asking him to stop for a second.
He does, and I study his expression.
“You’ve spent a lot of time telling me everything will work out fine. Now it’s my turn to offer you that same reassurance.”
“We’ve been through so much to get here, Darcy.” He presses his forehead against mine, looking down between us. “It feels like I’ve had to fight everything and everyone to be with you, and I’ll fight even harder if that’s what it takes.”
I tip his chin up to look at me. “I’m telling you Jack will come around. I’ll make it happen. This wise guy once told me that when a person loves someone enough, it isn’t possible for bad shit to happen because that person simply won’t let it.”
The purest blue eyes find my own. “Do you …”
I nod my head without hesitation. “Yes. I do. I love you, Archer. I love everything about you. I love your kind heart and the passionate way you care for me and our baby. I love your mind and the way it wants to learn sudoku and all the things that make me happy.”
A single tear falls from his left eye, marking a track down his cheek.
My small palm is dwarfed by my husband’s broad chest, his heart beating a fast rhythm against it.
“I love your past and everything you were before you met me. I embrace all of it because that’s what makes you special.
No part of you has ever been or will ever be too much for me.
You were and are exactly who I love. I see you, Archer Moore. ”
Sometimes, no more words need to be spoken, only actions.
With a wetness that still shines in his eyes, Archer pushes himself inside me.
I immediately grip the sides of the ladder as we take each other in, bound in a lock of blissful emotion.
After a few seconds, he begins gliding in and out of my pussy, leaning down and sealing his mouth over mine.
When he whispers that he loves me, I swallow down his declaration. I want our baby girl to learn that this is how a woman should be loved. This is the only kind of love I want her to experience.
Shivers trickle down my spine when he wraps my leg around his waist, and I whimper in response to the way he drives deeper.
As I cling on to the ladder, Archer fucks me with abandon. I never thought it was possible to be fucked in a way that filled my heart with so much love. My husband proves that theory wrong.
He draws out my orgasm when it hits, pulling out and sliding in slower so I can feel the full benefit of his dick, along with its accessories.
“Does this cock make my wife feel good?” he croons, sliding all the way back inside me again.
“Don’t stop,” I plead. “Don’t you dare fucking stop, Archer.”
“I’m never going to stop loving you, Darcy.”
“But you just did,” I groan, tipping my head up toward the ceiling when Archer’s body stills.
He looks over his shoulder toward the door and then back at me, eyes wide and cheeks flushed.
“Shit. Someone’s at the door.”