Chapter Six
ARCHIE
The first few days are an adjustment. We haven’t lived this close since we were kids, and the silence between us feels heavier than I expected. Not that I knew what to actually expect. I knew going in that this was going to be a little weird.
On the first day I stayed busy installing the new security system. By the next, I’d converted her spare room into a security office. Tabitha only poked her head in once, noticed me rearranging furniture, nodded, and went back to her office to work.
Her office is across the hall from the one I’ve set up.
The main reason I had the security office on this side of the house was that it was across the hall from her office.
Which, to be honest, looks more like a costume shop and toy store exploded inside.
There are wigs, costumes, and props everywhere.
Earlier, she was dancing in front of a ring light and ignoring me, completely absorbed, or didn’t even notice me watching.
I had to bite back a laugh. Tabitha has always been a little nerdy, but now she’s turned it into something bigger.
Something that brings her joy. It suits her, and she looks happy doing it.
I lean back in the chair as my eyes flicker between the monitors. I requested access to the front gate of the neighborhood. They were quick to comply after everything. If they didn’t, I would’ve just put up my own cameras anyway. I did in other parts of the neighborhood.
This neighborhoods’ security clearly doesn’t realize how dangerous the forest behind them is—or could be. As if wild animals are the only thing they should worry about. The tall iron fence helps some, but there are weak points.
If Tabitha’s ex broke in before, he’s going to attempt to again. It’s not a matter of if—but when. I’ll be damned if he gets past me. That fucker will never lay another finger on her.
She’s been holed up in her office, keeping herself busy.
Tabitha clearly still likes to keep things bottled up.
It was like this when we were younger—if she kept moving, she could pretend whatever was bothering her didn’t exist. We used to be able to talk about anything growing up—well, nearly.
It would be good for her to talk to someone about what happened.
I glance at the monitor that shows most of her office.
It’s mostly to have eyes on her windows.
Her office has the most windows, making it the most vulnerable.
When I asked her about it, she said she wanted all the natural light for content.
All I know is that because of all those windows, I need a camera that will show all of them. I can see her entire office.
Most of the time, she’s making content or sitting at her computer doing whatever it is she does. I keep the audio muted, so I can’t hear what she’s saying or singing along to. But, I catch myself watching her too much. I should be spreading my focus between the cameras, the work I’m being paid for.
My focus should be spread between the cameras and figuring out how to help her get out of this situation.
It’s what I’m being paid for and that makes me feel awful.
I don’t want the money from this job. Not from her.
Not from anyone. I’ll tell Tyler eventually.
I don’t need him asking questions or suggesting someone else take this job.
I’ll just leave the money untouched in my account until I can figure out how to return it to her.
Twenty minutes slip by before she moves to her wardrobe area and starts changing. Heat floods across my chest. I snap my gaze away, jaw tight. I should probably tell her I can see the entire room. But I won’t.
Standing abruptly, I head for the kitchen.
The thought of her undressing in the next room follows me like lava under the skin.
My entire body is feverish and on edge. I move around the kitchen and grab a glass from the drying rack, filling it with cold filtered water from the fridge.
I pray the cold water will cool me down, or I need a fucking freezing shower.
“Hey, you read my mind.” Tabitha speaks as she passes me to the fridge and refills her reusable water bottle.
I’m not entirely sure what color the bottle is supposed to be. It’s covered in stickers. A mixture of bright and pastel colors, character art and symbols.
She sets the bottle on the counter softly, then opens up the cabinet above it. Her fingers brush the edge of a basket. She stretches and reaches for it, but only pushes it farther back into the cabinet.
“Let me.” I offer, already moving toward her.
“I got it.” Tabitha climbs up onto the counter, knees pressed to the surface, and digs through the basket before dropping a couple of tea packets on the counter.
When she shifts to move down, my hands are already at her waist. I lower her to the floor before I can think better of it.
“Arch.” Her whisper is barely there.
I let go but don’t step back. My hands grip the counter, caging her in. I shouldn’t have done that. Now all I can feel is her curvy backside pressed to my front. Soft curves tempting my restraint. This is a position I should’ve avoided. A mistake. My brain sort of short-circuits.
I try to think of anything to keep myself from growing hard against her ass before I finally shake myself out of it and take a step back.
She turns and looks at me. Her lips part as if she doesn’t know whether she wants to say something or run away from me.
Images from another lifetime flash across my mind. A time when I dared to tease her, just to see her reaction.
Sixteen Years Earlier - Age 16
The idea of a birthday party doesn’t sound exciting. The only thing that makes this one special is the perk of getting a driver’s license. And with that, more freedom. Tabitha insisted on having a birthday party, though. I don’t think she’s had one in a couple of years.
It’s different when you’re little. Birthday parties are fun for kids. It’s about presents, cake, games, and hitting a pirate filled with too much candy.
Bright pink and orange balloons are tied to the mailbox at the end of the driveway for those who haven’t been here before. I have. My family has joined the Grimaldis at this lake house for a lifetime of summer fun.
I park on the side street and make my way over to the side gate that’s propped open with a bucket of water guns.
The sound of our friend’s laughter puts a smile on my face.
I round the corner to see a few friends running around and ducking behind obstacles.
Okay, this definitely wasn’t what I was expecting.
Clearly, those water guns aren’t filled with just water; there’s color in them too. Like a weird water paint gun fight.
There are plenty of balloons and streamers decorating the back side of the house and porch.
Tables are covered in plastic tablecloths in the pink and orange covers Tabitha had clearly chosen.
All the junk food and soda a teenager could eat and more are spread in equally colorful bowls on the back table.
“Freeze!” Her voice comes up behind me before I even take a single step onto the large porch.
I glance over my shoulder to see her aiming a large water gun at me. “I didn’t bring a change of clothes.” Not that it matters.
“Oh.” She frowns and begins to aim the gun down.
Seconds pass as I take a step up the porch and hear her laugh. Then my back is soaked.
I turn on my heels, and she squeals as she runs away.
I quickly grab a water gun to join the game, but chase after her.
I’m on her in an instant. My arms wrap around her, lifting her and spinning us in a circle.
She laughs as I put her down, but not before I have us pulled into the corner of one of the hiding spots of obstacles setup.
Tabitha hesitates before taking a step forward, then turns around. “Truce?” She raises one hand, the other relaxed at her side with her water gun.
“Hmm.” I look her over as if I’m considering it.
Her white sundress is soaked in light pink and orange to match her decorations and reveals her pink swimsuit underneath.
I know she asked me something, but my mind wanders a little too much.
My eyes dart back up to her, and I swallow.
“I’ll give you a three-second head start. ”
Her eyes grow as she smiles and quickly spins around and takes off.
I give her more than a three seconds. My head leans back as I try to think of anything besides how she looked. Tabitha is my best friend, and I should not be thinking of her like that.
At some point, the game ends. I’m not sure who the winner is, maybe whoever is the driest at the end? By the end, we’re all sitting around drying off and eating. It’s dark by the time I’m dry; the sun has set below the hills across the lake.
“Hide and seek!” James stands from his plastic lawn chair.
Everyone glances around, questioning if he’s serious. As if it’s more childish than the water gun fight we all took part in.
“I mean, all the obstacles are still up.” He shrugs.
“That’s a great idea.” Tabitha walks out onto the back porch.
She’s changed into some drier clothes. A white cropped tank top and a pink and orange plaid skirt with fishnets. She’s got her usual bright pink high-tops on. My eyes roam up her slowly until landing on her eyes, watching me.
“Alright, hide and seek.” I shake my head and start.
“Who’s first?” James questions.
“You suggested the game. I’m the birthday girl. You go first, count to fifty.” She smiles before taking off down the steps.
“Damn it!” James turns to face the wall. “One. Two. Three.” He starts.
I can’t help laughing as everyone takes off. We all scatter across the property. Most choose to hide behind or below some of the temporary walls and tables.
It’s darker closer to the lake, and that’s where I’m headed.
I’ve been here enough to know where I want to hide.
There’s a storage closet that holds the extra life jackets, towels, and fishing gear.
It’s not big enough for someone to hide, but the wall next to it is blocked off and will be shadowed. As long as I’m quiet, nobody will know.
“Arch?” A soft whisper comes out. A voice I know all too well.
“Yeah.” I whisper and slide in behind her.
“This is my hiding spot,” she whispers over her shoulder.
“I think we can both fit. This is the best spot.” I say close to her ear.
James’s voice calls out, and there’s some laughter as a few of our friends get caught. Tabitha leans back closer, as if we can melt into the wall. We remain silent.
My hands move to her waist, and I pull her back until she’s flush against me and I’m against the wall. “Let’s make sure we’re both covered,” I whisper in her ear.
She nods as her arms cross in front of her; her fingers play with the tips of mine. Her breathing steadies as she relaxes back into me.
We’re flush against one another, and she shifts slightly. Her butt presses against me, and I instantly harden. I try to think of something else—anything else. I fail. My fingers squeeze her waist. She stiffens slightly, and I know she feels it.
Still, we don’t move from our hiding spot. We stay pressed against one another. Not saying a word.
Long after the game ends, we return to the others and keep more distance between us than usual.
I wasn’t ready for the game to end, and I know I’m going to be dreaming about that moment. I should’ve done something. What if I tried to hold her hand? She probably would’ve let me. What if I tried to kiss her? I should’ve. It’s too late now. The moment has passed.