Chapter 17
seventeen
. . .
Archer
Sunday dinner at my aunt and uncle’s house was something we’d been doing since I was a kid.
My parents lived next door to my aunt Ellie and uncle Keaton, in the home I’d grown up in.
We were all eating dinner around the big farm table, and I glanced over at Winnie, who’d quickly become a member of the family. Everyone adored her.
Me included.
We’d made out like teenagers last night, and there hadn’t been any awkwardness this morning.
I’d gotten off to thoughts of her in the shower again, because having Winnie rub up against me while my mouth claimed hers was the hottest thing I’d ever experienced.
“You okay, honey?” my mom asked, looking at me with concern from across the table, and I realized everyone was staring at me.
Meanwhile, I was thinking about my nanny dry-humping me while I was sitting at Sunday dinner.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course. What did I miss?” I shrugged.
Bridger laughed. “The entire conversation.”
“Sorry, I’ve got a big meeting tomorrow morning, and Melody is back to school, so I just have a lot on my mind.” I glanced over at Winnie, who appeared to buy it, as did most of my family.
But Bridger raised his eyebrows as if he knew exactly what I was thinking about. And when I looked over at my brother, Axel, he also had a goofy grin on his face.
“Anyway,” Lulu said, “I was just about to read this week’s ‘Taylor Tea.’”
“I love when she reads it in that mischievous voice,” Emilia said.
“The Taylor Tea” had already written about my new nanny moving to town, and they’d spoken about me like some pathetic man who needed assistance in order to survive daily life. Luckily, they hadn’t brought it up again for the last few weeks.
“Go ahead, Lu.” Henley took a sip of her wine.
“‘Hey there, Roses, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. Things have been busy in Rosewood River, so buckle up because the tea is boiling hot today,’” she said, looking up and waggling her brows.
“What does that even mean? Isn’t tea always hot?” Bridger grumped.
“No. I drink iced tea,” Emilia said with a laugh before encouraging Lulu to continue.
“‘Word on Main Street is that our favorite mailman may be delivering mail from the doghouse for a while, because he was seen canoodling with a tourist who was not his baby mama. Looks like his lady might be sending him a big fat goodbye letter and overnighting it to the dog ￡, where the man should stay.’” Lulu laughed.
“I mean, they really call people out, don’t they? ”
“I feel bad for Cara,” Emilia said, empathy painted all over her face.
“Cara Carmichael egged your flower shop,” Bridger hissed. “We caught her on camera.”
“And that was because you told her that I write ‘The Taylor Tea,’ remember?” She chuckled and kissed his cheek. “I can still feel bad for her that her man has a wandering eye.”
“Agreed. Continue,” Eloise said.
“‘In other breaking news, our favorite single daddy has been moping around town because his nanny isn’t around to take care of him. But apparently she arrived back in town, and we expect our favorite Daddy O to be all smiles again.’” Lulu paused, her mouth hanging open as she glanced at me.
“‘Daddy O’? What is that about? And I was hardly moping around town—that’s ridiculous,” I said.
Everyone laughed, of course, because my family found the whole thing to be hilarious.
“I actually think you were mopey for a few days.” Bridger shrugged as he reached for another dinner roll.
“You’re always mopey, so who are you to judge?” I snipped.
“Takes one to know one. And I’m not the topic of conversation, Daddy O.”
I rolled my eyes. “Can we be done with this ridiculous column, please?”
Winnie’s gaze found mine, and she smiled.
Great, now she’d think I was a stalker.
I did miss her when she was gone, but I was hardly moping around.
“We can absolutely be done with the column, honey,” my mother said, tossing me a wink.
“How’s the book coming along, Winnie?” Aunt Ellie asked.
“Really good. I’m at around seventy-five percent of the way.”
“It’s so good. She’s letting us read it as she finishes each chapter,” Emilia said.
“Yes, we’re so lucky to be reading while she’s writing it.” Eloise beamed at Winnie, and I laughed.
“Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?” my father asked.
“I’ve always loved to write. I used to write all kinds of stories when I was a little girl.” Winnie smiled at the memory.
“And me and my Winnie write stories together all the time now,” Melody said. “Sometimes we make up stories when we go on walks. Because life is a big story, right, Winnie?”
“It sure is.” Winnie leaned over and cut Melody’s chicken into smaller bites. She did things like that all the time. As if she just knew what she needed and when she needed it.
“So Winnie, I heard you went on a date with my man Brenner Layton right before Christmas,” Bridger said, glancing over at me, and my hand fisted beneath the table.
“We just went to dinner. He’s a nice guy.”
“Brenner’s the best.” Axel dabbed at his mouth with his napkin. “He’s been great, finding help for my business and screening candidates. He’s a cool dude.”
“He’s not that cool.” The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them, and everyone gaped at me. Aside from Bridger, who was all smiles. “I just mean that he wears suits when he’s here in town, so he stands out like a sore thumb.”
“I wear suits,” Bridger said.
“And you’re also not cool.” I smirked.
“Hmm… you always liked Brenner. Is this a recent change of heart?” he pressed, and I could tell he was enjoying himself.
“Nope. I’ve never thought he was cool.”
“Brenner? Come on, dude. He’s a fabulous dresser, and he’s like the Ray Donovan of the business world,” Rafe said with a laugh. “Anything Bridger throws at him, he can fix. Hell, if I were a woman, I’d date him. You should give him a chance, Winnie. I mean, if you aren’t interested in anyone else.”
He glanced over at me, as did Easton, Clark, Axel, and that dickhead Bridger, who’d started this.
They were all in on it.
Trying to make me jealous.
I rolled my eyes. “This is like an episode of The Bachelor. I don’t think Winnie needs you to fix her up with anyone.”
“I’m actually enjoying being single right now,” she said. “But Brenner and I can definitely be friends. He’s a really nice guy. I’m just not looking for a boyfriend.”
Mic drop.
I shot them all a look.
Suck it, bitches.
“Yeah, play the field, girl. You’re young and beautiful and talented. You don’t need to be strapped down with some guy,” Lulu said, and Rafe gaped at her.
“What?” he grumped.
“Not everyone is like you, baby,” she said, patting his cheek. “Power to the woman.”
I laughed, and Rafe glared at me.
We finished dinner and cleared the table, and Bridger texted in the group chat for us to meet out by the firepit.
Melody and Winnie were helping my aunt Ellie get the s’mores ready, and all the girls were in the kitchen, talking and laughing.
I zipped my coat up and walked out back, where Bridger had started a fire.
“What the hell is wrong with you guys?” I hissed once we were far enough away from the house that I knew no one could hear us. “Why the fuck are you pushing Brenner Layton on my nanny?”
“Because we know you like her,” Rafe snipped, and Clark burst out in laughter.
“I mean, this was Bridger’s strategy to get you to admit it, and personally, I didn’t think it was our best option.” Easton shrugged.
“You’re taking advice from a man who bought his woman a toilet as an apology gift?”
“Don’t you dare shit on that toilet.” Bridger got the flame going on the fire, and we all settled on the Adirondack chairs surrounding it.
“Aren’t you supposed to shit on the toilet?” Axel said with a smirk.
“My point is, this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” I gave Bridger the finger. “But I do enjoy the toilet, so thank you.”
He’d gifted me the world’s best toilet, and even though he was on my shit list, I still appreciated it.
Pun intended.
“Dude,” Bridger said as he took the seat across from me.
“Yes?”
“I’m trying to help you.”
“By setting up my nanny with everyone you know?”
“It was one person, and your reaction is very telling. For the record, I didn’t know he was going to ask her out.
He did it on his own without giving me a heads-up.
I would have discouraged it. But he told me she wasn’t into him because she’s into you.
” He popped the top of his beer. “And he said that you made it very obvious that you’re into her.
So stop fucking around and do something about it. ”
“How, pray tell, did I make it obvious? I did no such thing.” I crossed my arms over my chest. I was frustrated with the whole situation. And I didn’t need input from my family. I was a grown-ass man.
“I heard you pulled a gun,” Clark said with a laugh.
“I heard that you twirled a large knife in front of Brenner.” Easton looked at me.
“The fuck are you guys talking about?”
“So maybe I made the story a little more exciting,” Bridger said with a smirk. “But he did say that you mentioned guns and the gym, and maybe talked about sharpening your knives?”
“You crazy bastard. I did not.” I had to chuckle. “Maybe I discussed the gun club and flexed my muscles a few times. But I’m just being protective.”
“I love you, brother, but this isn’t you being protective,” Axel said. “And it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you actually happy to be around someone other than Melody. Don’t run from that.”
“I’m not running from anything. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“Don’t overthink it,” Clark said.
“That’s a luxury that I don’t have. Fuck.
I have to overthink everything.” I looked them each in the eyes before continuing.
“I have a child to think about. I can’t just act on whims. Not to mention, Winnie is a decade younger than me, and she just got out of a relationship with a complete douchebag.
She’s young. I’m sure she wants a family and things people her age want.
I have my family with Melody, and I can’t fuck things up with a nanny my daughter is crazy about. ”
“Your life is not over just because you’re a father,” Easton said.
I rubbed my face. “I’m not saying it’s over. But I can’t be irresponsible. I can’t just do whatever the fuck it is that I want to do.”
“You’re a good dad, Archer.” Axel blew out a breath. “But you also deserve to be happy.”
“I am happy. I have everything I need. I don’t need to complicate it.” I shrugged. “I shouldn’t have been an asshole about Brenner taking her out. In fact, you should encourage him to ask her out again. I’ll get my head on straight.”
I’d been a complete asshole.
I knew better, and I’d done it anyway.
She deserved better.