Chapter 4
Abby
I was feeling much better after a night spent with the huddle. They fed me a big meal, then we all snuggled on their massive couch and watched comedies until I fell asleep.
When I woke up the next morning, it was to find that they’d all bedded down on the couch for the night to keep me company. I'd wanted to make them a big breakfast, but I had a shift at the Pack House.
Moving with the stealth I'd learned after years with my abusive father and brother, I tugged on my shoes and tiptoed out of the house.
I wished I had enough time to go home and change my clothes, but I didn't want to be late.
It was about four in the morning, and it took me forty-five minutes to bicycle there. I locked up my bicycle and rushed in through the back door. My nose filled with the comforting smell of brewing coffee.
“Abby, what are you doing here?” Will asked. He and Jessie were mates and opened The Pack House together. They were both cooks, so they took turns working the grill.
It was warm inside, making me sweat from pushing myself so hard to get here quickly. I pulled off my coat as I smiled at Will.
“I work here,” I said.
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, I know, but Jessie told me that you were taking today off.”
I hoped I didn't seem that bad yesterday. I hadn't really lost it until I was out at sea with the huddle. One of them must've called Jessie.
“I'm fine,” I said, walking past him to put my backpack away.
“You can leave early if you need to,” Will called after me.
“I won't,” I said, determined. I put my backpack away, then dug through the stack of shirts that were our “uniform” until I found my size. At least I had a fresh shirt to wear.
By the time I was done, Will was unlocking the front door and the first dozen customers filed in. Most of them were starting their day, but a few customers were here for their “dinner” before they went home and to bed.
For the first hour, it was only the two of us. Will cooked, and I served. The early customers were good-natured and easy to deal with. Despite that, by the time Adora showed up for her shift, I was starving and desperate for some coffee.
“Take a break, I’ve got this,” Adora said, shoving a plate of food at me.
“Thanks!” I said and poured some coffee before taking everything out the back door. I took a seat at the small table we had set up for employees just outside. Someone had laid down fake grass, a flimsy privacy wall made of repurposed pallets painted a cheerful blue, and a large umbrella.
It was ugly, and I loved it.
I was halfway through my breakfast when I sensed someone behind me. I turned with a smile, expecting to see Will with a mug of coffee taking a short break to join me. It wasn't.
Adrenaline spiked in my system and the food I'd eaten turned into a stone in my belly.
“Can I sit with you?” Archer asked. He was standing at the edge of the fake grass, as if it was a threshold.
I glanced at the back door, debating about ducking inside. I wanted him to know I didn't care about him any longer, but I couldn't handle being alone with him.
He wasn’t going to assault me, but I didn't think my willpower could handle it if he touched me. Not even my seal's rage would keep me from wanting to press my body against his.
“I can see that it's too soon,” he said. He looked so sad that I had to dig my fingernails into my thigh to keep from going to him. “I'm sorry for upsetting you yesterday. That wasn't my intention. I'd only hoped your seal would see me as we'd once been. But it was a mistake.”
I remained silent, mostly because I didn't know what to say.
He blinked rapidly, as if trying to hold back tears. “I've made a lot of mistakes. I have so many regrets. More than I can count, but I'm determined to live a life without regret from now on.”
Stepping close, he set a bag down on the table then retreated off the grass. “I bought that for you.”
I looked at the bag but didn't touch it. He stood there, waiting for my response. When I didn't give him one, he ran his fingers through his unkept hair. That's when I noticed that he was wearing the same clothes from yesterday, he had a day’s worth of stubble on his face, and his eyes were red.
He was suffering, but I ruthlessly shoved down my sympathy. He had no one to blame but himself.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he sucked in a deep breath. “I know I hurt you. I have no excuse, but I promise that everything will be different from now on. No more putting the colony first. I'll never put anyone before you again.”
I wanted to say something, but I couldn't get any words out. After a few beats of silence, he spoke again.
“I'm moving down here,” he said. “I'm going to get a job. I'm happy to make San Diego my home for as long as you want it to be your home.”
I shook my head, finally able to talk. “It's too late. You're too late. There were so many times you could've saved us, but you didn't. My seal is enraged, and I'm hurt. You might as well leave. Go back to the precious colony. You know you want to.”
He should've looked hurt or angry, instead he seemed relieved. “You're talking to me. That's good.”
I shook my head. “But I told you that what you want isn't going to happen.”
“As long as you're talking to me, there's a chance,” he said. “I'm sticking around. I don't care if it takes a day or a year, my sole purpose is to prove to you that I've changed. Even if I have to wait a lifetime.”
I wanted to believe him, but it would only take a few colony members begging him to come back for him to abandon me. I was sure of it.
“In time, you'll believe me,” he said, correctly reading the expression on my face. He pointed to the bag. “Enjoy that. I'll see you tomorrow morning.”
Then he left.
Curious, I opened the bag to find it full of my favorite candy bars and a note.
My Soul,
From now on, I only want your life to be full of sweetness and joy.
Love,
Archer
Under his name was a phone number. I folded the note and shoved it in my pocket, then gathered everything up to go back inside. I had a lot I didn't want to think about so the busy chaos of the restaurant was a welcome distraction.