“Brooks is loyal for life,” he said. “It’s why he made such a great biker. It’s why he . . .”
“Took the fall for a brother?” I asked gently. “Yeah. I know about that too.”
He let out a long exhale. “Damn. I didn’t know if he’d told you yet. He’s telling you all sorts of things, isn’t he?”
“I guess.”
Archer shook his head. “If you’re going back to New York, please tell him now before he gets in even deeper. It might be too late for him already, but . . .”
“You want me to decide if I’m all in? Now? I’ve been here like three days.”
“Yes. I know it’s crazy,” he said. “But if you know you’re leaving you have to tell him. Don’t you think that’s fair?”
When I didn’t reply, he went on, “Brooks hasn’t had a lot of joy in his life.”
“He doesn’t let himself,” I murmured. “He’s too rigid for that. It’s not healthy.”
“No. It’s not,” he agreed. “Look, if you’re not going to stay, then let him go.”
I wasn’t ready to pour my heart out to Archer. Not when I hadn’t even spoken to my best friends about Brooks. About how fast things were moving between us. About how I wasn’t scared of him. About how my entire life, I thought there had been something wrong with me because I couldn’t beintimate with a man, but how really, I was just waiting for the right one to make me feel safe and wanted.
And Brooks did that.
“I’ve given you a lot to think about,” Archer said. “So anyway, thanks for listening.”
He stood up, and I followed suit, and then I walked him to the door.
Archer looked like he wanted to say something else, but at the last moment, he closed his mouth, and with a slight wave, he left.
I closed the door after him and leaned against it.
I couldn’t stay in town for a man. I had to stay for me. Could I see a life here? With or without Brooks?
I was deep in research mode and making notes on my laptop when the front door opened.
Brooks strode in and closed the door behind him, setting the spare set of keys I’d given him on the counter. “Hey, Freckles.”
“Hey,” I said, pulling my gaze away from the screen to peer at him. I craned my neck because he was so tall. He took off his boots and left them by the door.
“Archer brought your laptop, I see.”
I nodded. “What time is it?”
“Past six.”
I blinked. “Six? Six p.m.?”
“Yeah.” He frowned. “How long have you been sitting there?”
“Three hours at least.” I shut the laptop and stood, groaning in pain. I stretched my arms over my chest and heard things pop.
“Seriously?” He stalked toward me and settled his large hands on my shoulders and began to massage them.
“Oh, God, that feels good.” My head lolled forward and I slumped against him.
Brooks pulled back but only so he could take my hand and lead me to the bed. “Sit.”
I plopped down, and he sat behind me and then his thumbs grazed my shoulder blades.
