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I roll my eyes at her pathetic save. Tyler’s not gonna let this go. What a vagina killer.
Once we’ve all eaten our weight in pizza and snacks, we continue the gift exchange. I place a small box in Archer’s lap. “For you.”
“I thought we were waiting until tomorrow?” He eyes it curiously.
“Oh we are, but I wanted you to open this one early.” I smile.
Archer rips off the paper and lifts the top. “A watch?”
“An Apple watch,” I explain. “I figured since you work out and train so much, you’d like to record your stats. It tracks a ton of other stuff too, plus you can get phone calls and text messages if you don’t have your phone on you. It’s pretty cool.”
Archer looks at me like he’s torn on how to react. I kinda figured he’d say he couldn’t accept it, so I came prepared.
“Before you tell me it’s too much, I want you to have it.” I hold up my wrist to show him mine. “Now we can challenge each other with exercise competitions. It could be fun.”
Archer’s eyes soften as he flashes me a tender smile. “Wow. Thank you. You’ll have to teach me how to use it.”
“I think you might be the only one who can beat her,” Katie says. “She always wins because she walks five miles a day around the boutique.”
“Yeah, she cheats. Especially since I’m on maternity leave,” Gemma adds with a scowl.
“I’m not cheating! You’re the ones who accept the challenge,” I remind them.
“Because if we don’t, you call us big losers.” Katie snickers.
I roll my eyes at their dramatics. “Don’t believe them,” I tell Archer. “But she’s right. You’ll probably kick my butt. Maybe not though. I’m super competitive.”
Archer chuckles. “Looking forward to it.”
We spend the rest of the evening watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I lean against Archer as he sits next to me on the floor. The warmth of his body reminds me why I love sleeping next to him, but I think it’s time I go back to my room. Regardless of how addicted I am to him.
“Love you guys.” I give Katie and Gemma a hug. The babies went to bed hours ago, but I sneak a kiss on Scarlett’s cheek before Tyler puts her in the car seat.
“See you tomorrow, brother,” I say, waving to everyone as Archer says his goodbyes. We always go to our grandparents' house on Christmas Day, and of course, I’m dragging my roommate with me.
“I’m so ready to sleep,” I say once we make it home.
“Wait. Since I opened one of your gifts early, I want to give you one of mine,” Archer tells me before I can escape to my room.
“Are you sure? I can do it tomorrow.”
“Fair is fair,” he taunts.
“Fine.” I smile.
Archer hands me a bag. “Not much of a wrapper, sorry.”
I grin as I pull out the tissue paper. “Oh my gosh, Archer.” I bark out a laugh when I hold up the T-shirt. It reads, Don’t mess with me on the front, and then, I’m blond, Southern, and my roommate will kick your ass on the back. “This is hilarious.”
“Hope you like it.”
“I love it.” I close the space between us and wrap my arms around him. “Thank you.” I release him, then hold the shirt to my chest. “I’m gonna wear it to bed.”
After I take out Sassy and turn off the lights, I go to my room. I put on the T-shirt and crawl under my covers. Sassy joins me at the foot of the bed, and I immediately feel the loss of not having Archer next to me.
Though I’m exhausted, I can’t seem to fall asleep. I keep thinking about Archer and if he’s waiting for me or if he’s relieved to finally have the bed to himself. If I didn’t love my brother or understand how important it is to Archer not to disappoint him, I would’ve already crossed the line.
Just as I start to drift off, I hear loud footsteps, and then my door swings open. My eyes widen at my bare-chested roommate, and without a word, he marches in and tears off the covers.
“What the hell are you doing?” I squeal when he lifts and carries me over his shoulder. “Archer!” I can’t stop my laughter as he walks out.
“Apparently, I can’t fall asleep without you in my bed, hogging my blankets, putting your cold feet on me, and moaning my name. It’s like a drug. I need it,” he admits, then tosses me on top of his mattress. I had no idea I was saying his name in my sleep, but I’m not really surprised, considering how much the thought of him consumes me.
“I was worried being in here was torture for you,” I admit softly. “I’ve noticed the way your body reacts to mine and didn’t want to be the reason you don’t go on dates.”
