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When we board the plane, I put my pillow back on Archer’s arm and snuggle in against him. I easily drift off but wake up during some turbulence. Just as I’m about to sit up, I notice he’s texting with Annie.
Annie: So, you wanna tell me again how you and Everleigh aren’t hooking up?
My eyes widen at her accusation, and I’d be lying if I didn’t want to see Archer’s response.
Archer: We aren’t. I wouldn’t lie to you.
Annie: Then do you care to explain why you snuck into her room both nights?
Archer: Were you spying? I was super quiet.
Annie: Ha! Not even gonna deny it. Well, I have super mom hearing. Plus, when I got up to use the bathroom, I noticed your bed was empty. Not hard to put two and two together.
Archer: It’s not what it looks like.
Annie: It looks like you two can’t stay away from each other. Just tell Tyler how you feel. I’m sure if you explain everything before he has the chance to hear about it from someone else, he’ll respect you a lot more. He’d probably understand too.
Archer: It’s more than just Tyler not approving. If we dated and it didn’t work out, I’d lose everyone I care about here. I haven’t been in a relationship in so long, there’s no guarantee I wouldn’t fuck it up. Hurting Everleigh is the last thing I want to do.
Annie: Well, if you two are as transparent about your feelings around me as you are around everyone else, I bet he already assumes.
Archer: If he had any inkling of how I felt about his sister, there’s not a chance in hell he’d stay quiet about it.
Annie: If you don’t try, then you’ll never find out if you’re perfect for each other. It could crash and burn or you two may live happily ever after. Love is a risk no matter what.
Archer: That’s the thing, sis. I do love her. I love her enough not to even chance breaking her heart and ruining her relationship with her family.
My heart is beating so hard, it nearly rips out of my chest. I shouldn’t be reading his private messages, but I can’t stop now. Not when I’ve got a peek into his heart.
Annie: I think you’re using any excuse to be a coward. You deserve happiness, and you are enough. I know you probably think otherwise because of the past, but I’m being honest. You’re the best guy I know.
Archer: You’re my sister. Of course you’d think that.
Annie: Everleigh thinks it too. Trust me.
I want to reach into his phone and give Annie the biggest hug right now. It’s one thing for me to tell him how amazing he is, but hearing someone else confirm how great we’d be together means this isn’t just my imagination.
It’s real.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
ARCHER
As Everleigh sleeps on me,I text Annie, who’s determined to drive me crazy. You’d think after spending the weekend with me, she’d get off my back about Everleigh, but I’m afraid it’s worse.
Now that she’s seen how Everleigh and I are together, she won’t drop it. I honestly hadn’t realized my attraction was so obvious until now.
“She’s right, you know.” Everleigh sits up, taking me off guard. “You deserveeverythingyou want. You have so much more to offer than you give yourself credit for, and I’ve fallen so hard for you. Each day, I have to talk myself out of why we can’t cross that line, and each day, it gets harder. Listen, I’m scared too, but being together and allowing me to love you could be the best fucking risk we’ve ever taken.”
“Everleigh…” I say quietly, my heart pounding rapidly. I can’t believe she read my messages. “We can’t do this here.”
Being on this plane filled with people is the worst possible place to have this conversation.
She huffs, leaning back into her seat. “She’s also right about you being a coward.”
I stay silent, clenching my jaw with frustration. Everleigh’s the last person I ever want to fight with.
They’re both right, though. Iambeing a coward, but I’m also scared of losing her. If I screwed things up, she’d be out of my life forever and so would Tyler.
