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“Wow…” I blow out a breath, feeling humiliated and angry. I sleep with one man who ended up being married, and now I’m pegged as a homewrecker. “You better be glad I don’t punch your face in and make a scene.”
“Archer, control your bitch.Jesus,” Cain breathes out.
My eyes widen, and before I can do anything about it, Archer pulls me to the side. His fist twists tightly in Cain’s shirt.
“Archer,don’t,” I say firmly. He can’t afford to get into any trouble while on parole. They won’t think twice about locking him up again. “He’s not worth it.”
“No, but you are,” he mutters, then drives his fist into Cain’s gut.
Cain doubles over, and Smith stands between them. “Cain, leave. Now,” he orders, then looks at us. “Archer,not cool.”
There’s a fire in Archer’s eyes, a rage I’ve never seen before, and it’s a little frightening. I only meant to make him jealous, not for him to knock the breath out of the guy.
Without another word, Archer sets a stack of twenties on the bar, then makes his way to the door. I quickly follow, feeling guilty as hell.
“Archer, wait,” I plead, rushing in my heels and hoping I don’t twist an ankle. “Hold on, I can’t run in these.”
“What the fuck were you thinking, Everleigh?” he snaps and turns around. His hands are still balled into fists as if he’s ready to fight.
“I told you he wasn’t worth it! Why’d you punch him?”
“Because he shouldn’t get away with calling you names like that,” he states. “Cain’s a tool, and he had no right to treat you like a piece of meat.”
“I can take care of myself, especially when it comes to guys like him. It wouldn’t be the first time,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself, realizing how cold it is outside.
“Well, you shouldn’t have to face it alone. I lost my temper.” He steps toward me, closing the space between us. “You drive me fucking crazy. I know you were only trying to get under my skin with that flirty act back there, but the thought of Cain—oranyman—touching you pushes me into a blind rage. It’s something I’ve tried to hide these past few months because I knew there’d come a time when you’d bring someone home. I’ve kept trying to convince myself that it was for the best. That any guy who isn’t mewouldbe better.”
I lean against the brick building, trying to control my breathing and warm up. When he notices I’m shivering, he removes his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders.
“Thanks,” I say. “And thank you for rescuing me even though I could’ve handled him on my own.”
Archer doesn’t move.
His eyes stay glued to mine as his hands cup my face in silence. He looks like he’s contemplating if he should lean in or walk away.
To my dismay, he presses his lips to my forehead.
“Let’s go home,” he mumbles just above a whisper. “You owe me cake.”
I let out a small laugh. “Yeah, I guess I do.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
ARCHER
I haven’t lostmy temper like that in months,years even, and it only took some asshole eye-fucking Everleigh to make me snap. Cain’s one of the gym junkies who comes in almost every day, bragging about how much he can lift and how many phone numbers he gets. Then in the next breath, he’ll say what a great dad he is and how his wife gives him midday blow jobs. If I wasn’t working, I would’ve decked him long ago for being a fucking idiot.
After we get back to the house, Everleigh unveils the cake.
“Please don’t laugh. I’m still an amateur decorator, but I found this recipe and thought you’d like it,” Everleigh says, carrying it to the sofa. She made me close my eyes and promise not to peek.
“I promise I won’t laugh,” I reassure her. “Can I look now?”
“One second….” she draws out, then clears her throat. “Okay, open.”
I lean forward and see it on the coffee table. “Oh wow…” My mouth drops at what I’d undoubtedly call a masterpiece. “What kind is it?”
“It’s a triple chocolate layer cake with marshmallow frosting. And there’s vanilla marshmallow fluff buttercream between the layers. My first time making it, but I think it turned out okay.”
