Page 14 of Bittersweet Revenge

“Why don’t you join us for pancakes? I’ve made way too much and I still have lots of batter.”

“Why would I?” He asked, crossing his arms on his chest. “I’m not four and I wouldn't want to interrupt the sibling bonding time.”

I grabbed a plate and put some pancakes on it. “First, try it before you diss it, my pancakes are awesome even if you’re not four, and secondly, what is stopping us from bonding with you around?” I shrugged. “I’ve got nothing to hide.”

Archie looked at me with pride and a sort of admiration I wasn’t sure I liked. That lie had come out too well, too fast. I didn't want to become like them.

“Come on, Astor. Don’t make it so difficult,” Archie insisted.

Caleb sighed, but uncrossed his arms and took a seat two stools away from Archie. These two…

“So why did Tay not come with you?” I asked before putting way too big of a bite in my mouth.

“Classy,” Archie teased. “She was busy, I guess. I’m not Oppenheimer’s keeper, you know.”

The cold edge in his voice surprised me. It seemed it was containing so much unsaid. She couldn’t be mad at me; that wasn't it. I’d spoken with her since I'd left. She had said that things were changing, but our friendship was intact. That much I knew.

Caleb threw Archie a surprised look before concentrating on his pancakes again. What was he not telling me?

I couldn’t doubt Archie, not when I was already questioning so many things. I needed to trust one person at least.

“You should talk to her,” Archie added, “And thank you for the pancakes. They do taste just like Mom’s. I didn’t realize how much I needed them.”

Caleb looked up, his fork halfway to his mouth, his face betraying the surprise at Archie’s emotional confession, especially in his presence.

I only smiled, squeezing his hand. There was nothing to say; it was all there on his face.

“I, umm,” Caleb rubbed his neck, visibly uncomfortable now. “I have to go. I have a call with my father. The pancakes were okay,” he added before nodding toward me, leaving the room again.

“Okay?” I asked Archie, twisting my mouth.

“Coming from him?” Archie pointed his thumb to the direction Caleb had just taken. “It’s like a five-star review.”

“So… Taylor,” I started again.

Archie stood up like his butt was on fire. “Nope. I'm not doing that with you, not now, not ever. I’ve got to go anyway. I’ll read the stuff-” he patted his jacket - “and look into those people. I’ll tell you on Monday.”

“But–”

He leaned over the island and kissed my forehead before grabbing a pancake from the plate. “One for the road. See you soon and remember to eat!”

Chapter 5 - Caleb

I hung up the phone and leaned back in my father’s office chair, frustrated at the fact that he would still treat me like a child when he felt it was necessary, and at having Esmeralda living under my roof.

I'd avoided her today. I’m not sure why, but seeing her smile in the kitchen with Archibald yesterday wasn't sitting well with me.

I hated this jealousy, this weakness, and I hated that, despite the anger and betrayal, I’d been relieved to see her eat in the kitchen when I should have felt nothing but contempt.

I closed my eyes and let out a sigh of frustration. I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t hate her as much as I should.

I still had not told my father about Esmeralda living here. Why? I wasn’t sure. He was always commenting on my decisions and I was sure this one wouldn’t please him…or maybe I feared it’d please him too much. I’d seen the lurid way he looked at her when he thought no one was looking, and it made me want to murder him.

I looked down at my cell, tapping my forefinger on the mahogany desk. I needed to get her out of my mind.

Aleksandra was clingy, but she sucked like a vacuum and she was the perfect distraction from Esmeralda. Maybe after finally releasing my pent-up sexual frustration things would be okay. I hadn’t had sex since that day with Esmeralda and it had been the longest dry period since I was fourteen; maybe this was why I couldn’t get her out of my mind. Yes, it had to be that, and it was nothing that Aleksandra’s magical mouth couldn’t fix.

I stood up, grabbing my car keys and my phone.We’ll establish ground rules,I thought.My father does this all the time. It’s–I was interrupted by a knock on the door.

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