Page 17 of My Darling Mayhem

I held the rattling plastic, twisting the cap and pouring two pills. I could swallow them dry, although I didn't love doing that because of the taste left behind. Right as I lifted my palm to my mouth, Archer looked over.

"Here—"

A metal flask of water was handed over to me. It was on the tip of my tongue to argue with him, that I didn't need his help, or that I refused to put my lips anywhere his had been, but my fight was gone.

The pain was calling the shots, so I lifted the cap on the bottle and pressed my lips against the cool metal, sipping the water into my mouth, then tipping my head back to take in the pills.

Archer glanced at me, then turned his gaze back on the window while murmuring something I couldn't make out under his breath.

I tried not to let it bother me; whatever he'd said sounded like a complaint or that he'd maybe used the word "fuck," but I couldn't prove it. So, I returned the bottle to the cup holder, watching as his jaw ticked from his side profile.

He gave me another quick glance before turning into the kids' school and making a quick comment to the boys.

"Remember to wait for the crossing guard to come and help you cross."

My gaze swung over, surprised at how considerate he was about their safety. I was so used to being the only person to look out for Cruz.

The boys started pulling on their backpacks and unbuckling. Cruz lifted over the seat and hugged my neck. "I hope you feel better, Mommy."

More tears nearly threatened to fall as I hugged him back.

"Thank you. I love you. Have a good day."

Archer watched our exchange while he held the door open for the boys. I hadn't even noticed that he'd gotten out of the truck.

Once Kane and Cruz were near Archer's side of the truck, he shut the door and gently held both boys' shoulders while they made their way to where the crossing guard stood. He didn't have to do it; in fact, he was the only person who was walking their kid up. Everyone else was just dropping their kids and moving their car forward. I didn't even walk Cruz up, but the fact that Archer had made something warm and unexpected bloom in my chest.

Someone honked behind us, breaking the strange feeling, but Archer didn't even glance behind him or hurry as he slid back into the truck.

"Okay. Let's get you to urgent care."

I continued to watch him shove the gear into drive, and we started moving again. "Don't you have a job you have to get to?"

His gaze remained on the road while he smirked. "Sure do."

"Where?"

He glanced over with a blinding smile. "You're a nosy thing, aren't you?"

I clenched the seat on either side of me as he took a turn, gritting my teeth while we went.

"Tell you what. You answer one of my questions, and I will answer one of yours, sound like a deal?"

How long did it take to get to the fucking urgent care? My ankle throbbed, my jaw was starting to ache, and I really just needed a distraction. "Fine."

Archer took another turn, this time slower. I released my death grip on the leather seat and waited for his first question. He took another turn, and the silence stretched in the cab.

"Are you going to ask me something?" I turned my head, irritated that he had already seemed to sway from our deal.

Archer kept his gaze on the road, then clicked his tongue.

"Oh, I'm definitely going to ask you something. I'm making sure my first question doesn't scare you off, which would prevent you from answering other questions.”

For the love of everything.

"Fine, I promise to answer whatever you ask."

He winced as if he'd been hurt. "Nah, I think I need a bit more of an assurance. How about you promise to answer five of my questions."

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