Page 74 of Sunrise Arrows

She plays with her blonde hair for a moment, lovingly, almost reverently, running her fingers through the strands, and though I want to ask who her dad is, I refrain.

When she finally looks back at the camera, she says, “From someone who has had to make her own family since losing hers, don’t waste time with yours being angry. Make up with your brother. He may be a hillbilly asshole, but he loves you.” Flicking her hair back over her shoulder she adds, “Besides, that’s like what you have me for. I’ll carry the torch of undying disdain for both youandTins.”

Briar starts to get out of the bed, then stops. “Want me to leave you here?”

I don’t even have to think. “Please.”

“You got it,” she says, taking the phone to the nightstand and propping it up on the charger, making sure the camera is angled so I can see Tinsley. “Good night, Archer; talk to you in a few days.”

“Night, Briar.”

When the door to Tinsley’s room in the suite clicks closed, I take off my shirt and jeans, promise myself I’ll take my contacts out as soon as I wake up, and get under the blankets. It may be the middle of the day, but I miss sleeping next to my girl, and this is as close as I can get for right now.

CHAPTER25

Archer

I’m notsure what brought me here, only that I am and that, for the first time in nearly two months, I can think about my twin without wanting to punch him in the face all over again.

Is that what forgiveness is? Waking up one day and realizing you no longer want to be angry? Learning that the longer you hold on to it, the more it takes from you than it gives?

For a moment, I think maybe I’ll go back home. But I think about what Briar told me of her family and what I know of Skylar’s and what I’ve seen, or rather not seen, of Tinsley’s. I want to make my girl a part of my family—more than she already is—and for her to bring the one she’s made for herself with her. And for that to happen, I need to find a way through what Hunter did, and that can’t begin to happen if I keep avoiding him.

I quickly run through the centering techniques Michelle has been teaching me and knock on the door.

“It’s open!” Hunter yells out, and I hesitate again.

It feels weird—a mix of being unmoored and uneasy—to let myself into his home, and it never used to. Is this how it’s been for him for the last seven weeks? First with my refusal to even see him, then with going clear across the country and sending every call to voicemail and leaving every text unopened.

Shit.

I know I have a right to be angry. But why can I so easily let that go for Tinsley in the face of her pain but haven’t once stopped to think about my brother?

This is long overdue.

I turn the handle and head inside.

Even though it’s summer and late morning, Hunter’s house is filtered with long shadows. While I live on the lake and Ryder in the original home that’s on several cleared acres of property, my twin built his house in what might as well be the woods. Not even the brightest days are capable of fully penetrating the dense canopy of trees that surround him.

I can hear him talking in the kitchen and make my way there.

“It’s been going for two minutes. Now what?”

“Increase the speed to medium-high and let it knead for ten—Archer?”

“Tinsley?”

In my brother's kitchen is my girlfriend. Not physically but on his tablet, propped up by the stand mixer.

“Hunter, increase the speed so you don’t ruin the dough!”

“Yeah, wouldn’t want you to have to start over,again,” Briar sneers.

“Right, sorry,” he rushes out, moving the lever. “How long?”

“Ten minutes. I’ve set a timer,” Tinsley replies. “Now move, so I can see the better looking twin. Hi, Superman!”

“Hey, Shortcake,” I reply slowly. “What’s goin’ on?”

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