Page 75 of Sunrise Arrows

“Hunter’s proving he’s not only the ugly twin but that you also got all the brains,” Briar answers.

“Stuff it, Barbie!”

“Make me, you chauvinistic hillbilly!”

“Keep talkin’ dirty to me; Daddy likes it when you get feisty.”

Briar gags, and I’m not entirely sure it’s fake before she responds, “Tinsley, get your micro-peen brother-in-law on a leash.”

“Oh sweetheart, there ain’t nothin’ micro about what I got.” He gestures over his shoulder to me and says, “Identical, remember? Ask Tinsel here about what I’m packing.”

“Ew, Hunter, no!” Tinsley shouts while Briar deadpans, “You mean besides an incurable STI?”

“Archer,” Tinsley pleads. “Make them stop.”

I come closer and see she’s in a makeup chair, her hair in rollers and face done up, a silk robe over her first costume.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. I was going to call you after I do the pre-show meet and greet.”

“I’m not concerned,” I assure. “Just… surprised.”

A timer going off interrupts us and Hunter cuts off the mixer, asking, “Now what?”

“Gently form it into a ball and drizzle it with more olive oil. Make sure it’s coated and then place it in a bowl and cover it with cling wrap and a dishtowel. It’ll need to proof for an hour, get punched down, then proof again. Once that’s done, you can store it in the fridge until Ellie comes over and y’all are ready. But make sure you take it out at least thirty minutes before you need to stretch it so it can loosen up.”

“Got it. Thanks, Tinsel.”

“You’re welcome.”

When Hunter goes to finish prepping the pizza dough, Briar huffs, “Finally. I thought he was going to screw it up again.

“You two have five minutes, then I need to take her away.”

She doesn’t wait for a response before walking off, phone in her hand as she furiously begins typing away.

I pick up the tablet and turn, leaning against the counter. “How long has this been a thing?”

“Since we left. I would have told you but?—”

“I’m not mad, baby. Surprised, but not mad. It makes it… easier knowing you’re okay with him?” I finish in question.

“Archer,” she says. “He’s your brother, yourtwin.Okay might not be the right word, but of course I’m going to work to fix things with him. I told you, I didn't want you to be hurt anymore. That means finding a new normal with your evil twin.”

“Y’all realize I can hear you, right?”

“Don't care,” Tinsley calls out, smiling at me.

“Why didn’t you say anythin’?”

She shrugs and simply replies, “You weren’t ready, which is okay. But now you are.”

I glance up and, even though he can no doubt still hear me, lower my voice. “How’d you do it? Forgive him after he kept you away?”

“I can’t be angry over what was taken when what I have now is both dreams. I can only be angry about how it hurt you. And to be angry with him about that, I have to be angry with myself because I was the one who opened that door.” She’s quiet for a moment, then asks, “Archer, do you forgive me?”

I don’t even have to think about it. “Of course.”

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