Page 61 of Pucking Curves

“I don’t like being in pain.” I meet his gaze. “But this is nothing compared to watching the two men I love most in the world come to blows, Micah. That really hurt.”

I see remorse written all over his face before he bows his head. “I’m an asshole,” he whispers.

“Yeah, you are.”

“You really love him, huh?”

“Since I met him,” I admit, my voice hoarse. “I tried so hard to fight it, Micah. At your wedding, I was mean to him. I tried to avoid him. I ignored him. I acted like he didn’t matter at all. But he didn’t give up. By the time the weekend was over, I was so in love with him.” I sigh quietly. “And I knew you’d never approve. I knew you’d react just like this.”

“I’m sorry, Wren. I just…fuck.” He huffs out a breath. “I know what this life is like. I know how hard you worked to find your own way after spending years in the back of that van. It’s fucking hard to watch you end up right back there, chasing someone else’s dream again.”

“Is that what you think?” I ask, surprised.

He jerks his chin in a nod.

“After my accident, you made me promise to chase my dreams instead of yours,” I murmur. “That’s what I’m doing now, Micah. I don’t care if he plays hockey for the rest of our lives or if I spend half the season in our bed alone because he’s on the road. That’s not a sacrifice to me. It’s part of loving him, just like following you around when I was little was part of loving you.I love him.”

“Fuck,” he mutters, scrubbing a hand down his face. I expect him to argue…but he doesn’t. “He feels the same way about you.” His eyes meet mine, his expression somber. “I’ve never seen him like he was today, Wren. When they loaded you into that ambulance…” He trails off, swallowing convulsively. “It was bad.”

“How would you feel if it were Elodie?” I ask, my heart squeezing in a vise.

He jerks his chin in a nod. “Been thinking that same goddamn thing all day.” He sighs heavily. “I wish like hell the two of you had been honest, but I’m not going to stand in your way. If he’s what you want, he’ll love you the way you deserve.”

Tears well in my eyes. He gets it. He finally freaking gets it.

“Don’t let this come between you,” I plead quietly. “He’s your best friend, Micah. He matters to you just as much as I do. And I’m the reason we didn’t tell you, not him. I think he would have told you on the phone that morning, but he kept it a secret because I was afraid to tear everything apart.”

“Not entirely accurate, little bird,” Archer rumbles from the doorway.

Micah and I both turn to look at him.

“I figured if he knew, there wasn’t a chance in hell you’d stay with me,” he murmurs, stepping into the room. “I needed time to convince you to fall for me.” He swallows, his gaze locked on my face. “Just didn’t realize you were already there.”

“I’ve always been there,” I whisper, my heart hammering against my breastbone. Even now, with Micah right beside me and my whole body aching, I want him in a way I’ve never wanted anything. I want his hands on me. I want his laughter. His smiles. His possession. I want everything. “I was afraid, but you didn’t have to convince me to love you, Archer. That was automatic.”

“Jesus,” Micah grumbles. “If you two are going to be all hearts and flowers and shit all the time, I may object to this just to spare myself.”

“It’s what she deserves,” Archer says, shrugging.

Micah grumbles under his breath, but he isn’t mad. For once…I think we’re actually okay. I see it in his eyes. Acceptance. Amusement. Peace. He’s done being stubborn and unreasonable.

Tears well in my eye, spilling over.

“What the fuck?” Micah looks at me, slightly horrified. “I’m just kidding, Wren. I’m not going to be an asshole. Please don’t cry.”

“She’s happy,” Archer says, stepping up beside the bed.

“She’s crying,” my brother complains.

“Yeah. She does that when she’s happy.”

Micah looks to me for confirmation, but all I can do is nod and sniffle. It seems to mollify him, though. He shakes his head, climbing to his feet. “I’m going to call Mom and Dad to let them know you’re okay. Archer can sit with you,” he says, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of my head. He lingers there for a moment. “I’m sorry, baby sister. And I’m happy for you.”

I hiccup through a sob.

Micah backs away with his hands in the air. “Yep. That’s my cue to get the fuck out of here.” He shoots a look at Archer. “You got it from here, man?”

“Yeah,” Archer says, not even looking at him. He’s too busy staring at me, just like always. “I’ve got her from here.”

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