Page 55 of Pucking Curves

“Logan,” I say quietly, trying to warn him off. He doesn’t need to get involved. This is between me and Micah.

Logan ignores me. Naturally. “Because I ran into them while they were making out in the elevator,” he says. “Wren was lucid and knew what was happening. You know I wouldn’t have just walked away and left her with him if she weren’t.”

Micah snarls a curse, pissed at both of us now.

“He’s right. I knew.”

We all turn at the sound of her voice to find her standing beside a taxi a few feet away, her arms wrapped around herself like she’s cold. I stare at her for a long moment, shocked that she’s actually standing here in front of me.

“Wren,” I rasp, rushing toward her to pull her into my arms.

She takes a step away, shaking her head at me.

“Baby?”

“You foundedHelping Hands, didn’t you?”

Fuck.

“I can explain, little bird,” I murmur.

“Really? Because you had a chance, Archer,” she says. “And you didn’t say a word. I thought you’d told me everything, and then I find out that you still have secrets. Why?”

I’m not sure I have an answer, at least not one she’s willing to accept. But I can’t lie to her any more than I could lie to Micah. She deserves more than that. “Because I was fucking terrified you’d walk away if you knew how far I’d gone to keep you close,” I admit. “If you knew just how deep this obsession runs.”

She sighs softly, glancing down at the ground. “You should have told me.”

“I know.” I sigh heavily. “I meant to tell you when we got out of the shower after ice skating, but you were already asleep. I planned to tell you when I got back, before we told Micah about Vegas. It’s not an excuse, Wren. None of it is. You deserved to know before I put that ring on your finger.”

“Jesus Christ,” Micah growls, shaking Jordan off before stomping toward us. “You didn’t even tell her?”

Wren stares at her brother with wide eyes. “You knew.”

He jerks his chin in a nod. “Thought he did it as a favor to me,” he mutters. “Guess we were both fooled, weren’t we? He was just keeping you around so he could get you drunk and take advantage of you.”

“Stop it, Micah,” she snaps. “Just stop it! He didn’t take advantage of me. He hasn’t done a single thing to me that I wasn’t fully on board with. And you kept it a secret from me, too. If he should be ashamed, so should you. And fighting?” She shakes her head at both of us. “Do you really think this is what I want?”

“You married him in Vegas and kept it a secret, Wren,” Micah growls. “How the fuck was I supposed to react to that?”

“Like an adult with sense!” she cries, stomping her foot. “Did you ever, for once, stop to ask yourself why we felt like we had to hide it? It’s because ofyou, Micah. Because we both love you! So much so that the last year has been hell for both of us because we were trying to keepyouhappy. And the first time we finally decide to put ourselves first, you act like this.” A tear slips down her cheek. “What happened to the brother who told me that he wanted me to chase my own dreams? Where is that guy right now?”

His face falls, guilt stamped all over his face. “Wren…”

“No,” she cries. “Whatever you have to say, I don’t want to hear it. I’ve idolized you for most of my life. But this version of you sucks! I want my brother back, not whatever madman inhabited his body.”

I take a step toward her to comfort her, but she whips her head in my direction, her eyes narrowing on me. They practically scald me they’re so fucking fiery. “And you,” she growls. “You should have told me the truth. I accepted everything else. I didn’t even bat a lash because I knowexactlyhow it feels to want someone you can’t have and go to crazy lengths just to be close. But I deserved to hear this from you instead of being ambushed by some reporter.”

“Reporter?” Micah says, his tone sharp.

“Yes, reporter.” She glowers at both of us. “Charles Montaque came to see me this morning. He knows we’re married. He knows Archer foundedHelping Hands. He ambushed me, and neither of you would answer the damn phone!”

“Fuck,” Micah and I growl at the same time, sharing a glance.

“Oh, now the two of you are on the same page,” Wren huffs, throwing her hands up before she stomps away.

“Where are you going?” Micah calls after her.

“Away from the two of you!” she cries.

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