Page 131 of Shots Fired

“Archer … I …” Jack starts, but stops himself as he struggles to find the right reply.

I keep going, feelings finally spilling from me in one cathartic declaration after the next.

“After a while of having safe and exclusive fun together, I was starting to feel like the only person who was going to get hurt was me, although that was a risk I accepted just to be near her and spend time with her. That’s when she got pregnant. Darcy was convinced I’d run a million miles away from her and any responsibility.” I look him dead in the eyes. “I didn’t. Hearing her say she was carrying my baby was the single best news I’d ever heard, and the only place I wanted to be was by her side.”

An involuntary, cheek-aching grin overtakes my face as I recall the start of my wife falling in love with me.

“Witnessing the way each hug became tighter and each kiss grew deeper was incredible. It was like we were part of this bubble we never wanted to burst. Outside of its walls, we knew a shitstorm was ready to rain down, but while we had our bubble’s protection, nothing could stop us. Nothing can stop the way I worship your sister.”

When I next lift my eyes to my friend, his shine with pools of emotion.

“You accused me of marrying your sister because I got her pregnant.” I shake my head as the devastation I felt when he said it trickles through my veins once again. “It’s true that we married in secret because we knew her employment visa was time-sensitive. Also, there was no way you wouldn’t doeverything in your power to either stop us out of anger or at least make it really fucking difficult.”

Jack doesn’t argue as he continues to listen.

“The bottom line is, Darcy can do what she wants. She can be with who she wants. She chose me, and there’s no way I wouldn’t have put a ring on her finger or had yellow bows stitched onto her wedding shoes whenever she gave me the honor of being her husband. Circumstance brought our timeline forward, but my love for her has always been real.”

Against the backdrop of nothing other than the faint noise of the world outside, I swear I hear Jack swallow as he scuffs his sneaker against the floor.

“And the Abbie thing?” he asks quietly.

I push a hand through my hair. “If there’s one part of this story I regret, it’s allowing you to conclude I was seeing someone else. I want you to know I don’t lie, but I am a human being, and I made a mistake. I was so desperate to keep seeing Darcy that Abbie gave me a good cover story as I soaked up whatever time I could get with the real woman I was dating, even if only in my head.” I chuckle darkly. “Jesus, if you knew some of the stuff I did to keep her safe or in my life, then?—”

Smiling, Jack interrupts my rambling. “I honestly don’t want to know, Archer. You’re your own brand of unhinged, and so long as Darcy is good with the possessive vibes you give off, then I guess I’m okay with it too.”

“Does this mean we’re good?” I ask carefully.

When Jack stands up for a second time, I don’t stop him. Instead, I do the same.

Pulling off his cap, Jack holds it down by his side. He releases a tension-easing breath, and I find myself mimicking his exhale as we stand a few feet apart.

“I misjudged you, Archer. I don’t know if it was blind rage or my ego getting the better of me, but I did. Honestly, it’s probablywhy I showed up here today because despite my anger and hurt, I knew you weren’t the kind of person who would easily betray a friend or the sister he protects with his life.” He shakes his head slowly. “The Liam scenario fucked with my head because I’d seen how badly my blood dad treated my mum. Liam reminded me of him, and all I wanted for Darcy was happiness and good people around her as she moved to New York. Truth is, I should have more faith in my sister’s judgment of people, along with my own. I should also probably listen to my wife when she tells me I’m being a prick.”

He holds out a hand, and I close the whole distance, wrapping my arm around his back. A feeling of relief floods through me as wetness settles onto my eyelashes for the second time today.

“It’s going to take time to fully heal from all this, but … yeah, we’re good, Archer,” he whispers. “Welcome to the family, buddy.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

DARCY

My brother might be one of the most recognized NHL players right now, but that’s nothing compared to Archer Moore’s fame. Wherever he goes, the press follows. I think there comes a point where a player can be bigger than the sport they actually play, and in my husband’s case, I’m pretty certain that’s true.

How our relationship hasn’t been fully leaked to the media, I’ll never know. We haven’t been completely discreet since Jack and Jon found out, but we have kept a relatively low profile, I guess.

Until tonight.

“Are you nervous?” Kendra taps me on the shoulder.

“Yes—no—maybe,” I say on a shrug. “Okay, I’m definitely shitting it a little bit.”

Kendra throws her head back and laughs. I know on the other side of the exit doors to the players’ parking lot, there are cameras and reporters waiting to catch a glimpse of us. When Archer pulled off his helmet and blew a kiss to the family box, it ignited what were already low-grade rumors that he was seeingsomeone. And since things are starting to improve with my brother—thank Christ—we figured it was time to address those rumors.

Kendra reaches out, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “It will go a bit wild initially, especially since you’re Jack’s sister, but then it’ll die down.” She kisses the side of my head. “Jesus, you smell good.”

I flick my hair back and smile. “The latest Chanel. I’m not sure if I like it as much as last season’s fragrance, but it’s got that citrus undertone, you know?”

“Hey, Darcy Doll.” Archer’s breath hits the side of my cheek as he takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger and turns my face toward him.

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