Page 51 of Shots Fired

He blows out a harsh laugh, pulling my body against his. “What? No. I told you I say stuff and don’t think it through. I’ve never had a relationship in my adult life.” He tries to grin, but I see through the pain I’ve caused. “Once a playboy, always a playboy, right?”

Something doesn’t feel right. His facial expression doesn’t match his tone or the words tumbling from him.

I want to drop the subject and eat Bugles with a movie, but I can’t push past the gnawing guilt or doubt that he isn’t being completely honest with me. Still, in what world would Archer Moore ever want a girlfriend? Just because he’s stoppedsleeping around doesn’t mean it’s because he wants someone. His experience with Kassie would be enough to put anyone off the lifestyle.

Releasing a slow breath, I know I’m the only one who can address the elephant in the room. He put all the power in my hands. “Do we need to end this? I don’t want everything between us to get complicated.”

Archer picks up the remote, muting the TV. “Is that what you want?”

I bite the inside of my cheek, totally conflicted and confused. “I don’t want to end it. Like I said, I’m having fun, and I can’t deny that spending time with you is one of my favorite things.” I catch a blooming smile as it pulls at his lips. “I’m just not ready for anything more—with anyone.” I kick my feet under the duvet. “I’m not sure that I ever will be.”

Archer nods a couple of times, placing a lingering kiss against my forehead. “I get it, and that’s something youcanbe sure of with me, Doll. Fun.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ARCHER

Me: I’m bored. Let’s sneak out when no one’s watching.

I hit Send on my message to Darcy and look on from my position in the corner of the room for her to read it.

She’s standing at the bar, dressed in a silky pale pink gown that crisscrosses down her back, stopping just above the curve of her ass. Looking phenomenal.

The entire Blades team is here tonight with their families and partners, celebrating the appointment of our new GM and the long tenure of our retiring one. I should be socializing or even flirting with the blonde server who keeps bringing me drinks even though I haven’t finished my current soda.

Instead, I’m laser-focused on my girl as she laughs and jokes with Kendra and Collins, sipping on her favorite cocktail—a cosmo.

Her purse—containing her cell—rests on the corner of the bar, and she hasn’t looked at it once all night. I know we’re tryingto keep a low profile, but I’ve barely spoken to her all week since she reaffirmed what we are—fuck buddies.

With a hand to her chest, she leans back, laughing at something one of the girls just said, when Jack joins the group, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He’s as proud of his sister as he is protective—anyone with eyes can see that.

I see that.

“Dude, you have got to stop staring. It’s makingmefeel violated, never mind the girl.” Sawyer takes a seat at the empty round table I’m sitting at, setting his half-finished pint on the white tablecloth. He mirrors my position, resting his leg across the opposite knee.

Groaning, I sit back in my chair. I’ve confessed to wanting Darcy, but I’m not about to tell my captain about the latest mess I’m in with her. If he discovers I’m boning Jack’s sister for “fun,” as Darcy describes it, then he’ll throttle me with the bow tie I’m wearing.

“I really think you need to let it go.” Sawyer twists the pint glass around in front of him, dropping his foot to the floor when he leans forward, elbows braced on the table.

I continue watching Darcy have a good time as she accepts another cocktail from one of our forwards, and a smack of unjustified jealousy hits me straight on.

“I’ve been giving this entire thing you have for her some thought, and you need to let it go.” He repeats his advice, but it washes over me for a second time. “Archer,” Sawyer demands my attention, frustration in his voice.

“I’m not letting anything go,” I reply. “That isn’t an option for me.”

From beside me, Sawyer grumbles something inaudible against the ambient music. I choose to ignore whatever he said, watching as our rookie forward, Blake Harrison, lingers with the group. He just bought her a drink, and I don’t like it.

Not one fucking bit.

“You’re going to tear the team apart. With the story about Abbie and your secret obsession with his sister, Jack won’t forgive you for the deception.”

My molars grind. Stress and tension taking ahold of me. “It doesn’t matter what you say; you aren’t going to change the way I feel.”

Sawyer sits back in his chair, running a palm across his mouth. “I don’t know what to say to you. You’re playing with fire. Has Darcy even hinted that she feels the same way?”

I huff out a despondent laugh.

“I’ll take that as a no then,” Sawyer replies.

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