Page 39 of Unmasking Secrets
She closes her eyes. “Arch.”
“Honesty.”
Her eyes open and narrow on me. “I didn’t want you to know. I didn’t want to bring up the drama. I mean, my god! It was the first time we’d seen each other in like ten years. Excuse me for wanting to keep it lighthearted and just enjoy being around you for a moment.”
“My dad told me you didn’t want me to know,” I argue.
“It was club business. You made the decision to not join after you were done with the military,” her voice rises.
“Clearly, I don’t matter anymore. You decided I didn’t need to know.”
“You didn’t tell me you got married—or divorced for that matter.” She crosses her arms. “I had to find out in a fucking newspaper. Do you know how blindsided I was? We were best friends!”
“And friends don’t keep fucking secrets!”
“Wow, pot meet kettle.” Her hands drop to her sides. “We haven’t been friends in a decade, Archie.”
I swallow, maybe this is for the best. “I think too much time has passed.”
“Right, we’re strangers.” She swallows, and her chest rises like she’s getting ready to say so much more. “That’s it, nothing more.”
“Fine,” I agree. “From now on, I’m just the bodyguard. I’ll bunk with one of the others tonight.”
“Good.” She whips around and storms out.
My stomach sinks as I watch her walk away. This is for the best. I had to push her away. It will only be a matter of time before we can put this all behind us. We’re nothing more than strangers.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
TABITHA
Iscroll through the comments to one of the latest posts from the brand. Several of us have been quietly reacting to the occasional comment—the brand’s idea. They haven’t officially announced the partnership or what is planned, but they’re hoping it will get people questioning things.
Considering I’m being tagged in someone’s story within minutes, as well as others, it’s safe to say their plan is working.
I bite back a smile. This is exciting. Everyone wants to know what’s going on. There will be a dozen influencers at this event. Most of them I’m already friends with online, but I’ve only collaborated with a few of them.
It’s a welcome distraction to put work first again. Something to keep me busy. Even on this direct flight. I’m not sitting next to Archie or any of the bodyguards, they’re sort of split in two groups on the flight. I’m sitting next to Max, who is also working on his phone.
“Is it true the brand is paying for the extra security?” Max whispers next to me. He doesn’t even look up from his phone.
“I think they hired additional security.” I keep my voice low. “My house got broken into again. It was while we were at the premiere two weeks ago. I haven’t set foot in my house since. I’ve basically been under twenty-four-seven security.”
I don’t bother telling him where I’ve been.
“How are things going with your bodyguard?” He teases.
“He’s just my bodyguard.”
“Ouch.” Max turns to face me and gives me a look that says he doesn’t believe me.
It feels wrong to comment on my relationship with Archie when I don’t even know what’s going on between us. Although talking to a friend might be helpful. “We were friends growing up, but now? Now, we’re basically strangers. He’s only here to do a job. As far as we’re both concerned, there’s nothing more.” The last part sounds like a lie, even to myself.
Max’s eyes soften. “You know we can talk about it. If you want.”
“We sort of got into an argument. We haven’t been close since we were kids, and life happens.” Max nods for me to continue. “We’re not the same people we were. There’s nothing there.” Because there can’t be. It would never work.
I know I’m lying to myself, but if it’s what I need to do to stay focused on the future, I’ll do it. Before the divorce, I’d made the mistake of opening up about my childhood crush to Max. We’ll blame it on too many glasses of wine. I became an open book. It’s easy to talk about the past when it has nothing to do with the present. I can’t live in the past anymore, though. No regrets. I have to keep moving forward.
