Page 144 of Comeback
“I was trying to be a good friend. I’m so happy and in love and he seemed so heartbroken.” He waves a hand to indicate Slade behind him.
I look around Archer to glare at Slade, who holds up his hands with a guilty expression on his face.
“That was so sweet of you.”
I walk Archer to the kitchen where I pull out a glass and fill it with water. “Here. Drink this.”
The rest of the party hovers nearby. As soon as he’s drained the glass, he hugs each of his brothers and their partners, then his friends.
I keep refilling his water and standing nearby in case he needs someone to prop him up. By the time he’s said hello to everyone, he’s looking a little more alert. While he and Tripp are chatting, Archer keeps me at his side. He wraps one arm around me and rests his open palm on my ass, letting his fingers trail absently along the hem and occasionally under. More alert but obviously still drunk.
Tripp politely tries not to notice as I swat Archer’s hand away.
“I’m going to mingle,” I say with a small laugh. I lean in and kiss him before I go.
I grab myself another drink—might as well join my drunk boyfriend—and find London. She’s sitting with Avery and Jane.
“Hey,” they all say in unison as I join them.
“How’s the birthday boy?” Avery asks with a grin.
“Having a great time,” I say, taking a seat. “Not that he’ll remember it tomorrow.”
“It’s good to see him so happy,” Jane comments.
I glance back at Archer. He’s smiling and laughing, which isn’t all that unusual, but there’s an ease in his posture and in his movements that pulls at my heartstrings.
“He does look happy. Doesn’t he?” A smile stretches across my face.
“You’ve made him that way.” London bumps my knee with hers. “When you walk into the room, he lights up. It’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Archer glances around like he’s looking for something. When his gaze lands on me, his smile softens, and he lifts one hand and gives me his signature half heart.
“See what I mean?” London asks the others as I reciprocate the hand motion.
It’s nice getting to know Archer’s brothers and their partners. Seeing him surrounded by all the people that love him so much makes my heart happy. I lose track of Archer as I’m playing hostess and making the rounds. I head toward his bedroom, half-expecting him to be passed out cold on his bed. Freaking Slade. I’m totally going to get him back for this.
He’s sitting on his bed with his phone cradled in both hands.
“Hey. Is everything okay?” I ask. “Drunk texting?”
“Yeah. I’m good. I think I’m only slightly tipsy now.” He stands and sets his phone on his nightstand. When he reaches me, he wraps his arms around my waist and lets them fall to my lower back. “Thank you for tonight. This was perfect. Sorry I almost ruined it.”
“Not too much?” I ask because him sneaking off in the middle of it is not a good sign. “If it is, I’m blaming Brogan. It was all his idea. He said you would love it.”
“I did. Best surprise I’ve ever had.”
“Well in that case, it was all me and you’re welcome.”
He chuckles softly. His smile stays intact so I don’t think he’s upset but something is definitely going on for him to hide away while his friends and family are all here.
“What’s going on?” I ask him, bringing my hands up to rest on his chest.
He dips his head to kiss my fingertips. “I took your advice.”
“You’re finally going to start listening to lullabies at night?” I joke. I’ve gotten so used to falling asleep to his rock music, I’m not sure even I could doze off without it at this point.
He shakes his head, eyes lit up with humor before they dim with a more serious expression. “I texted my dad.”
