Page 122 of Your Side of the Offense

I stand. Having heard enough.

"Peach?" Archer stands but I walk to my bathroom to get my cosmetics for my night routine.

"It's fine, Arch. He can date who he wants." The words barely make it out of my mouth as I feel an intense pain in my chest, but I hold the tears. I will not cry.

Arch’s arms wrap around me, covering me like a shield to protect me from all the bad of the world.

"We are here to listen if you want to talk," he says as I stand in front of the mirror, and I look at our reflections.

I roll my eyes. "I am fine, really am. I'm really happy for him." I seal it with a small smile.

He doesn't believe me, of course, but he also gives me a small tight smile. "She'll never be you."

"I think that's exactly what he was going for," I say, the little bitterness not far from my voice but I have to keep it together. I am a boss. I am a boss.

Arch nods but he doesn't add anything else. He stands behind me as I lotion my face and body. He helps me tie my hair for the night and get in my pajamas. When we are done, the sun is setting and the food has arrived.

37

THE LAST LOGAN

Caleb

I push the door to our house open and Arch follows me inside. We find Jaden and the man of the hour watching a boxing match. He doesn't turn, but Jaden does.

"How is she?" Jaden asks with keen interest.

"You should have come to find out yourself," Archer answers scornfully.

"Not in the mood, Arch.” Jaden turns to me. “How is she?"

"She's okay," I answer plopping down on the armchair.

Harvey still doesn't give air to our conversation. His focus solely on the TV.

"So, are you gonna tell us what the deal with Fay is?" I ask.

He doesn't answer, but a small smile graces the corner of his lips.

"Harvey…" Archer growls.

"Jaden?" I look at him.

"Harvey?" Jaden looks at him.

He gets up without giving any of us answers and heads to the kitchen.

"Harvey…" Archer calls after him.

"You don't need to keep calling my name, I'm right here. Say what you want to say," he answers after grabbing a beer in the fridge and walks back.

"What. Is. Going on. With you. And Fay?" I ask again.

"She's my girlfriend, why?" He has a small smile on his face.

"What are you doing?" Archer asks, suspicion evident.

"Jaden, is it true?" I ask.

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