Page 59 of Your Side of the Offense

He looks away. "It's okay, Peach. I'll try and sleep. You can go and salvage what's left of your day. I'll be fine."

My heart shrinks a little. Reaching for him, I turn his face to me. His eyes are closed.

"Look at me, Arch."

He opens his eyes after a few bops of the throat. I see the shame in his eyes, and it tugs at me some more. Shifting, I get under the cover.

"What are you doing?" His brows furrow.

"I'm helping you fall asleep. Come." I lay on my back and open my arms for him.

He doesn't move, but his heart rate picks up. I see the escalation on the base of his neck.

"Summer…I don't—"

"It's just a little shut eye, Arch. Besides if I leave, we both know you won't sleep, and I won't stop worrying. Just come and get some sleep. Promise I won't take advantage of your vulnerable sleeping state." I smile a little devious smile and he shakes his head.

He comes close, laying his head on my chest, holding onto me.

"If it gets too much for you just tell me and I’ll move, okay?" he says.

My fingers find the back of his head, digging through his hair and I start brushing him, soothing him.

"Go to sleep."

"Okay. Thank you."

He doesn't move or shift and we stay in that position before I feel and hear his breathing even. Took ten minutes. As he sleeps, I think. Think about where I am now. If Logan or his soldier - Hazel - saw me now, this would be hard to explain. I can't tell anyone.

In all honesty, even I don't know what I'm doing anymore, but I know I need to be here for Arch. I would lose it if he lost it and if he spiraled… or worse.

But what exactly it is I'm doing I don't know or how far I'm going with it. I just know that I am not going to back away from helping him and he is back in my life. At least for as long as he needs my help.

Before I know it, my own eyes close, and I descend in a peaceful sleep.

Next time I wake up, it’s almost dark outside.

Fuck. How long have I been sleeping? Archer is still holding me tight, lightly snoring. I always loved that snore. Like a cute baby. But unfortunately, I need to go to Logan, I have some making up to do.

I try and wiggle myself from his almost iron strong hold. After a while, I finally get free, and make sure he's sleeping soundly.

He clutches the pillow and goes on snoring. Standing there, I take a minute and watch him. I want to take a picture, but I quickly decide against it.

Logan and Hazel sometimes use my phone and that isn't something I'd like to explain to either of them.

With one last look, I take my phone and head out. It's time to go back to my life and to my choices. I close the door lightly and descend the stairs.

Jaden is in the kitchen while Caleb is watching TV. They both turn to me with curious eyes.

It feels like I just got caught doing something I wasn't supposed to. But I keep my gaze neutral.

"He’s sleeping. Please look after him and let me know if he doesn't sleep." I tell them.

"You still have us blocked."

My soul almost leaves my body when Harvey's voice comes from behind me. He's coming from the direction of the laundry room.

"Oh, uh…I'll unblock you. I…forgot about that." This is a little cringe and I want to fly out of here now.

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