Page 71 of Your Side of the Offense

I find myself at Archer's again. Logan is being a lunatic. How could he accuse me of cheating? Me?

But I'll give us space for a few days and then check on him. I'm sure we'll be fine by next week's big Halloween party at their house. It’s the party of the semester, a costume party, and we’re going as Batman and Catwoman.

Opening the door, I walk in. The others aren't here, Arch said they are on an errand somewhere in the city. He smiles when I find him at the couch, watching TV.

"You look so lonely. Why aren't you with the others?" I ask.

He shrugs. "I wasn't interested in what they were doing. I'd rather watch Love Island."

I chuckle. "What are they doing?"

He stiffens and my face falls. Other girls.

He looks away.

"It's okay, Arch. They don't belong to me anymore. They can date." Damn that was hard.

"But they do." He looks at me.

Breaking our eye contact, I sit straight and look at the TV. We watch in silence before he gets up.

"Want anything to drink, eat?"

"I'll have whatever you’re having." I don't look his way.

"Avocado and bacon sandwiches it is then."

We eat in mostly silence and when we are finished, he collects our plates and comes sit next to me again.

"So, you want to talk about it yet?" he asks.

"Talk about what?"

"Whatever is bothering you. You are upset."

I look at him thinking I'm going to lie but his eyes break me, and I have to look away when the tears burn hot behind my eyes.

He is closer the next second, placing a hand on my cheek. "Talk to me, Peach. What's wrong? Did you and Logan fight?" There isn’t any glee in his voice, just concern. Good ole platonic friendly concern,

I lean into him, and he holds me. "Yeah. We fought and he accused me of cheating on him."

"When you told him you didn't what did he say?"

"He didn't believe me. He even said he forgives me for doing it." My simmering anger comes back full force, but instead of wanting to lash out I just want to cry in Arch's arms.

"Oh, Peach. I'm so sorry."

I sniffle and he stays there comforting me until I calm down. He eventually leads me to the bathroom where I wash my face and end up taking a shower.

I find him ready with my sleep clothes and I can't help the smile. This all seems very domestic.

"Share," he says.

"I'm just thinking about how this all seems relationshipy."

He smiles. "Well, I can assure you I only have platonic intentions for you, ma'am."

I chuckle as he goes to bath and I change and get in bed. It hurts when I check my phone and find nothing from Logan. So, I decide to be the bigger person.

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