Page 76 of Your Side of the Offense

Arch comes back with his towel, and I open my legs and he wipes me. He wipes my whole body before he wipes himself down too. My phone chimes again and the whole after-sex good mood drops.

I look away from Archer.

Fuck.

Fuck fuck fuck.

My mind sobers when I remember my reality. I just cheated. I just fucking cheated.

"Peach, don't."

Lifting my eyes to his, I see the pain in his eyes and it breaks my heart.

"I just cheated. I'm such a hypocrite." My body goes cold.

Arch comes behind me and tries to touch me but I shrink away from him. I can feel his pain without looking.

"I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry. I should have stopped. I just…"

"It's not your fault, I came onto you, remember?" I say.

"But I should have known you were vulnerable." The devastation in his voice undoes me and I turn back.

I'm such a fuck up. I have managed to hurt two people instead of one.

"Arch, it's my mistake. You aren't in a relationship; you didn't owe Logan loyalty. I did."

What the fuck am I going to do? I can never pretend that it's nothing with Arch now, and I can't lie with a blameless heart. I'm the fucking worst.

"If it makes you feel better, I won't tell anyone."

My face whips back to him with a furrowed brow. I don't know what to say to that.

"But I—"

"Sh, but nothing, Peach. I will not tell a soul; I won't tell the guys anything. It's between me and you.” He moves close, bringing us a few inches apart. “But promise me you won't regret me." My body warms at the closeness instantly.

I know right then, I am fucked.

"I…I have to go. I have to figure things out." I get up and go to the closet where my clothes are.

My hair is a mess, but I fight it back into a bun. At least I was wearing a hoodie so no one will see. Arch is next to me giving me clothes and on standby for anything I need.

The last time he'd stand like this watching me dress was when I had to rush home, or I had to go to the others' house after I'd been with him.

"Promise me, Summer," he says again after I cover my head with my hoodie. He is still gloriously naked; isn't hiding himself from me. Typical Archer.

"I promise."

He nears me and kisses my forehead and I let it happen. Then I take my bag.

"Don't take that," he says. He's right. Too walk of shamy. "I'll have it brought to you during the day."

"Thanks." I take a breath for the next thing. A sigh slips out. "Listen, Arch. My mind is all over the place. I just need to figure myself out. I just…I don't want to hurt you by promising this is going somewhere. I don't know what I'm doing."

He holds my cheek with one hand, and he smiles at me. "I understand. Take your time, I'll be here for anything you need."

I give him a small tight smile before I take my phone and leave.

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