Page 15 of Hating the Book Boyfriend

"Oh," she deflates a little. "Okay, let's go. I'm ready."

Josephine heads toward the truck's cab, and Kieran opens the door to the back so she can climb up.

"Hey," Archer grabs my shoulder. "Where are you heading to? I tried calling a month ago to schedule a ski trip but got your voicemail."

I hear his words, but it's his sister's laugh that has me telling a lie. "Actually, I'm headed to Pine Falls." I throw my arms wide. "Surprise."

He smiles. "Are you serious? That's awesome…" His smile starts to fade. "But I can't ski right now. You know this is our busy season. My weekends are booked through Christmas."

"If you'll have me, I'd like to help through the holidays. I'm sure you could always use an extra hand."

His eyebrows rise. "What about Callahan and Associates? Don't you need to be in Boston?"

I shake my head. "I'm taking some time off. Trying to figure some stuff out."

His forehead pinches in concern. "You always have a place to stay, but with JoJo home, you'll have to take the couch. I'm currently renovating the house. The spare bedroom that was downstairs is now part of the kitchen."

I watch Kieran stand outside the back door to the truck, running his hand through his dirty blond hair as he laughs at something she says, and I can't bring myself to let it go. If you asked me what I wanted, I couldn't say it's her, but I know what I don't want: her with him.

"Couch works," I confirm. I take one step, and Archer throws his arm out the second I do.

"I know you're not telling me something, Callahan." My eyes lock onto his, and for a second, it feels like he can read my thoughts about Josephine. I also know a guilty conscience will leave you feeling exposed, and if you let it, it can give away more truth than words ever could. "I know about the case. When you're ready to talk, I have a six-pack with your name on it." I give him a forced smile as we walk in step to the truck. I wish the case was on my mind; better the life I left behind than his sister. However, suits, courtrooms, and tangled webs of lies to spin into truths haven't crossed my mind since I left home. All that'sexisted is the occasional guilt for not feeling anything. That may be why I'm agreeing to sleeping on a couch like some derelict now. I feel something. "Is that the only bag you have? It's going to be a tight squeeze. I didn't realize I'd be picking up two bodies when I made this drive. The truck bed is full, and the back seat is stuffed with gear. There's barely room for JoJo."

Kieran finally steps away from the back door, and I step in before he can reclaim his spot or, worse, offer to take mine. The backseat is definitely packed. It's going to be a tight squeeze, but I'm in. I don't do anything half-assed. I may not have thoroughly thought this through, but I'm here now. My eyes connect with Josephine's. Her confusion is evident, she's probably wondering why I haven't fucked off yet, and I can't help but wet my lips and say, "Scoot over, roomie," with a shit-eating grin on my face. I watch as her pretty face morphs into one of complete shock.

"You are not on your way to Pine Falls," she rushes out as if saying those words out loud will change anything.

"How would you know? We never discussed where I was going."

"Yes, we did," she screeches. "We were standing right there."

"And what did I say?" I ask as I put my grip on the roof and wait for a response, one I know she can't give because right before I could answer, Archer showed up honking his horn.

Archer opens the front door and hops into the driver's seat. She rolls her eyes and abandons our conversation to address him. "Archie, we can't give him a ride. There is no room. He can call an Uber."

He peers into the backseat. "I know it's tight, but we're all going to the same place. It's only a few hours, JoJo."

She grips the back of the captain's seat. "You said Beau doesn't like to be trailered. Now you'll drive an extra twenty minutes to drop Callahan off at his place?"

"He's staying with us."

"You can't be serious. I'm not sleeping on the couch, Archie," she argues, her voice drenched in irritation.

"Nope. I am," I answer for him as I shove my backpack behind her, on top of the pile of gear and pillows on the other side.

"I can sit in the back if?—"

"We're good. Josephine and I shared a room for the past two days. What's a few more hours?" I say as I scoot in, ensuring there's no seat swapping.

"You what?" Archer's head snaps back, and his eyes shoot daggers.

"Relax, Archie. If I don't want to share a backseat with him, do you honestly believe I'd let anything else happen?"

Her words settle his nerves a little, and when his eyes shoot back to mine, I smile and say, "She's clearly eager to be rid of me. We both know that's not characteristic of a woman that's shared my bed." I'm aware it's cocky, but I knew what I was doing bringing up the room share situation. Lying about that would only spell trouble later. Plus, Archer knows me. He saw my unease when we were standing on the curb, giving him that now thwarts him off my trail. I gave him something he didn't know. Something that made me uncomfortable and answered for some of the apprehension he was sensing earlier.

His eyes hold mine for a beat and I see it, he's buying my words… for now. The challenge will be making him believe them later when sitting next to her now already feels like a betrayal.

CHAPTER 10

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