Page 159 of A Little Complicated

Reading my silence as anger, Archer argues, “Ophelia, I deserved to know.”

“I know you did,” I rush out. “I was so ashamed of falling for him in the first place and how he broke my heart, I figured if I ignored what he meant to me, I could let him go. But…” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is I hurt you,” I continue. “I wasn’t trying to cause drama, but I’m so sorry. Mav and I, we—”

“I don’t want to hear it, Lia. I know it makes me sound like a dick, but…” His voice trails off, and his chin drops to his chest.

“I get it,” I tell him.

“I’ll tell my parents about the breakup after everyone leaves, then you and Mav can…do whatever the fuck you want.” The pain in his voice kills me.

“Archer,” I start.

“I’m not gonna say anything about you and Mav. I talked to the guys too. They won’t say anything, either.”

My eyes widen, and I turn to face the same direction he is, gripping the stupid iron railing with all my might. “Why?”

“I’m trying to protect you,” he grits out, and his shoulders hunch. “And him.”

Him.

As in Maverick.

His brother.

Twinbrother.

The elephant in the room and the catalyst in all of this mess.

Why would Archer want to protect us?

“Can I ask you something?” he mutters.

“Of course.”

Turning back to the view in front of us, he lets out a long, deep breath. “Was I always the lesser brother?”

His words pierce my chest, making it hard to breathe, let alone stand here and let him think he’s anything less than amazing.

“You know you’re not,” I argue. “And after everything we’ve been through, I’d like to think you know me better than that.”

“Honestly, Lia, I’m not so sure right now.”

Ouch.

I hurt him.

I know I hurt him.

And I know only time will heal something like this, but it doesn’t make it easier. Seeing the pain I’ve caused him while knowing there isn’t anything I can do or say to fix it. To put him back together again.

“Look, I know I messed up, but you’re still my best friend.” I touch his hand, praying it’ll soften the death grip he currently has on the stupid railing. He softens—barely—and I continue. “I know it doesn’t make any sense, and I know it’s no excuse, but no matter how much I’ve fought it, there’s always been a pull between me and Maverick. Always. I guess we both forgot to fight it when I came to LAU, and…and it ruined everything. But trust me when I say you’re pretty freaking close to perfect, Archer, and any girl would be lucky to have you. But Mav is…Mav.”

He nods, digesting my words with the same weight of calculation he does everything else in his life.

Steeling my shoulders, I add, “I wasn’t going to do this here, but I think it’s time we have a long overdue conversation.”

His mocking laugh cuts me off. “I think it might be a little late.”

“Sorry, but I can’t accept that.”

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