Page 17 of A Little Complicated

Archer chuckles. “I think I can handle Lia on my own, but thanks.”

Maverick clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth, shamelessly checking me out and lifting one shoulder. “What a shame.” He squeezes past us. “Well, don’t let me interrupt your fuckfest.”

“We’re only kissing,” I inform him. “I’d hardly call it fucking, but if you want to stick around, by all means, please do.”

“Don’t tempt me, Opie.” His eyes darken. “I might surprise you.”

“I was just telling Lia I’m going out of town tomorrow,” Archer interrupts. “Any chance you can keep an eye on her?”

“I don’t need anyone keeping an eye on me,” I announce.

“See?” Mav waves his hand toward me as a car pulls up to the curb. “Our little Opie’s a big girl. She’ll be fine. Although, I’ll be sure to play her pseudo-boyfriend at the party while you’re away. You know, take one for the team and all.” With a smirk, he skips the last two porch stairs, jogs toward the car parked out front, and climbs into the passenger seat.

“See ya, Lia!” Reeves calls from the driver’s side.

I give him a small wave as he backs out of the driveway, disappearing down the road with Maverick beside him.

“Sorry.” Archer looks sheepish as he grabs the back of his neck and offers a smile. “But at least he likes you, right?”

“No, he’s being completely over the top and fake because you told him to be nice to me,” I counter. “Didn’t you?”

“I might’ve made a suggestion or two. How’d you know?”

“Because I might be girlfriend Ophelia, but I was friend Ophelia long before that,” I remind him. “And I’ve also known Maverick my entire life.” Hooking my thumb over my shoulder, I add, “The stranger who propositioned me is hardly your brother.”

“It’s better than him ignoring you, isn’t it?”

“Honestly, I can’t decide,” I mutter. “Sometimes I wonder how you two share the same DNA.”

“Pretty sure you aren’t the only one.”

“You guys couldn’t be more opposite if you tried. Well, other than hockey and good looks,” I clarify, tugging on the edge of his lapel in hopes of bringing him closer.

“Ah, so, my talent on the ice and my good looks are what’s keeping me in your good graces?”

“Obviously,” I say with a grin, kissing him.

When I pull away, I notice a slight dip in his brows as he studies me. “You okay?” he murmurs.

“With what?” I ask. “You mean with Maverick?” I snort. “Archer, I’m not a delicate flower.”

“I know. But I hate how you two don’t get along. And even when I ask him to play nice, he still manages to piss you off.”

“It’s Maverick,” I remind him. “Does he get along with anyone?”

“Seems good with every other woman on the planet.”

“Only when he’s trying to get in their pants,” I argue. “And since it's not an option where I’m concerned, he’ll resort to…whatever that was, which is fine, by the way,” I add. “I can handle his sarcasm. I’ll ignore him like I usually do.”

“You won’t be able to ignore him forever.”

“That’s a problem for future Lia,” I quip.

“Mm-hmm.” His hands tighten around my waist. “You still going to his party?”

I nod. “I’m here to experience college, remember? Even if it includes sarcastic buttheads like Maverick. So, yeah. I think I will.”

“I’m almost sad I’ll miss it.”

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