Page 85 of A Little Complicated

“You’re lying,” he grits out.

Tears burn in my eyes as I shake my head. “You know, at this moment, I really wish I was.”

“Fine, I’ll bite,” he growls. “Why haven’t you slept with him?”

“Excellent question, Mav.” My voice cracks, and I dig my nails into my palms. “Maybe it’s because the guy I gave my virginity to turned out to be an asshole who tossed me aside without an actual explanation.” I blink away the ache behind my eyes. “Maybe it’s because I was afraid it might hurt you. Maybe it’s because I know if I cross that line, there’s no going back.”

He steps closer, crowding my space. “My brother—”

“Is patient, and kind, and a fucking saint. I told him I was a little hesitant to go all the way, but he’s had no issue waiting until I’m ready, and trust me, I’ve been far from ready. I’ve been a fucking wreck all because of you. So maybe it’s time you stop assuming shit. Did you ever think of that?”

As if I’ve slapped him, his expression tightens with pain, and he pulls away, giving me some room to actually breathe when all I want to do is drown in his embrace.

“You’re lying,” he repeats. This time, it’s less resolute. Less sure. It only breaks my heart more.

“You know I’m not,” I whisper. “But you know what, Mav? You’re right. I don’t know what’s been holding me back when you’ve made it clear I mean nothing to you. I’m going to give your brother all of my love because he isn’t going to toss it aside or make me feel like I’m not enough. And when I do, you’re going to look back on this moment and realize exactly how much you screwed yourself over. So buckle up, asshole. You might wanna invest in some noise-canceling headphones.” I hesitate, and a dark, twisted laugh bubbles out of me. “Actually, scratch that. I’m not going to give you a performance because even though you deserve to have your nose rubbed in the fact you’re letting me go right now, I’m not doing it to get back at you for stringing me along. I’m doing it because your brother deserves me.Allof me. And I’m tired of holding back, hoping and praying you’ll pick up the pieces you broke and put me back together again.”

His eyes dim, the blackness swallowing the blue I’ve come to love until only indifference shines back at me. It shreds the last of my hope as he turns his head toward the grassy space in front of him. “Have a good night, Opie.”

Fuck. Him.

27

OPHELIA

Iwalk into Archer’s bedroom and slam the door behind me, not giving a shit it rattles the walls and potentially wakes the rest of the guys.

I don’t. Fucking. Care.

The lump on the mattress jerks to life as a muffled curse sounds from beneath the sheets. Archer scrambles for the lamp on the nightstand, but before he can flick it on, I push at his shoulder and climb onto his lap, kissing him with every single piece of me left.

It’s rough and messy and angry. My eyes ache. My heart pounds. My hands tremble. But I force myself to keep going. To erase Maverick and everything he’s put me through, even if it kills me. I shove my tongue between Archer’s lips as his hands find my waist. I can feel his hesitation with every brush of his lips. Like he’s holding back. Like he’s knocked off kilter.

Angry, I tangle my fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck and grind myself against him, my heart fucking breaking all over again.

It feels wrong.

Why does it feel wrong? Why can’t it be easy? Why can’t I love him the way I love his brother?

He kisses my lips and slowly pulls away from me, a deep wrinkle between his brows. “Whoa, whoa. Lia, slow down.”

Angry tears well in my eyes as I shake my head and kiss him again. Harder. Needier. Angrier. The moisture slides down my cheeks, but I don’t wipe it away. I hold onto Archer’s shoulders for dear life, kissing him with all my broken pieces. With everything I have left. Salt clings to my lips, and he must taste it because he squeezes my waist and leans back, ending our kiss again. “Lia, are you crying?”

I wipe my mouth with the back of my shaking hand. “I think we should break up.”

He flinches back. “What?”

“Indefinitely,” I clarify. Sucking my lips between my teeth, I bite hard. A metallic taste spreads across my tongue, but I don’t relieve the pressure. I hold onto the pain. The hurt. The fucking agony. Because this is too much. It’s too hard. Everything is.

I messed up.

I messed up so badly. So many times. And I don’t know how to fix it. How to slow down. How to go back in time and erase my mistakes.

Archer’s knuckle brushes against my chin, and he tilts my head toward him, commanding my attention. When he has it, he runs his thumb along the seam of my lips, pulling them free from my teeth. “Shit, you’re bleeding.”

“I want us to stay broken up,” I repeat.

His eyes lift from my wound to my eyes. “Lia…”

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