Page 86 of A Little Complicated

“I’m still a mess,” I whisper. “I’m still a mess, and it isn’t fair to you.”

“Where is this coming from?” He shakes his head. “Look, I know I should’ve told you I didn’t want you kissing other guys, and I’m sorry, but—”

“Archer.” My bottom lip wobbles, and I lean into the hand cradling my face. “I’m being unfair to you, and I’m not okay with it anymore.”

His expression falls, the pleading in his gaze acting like a noose around my heart. “I told you I can be patient.”

“I know.” I pull away from his gentle touch and give him a sad, pathetic smile. “That’s the problem. I don’t deserve your patience, and I can’t keep stringing you along and putting our friendship on the line until I know I can be all-in for real instead of just…”—I climb off his lap—“pretending.”

“Pretending,” he repeats. His voice is laced with disbelief as he slouches on the bed and stares out the window. “This is about your mystery man, isn’t it?”

My heart plummets. “Archer…”

“Did you see him around campus or something?” He looks at me again. “Is that where this is coming from?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I think it does.”

“No, it doesn’t because I’mstilla mess,” I argue. “It hasn’t changed since prom night. And trust me when I say I really have been trying to let him go and move on, but you deserve more than tying yourself to a mess like me.”

His chin dips in a subtle nod as if he’s processing our conversation. Finally, Archer asks, “Who is he?” He isn’t angry. Isn’t disappointed. Only curious. And it makes me love him more.

If only I could tell him the truth.

My tongue grows thick as I even consider mentioning Maverick, but the name never comes. It would hurt too much. Not only me, but Archer. It would ruin more than my friendship with him. It would destroy everything. His relationship with his brother. Our families’ relationships.Everything.And for what? I have no future with Maverick. He’s made it clear, so why rock the boat? Why air out our dirty laundry when there’s no reason to?

“Still not gonna tell me?” Archer prods.

“It doesn’t matter,” I repeat. “My…whateverwith Mystery Man is one hundred percent over. I know it. Heclearlyknows it. But my heart hasn’t gotten the memo, and it’s still holding on for dear life. And even though you’ve been way more patient than I ever deserved, I can’t keep doing this to you. I can’t keep making you wait for me to figure my shit out.” I thread my arm through his limp one and squeeze it tightly, resting my head on his shoulder. “You’ve always been amazing at putting our friendship first, even above our relationship, and I think it’s time I do the same.”

He nods slowly, but it’s mechanical. Robotic. “So you’re breaking up with me.”

Lifting my head, I look up at him. “I’m your best friend protecting you from a shitty girlfriend who’s been taking you for granted.”

His smile doesn’t reach his eyes as he tucks my hair behind my ear. “You’re not a shitty girlfriend, Lia. Only a confused one. But if you want to take a step back, I get it. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

“Arch—”

“It doesn’t mean you’re obligated to give me another chance. It means I’m a guy who knows what he wants, and I want you, Ophelia Taylor. Broken pieces and all.”

“Arch,” I repeat, my heart squeezing.

“You should get some rest.”

With a nod, I glance at the bedroom door, and my bottom lip trembles. I don’t want to run into Maverick. I don’t want to face him and be rejected all over again. But staying here isn’t exactly an option either.

Shit.

I wish I’d thought this through.

“Stay the night,” Archer offers, proving yet again he’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met.

I wipe at my tear-stained cheeks. “Arch—”

“You can sleep in my bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

He grabs his pillow from the top of the bed, tosses it to the ground, and heads to his closet, where a few folded blankets are stored.

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