Page 95 of A Little Complicated

I can tell he wants to call me out on my lie, but he stops himself. With his arms crossed, he leans against the doorjamb, his brows pulled low like he’s deep in thought.

“You need something?” I prod.

“Did you see Lia talking to anyone yesterday?”

Sitting up, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and rub at my tired eyes. “I don't know, why?”

“I think she ran into her ex.”

My stomach tightens. “What makes you think so?”

“We broke up last night,” he mutters.

The room spins, but I shove my dizziness aside, convinced I’m hallucinating. “What?”

“We broke up,” he repeats.

“Shit.” I wait for the relief, but it doesn’t come.

“Yeah.” A low, humorless chuckle reverberates in Archer’s chest as if he doesn’t believe it. “It fuckin’ sucks. Don’t get me wrong. We’re fine,” he adds. I’m not sure who he’s trying to convince. “But she needs a break. Some space, I guess. Don’t say anything to anyone. We agreed not making an announcement or some shit would, I dunno, make things easier.”

“You’re not telling anyone?” I confirm.

He shakes his head. “Nah. Maybe later, but neither of us wants to hear I told you so from the family, so we’re taking a breather until shit settles a bit. Have you talked to her?”

I shake my head. “Not really. I bumped into her on my run before my migraine hit, but she didn’t mention the breakup.”

His head bobs. “If you see her talking to anyone, will you let me know? I want to make sure she’s all right and her asshole Mystery Man doesn’t fuck with her head any more than he already has.”

My teeth grind, but I force my jaw to relax and pick my phone up, pretending like I give a shit about the outside world when this conversation holds more weight than my brother could ever know.

“She’s a big girl,” I remind him.

“I know,” he mutters. “But I’m not gonna give up on her. This isn’t it for us. It can’t be.”

I know this side of Archer. When he’s determined. Stubborn. It’s what got him his internship. What pushed him to get a 4.0.

I want to tell him to back off. That she’s made her choice. But it isn’t what I want, is it? Fuck, after passing out and the reminder of how messed up my life is right now, I don’t even know anymore. Should I be selfish? Should I put her first? Should I give in and fight for her? Should I leave her with Archer? With a guy whose world isn’t spinning out of control?

I don’t. Fucking. Know.

“Thanks for letting me vent,” Archer adds.

“No problem.” Sitting my phone back in my lap, I look up at my brother. “I’m sorry.”

I don’t know what else to say.

He nods. “Yeah, me too. Do you need anything? Any aspirin or Advil?”

If only aspirin could fix this.

“I’m good, thanks,” I reply.

“All right.” He taps his knuckles against the doorjamb and disappears down the hall.

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MAVERICK

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