Page 96 of A Little Complicated

The guys went to a movie. Archer went to the office. And me? I paced my room for thirty minutes, digesting Archer’s revelation.

I head to the kitchen in search of a drink. As I fill a glass with water, I spot Ophelia in the backyard. Earbuds in place, she pushes the lawn mower up and down the grass. She shouldn’t be. All the guys agreed to take the outside chores so none of the girls would have to lift a finger this next semester, but Lia’s stubborn. When she wants something, she isn’t afraid to grab onto it with both hands. Setting the half-full glass of water onto the counter, I walk outside. The sun beats down on us, and sweat collects on my brow within minutes as I stand on the patio watching Ophelia’s lips mouth the lyrics to whatever song she’s listening to.

She hasn’t noticed me yet.

I like it this way. Seeing her in her element. Relaxed. Focused. Distracted. Since our breakup, she’s been on edge with me. I don’t blame her. I’ve been a dick, pushing her away, fighting the pull between us, making her hate me so it’ll soften the sting of my absence in the long run. Or at least, that was the plan. Now? Now I don’t fucking know what I’m doing anymore. Not since prom.

When she catches my presence in her periphery, her muscles tighten. She does a double take, shakes her head, and stares at the grass in front of her like I don’t exist.

She’s still upset with me.

For pushing her away. For my dick comment about the noise-canceling headphones. For telling her to stay with my brother when we both know I want every piece of her.

It’s complicated. More complicated than she realizes, and I don’t have the heart to tell her everything. To make her understand why I’m putting us through hell when I’d prefer to do the opposite. If only I could control the world around me and the future fate fucked over.

The question is, why didn’t she tell me she broke up with Archer?

And why do I care when it doesn’t change anything?

With a huff, she pulls her AirPods out and cuts the lawn mower off. “Is there a problem?”

“Where’s your boyfriend?”

Her eyes thin. “Not sure why you think I’m your brother’s keeper, but—”

“So he’s still your boyfriend?” I challenge. My steps are slow but steady as I walk down the small set of stairs leading to the grass and head straight for her.

When I get close enough, she tilts her head up at me and folds her arms, standing her ground. “Is there a problem?”

“Just curious when you were going to tell me you broke up with him.”

“It’s none of your business.”

“I told you breaking up with him was a mistake.” Her chest heaves beneath her oversized T-shirt, but even the ugly-ass stained fabric does shit at covering her perfect tits. I tear my attention from what I know is hidden beneath and hold her gaze. “I told you your future is with him.”

With a quiet scoff, she glances at the house behind me and gives me her full attention. “One, fuck my future.”

“Lia,” I growl.

“I’m serious. I’m sick of mapping everything in my life out when none of it goes according to plan anyway. If it did, we would’ve wound up together, and you wouldn’t have broken my heart. And two, do you know what’s funny? I hear it from everyone. How Archer and I are perfect together. How we belong together. And maybe we do,” she adds. “But for someone so adamant about hating the future your family has pushed you into, you seem to be having a hell of a time playing the part and encouraging me to do the same.”

Fuck.

I’m so stunned my tongue ties and my brows pinch.

She’s right. I’ve hated it. From the beginning. The way everyone pushed Lia and Archer together. Like they were a match made in heaven. I never realized she felt the same pressure or how heavy a burden it must be for her until now.

“You’re right,” I mutter. “I’m sorry.”

She glares at me, but the corners of her eyes soften a fraction. A moment later, she doubles down and lifts her chin in defiance. “You should be.”

“I am,” I repeat.

“Good.”

Shit, she’s cute when she’s fired up.

My mouth quirks, defying my willpower as I mirror her stance and fold my arms. “Good.”

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