Page 44 of Come Break My Heart Again

My smile instantly disappears.

He notices. “Talking about her is still off-limits, huh?”

“She visited my mom,” I blurt.

“What a bitch.”

When I don’t react, Tuck sighs.

“We talking about it? Or are you just telling me?”

“I just … I don’t get it. Why would she do that?”

“You wouldn’t let her visit you. Your mom is the closest she could get.”

I raise an eyebrow. “She told you I wouldn’t let her visit?”

“No. You just did. I’ve never talked about you with Elle. But I know you, Ryder. You shut down when things get hard. And things got really hard for a while there. No way you were going to let Elle see you like that.”

He knows me better than I realized. “I just?—”

“Hey. I thought that was you, Tucker.”

I freeze at the sound of the familiar voice. Turn around slowly, watching Archer’s eyes widen when he spots me.

“Ryder. Hey.”

I nod once, acknowledging the greeting. “Hi, Hathaway.”

Tucker clears his throat. He knows most of the history between me and Archer Hathaway, but not the most important parts. I’m sure there were rumors about the role he played in my arrest. But Hathaway has only done one thing I consider unforgivable, and I’ve never talked about it with anyone, except Elle.

“I, uh, heard—I mean, I saw that you were getting out. Getting released, I mean.”

“Saw?” I question.

“Local paper ran an article.” Tuck is the one who answers, watching me carefully from his spot, leaning against the bumper of his truck.

I can’t tell if he’s worried I’m going to take a swing at Hathaway or if he’s trying to intimidate the guy.

“Of course they did.”

Hathaway shifts his weight between his feet. He’s dressed for running in matching black shorts and a tight black top I guess is meant to show off his muscles. He’s about as built as he was in high school—not much.

“You live around here?” Tuck asks.

Archer nods. “Few blocks over.” He glances at the old Warren house. “That’s a big project.”

“Someone’s gotta tackle it,” Tuck replies.

“True. Town council is going to love you. Neighbors have been complaining about this place for years.”

“Yes, they really should have evicted the elderly woman sooner,” I drawl.

Tuck gives me acut that shit outlook.

I was teasing him earlier about changing, but all of a sudden, it feels like there’s a little more truth to it. Like he’s a part of this town, no longer separated by anusand athem.

Archer’s smile is highly uncomfortable. “Well, I should keep moving. Don’t want to be late for work. Good to see you, Tucker. Ryder.”

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