Page 64 of Beautiful Thing

For one half of a second, I allow myself to melt into the tenderness of his stare.

But then I forcefully remind myself of what happened the other night. The way he rejected me. The memory pierces my heart like a harpoon. This is the same man who lit me on fire, and then left me to burn.

Archer doesn’t see me the way I want him to see me. He doesn’t see me like a woman he desires, a woman he wants, a woman who deserves him. He sees me as a pathetic case. Assomeone who can’t take care of herself. It’s time I have a little pride.

“I’m fine, Archer. You don’t have to concern yourself about me.” I shrink out of his reach. “Excuse me. I have some boxes to open in the back.”

Head held high, I get back to work.

27

ARCHER

When I get home, I find Layla in the hallway bathroom. She’s sitting on the floor, quietly singing to Sky as she gives him a bath with bubbles up to his chin. My chest aches at the whole scene. It’s so fucking beautiful. Just a mother caring for her young child.

Layla is such a good mom. She’s so damn selfless. So strong. So patient.Seeing the way she takes care of her child makes me want to take care of her.

But the way I treated her the other night probably conveyed the exact opposite message. I’m still kicking myself for that.

Not wanting to be a creeper, I knock on the open bathroom door. Sky’s whole face lights up when he looks up and spots me. “Hewo, Mista Musdache!” he exclaims giddily.

But he’s the only one who’s excited to see me today.Layla glances at me over her shoulder and then quickly looks away.

Still, I smile, stepping into the bathroom. “Hi, little man. How’s the bath?”

“Ihaffbubbles!” he announces, bouncing in the tub and splashing water around.

“Bubbles are the best, right?”

“Bess!” He mimics with a wide, toothy grin.

I drop to the floor, sitting down fully at the base of the tub and ignoring the spilled lukewarm bath water that soaks into my pants.

I reach into the tub, covering his chin with a handful of white foam. “Ope, don’t move.” I wipe my wet hand on the leg of my pants, grab my phone and snap a picture of him. I turn the screen around to show him. “Look. You have a beard now. Just like mine.”

He loves it. He squeals and giggles, gathering up more bubbles and wiping them on his face.

Sky and I babble on for a bit and he tells me about his day. It’s become a routine for us on the nights that he’s still up when I get home from work. I love hearing all about his snacks and his adventures and his favorite cartoon characters.

As much as he’s enjoying our conversation, he can’t help the big yawn that travels up his chest and spills out of his mouth. “Scoose me.”

A look of affection briefly flutters across Layla’s face. I can’t blame her. The kid is adorable.

“All right, little man, time to let your mama clean you up.”

My eyes find Layla’s before she turns away again. I can’t read her expression. Is she angry? Is she hurt? Or is she just sick of seeing my face?

In any case, I give Sky a little fist bump and rise from the floor. Then I walk out, letting Layla finish up and get her son out of the bath in peace.

When she comes into the kitchen a few minutes later, I’m putting away the groceries I picked up on my way home. I swing the fridge door closed, and turn to hand her a pack of diapers.

“Are these the right size? They were on sale, so I picked up two.”

She grits her teeth together, not answering me. She turns away quickly, but not before I notice her eyes getting watery. She looks upset. But she also looks pissed off.

Dropping the diapers on the counter, I step around her, getting in her face. “Hey, what’s wrong?” With my thumb, I wipe a tear from her eye.

But she pulls away, putting distance between us. “I just…I need you to stop. Stop doing nice things for me, Archer.”

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