Page 75 of Beautiful Thing

He only grunts, still avoiding my eyes.

“You may think that you’re punishing her but in reality, you’re only punishing yourself.”

He stubbornly withdraws his hand from mine, reaching for another piece of his jigsaw puzzle. “I’ve tried. But I can’t see things any other way.”

The silence returns but this time, it’s not so pleasant. It’s not companionable at all. I can tell that Archer isn’t angry with me. He just has a lot to think about. I decide to give him his space.

I rise from my seat. “Good night, Archer,” I say again.

His eyes lift to mine, looking bereft and lost. The moment drags out before he says, “Good night, Belle.”

I turn to walk away. I have a lot to think about, myself.

His voice is low and tender when I hear him call after me. “And Layla?”

“Yeah?” I say over my shoulder.

“You’re never bothering me.” There’s a vulnerability in his eyes when he says it. “I…I always like being around you.”

A smile tugs at the corners of my lips despite the heaviness in my heart. “I always like being around you, too. Regardless of all the weirdness between us, I’m glad to call you a friend.”

“Yeah.” He watches me with piercing intensity. Gosh—this man’s stare is unnerving. “But make no mistake, Layla. I want you as more than a friend,” he confesses.

My startled heart does a happy somersault inside my chest. His words are a tiny stroke to my fragile ego.

“Archer…” I whisper quietly, my longing stirring inside me.

But he quickly pulls the rug from under me. “Too bad there’s only so much I can do about that.”

I wince at the implicit reminder of Archer’s boundaries. And my complications. And all the other bullshit life keeps throwing in our path.

“You know where I stand—I can’t do this if it’s only physical. I’m the kind of man who goes all in.”

This is all so complicated. Maybe it shouldn’t be. But it is.

No matter how much we like each other, I’m not sure that either of us is willing to climb over the invisible wall that’s keeping us apart.

31

LAYLA

It’s game day.

Ronan’s hockey team is playing in Sin Valley tonight. So the entire Brighton family made the 45-minute drive down from Starlight Falls to cheer on the Saints. And since Archer and I are, you know, ‘together’ now, I somehow found myself invited along for the ride.

I’m not complaining at all. I’ve tagged along with Karli to plenty of other hockey games in the past. But that was all before Sky was born. With Razor being as unreliable as he is and my babysitters always flaking on me, I haven’t been to a hockey game in forever.

But tonight, I’m here with my baby boy. Just like the rest of the Brightons, Sky and I are both decked out in the team jerseys Archer bought us. It’s truly a family affair.

Just before the official start of the game, Darius and Nicky say their goodbyes. Technically, they’re working tonight.

Darius is part-owner of the Saints with his business investor buddies. Nicky works for the team’s PR department. So they both head up to one of the executive suites where various other members of the Saints organization will be enjoying the match.Meanwhile, the rest of us stay here in the stands and we have a whole section to ourselves.

I’d been worried about bringing Sky to his first hockey game, but Archer’s family is making sure he has a great time.

All night, Archer’s mother has been carrying Sky around like he’s her own grandchild. It tugs at my heart in the best of ways. She’s got my wiggly son on her lap, doting on him and making sure he’s set up with his snacks and his sippy cup. Even when other family members steal him away, the next time I glance over, I find him safely tucked back into Mrs. Brighton’s arms.

Dr. Brighton bought Sky a button that says,My first Sin Valley Saints hockey game!and Darius even got him little ear protectors to keep him safe from the loud arena volume.Felix, Mason and Nolan have been trying to teach my son the rules of hockey all evening, and it’s been going hilariously wrong.

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