Page 66 of Red River

Archer was crackling with laughter, so infectious that I even chuckled.

"You are hilarious, really. I have to buy a jacuzzi with some kind of overhead cover. No excuses then!"

I sent him a coy smile. While walking around him, I made sure to sway my hips a bit more than usual. Why not?

Not long after, I changed and got into the car. Archer was already inside. He glanced at me and said, "Your hair’s still a little wet."

"Yeah, I didn’t want to keep you waiting."

"River, I don’t mind waiting for you."

We stared at each other for a moment, some energy almost vibrating between us. A rare moment when we were alone during the day…

Then, before I could overthink it, I acted on impulse.

I lifted myself up just enough to reach him and kissed him—wet, open-mouthed.

And just then, my body shivered—strongly, like I’d been electrocuted.

What was it about him? Why did he affect me like this?

It took everything in me to pull back and settle into my seat. Archer didn’t say anything, but the long glance he gave me made my cheeks burn. Was I behaving awkwardly? Did he prefer to take things at a more gradual pace? I wasn’t sure, but the whole drive, I was discreetly stealing glances at his muscular thighs, flat stomach, and massive chest, quiet sighs escaping me.

The drive to the school was almost too short.

When we pulled into the parking lot, we spotted a group of kids gathered on the steps outside the school building. They were talking and gesturing animatedly. Milo was among them, looking very anxious.

The moment he saw us, he headed straight over, and we stepped out of the car.

After a short greeting—interestingly—he looked directly at Archer as he said, "Igor just got into a fight with Philip. Like, ten minutes ago. He’s with the school nurse right now."

It felt like my heart cracked in two. Igor in a fight? My kid, my son?!

Overwhelmed by a mix of despair and… anger, I swore under my breath. Without thinking, I turned to Archer, ready to yell,See? This is what your waiting led to!

But our gazes locked.

And I stopped in the middle of the move. I was sure he could see the storm brewing inside me, but he stayed completely unfazed.

He looked like he was waiting for me to lash out at him, to lose it, to show him how I didn’t give a shit about his leadership.

But as I stood there, staring at him, I realized… that wasn’t what I truly wanted. I was the one who said no to snitching, after all! Archer had raised the option to report it to the school, but I rejected it. What I needed was to give him a chance, even though everything felt like it was falling apart.

"Take us there, please," Archer said casually to Milo.

Milo nodded, his eyes briefly flicking to Archer’s calm visage.

He turned toward the building, and we followed. I stayed silent, my frustration simmering. How was Archer planning to fix this?

We entered the school, and Milo led us to the nurse’s office.

The door was open, and we could hear voices inside.

Igor was sitting on the edge of a cot while the school nurse—an older omega—cleaned up a cut on his lip.

Two teachers were in the room as well, one of whom I guessed was the school counselor.

My eyes fixed on my son. Seeing him here, surrounded by strangers, was a lot to take in.

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