Page 13 of Rhett

It’s normal for Archer to arrive early. He loves my daughter like his own. When April left us, I’m not sure how we’d have gotten by without Archer stepping in. My family is close, and they’re always around to help, but I’m also independent. I don’t want to have to rely on my folks too much, and they already do a lot for us. I’ve got that oldest child stubborn streak sometimes, and that’s one of the situations where it used to push its way through, but for whatever reason, it was different getting help from Archer.

And when Meadow came out as trans, told me we were wrong and that she’s a girl, Archer was the first person I told. His love and support didn’t falter for a second.

“Hey, you.” Archer gives her a hug and kisses her forehead. “You look pretty.”

“Thanks. I made my shirt. Dad’s too. We’re Birthday Chic but paired with comfortable jeans for skating.” She strikes a pose, and I swear, she’s going to conquer the whole damn world one day.

“I’m not as good at the modeling thing,” I joke, and Archer and Easton chuckle. Easton is quiet so far, but that doesn’t surprise me. He’s working through a lot, and this kind of familyand friendship is new for him. Just like he’s always been there for us, Archer is right there with him, every step of the way. It’s the kind of man he is.

“Hi, East. How are Pretty Girl and Casanova?” my daughter asks.

“Good. They’re bummed they can’t be here, but they sent a gift.” Easton hands her a small, wrapped package.

“Aww. I’ll give them lots of love as a thank-you next time I see them.” Meadow takes a second package from Archer and places them both on the table for the gifts. “I’ll be right back.”

“Oh, I see how you are. Leave us with the rest of the work,” I tease, and she gives me a playful smile before slipping away. “I can’t believe I have a teenage daughter.”

“Yeah, that means you’re getting old, Cass,” Archer teases. He was the first person who started calling me Cass, and it’s stuck. Most people use the nickname, though not my family—well, them and Rhett.

“Hey, asshole. If I’m old, then you’re old too.” I toss him a package of streamers. “You gonna help me or what?”

“You know it.”

“I can do the balloons if you want,” Easton offers with a quiet insecurity I never took the time to notice before he started spending time with Archer. It reminds me of Rhett, and when I think about it, Morgan too. There’s a melancholy to the Swift brothers that I think they spent a lifetime trying to hide—Rhett and Morgan succeeding more than Easton. When people used to look at East, they didn’t see his pain. They saw him as a troublemaker, someone who wasn’t worthy of a second glance.

“Absolutely. That’d be great. I’d appreciate it.” We get to work, and a few minutes later I say, “So…your brother’s coming.”

“Great. I can’t wait to watch Morgan fall while ice-skating,” East teases.

“Well, him too, but I meant Rhett.”

Easton pauses what he’s doing and turns to look at me. “Rhett is coming?”

“Yep. I have a feeling he’s not super excited about it—wait, that’s not what I mean.” I think Rhett wants to come more than he probably realizes, but something about him makes me feel like he can’t imagine being wanted here. “Not in a bad way. He’s just…”

“Rhett,” East finishes for me, looking deep in thought. He’s such a contrast to Rhett and Morgan—blond where they both have dark hair, blue eyes when theirs are brown, his arms covered in tattoos when the other two don’t have any.

“Anyway, Meadow invited him. I was pleasantly surprised he said yes. You know how she is, though, working her magic on everyone. You can’t help but love her.”

“I think I know where she gets it,” Archer says, and I roll my eyes.

“I’m not anything special.”

“Special people never see themselves that way. He’s the same.” East nods toward Archer, and my best friend nearly melts. I’ve never seen Archer look at anyone the way he does East. And until recently, when I’ve gotten to know East more, I never would have thought I’d hear him say those kinds of things.

“Fuck. Come’ere.” Archer pulls East into his arms. While East gives this look that tries to convey Archer’s being silly, there’s not a doubt in my mind that he wants to be exactly where he is and that he needs the affection Archer shows him.

“Get a room,” I tease, then look around for a bag filled with a few more supplies. “I have to run out to my truck to get something. Can the two of you hold down the fort until I get back?”

“I think we can manage.” Archer kisses East’s temple, then pulls away.

I put on my coat, beanie, and gloves, and as I head for the door, East says, “Thank you…for inviting Rhett. He needs that.”

East’s gaze catches mine, and I give him a simple nod.

The thing is, I can tell Rhett needs it, and maybe that’s why I threw a snowball at him or appreciated Meadow asking about having dinner with him. But he’s also just interesting to me. I spent my whole life thinking Rhett Swift was one thing—confident, cocky, a jerk sometimes, but also professional, someone who wants to lead and be in charge—and now I have a feeling I was wrong, at least about some of those things.

I make my way outside. The missing bag is on the floorboard of my truck’s cab. I grab it and head back, when I see a familiar vehicle parked alongside the building. It could be a different truck, but somehow, I know it’s not, and though I’m freezing my balls off, I start toward it.

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