Page 143 of Vicious Saint
Archer’s attention falls on something in the distance, and I follow his line of sight to find it’ssomeone.
Who antagonizes him on the reg.
“Riggs?”
Archer tenses. “No…why the fuck would you say that?”
“Because you’re about to snap off a piece of bleacher.”
He looks down at where he’s fisting the edge of the seat, then releases it with a shake of his hand. “Just stressed, that’s all.”
Yeah…and I just zoned out.
Blood boils over, but not from random lust or arousal.
It’s a familiar rage. White hot. Looking for someone to burn.
My chest heaves, gaze swinging back and forth in an attempt to get a handle on the violence I’m inflicting in my head.
“Hendrix, chill, you’re—”
“Your parents need to back the fuck off!” I spit, and although Archer startles, he doesn’t deny it when he shrugs.
“We both know that won’t happen.”
It won’t.
Because Archer’s parents may be nice people—but they spend every day dictating what he can and cannot do.
It’s really fucking sad, because Archer isn’t the type to stand up for himself when it comes to them.
“If you’re not ready to talk to me, it’s okay. But whenever you are...”
“Trust me, I’d love to not feel this alone.”
The undertone here…not good for the flames.
Rearing my head back, I look Archer dead in the eyes. “You’re never alone, Arch. Not as long as I’m still kicking.”
A genuine smile lights up his face, and my heart goes from broken to doing somersaults inside my chest. Someone as kind and beautiful as Archer should never be given a reason not to smile.
“Good to know.” He kisses my temple. “Now, let’s hope your stepbrother keeps you that way.”
“What’s up, guys?” A voice matching Stevenson’s greets us from behind, making me jump.
“What’s up, man?” Archer fist bumps him.
“You okay, Hendrix?” Stevenson asks, placing a hand on my shoulder as he sits.
My chuckle, it fucking hurts. “Yeah, all good. Nasty headache.”
A pssh shoots through his lips. “Oh, I feel you…was at a party in Brooklyn last night. Got totally fucked up.”
It didn’t take long after the wedding for Stevenson’s feelings to taper off, but I guess hooking up with someone else will do that to you.
I’m not mad about it, obviously. Since my feelings diminished a lot quicker than his. In fact, May’s a really nice girl. Smart. Pretty. Kind. Comes from a good family.
“So how was the party?” I ask him, pulling a loose cigarette and lighter out of my bag, wondering if a little nicotine will curb my symptoms.
