Page 45 of Kingston
Mortification burns through me like lava, hot and dangerous.Great. Finally, I settle on telling him the truth without going into detail. “I’m trying to survive in this house, Tag. That’s all.”
Taggart shoves the rest of the bar into his mouth, quickly chewing as he crumples the wrapper in one hand and picks up his phone with the other. Around his mouthful of food, he murmurs, “I get it. Kinda. But—” He shakes his head, his gaze flicking in the direction of the staircase. “Never mind.” He picks up his coffee and walks off.
My forehead pinches at his swift departure, but a few seconds later, I understand why Tag stopped speaking so abruptly. Kingston, Archer, and Cannon enter the kitchen, and with a simple glance, I can totally tell their surly-ass moods haven’t passed.
“I’ll be outside.” Kingston doesn’t give me a second glance before he heads straight to the front door. It shuts with a resounding bang, and my body jerks involuntarily in response.
I bite the inside of my cheek, glancing between the two remaining men. Cannon purses his lips and jerks his thumb over his shoulder in the direction Kingston went.
“Make sure he doesn’t take off without us.”
Cannon gives Archer a brief nod before stuffing his ear buds into his ears and heading out after him.
I take a deep breath and let it all go. I knew this would be awkward as hell for me this morning. But what’s crazy is the fissure it’s created in their relationship. Not my fault.
Archer sidles up to me where I’m twisting the top of my to-go mug in place. He sighs a heavy breath, watching as I finish. A shiver shimmies down my spine, and my teeth scrape over my lower lip as I stare at him. Does he remember I was in his bedroom last night? That he dropped his pants? Offered to let me stay in his bed? Made it seem like he’d be down to fuck if I was?
My face infuses with heat at the thought. What is wrong with me? My eyes flick up to Archer’s silvery-gray gaze. It would have been good. So good. I know it.
I’m beyond crazy for even contemplating sleeping with him, especially after everything that’s happened. But I can’t help it, my vag and my brain are on completely different pages. Fuck, I don’t even think they’re reading from the same book.
These guys… I already have a feeling I’m in over my head and drowning, but now I’m scared because I don’t seem to have a care for my own well-being.
“Ready, Peaches?”
Wrenching myself from my thoughts, I nod, picking up my cup. A split second later, I set it back down with a thump. “No. I’m not.” His brow arches as he glances down at the fancy watch he wears, checking the time and biting his lip. “No?”
“No.” I rub my fingers against my temple. I look steadily at him for several seconds. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Fine. Some angry fairy brought me water and meds last night. This isn’t my first rodeo. But you can thank her for me.”
I squint at him for a moment. “I don’t know why I’m bothering to ask when you guys are obviously so close.” I stop, shaking my head and focusing my stare over his shoulder on the wall behind him. “I’m hoping helping you out last night means I’ve earned at least a smidge of insight.”
Archer steps closer, taking a lock of my hair between his fingers, and tugs gently until I meet his gaze. I get the feeling those perceptive eyes of his see everything. My breath hitches in my chest. He leans close to me before whispering, “What do you want to know?”
I pause again, my stomach doing flip-flops at how close Archer’s standing. “Did Kingston and Cannon fight?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t bring it up. They’ll be fine. I would bet so, anyway. Kingston…” Archer trails off for a second as his jaw tenses. “He can run very hot and cold. I don’t claim to be able to see inside his head. But if I had to guess, something has thrown him. Whether it’s something you said or did, I don’t know. Or it could simply be ahimthing. He’s a moody motherfucker on his best days. You’ll understand when you get to know him better.” A dark expression washes over his features before he recovers. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Forget I said that.”
Frustrated, I heave out a sigh. “How should I handle things with him?”
“You’re asking me for an awful lot here, Elliot.” He gives me a little smirk, this one kinda sweet. “Steer clear for a bit and follow the rules.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s it?”
“That’s my best advice.” His lips twitch in amusement.
“Okay. Let’s go before he bites my head off for making us late.”
Archer chuckles. “See? You’re learning already. Smart girl, you are, Peaches.”
I laugh a bit awkwardly, then somehow, we both turn at once to leave, and my hand smacks into something hard in his pocket. I let out a yelp and frown, cradling my hand with the other.
He gives me a sheepish smile and pulls out a flask. “Sorry. Sometimes I need a little help getting through the extra-boring lectures.”
“Oh.” I frown. I’m not one to judge, but wow. “Well, I hope mine aren’t that boring. I have no flask.” This dude was drunk off his ass a few hours ago. Drawing in a breath, I decide it’s not my place to comment further. I pick up my cup. “Let’s go.”
Archer gestures for me to lead the way, tucking his booze back into his pants pocket with his other hand.
