Page 181 of The Archer Brothers

CHAPTER6

RYLEY

Istand with my back to the front door and look at my dining room and then my living room. To me, my house is perfect and everything I wanted in a home. Granted, it’s much smaller than our home in Washington and the one we had before, but space doesn’t matter because each time I step over the threshold, I feel like I’m home.

The exterior color, a flawless mix of blue and teal, is precisely what I hoped it would be. I can easily say the pictures our realtor showed us didn’t do this place justice. The front porch is white, wide, and one of my favorite parts of the house, minus the backyard. I told Evan I plan to sit out there every night, in one of the rockers or on the swing, and say hi to our neighbors because I don’t want to live in fear, even though there’s a nagging voice in the back of my mind reminding me of everything. The other day, when Evan, Nate, and my dad installed the new cameras and security system, I felt like I could fully breathe again. If someone lurks, we’ll know about it.

Inside, everything screams beach house. The walls are a light gray with white molding. The countertops in the kitchen are quartz, and the floor is bamboo with a unique gray and brown pattern. Evan’s office is in our tiny garage since it’s not big enough for our car, and our guest bedroom is yellow. It’s a happy room which always brings a smile to your face when you walk in. Our master has a door that leads to a private balcony and cathedral ceilings. EJ’s room is gray and will get painted blue after the wedding. Whatever he wants, he can have. But it’s the back that I am over the moon about with the two sets of French doors leading out to a deck, hot tub, and pool. When we told EJ our new house would have a pool, he said we made him the happiest boy ever. Never mind the fact that we’re less than a five-minute walk to the beach. The backyard is concrete, which is okay since the front yard has grass for Deefur.

Today is our rehearsal dinner, and we’re having it at our new home. My mom wanted to book the Coronado Yacht Club, but I wanted it here.

I make my way outside and find Nate standing at the grill. Our relationship is hard to explain these days. We’re friends and probably still best friends, but the strain between him and Evan definitely affects us. It’s hard to look at him sometimes and not wonder how things would’ve been different. We crossed a line we never should’ve, and I’m equally to blame for that. Neither of us expected this outcome.

Nate glances toward me and gives me a small wave. I walk down the steps and looked down the driveway since the gate is open. “Where’s Evan?”

He nods toward what would be our garage or Evan’s office. “Filling the coolers. McCoy just pulled in with a truckload of ice.”

“Surely, not a truckload.”

Nate laughs. “This is McCoy we’re talking about.”

I stare in the direction of Tucker’s truck and sigh. He would be the one to pull pranks today. “I guess I better check on them.” Nate laughs again, and I can’t tell if it’s because he’s joking or not. I ease around the corner to find Evan and Tucker in the garage, drinking a beer.

“Starting early?” I ask.

Evan smiles and reaches for me. I’m safe in his arms. This is where I want to spend the rest of my life. “McCoy found a new brew. We’re just testing it out.”

“Well, don’t drink too many. We have a lot of people coming over, and there is still a lot to do.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Tucker says as he tips the bottle toward me.

“And maybe take one to Nate.” I step out of Evan’s hold and watch for his reaction. It’s slight, but the irritation in his features is there. If he had his choice, Nate wouldn’t be around me at all. But then that wouldn’t work for Evan. He trusts his brother to protect his family and run a business, but that’s as far as that goes.

The guys follow me out of the garage and into the backyard, where Tucker hands Nate a beer and tells him all about it. It’s all foreign to me. I don’t really need to know about barley, hops, or any of the other stuff that goes into making beer. I’m not a fan. Give me tequila or vodka, and we can talk.

I head back into the house and start pulling trays of food out. While my mom didn’t get her way with where the dinner would be held, she did get her way on who would cater. She was adamant that I do not cook or prepare anything for the party, and I just had to be home to accept delivery. I’m setting the trays on the table when EJ enters the room.

“May I go swimming?” He’s already dressed in his trunks and has his towel resting on his shoulders.

“Ask your dad. He’s outside right now,” I say this as a test to our son, wondering if he’ll holler ‘hey dad’ or if he’ll wait and assess the situation before he says anything. I am praying for the former. Evan desperately wants to hear EJ call him dad. I follow EJ outside but hang back enough to eavesdrop without anyone noticing me. Sure enough, he walks up to Evan and asks. As soon as Evan gives EJ permission, I head back to my tasks.

“Hey, Ryley,” Tucker says my name as he stands in the doorway. “Is it cool if Chloe brings her swimsuit over?”

“Of course. Grace is bringing hers as well.”

“Thanks.” Tucker waves with his phone in his hand. I suppose this is his way of saying he will text Penny and let her know.

The doorbell chimes, and I take a deep breath before answering. Livvie and Julianne stand on the other side. I had hoped my mom would show up before Evan’s, but no such luck.

“Hello, come on in.” Livvie and I hug. I’m not expecting anything from Julianne and am completely caught off guard when she hugs me. “Thanks for coming.”

“Thank you for the invite.”

“Well, have a look around. The guys are outside, and EJ is in the pool. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Beer?” Livvie blurts out, and her mother’s mouth drops open. “What?”

“Olivia, don’t be so rude,” Julianne says. “I swear you act like you were raised by wolves sometimes.”

---