Page 46 of The Archer Brothers

“Hey, Ry?” he yells after I’ve taken a few steps away from him. I look at him over my shoulder and find him in the same position that I left him. Except I’m certain his tongue is hanging out. “Why don’t you come back here and sit on my lap?”

I shake my head and continue to walk toward EJ, who is frantically digging in the sand. Deefur is laying next him, not caring that he’s being buried alive.

“Do you need some help?” I ask, kneeling down.

“You can do the digging.” He hands me his shovel and starts filling his buckets full of sand. I continue to work on his moat making sure to place my sand on the outside, away from where he’s building. I ignore the dark shadow that belongs to Evan who’s standing next to me. I purposely start to bury his feet.

“EJ, who taught you how to build a sand castle?”

“Papa,” he says without looking at Evan.

“Did papa tell you that you need prisoners?”

EJ and I both look at Evan, both of us confused. “I dunno.” EJ shrugs and goes back to packing his bucket.

“You should run, Ryley.”

“Excuse me?”

“Hey, EJ. I need your help, little man. On the count of three I’m going to pick up your mom and throw her into the ocean. In about two seconds she’s going to start running so I need you to help me catch her.”

He’s right. I takes me about two seconds to realize what’s about to happen before I get up and start running. I chance a look over my shoulder, and he’s still standing there. I know I’m doomed. He’s a SEAL. This is his playground.

EJ and Evan start after me, and I’m screaming. Deefur is also chasing me, and the little shit is cutting me off, driving me back toward Evan.

“Get her, Eban.”

“You’re supposed to help me, EJ!” I yell just as two very strong arms wrap around my waist.

“Such a little tease running around in your bikini.” Evan lifts me up and throws me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing. My lovely son is behind us, cheering him on. I shake my fist at EJ, only to earn more laughter.

I close my eyes when I hear water splashing. It’s going to be cold, but I have to show no weakness. Evan has taught me better. The second I’m lifted off his shoulder, I’m squeezing my eyes shut and closing my mouth. Evan makes good on his threat as I’m suddenly under water.

When I surface, EJ is on Evan’s hip and Deefur is standing next to him. They’re smiling.Thisis the family I’ve always dreamed about.

COMING HOME TO ANempty house is not my idea of happiness. I’ve been counting the hours until I could return home. Until I could hold Ryley and play ball with EJ in the backyard. This mission was short compared to some, and longer than I wanted to be gone. I have no control over the time though. I’m just happy to be home.

The house has an eerie feel, almost somber. It’s too quiet for my liking. I turn on the TV to create some background noise. The luggage in the corner catches my eye. I rifle through it. I’m nosey. It’s my nature. It’s all women’s clothing but nothing Ryley would wear. Maybe Carter and Lois had a fight while I was gone and she’s been staying here. I doubt it, but it’s better than thinking Ryley has suddenly taken on a transient with her fashion taste.

I walk into the kitchen and pull a beer out of the fridge. I should call Ryley and tell her I’m home, but surprising her would be best, I think. I love seeing the look on her face when I come home. The way she feels pressed against my body after I’ve been gone. I’ve missed her terribly and need to hold her.

Sitting down on the couch, I pick up the pad of paper, hoping to find a note as to where she might be. It’s just her doodles, the silly little drawings that she used to do back in high school.

She draws swirly designs all over her notepad. I don’t know why girls do this. Is it so they don’t have to make eye contact with us? If so, that’s the stupidest reason ever. She didn’t even move when I sat down. I saw her in the hall earlier and almost lost my shit. Evan is going to freak out when he finds out. I send him a quick text, letting him know that the angel that saved him from purgatory is sitting next to me in class. I sort of want to ask her to look at me so I can razz him later about the shiner he gave her. I’ve never seen him so pussy whipped by a girl he doesn’t even know.

I wish I could remember her name. If I did, I could introduce myself again. I wasn’t paying attention yesterday because I thought she was just another piece of ass for Evan. But he acted differently around her at the park, and I’ve never seen him stare at the phone for so long. That’s where I found him this morning – asleep with his head on top of the phone. He had a nice indent when he woke up.

She peers at me, and I smile. She probably thinks I’m creepy. I probably am creepy. Her head pops up and now she’s full on staring. I close my mouth, afraid that I have something in my teeth. Evan has been making me drink those damn protein shakes in the morning to bulk up, but I know I brushed my teeth. There can’t be any residue left. Right?

‘You look just like your brother,’ she blurts out and I’m rewarded with the most glorious shade of red as she blushes. Her beautiful hair, I’d say it was the color of a red autumn leaves, tries to hide her face, and I’m tempted to reach out and push it behind her ear.

Wait, what?

This is Evan’s girl.

I can’t touch her.

But I want to.

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