Here With Me (The Archer Brothers 1)

I put the car into drive and head down into the cul-de-sac where my mom lives. The white house with blue shutters is decorated with hanging flower baskets and rose bushes. I pull into the driveway without thinking, only for my mother to step outside in her gardening clothes.

“This isn’t going to be good. She’s going to think you’re Nate,” Ryley says, hopping out of the car.

“Hi, Julianne.” Her voice is muffled and as much as I don’t want to, I crack the window open a little so I can hear clearly.

“This is a surprise.” My mother’s voice is clipped. I don’t like it. She knows how far Ryley’s traveled with EJ to get here, she should be happy. I grip the steering wheel to keep myself from jumping out of the car to yell at her. That wouldn’t do any of us any good.

“I have some news, Julianne, and I need you to sit down.”

My mom leans to the side to look into the car. “Is Nate going to get out or are you two running off to Vegas?”

“No, please sit down.”

Mom throws her hands up in the air, as if she’s brushing off Ryley. I see her move toward the car and know that I need to get out before she gets to the driver side door.

“Julianne, please,” Ryley pleads to no avail.

I make the conscious decision to get out of the car and pray she doesn’t collapse onto the ground.

“Nate, get out of the car and come see me. I may not agree with your wedding, but I’m still your …”

Her eyes meet mine and her mouth drops open. Ryley moves in behind her, maybe to catch her or keep her from running. She turns and looks at Ryley who now has tears streaming down her face. Ryley nods, confirming my mom’s silent question. With her gaze back on mine, she shakes her head and her own tears begin to fall. I stand stock still, afraid to move.

“It can’t be,” mom whispers as she covers her mouth.

Ryley sets her hand on my mom’s shoulder. “He’s real, Julianne. Everything you thought… you were right.”

I make a mental note to ask Ryley more about what she just said, but for now I take a deep breath and address my mom. “Hi, Mom.”

“Oh, God.”

She buckles, but Ryley is there to catch her before she hits the ground. I slam the car door and am by her side instantly. I scoop her up in my arms and head toward her house. Everything I’m doing now I wish I did with Ryley, but her reaction was nothing but anger, and I completely understand that now.

Ryley and EJ follow us in. He’s at his grandma’s side the moment I set her down. She cups his face and he gives her multiple kisses on her cheek before he runs off down the hall.

“Such a sweet boy,” she says without making eye contact with me or Ryley. “I told you that you and Nate were a mistake.”

Ryley shakes her head and takes a seat across from us. I grab a hold of my mom’s hand and tug a little so she’s look at me.

“Mom, I’ve missed so much and have a lot to make up for, so I’m asking that you not bring up Nate and Ryley right now.”

“She told you?”

“Of course she did,” I defend Ryley.

Mom wipes angrily at her tears. “How long have you been alive?”

I run my hand over my hair and smile. “About thirty-five years.”

She laughs and so does Ryley. “I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”

I relax a bit into the couch and put my arm on the back of it. “About a week and before you start asking a bunch of questions let me tell you that no, I didn’t know we were all dead. I think we were part of a cover-up gone badly, and whoever was leading it is somehow not involved anymore because we were brought home. The entire time I was gone, I received care packages. I knew just about everything about Ryley and EJ, except for the obvious. I was also under the impression that Nate knew where I was. I was told many times that my brother knew about the mission, so needless to say I was a little taken aback when I came home to find out I’m dead and my fiancée is no longer mine, but my brother’s.”

Mom nods and lets the tears free fall. I pull her into my arms and tell her that I love her. “Everything’s been so hard since you left.”

“I know,” I whisper. “But I’m back and I’m not going anywhere. I have a girl to win back and a son to get to know.” My words make her stiffen and she pulls away from me.

“You intend to take Ryley from your brother?”