Here With Me (The Archer Brothers 1)

I maneuver EJ as he haphazardly lies across my lap. This position allows me to run my fingers through his hair. I have so much to make up for and starting this morning, we’re going to do some family things and maybe even Dad and EJ stuff. I’m not expecting an overnight adjustment, but I need to be in his life almost twenty-four seven because I’m his dad, regardless of how things have been the past few years.

The day Ryley told me she was pregnant I wanted to kick my own ass for not asking her to marry me the moment she told me she was ready to start a family. I’m such a pig-headed machismo that all I thought about was knocking her up. I never thought about how they wouldn’t be taken care of if I were to die – which apparently I did – which also means that someone received my financial payout, and I have a feeling I know who did.

‘I love you,’ she says as her hand slips into mine. I turn my head, the grass we’re laying in poking me in my ear and eye. She laughs and it’s the most magical sound I’ve ever heard.

‘I love you, Ryley.’ Men don’t understand the importance of telling their girls that they love them and not saying ‘I love you, too’. Adding that extra word almost takes away from the meaning, like it’s a reflex reaction. It’s not the same, at least not for me. She needs to know that I love her as much, if not more and her saying it first doesn’t diminish that for me.

Ryley rests her head on my shoulder and tickles me along my waistband. Her fingers brush along my boxers and in and out of the fine hairs on my stomach. It’s a good thing my hands are behind my head or I’d be moving her hand over the top of my shorts.

‘I’m pregnant, Evan.’

I don’t have to ask her to repeat herself. I heard her loud and clear. I roll onto my side, taking her with me so I can look into her eyes.

‘Tell me again,’ I say because I so want to hear those words come off her sweet lips.

‘I’m pregnant.’ Her face lights up with so much magic, it’s hard for me to contain my own smile. I move in quickly, bringing her lips to mine and rolling her on top of me.

‘Are you happy?’ I ask, thinking I already know her answer.

‘I’m so happy, Evan. We’re going to have a family.’

‘Do you want a boy or girl?’

She laughs. ‘I think a boy.’

I raise my eyebrow at her. ‘Really? I thought you’d be all over having a little girl running around.’

‘Not with you as her dad and Nate as her uncle. The poor girl would never be able to date. No, I think I want a happy, healthy boy who looks like his daddy so when you’re not home I still have my Evan with me.’

‘I’m just happy that you’re pregnant, Ry. Our lives are almost complete.’

‘You make me complete, Evan. I don’t need a child to feel that way, I just need you.’

‘God, I love you, Ryley. We should get married.’

She sits up partially and eyes me. ‘I’m not marrying you, Evan Archer.’

I sit up, holding her to me. I love that her legs wrap around my waist. Placing one hand on her stomach and the other on her cheek, I kiss her softly. ‘You’re my life, Ryley. I want nothing more than to marry you, and we should’ve done it back when you turned eighteen. So, I’m asking you now. Ryley Clarke, will you do me the honor being my wife?’

‘Yes… yes, I will.’

I jump and my skin begins to tingle when a loud thunking echoes outside the house. I shake Ryley with my fingers to my lips. She startles and looks around until she focuses on me. I motion for her to take EJ upstairs. I don’t have to tell her what to do. She knows.

As soon as he’s off my lap, I pull my gun out from under the couch and move toward the door. I keep the blinds closed and listen for footsteps. They’re walking up the stairs and on the porch. The last thing I want to do is hurt someone with my son just upstairs, but those bastards have it coming.

The screen door opens; the small squeak is everyone’s worst enemy. I turn the handle slowly and peak outside. Their back is to me and at my advantage.

“Who the fuck are you?” I say, with the barrel of my gun pressing against their skull. “Turn around slowly or it’s lights out.”

Their hands go up slowly and they turn.

I drop my gun instantly. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Mo

m kicked me out when I sided with you. I need a place to stay.”

I shake my head and pull Livvie into my arms. “I almost ended your life. You might want to try and call first.”