IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I show up at Ryley’s to spend a nice evening with her, only to find a note taped to the door directing me to Magoo’s and reminding me that I need to get a cell phone. As much as I love the bar, it’s not where I want to spend what little time I have with her. I was really hoping for a nice quiet dinner, maybe a romantic walk on the beach, followed by some serious adult time. But no, my girl wants to hang out at the bar of all places.

The thought crosses my mind that Ryley may be trying to re-create the life we had before some fucker decided to screw with us. We’d meet at Magoo’s after work, hang out with friends and sometimes Cara and Nate would join us. Cara… the more I think about what’s happened and my need to find the truth the more Cara enters into my thoughts. I could ask Ryley what happened between Cara and Nate, but I’m not sure my ego could take it if I found out she was the cause of them breaking up.

As soon as I walk in, I’m taken back to seven, eight years ago... to the last time I came home from deployment. That homecoming was a little happier, but this one could be just as nice. In the middle of the room, under a sign welcoming me home is the girl that I have loved for years. She stands there facing me, with a smile big enough to light up New York City. Some may think this is my moment to shine, but it’s not, it’s Ryley’s. Welcome home parties aren’t always for us, but for our families. It gives them a moment to finally breathe because they finally have us home. They finally get back to living life the way it’s meant to be. Nothing is put on hold when we’re home.

Surrounding Ryley are River and Frannie, my mom and Livvie, McCoy, Rask, Slick Rick, and Nate. If the sign didn’t have my name on it, I’d wonder if this party was for him, too, since Carter, Lois and what looks like a few of his team are here. Ryley steps toward me and I look for any hesitation, the slightest inclination that she’s only going to be friendly. She pauses before she reaches me, but I don’t give her the opportunity to step back. I grab her, pulling her by her waist and pressing her flush against my body, kissing her deeply. A hush falls over the bar, not that I care. I know she’s engaged to my brother unless she’s called it off and this is really a party to celebrate that fact.

When she pulls away she bites her lower lip. I use this to my advantage and run my thumb over it pulling it free. “Welcome home, Archer,” her words are barely audible and are only meant for me.

“As long as I’m with you, I’m home.” Leaning down, I place a chaste kiss on her lips before looking over at my friends. “Where are your parents?”

“Someone had to watch EJ and they volunteered.”

I appreciate it but wish they were here. They’re the only ones who have treated me like a real person and not a ghost since I’ve been home. Our homecoming should’ve been different and I can only imagine that my team members are feeling a little bit somber. With Ryley’s hand in mine I greet my friends and thank them for coming. When we get to my mother, I kiss her on the cheek.

“It’s good to see you again, Mom.”

“Yes well, Nate called and invited me.” My eyes meet his over the top of my mother’s head. His face is red, his jaw is clenched and the anger is rolling off him. Letting go of Ryley’s hand, I place my arm around her shoulder and pull her into me. She stumbles a little, but regains her footing quickly. I know what I’m doing is probably wrong in a lot of people’s eyes, but in mine, this woman belongs to me and I belong to her. I don’t want to pretend when I’m with her.

“Mom, you remember Ryley, my fiancée and the mother of my son?”

My mother stiffens and Livvie steps away. The line is clearly divided where Livvie is concerned. I’m her favorite. I’ve known that for years, but she still looks up to Nate. While Nate and I aren’t allowed to live with Ryley, Livvie is. It’s my hope that my sister has come to her senses where Ryley is concerned. If not, I won’t hesitate to pack up her shit and sending her back to my mother’s.

“I believe she’s engaged to Nate now. Am I right, Ryley?” She cocks an eyebrow at Ryley before looking down and away as if Ryley isn’t worth the time it would take for her to respond. “And let’s not forget about EJ,” she says before turning her back on me.

“Huh, imagine that... my own mother wants to believe that my son belongs to you,” I say to Nate before turning toward the bar. Ryley keeps stride with me until we reach the bar.

“So how does this work, Ry? Do I get one night and he gets the other? Or do we share nights, like tonight? Because if that’s the case, you can pretty much guarantee that I won’t be the third wheel on your dates.”

Ryley rolls her eyes before squaring herself. “Do you love me?”

“You know I do,” my reply is instant and factual, but gives me pause. Maybe I’m not saying it enough to her.

“Then shut up with your stupid comments. Your family and friends are here to celebrate your homecoming, which frankly should’ve happened weeks ago. I’m trying here and I need you to just accept what I’m offering until I can offer more.”

Pulling her into my arms, I tell her that I’m sorry and that I do love her, more than anything in this world. I remind her that she’s the reason I’m alive right now.

Rick hands us each a beer. As I bring mine to my lips, I watch her. She’s uncomfortable with my question, but I’m not about to play nice. Nate shouldn’t be at my party, not under the circumstances. The fact that he’s here, knowing that I’ll refuse to keep my hands off Ryley, is really pretty dumb on his part. He must love being tortured. Lord knows I wouldn’t allow it.

“I’m going to go talk to Frannie,” Ryley murmurs, letting her hand linger on my arm. I shake my head and watch her walk away. I don’t know why she continues this charade of not knowing who she wants to be with. My brother is in the room and she doesn’t hesitate to touch me. If I were Nate, I’d be livid. I wouldn’t be standing there with our mother, whining to her as if she’s going to do something about us not getting along.

Leaning back against the bar I survey the scene. Rask is in the corner flirting with a blonde while McCoy sits in the corner by himself. Empty beer mugs litter his table with a half empty one resting in his hand. My own problems have overshadowed his. In most cases, he’s worse off. At least Ryley was in the same house when I came home. I need to be a better friend to him and help him find Penny and Claire.

River and Frannie are laughing at something Ryley is saying, which makes me smile. I don’t even know what she’s talking about, but a part of me feels as if I’m over there with them right now. A tap on my shoulder causes me to turn. Rick has placed a fresh beer down for me. I glance quickly at River to see if he’s drinking. I’ll need a ride home tonight because I don’t plan on stopping as long as Nate is in the room.

Speaking of my brother, he and my mother, along with Carter and Lois grab a table to hold their “how-do-we-get-Evan-out-of-here-pow-wow”. They’re laughable, really, if they think I’m going to step aside and let Nate continue his takeover of my life.

Ryley walks by and I grab her by the waist, pulling her to me. I love it when her hair is down and I show her just how much by nuzzling her neck. God, she smells amazing. I’ve never been able to describe what she smells like, but her perfume drives me crazy and makes me want her even more. I nip at her ear, pulling her lobe in between my teeth. “I love you,” I whisper as I brush the stubble on my face from her ear over her cheek. Capturing her lips, our tongues meet in a familiar dance, one that I’ve missed and so desperately need in order to live.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Angry words are thrown at me as she’s ripped from my arms. The last vision I have is of Ryley’s face masked in fear. Her hands are covering her mouth, and I can’t console her because my brother is standing in front of me.

“Do you have a problem, little brother?”

The bar falls silent as Nate’s nostrils flare and his chest puffs out. I set my beer on the stool next to me so that I can keep my eyes on my enemy. I right myself, standing tall.

“

You just don’t get it do you?”

Tags: Heidi McLaughlin The Archer Brothers Romance
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