I holster my gun and pull my slacks back up as I stand in the doorway, watching the man walk down the driveway and disappear out the front gate. His plan was strategic. He didn’t park where we would’ve known he was here when we pulled up.

“Are you okay?” I ask, reaching for Archer.

“Please don’t,” he says, shrugging my hand away. “I need you to leave.”

“Archer, I—”

“Go, Brooks.”

He walks away, his shoulders slumped, and he doesn’t once look back at me as he climbs the stairs.

A yip at the side of me draws my attention. I hadn’t even thought of Princess since we returned. She growls when I just stare down at her. She didn’t once bark at Fletcher Corbin, and that tells me everything I need to know.

I’m hesitant to leave, but I won’t stay if he doesn’t want me.

When I climb into my SUV, the smell of the fast food left behind makes my stomach turn. I don’t know if it’s the last time I’ll ever be welcome in his house again.

Chapter 26

Archer

There were too many things, too many bombs that Fletcher dropped for me to deal with, especially with a witness.

I didn’t lie to Brooks about the length of time I spent with my drummer, but I never volunteered that information either.

Beyond the Lies?

The man must really hate me if he’s willing to work with them. We were friends with that band’s bass guitarist in high school, but there was a party, and well, drunk guys say shit they don’t mean. Fletcher never forgave him, so that meant neither did I. We were tight like that long before I ever looked at him and saw a man I could be interested in sexually.

Maybe that’s why this hurts so much. I let hormones and a desperate need to explore a side of me I spent years shoving down ruin my oldest friendship.

Fletcher is a good man, and I know I deserve all the hate he spits my way. I broke him when I couldn’t love him like he needed. I put that skepticism and hatred in his eyes.

I know things never would’ve worked out. He deserves better because I never felt an ounce of what I feel for Brooks for him. I tried, fuck did I try.

I cared for him, but it never crossed over into love.

I squeeze my eyes closed as I fall onto my bed, reaching out to pet Princess when she jumps up and lies down beside me.

I have fucked so many things up in my life. What happened with Fletcher is just one mistake of a million, but when I think about the way everything has worked out, I can’t be a hundred percent regretful.

Those pictures going public brought Brooks to my doorstep.

It makes me wonder if I was able to come out on my own if I would’ve stayed with Fletcher, and I hate that I know the answer to that the second it pops in my head. I would’ve. I was comfortable with the man. I could’ve explored every part of myself with him.

It reminds me of another lie of omission. Although I asked Brooks about his sexual history with other men, I never told him that Fletcher is the only other guy I’ve been with. Now we have years of experience together, but I was never the type to sneak around looking for back-alley hookups. I couldn’t risk someone going to the press. Non-disclosure agreements only get you so far when the information is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars when sold to the right person.

I pull out my phone, wanting to call Brooks, but I just can’t face him with everything Fletcher told him today.

“Yes,” Davien says when he answers.

“Fletcher was here.”

“Did you kiss and make up?”

“No. He said a bunch of shit in front of Brooks and left.”

I haven’t spoken much about Brooks after Davien voiced his opinions the last time he was here. All I’ve gotten is pushback from my friend since that day, so I’ve avoided the topic.

“He’s still working for you?”

I narrow my eyes, knowing it’s Davien’s subtle reminder of exactly who Brooks is.

“He said I chew people up and spit them out. He said I only use people for what they can offer me.” Silence fills the line. “Davien? Aren’t you on my side?”

“Do you really expect me to be?”

I sit up at the tone in his voice.

“I apologized to Fletcher.”

“You apologized to your fans for inappropriate behavior because you were stoned and drunk when referencing a three-year relationship with a man who was head over heels in love with you.”

“I—”

“You practically came out and said he took advantage of you.”

“I—”

“And not once has he said a thing about it in his defense.”

“He’s saying it with civil court cases,” I mutter.

“As he should. You ran his name through the mud, Archer. Would I even be a true friend if I didn’t say something about that shit? You could’ve ruined his career. You’re lucky he found a new job. Listen, I have to go.”

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