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I feel myself scowling. “That’s no excuse for how mean he’s been to me.”
I don’t deserve that. It’s not fair to me and I won’t allow it to happen. No matter how much I’m attracted to Nolan. And if he wants to keep being a shithead, he will definitely not be allowed to keep sticking his tongue down my throat whenever the heck he feels like it.
“Agreed.” Nolan’s big brother nods. “But here’s the thing.” He peeks over his shoulder to make sure the coast is still clear. “For men, it’s hard owning up to our feelings sometimes. Especially when we’re dealing with a woman who has no reason to feel the same way. A woman who’s far out of our league.” He tilts his head, keeping his voice low and conspiratorial. “To be clear, I’m saying that you’re far out of Nolan’s league. But trust me, he cares about you. He just doesn’t know how to show it.”
In all the years that I’ve known the ever-broody Archer Brighton, this is the most words he has ever said to me all at once. And I won’t lie—it’s a lot to process.
Why would Nolan think that I’m out of his league? That man is everything a woman could want. He’s loyal. Responsible. Protective. Hotter than hellfire. And he puts his boxers in the laundry hamper instead of dropping them on the floor.
Any sane woman would toss her panties and spread her legs for him in a heartbeat. No way he thinks I am out of his league.
“I’m not buying it,” I whisper back.
Archer’s shoulders pop upward then they drop. “That’s on you.”
Right then, Nolan enters the room, biceps bulging as he carries in a huge mirror and leans it against the wall. Archer and I quickly fall silent.
Brushing his palms together, Nolan turns to face his brother and me. “What are you two talking about?” His eyes darken with jealousy and suspicion as they pingpong between us.
“Nothing,” Archer says quickly. “Go grab your toolbox so we can get this mirror attached to the dresser and I can get out of here.”
“What’s the rush?” Nolan asks him. “We’ve got all afternoon.”
“I’m trying to convince Layla that she needs an extra kiddie gate in her living room to keep Sky out of trouble. I want to head down to the hardware store to pick up some supplies.”
Nolan’s eyebrow hikes up as a knowing look comes over his face. “How do you know what Layla needs in her living room?”
I find myself snickering. Archer and Layla are neighbors, but over the years, I’ve noticed him sneaking not-so-neighborly peeks at her a time or two at The North Node. For years, she used to be in a relationship with some toxic douchebag who was horrible to her. But now that Layla is a single mother, is the towering lumberjack finally ready to make his move?
Rolling his eyes, Archer picks up a piece of the wrapping foam and tosses it at his brother’s head. “Don’t fucking start. Sky pulled Layla’s curtains right off the window frame the other day. She asked me to come help her put them back up. That’s how I know how much trouble the little man has been getting into. Is that a good enough answer for you?”
Nolan lifts a shoulder. “I guess.”
Archer huffs. “Now go get the damn toolbox.”
I stand back and watch the Brighton brothers work together, attaching the mirror to the dresser. The whole time, Archer’s words wrestle around with my common sense. He cares about you. He just doesn’t know how to show it.
That’s not good enough for me.
After all the love I grew up lacking, I won’t entertain a man who can’t even tell me how he feels. I want him to say it. I need that. I deserve that.
I want the man I’m crazy about to tell me he’s crazy about me. Every single day. That can’t be too much to ask, can it?
And as for things with Nolan and me? I’ve overstayed my welcome here. It’s time for me to go.
Before long, the gorgeous tri-fold mirror is all set up and Archer is ready to leave.
“Bye, Archer.” I smile at the big lumberjack.
He responds with a salute and a smirk that says, Think about what we talked about. “Bye, Stargirl.”
“Oh, stop it!” I hiss after him and he belly-laughs.
Grunting, Nolan gives his brother a shove in the direction of the front door. “Thanks for helping me out, asshole. Now, get out.”
“You owe me a fucking beer,” Archer teases.
“You’ve been drinking for free at my bar for the last six years, so I won’t even dignify that with a response,” Nolan says as he walks Archer out.
