Here With Me (The Archer Brothers #1)

by Heidi McLaughlin

  “Do you see that cloud?”

  Evan nods. “I’ll watch it. If it starts moving fast, we’ll head home.” He picks up Deefur’s tennis ball and tosses it toward the water. The dog takes off, jumping over the waves and going under until he surfaces with it in his mouth. Evan throws it again before sitting down next to me.

  “This is nice.”

  “Yeah, it is. I just hate that I’ve missed so much.” He slips off his shirt and I gasp. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him like this. I do the only levelheaded thing there is to do. I pull out my bottle of sunscreen and move behind him.

  He hisses when the cool lotion touches his back. “That shit’s cold, babe.”

  “I know, but you need it. You’ll burn, and I’m not going to listen to you whine.”

  “I don’t whine,” he says, earning an eye roll from me. I take this opportunity to massage his shoulder muscles and his back. “God, I’ve missed this.”

  “Yeah, look at me already giving you a massage.”

  He turns his head and peers at me sideways. “You love touching me. You’re using it as an excuse to touch my body. Oh my god, woman, you’re using me.”

  I pinch his side, causing him to laugh.

  “Do I get to rub you down?”

  “I’d say yes if I didn’t think you were trying to cop a feel.”

  Evan places his hand over his heart and falls over. He’s so dramatic. “I can’t believe you would say such a thing about me.”

  I roll my eyes at him in mock disgrace. Putting the sunblock back, I stand and take off my shirt and wriggle out of my cut-offs. I feel his eyes on me, but I don’t make contact. I don’t want to lose my nerve as I walk away from him.

  “Hey, Ry?” he yells after I’ve taken a few steps away from him. I look at him over my shoulder and find him in the same position that I left him. Except I’m certain his tongue is hanging out. “Why don’t you come back here and sit on my lap?”

  I shake my head and continue to walk toward EJ, who is frantically digging in the sand. Deefur is laying next him, not caring that he’s being buried alive.

  “Do you need some help?” I ask, kneeling down.

  “You can do the digging.” He hands me his shovel and starts filling his buckets full of sand. I continue to work on his moat making sure to place my sand on the outside, away from where he’s building. I ignore the dark shadow that belongs to Evan who’s standing next to me. I purposely start to bury his feet.

  “EJ, who taught you how to build a sand castle?”

  “Papa,” he says without looking at Evan.

  “Did papa tell you that you need prisoners?”

  EJ and I both look at Evan, both of us confused. “I dunno.” EJ shrugs and goes back to packing his bucket.

  “You should run, Ryley.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Hey, EJ. I need your help, little man. On the count of three I’m going to pick up your mom and throw her into the ocean. In about two seconds she’s going to start running so I need you to help me catch her.”

  He’s right. I takes me about two seconds to realize what’s about to happen before I get up and start running. I chance a look over my shoulder, and he’s still standing there. I know I’m doomed. He’s a SEAL. This is his playground.

  EJ and Evan start after me, and I’m screaming. Deefur is also chasing me, and the little shit is cutting me off, driving me back toward Evan.

  “Get her, Eban.”

  “You’re supposed to help me, EJ!” I yell just as two very strong arms wrap around my waist.

  “Such a little tease running around in your bikini.” Evan lifts me up and throws me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing. My lovely son is behind us, cheering him on. I shake my fist at EJ, only to earn more laughter.

  I close my eyes when I hear water splashing. It’s going to be cold, but I have to show no weakness. Evan has taught me better. The second I’m lifted off his shoulder, I’m squeezing my eyes shut and closing my mouth. Evan makes good on his threat as I’m suddenly under water.

  When I surface, EJ is on Evan’s hip and Deefur is standing next to him. They’re smiling. This is the family I’ve always dreamed about.

  COMING HOME TO AN empty house is not my idea of happiness. I’ve been counting the hours until I could return home. Until I could hold Ryley and play ball with EJ in the backyard. This mission was short compared to some, and longer than I wanted to be gone. I have no control over the time though. I’m just happy to be home.

  The house has an eerie feel, almost somber. It’s too quiet for my liking. I turn on the TV to create some background noise. The luggage in the corner catches my eye. I rifle through it. I’m nosey. It’s my nature. It’s all women’s clothing but nothing Ryley would wear. Maybe Carter and Lois had a fight while I was gone and she’s been staying here. I doubt it, but it’s better than thinking Ryley has suddenly taken on a transient with her fashion taste.

  I walk into the kitchen and pull a beer out of the fridge. I should call Ryley and tell her I’m home, but surprising her would be best, I think. I love seeing the look on her face when I come home. The way she feels pressed against my body after I’ve been gone. I’ve missed her terribly and need to hold her.

  Sitting down on the couch, I pick up the pad of paper, hoping to find a note as to where she might be. It’s just her doodles, the silly little drawings that she used to do back in high school.

  She draws swirly designs all over her notepad. I don’t know why girls do this. Is it so they don’t have to make eye contact with us? If so, that’s the stupidest reason ever. She didn’t even move when I sat down. I saw her in the hall earlier and almost lost my shit. Evan is going to freak out when he finds out. I send him a quick text, letting him know that the angel that saved him from purgatory is sitting next to me in class. I sort of want to ask her to look at me so I can razz him later about the shiner he gave her. I’ve never seen him so pussy whipped by a girl he doesn’t even know.

  I wish I could remember her name. If I did, I could introduce myself again. I wasn’t paying attention yesterday because I thought she was just another piece of ass for Evan. But he acted differently around her at the park, and I’ve never seen him stare at the phone for so long. That’s where I found him this morning – asleep with his head on top of the phone. He had a nice indent when he woke up.

  She peers at me, and I smile. She probably thinks I’m creepy. I probably am creepy. Her head pops up and now she’s full on staring. I close my mouth, afraid that I have something in my teeth. Evan has been making me drink those damn protein shakes in the morning to bulk up, but I know I brushed my teeth. There can’t be any residue left. Right?

  ‘You look just like your brother,’ she blurts out and I’m rewarded with the most glorious shade of red as she blushes. Her beautiful hair, I’d say it was the color of a red autumn leaves, tries to hide her face, and I’m tempted to reach out and push it behind her ear.

  Wait, what?

  This is Evan’s girl.

  I can’t touch her.

  But I want to.

  I laugh, and it’s awkward. She turns to face me again. Her eyes pierce mine. She thinks I’m laughing at her. I’m not. I’m laughing at my idiotic heart that is falling for a girl my brother desperately wants. Oh, the irony.

  ‘We’re twins, and you just made the other me very happy.’ Where do I come up with this crap? We’re twins? And why do I care if he’s happy? I want her for myself. Maybe she’ll see just how much of a douche Evan can be, and I can console her.

  She clears her throat and faces the front. I want her to turn and stare at me so I can form the perfect picture tonight before going to bed. I want to memorize every inch of her porcelain face and hold her delicate hands in mine. I want to protect her from the world.

  I turn away when she glances at me. I shouldn’t have these feelings but I can’t help it. Evan’s right, she’s an angel. But if she’s the angel, he most certainly is the devil and I know I’ll h
ave to bide my time until he’s moved on. I’ll be there to mend her broken heart, even if the wait kills me.

  Evan texts back asking me if I’m serious. I could lie, but that will only work until he sees her himself. She's new; everyone will be talking about her. I can’t hide her as much as I’d love to.

  ‘Evan has been pacing by the phone waiting for you to call. He’s going to be outside that door when the bell rings now that he knows you’re here.’

  She looks at the door and back at me. Her expression is stoic. Her hands clutch the end of her desk, and her knuckles turn white.

  ‘What was your name again?’ I ask my tongue thick in my throat.

  ‘Ryley Clarke,’ her voice is barely above a whisper but it’s enough to make the hairs on my arm stand tall.

  ‘What’s yours?’

  I like that she cares even if she’s just returning the gesture.

  ‘Nate. Nate Archer.’ This is my opportunity to touch her so I extend my hand for her to shake. I feel my eyes go wide when we shake hands. ‘Like I said, Evan will be very happy to see you.’ I want to add that she should run in the opposite direction and that I’ll be there to meet her. I’m the good one of the bunch. Not him.

  My heart races the closer the second hand gets to the bell. I wish I had never sent that text and just talked to her myself. What harm would that have done? I could’ve easily told Evan I forgot what she looked like. He wouldn’t have bought it since he spent the night reciting everything that he loved about her. I know once he gets her into the backseat of his car he’ll be done with her. I won’t mind. I can’t fight what my heart wants.

  The bell signals the end of class and Mr. Reed throws his pen onto his desk and waves the students out. It’s only the first day and he already looks flustered. I gather my things slowly and walk down the aisle staying one step behind Ryley. I’m trying not to watch her, but I can’t help it.

  I let her go in front of me and as soon as we’re both facing the door, I see Evan. His head is bent slightly and he’s watching her like a hawk watches his prey. When Donna, his weekly ‘friend’ walks by, I think he’ll start watching her, but her presence doesn’t faze him. That doesn’t bode well for me.

  I hate my brother right now. The coolness oozes off him. I didn’t get the sex appeal gene. I got the brains. Why can’t I have both? He beckons her with his finger and she goes, just like every other girl in this school. He looks up at and catches me watching and shakes his head. He’s telling me she’s off limits.

  I don’t wait to see what happens next. I put my head down and walk to my locker. Letting the regret build with each step I take.

  I should’ve never texted him.

  Footsteps bound up the front porch steps. I place my beer on the table and smile at the memory of the first day I met Ryley. Everything could’ve been different. But like I predicted, I was here to pick up the pieces when Evan died. It’s not how I wanted things to be with us, but I’ll take whatever I can get.

  The front door opens and Ryley walks in. She’s laughing and looking behind her. She doesn’t know I’m here, reminding me that we need to talk about security and her being cautious when I’m not home. I see the top of EJ’s head, knowing instantly that someone is carrying him. He’s being held too high up and I know that it can’t be Lois holding him.

  They step in and all eyes are on me. My throat closes as we stand there, staring at each other. I blink, closing my eyes tightly and pray that when I open them all I see are Ryley and EJ standing before me.

  When I open them my worst nightmare has come true. A ghost is holding my son. The boy I’ve raised from the day he was born. A man I buried years ago stands before me, who just a moment ago was laughing with my fiancée.

  I look from him to Ryley and back. I don’t even want to think about what’s been going on or how the hell he ended up in our living room.

  “Daddy,” EJ says, and the only solace I feel right now is running toward me after being set down. I scoop him up and look at my dead brother as he eyes me with his newly found possession.

  “How are you here?” I ask, clearly in shock.

  “Ah, don’t be so surprised little brother. It’s not like you didn’t know I was alive.”

  I didn’t.

  Their story continues in CHOOSE ME, the second novel in The Archer Brothers series. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @heidijovt or Facebook – facebook.com/heidimclaughlinauthor for further information on when that will be released

  To the girls that never let me down: Yvette, Emily, Georgette and Fallon. I know this story was difficult, but you listened to my vision and helped me execute it. And thank you Jennifer Wolfel for being my last set of eyes.

  Carey Heywood & LP Dover: Thank you for taking this first draft and loving it even though it was a train wreck. The conversations we’ve had only made this story so much stronger.

  Sarah Hansen: thank you for hearing my vision so many months ago and having not only the perfect image for Here with Me, but having the image ready for Choose Me.

  Kassi Cooper: you, my friend, create the most amazing moments for me. Thank you for taking the helm on this story.

  Bloggers: This is such a general term and encompasses so many. If you were a part of the blog tour, thank you for taking a chance on me. If you tweeted, shared or commented on the Here with Me cover reveal, I thank you. The anticipation that has been shown means so much.

  Art Liberty: You came into my life when I needed it the most. The guiding hand and vote of confidence means more to me than I’ll ever be able to repay. I appreciate everything you’ve done for this story, and thank you for the beauty that is your daughter, Becca. Without her, I’d still be in a panic.

  The Beaumont Daily: I really couldn’t ask for a better street team or water tower gang – whatever you guys want to be called. You’re an amazing group and so fun to be a part of.

  Finally to my family: thank you for allowing me to play with my imagination.