Archer groans. “Yes, Mum.”
“Good. I’ll move into whichever room you don’t want. That way, we won’t be in neighbouring rooms, and you’ll have some privacy.”
My face becomes hot.
“Maybe we should go inside. We don’t have sunscreen on,” Archer says.
“Good idea.” I practically fall over my feet in my rush to stand and escape the embarrassing conversation.
Archer steadies me, and arm in arm, we enter the villa. We go to my room, which is the slightly larger of the two.
I sit heavily on the edge of the bed. “I can’t believe he’s gone. I can’t believe he wouldn’t even talk to me. To us.”
Archer strokes my hand but remains quiet.
“What are you thinking?” I ask.
He fidgets and shakes his head.
I pull him so he’s sitting beside me and cup his cheek. “You can tell me anything.”
He lets out a squeak.
“You don’t have to like my dad to love me. Besides, an outside perspective is probably what I need right now.”
“Okay… If you’re sure?”
“I am. Tell me.”
He sucks in a breath. “It’s classic bully behaviour. He knew he was in the wrong, but it’s easier to run away from a situation than to admit that.”
I sigh. “You’re right. I just wish he’d been here. I wish he’d had the guts to talk to me.”
“Bullies never want to face up to their behaviour. They’re cowards, more often than not.” Archer runs his fingers through my hair and gives me a smile that lights up the room. “Maybe he’ll apologise once he’s had time to calm down and realise he doesn’t want to lose you.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“And if he doesn’t, you’ve got me in your corner.”
“Do you think Dad and Molly will work things out?”
Archer shrugs. “Is it terrible to say I hope they don’t?”
“No.”
“Your mum will be on your side too.”
I wince. “Shit. I need to call her before Dad does it for me.”
“He wouldn’t. Would he?”
“Fuck knows. I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“Would she listen to him?”
“I don’t know.”
“Want me to leave?”
