“Love you too.”
She ends the video call. I sigh, toss my phone to the end of the bed, and flop backwards.
Archer comes with me, cuddling and stroking my hair. “That seemed to go well.”
I nod.
“Are you okay?”
“I…think so.”
“I’ve got a suggestion for you.”
“What?”
“Everything you want to say to your dad—put it into an email. You don’t have to send it if you don’t want to. It could live in yourDraft folder forever. But I think getting it all out will help you, whether he sees it or not.”
I kiss his forehead. “Good idea, thanks.”
“It won’t hurt forever.”
I hug him close. “I know. Gah. Iambetter off without him. I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life. It’ll just take a bit of getting used to.”
“Lean on me as much as you need to.”
“Thank you.” I lift my shirt to my nose. “These clothes stink.”
Archer laughs. “Yup. We should get changed.”
I roll him onto his back and lean over him. “Or we could get hot and sweaty again first.”
He gasps. “Why, Jacob, you’re horny today.”
I nuzzle my nose against the crook of his neck and inhale deeply. “I need to be close to you. Is that a bad thing?”
“No. It’s a good thing. It means you and I are going to be okay.”
“More than okay, I hope.” I kiss him softly.
“Great?”
I smile and kiss him again. “That’s better.”
Chapter 26
Archer
We split the remaining days of the holiday between going on trips and spending time with Mum. The latter mostly consists of hanging out by the pool. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make to ensure she’s okay. She might seem fine, but she’s amazing at putting on a brave face. I’ve watched her go through enough breakups to know that. For as long as I can remember, Mum has been chasing her happily ever after, so I’d wanted this relationship to last despite its messy beginnings. At least, I had until I’d realised what a jerk Barry is. Mum deserves better than him. Hell, everyone on the planet deserves a better partner and father than Barry.
But that doesn’t mean Mum isn’t hurting.
And it definitely doesn’t mean Jacob isn’t hurting.
Which is why I’ll be here for them.
“Wake up,” Jacob whispers.
I groan and force my eyes open. “What time is it?” My running alarm hasn’t gone off, so it must be early with a capital E.
