“Did Archer know Dad put his name down? Is that why they broke up?”
“I’m not sure, but right now it’s all very hush-hush. I wouldn’t be surprised if authorities came to talk to you, too, though. To all of us,” he says.
“Are they listening right now? Do we need to get our stories straight?” I don’t know if I’m joking or not.
“I don’t know,” he murmurs. “But what is this telling us about our father? Why should we be loyal to a father who would turn his back on his own kids and turn one of us in to save himself?”
“Is that what happened?” I ask.
He’s quiet a long time, and I’m not sure if or when we’ll get the answer to that. Eventually, he says, “I need to get back to practice.”
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Are you?” he counters.
“No,” we both say at the same time.
I blow out a breath. “Love you, little bro.”
“Love you, big sis.” He ends the call, and I’m left reeling.
Archer?
Really?
He avoids the family for years and years, plays baseball when the rest of the boys play football, only to reappear to take the fall for our father’s crimes?
Something is going on, and I intend to find out what.
You know…right after I nurse this broken heart.
I pull my suitcase toward the door and glance around my condo one more time. It’s been fun living here, and I actually have the contract on this place signed for another ten months,so maybe I’ll come visit once my heart has mended a little. Once I have my feet under me again. Once I think I can face him without feeling the sting of what could have been.
Okay, fine. On second note, maybe I won’t be back for a while.
I walk out the door, and I lock up. I briefly debate knocking on Maverick’s door to say goodbye. I stare at the door, and I glance at the spot where he pinned me up against the wall to almost kiss me—the same place he pinned me up against the wall to actually kiss me.
I blow out a breath, and then I press the button to call the elevator.
I stop by the desk since Milton’s there, and I say, “Can you let Dex know I went back to Chicago?”
He nods once. “Any messages for Mr. Jennings?”
I press my lips together and shake my head as tears brim in my eyes.
“Oh, Ms. Bradley,” he says gently, and there’s a kind of apology in his tone without him having to say it. “Can I offer you a ride to the airport?”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“For what it’s worth, you really did turn that man around,” he says quietly.
“Thank you. I hope so, but Mr. Dalton didn’t seem to think so.”
“Will you be back?” he asks.
“I’m not sure.” I walk over to him and give him a hug. “Thanks for everything, Milton. You’ve been a lifesaver more than once.”
“That’s why they pay me the big bucks, ma’am.” He winks at me.
