Chapter Twenty-Seven
When Archer received a text message fromAtticus, asking him if he wanted to grab a beer at Moonshiners, he hadn’t been able to refuse.It had been one of those days.The kind that consisted of excitement and intrigue but ended in disappointment.Their trip to Johnson City had revealed a few things, though not enough to do them any good.It was obvious they were headed in the right direction, but it seemed they might’ve gotten there too late.
Rather than sit in his room at the B and B, Archer figured sharing a beer with his new partner was a far more appealing way to spend his evening, so here he was, occupying a booth near the wall, waiting for Atticus to arrive.
He busied himself by checking his email on his phone, resisting the urge to look at his text messages.He knew Spencer hadn’t texted or called, but that didn’t stop his stupid, hopeful heart from wanting to look.You know, just in case.Somehow he managed, skimming emails, not really seeing much of anything.
“Hey, man.Sorry I’m late.”
Looking up, Archer smiled.“No worries.”Based on Atticus’s wet hair, it was apparent he’d taken a shower.
“Let me grab a beer.You want another?”
Archer looked at the bottle, noticing for the first time it was almost empty.
“Uh, yeah.Sure.And grab a coupla shots while you’re at it.”
Atticus flashed a mischievous smile.“I like the way your brain works, Halligan.”
Archer wasn’t sure getting shit-faced was a good idea for either of them, but it seemed better than sitting there, wallowing in the disappointment.
An hour and a half later, they were well on their way to drunk.Okay.Amend that.There was a good chance Atticus was already there.Based on the way he was sitting, with his elbows resting on the table, it was possible he was doing it to keep himself propped upright.
“I’m not kiddin’,” Atticus slurred.“He likes to watch.”
“Sounds kinky.”
“It is.”Atticus took a swig of his beer.“Or it was.He’s moved on.”
“What do you mean moved on?”
Atticus shrugged.“He’s keepin’ his distance.Off doin’ other things.”
“I’m sure it’s all in your head.”
“No.It’s his M.O.In the thick of it one minute, then off and ready for the next adventure.I don’t know why I thought he’d be different with me.”
“And Slade?”
“No idea.If I breathe wrong, he thinks I’m cheatin’.”Atticus sighed.“I know you don’t wanna hear about this.It’s sad and pathetic.”
Archer snorted.“It is not.It’s your life.You’re my partner.I’ll gladly listen if you need to vent.”
“What about you?You need to vent?”
He shrugged.“Maybe.”
“All right, spill.Who’s the lucky guy in your life?”
“There isn’t one.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“There was someone,” he admitted.“But it didn’t work out.”
“Anyone I know?”
Archer stared at Atticus for a moment, considered holding back.It didn’t seem fair, though, since Atticus wasn’t having a problem opening up to him.
