“I’ll drive.”That was the only way he’d be able to resist looking at the man.
Just old habits that haven’t died,he told himself as he headed for the door.You’re not attracted to Archer.You just think he’s the easiest way to move on from Slade and Carson.
Yeah.That was all it was.And no one liked a rebound, least of all a work partner.
And seriously.He’d have to be insane to even consider someone like Archer Halligan.The guy was … he was …fuck.
He was hot.
And smart.
And kind.
And generous.
And the guy fucking loved dogs.
Okay.There.Maybe that could be one for the con column.Atticus didn’t like dogs.Only Tesha, but she didn’t count.And maybe some of the nicer ones at Camp K-9.But that was all.
“You ready?”
Atticus jumped, surprised.
“Relax,” Archer said, gripping Atticus’s shoulder in a friendly manner.“It’s all good.”
Is it though?Atticus thought as he watched Archer walk toward the door.
It took them nearly two hours toget to Blanco thanks to late evening traffic, but they made it.The trip had been… Well,awkwardwould be a good word for it.
Archer wasn’t sure what he’d done to put Atticus on edge, but the man had spent the majority of the drive turning up the radio each time Archer attempted to make conversation.It didn’t matter how many times he turned it back down, Atticus continued to inch it higher and higher until talking became impossible.Which was clearly his plan.
So he’d spent that time staring out the window, admiring what was known as the Texas Hill Country.It was definitely more interesting than the flat land that could be seen between Dallas and Austin.Hills and valleys, creeks and rivers made up the landscape.And when it got too dark to admire anything, Archer had stared straight ahead, attempting to come up with something to say that might put Atticus at ease.
Unfortunately, he kept coming up empty.
Finally, they passed a sign that told them their destination was only a few miles up the road.
“What’s your plan when we get there?”he asked, figuring it was an innocuous enough question.
Atticus didn’t look at him.“I have no idea.”
Alrighty then.
“I need to stop for gas,” Atticus said a few minutes later as they were nearing a Shell station.
“I’m gonna grab a drink.Want anything?”Archer offered.
“Dr.Pepper.”
While Atticus pumped gas, Archer went into the small food mart, which was attached to an even smaller Mexican food restaurant.As was often the case, he felt people watching him as he perused the aisles of snacks and junk.He knew the clerk was sizing him up because that was what people tended to do when a man his size walked through the door.Immediately, they assumed they would need to defend themselves against him.
For the record, that rarely happened.And only when someone attacked him first.
He offered a hint of a smile as he made his way to the drink cooler at the back.He grabbed a Dr.Pepper for Atticus and one for himself.He tried to waste time, figuring Atticus appreciated the alone time.When he felt like he was starting to look like a stalker, he paid for the drinks and walked outside.
Atticus was already in the truck, waiting.
Whose idea was this again?
