“You good?”Archer asked as he climbed into the truck, passing a Dr.Pepper over.
Atticus took it and dropped it into the cup holder before putting the truck in gear.
Okay then.
A few minutes down the road, Atticus pulled over abruptly, coming to a stop in the parking lot of a small shopping center that was closed for the night.He threw the truck in park and sat there, hands gripping the steering wheel.
“I’m sorry,” Atticus said, though it sounded like he was gargling broken glass.
“For what?”
“Bein’ a dick.”
Archer chuckled.“I didn’t notice.”
“And no, I’m not good,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Look, I get it.Breakups aren’t easy.I’m doing my best to give you space.”
Atticus’s head turned slowly, his eyes coming to rest on Archer’s face.“It has nothin’ to do with the breakup.”
“Oh.”Archer frowned.“Somethin’ else wrong?”
“Yes.”
His eyebrows lifted, a silent signal to Atticus that he could continue without being verbally prompted.
“You,” Atticus blurted.
“Me?”Archer was really confused.“What the hell did I do?”
“Nothing.”
He stared, not understanding.“I did nothing?Meaning I’m not carryin’ my weight or…?”
“No, of course you are.”Atticus’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as he turned his attention forward, staring out the window.
“I don’t mean to be obtuse, but I’m lost here, Atticus.”
“It’s not you.It’s me.”
Archer couldn’t help it, he barked a mirthless laugh.“That didn’t help clear it up at all.”
“You’re my partner.”
“That seems to be the case, yes.”
“And I just got out of a very fucked-up relationship.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“And you’reina relationship.”
“I’m not, but not for lack of trying,” he admitted.They’d talked about Spencer last night, but Archer hadn’t shared with him the details of their previous encounter.Since Archer hadn’t heard from the man in over a week, he figured it was likely a subject not worth broaching.
Atticus’s knuckles turned white as he continued to grip the steering wheel.
Feeling bad for the man, Archer reached over and grabbed his wrist, attempting to peel his hand away.
