She looked at me and cocked her head to the side.Her eyes looked doe-ish behind her glasses.“I’d drop anything for you.Hadley.Salem.You call in the middle of the night, I’m there.No questions asked.I’m coming in pajamas and slippers, but I’m coming.”
My lips flickered with an uncertain smile.
“But when I want advice, you’re not the first person I go to anymore.”
“Ouch.”
She sighed.“Yeah.It is kind of an ouch.And it’s not because I don’t respect your opinion ...but we don’t share a bank account.We’re not building a house, a life together.You know?”
“I know.”
And I did understand.Conceptually anyway.
“It hurts though,” I murmured.“Not being chosen.”
Poet reached out and stuck her hand in my coat pocket.Her hand was so much smaller than mine.Poet had always been the one we’d all protected and sheltered.We’d been the trees in the storm, offering her refuge and safety.
Now she had Brooks for that.
And who did I have?
We climbed back into the car and Poet started the engine.
My phone buzzed.Archer’s name flashed across the screen.With a frown, I put the cell to my ear.
“Hello?”I asked.
“You have to come home,” Archer commanded.“Now.”
ChapterEighteen
The House
“Call me later,” Poet said as she dropped me off at the house.“And fill me in.”
“I will.Thanks for the ride.”I closed the car door and then jogged up the porch steps.Before I could even get my keys out to open the front door, it flew open.
Archer grasped my hand and all but hauled me inside.
“Where is she?”I demanded, not bothering to take off my shoes or coat.“Is she hurt?Sick?Does she need stitches?Is there blood?”
Cold terror washed down my spine.
“She’s fine,” Archer said.“Physically, anyway.”
His words permeated my fear, and I met his gaze.
“Say that again?”I repeated.
“Do you think I would’ve called you in a panic and told you to come to the house if she was seriously injured?We’d be at the hospital.”
I smacked his chest.“I made Poet break the speed limit to get here!”
He blinked.“Poet actually sped?”
“Archer,” I groaned and tried to pull my hand away when I realized I was still touching him.
But he quickly covered my hand with his.
