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I can hear the pain still evident in his tone, and while I don’t agree that it was his fault, I can’t say I wouldn’t blame myself in the same situation.
“I’m not telling you all of this to make you feel bad,” Archer continues. “Honestly, I can’t even believe the real reason I am sharing it.” He blows out a breath. “But I...I can see where your dad is coming from.”
I never thought I’d see the day—Archer taking Dad’s side?
“If he blames himself for your mama’s death,” he continues, “if he believes he’s the reason you had to grow up without her, he’s gonna do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
I’ve always known why Dad acts the way he does, but hearing Archer’s perspective draws a balm over my heart, and a renewed strength rises in me to be more patient.
“Thank you,” I say. “For your insight and for telling me about what happened. It helps me understand everything a little bit better.”
Archer pulls in his lips with a nod.
“It makes sense why you broke into the shop, too,” I continue. “I probably would have done the same thing in your position.”
He chuckles.
“What?”
“Nothing. I just can’t picture you doing anything against the law.”
“Hey, I can be a rebel when I want to.”
“I reckon you’ve never broken a single law in your life.”
Honestly, my level of law-breaking is pathetic, but I’ve done more than he thinks. “You’d be surprised. I have my own levels.”
“What, j-walking?”
The mood lightens around us, and I’m glad to be finished with the heaviness. “More than that.”
“Littering? Loitering?”
“Worse.”
“Nah, I’m not buying it.”
I kind of like that he doesn’t think I’m capable of doing anything bad. But I don’t want to deceive him any longer.
“I’ll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell my dad. He still doesn’t know.”
Archer smirks, though he clearly intends not to hear anything juicy. “All right, go on.”
I draw a deep breath. “I was almost caught at Make-Out Ridge.”
His mouth drops open. “The truth comes out. And after you criticized me for being caught up there.”
I cover my face with my hands. “I know, I’m the worst.”
He chuckles. “I take it you weren’t just parked up there for fun?”
“Nope, I was being a debase eighteen-year-old who’d just graduated and wanted to party before college.”
“Well, color me impressed.”
“To be honest,” I say, “I never got around to kissing anyone—up there, anyway. We were constantly discovered beforehand, but the guys always took the heat so I could run before being discovered.”
Archer
