Page 66 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“You’re taking advice from a man who bought his woman a toilet as an apology gift?”
“Don’t you dare shit on that toilet.” Bridger got the flame going on the fire, and we all settled on the Adirondack chairs surrounding it.
“Aren’t you supposed to shit on the toilet?” Axel said with a smirk.
“My point is, this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” I gave Bridger the finger. “But I do enjoy the toilet, so thank you.”
He’d gifted me the world’s best toilet, and even though he was on my shit list, I still appreciated it.
Pun intended.
“Dude,” Bridger said as he took the seat across from me.
“Yes?”
“I’m trying to help you.”
“By setting up my nanny with everyone you know?”
“It was one person, and your reaction is very telling. For the record, I didn’t know he was going to ask her out. He did it on his own without giving me a heads-up. I would have discouraged it. But he told me she wasn’t into him because she’s into you.” He popped the top of his beer. “And he said that you made it very obvious that you’re into her. So stop fucking around and do something about it.”
“How, pray tell, did I make it obvious? I did no such thing.” I crossed my arms over my chest. I was frustrated with the whole situation. And I didn’t need input from my family. I was a grown-ass man.
“I heard you pulled a gun,” Clark said with a laugh.
“I heard that you twirled a large knife in front of Brenner.” Easton looked at me.
“The fuck are you guys talking about?”
“So maybe I made the story a little more exciting,” Bridger said with a smirk. “But he did say that you mentioned guns and the gym, and maybe talked about sharpening your knives?”
“You crazy bastard. I did not.” I had to chuckle. “Maybe I discussed the gun club and flexed my muscles a few times. But I’m just being protective.”
“I love you, brother, but this isn’t you being protective,” Axel said. “And it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you actually happy to be around someone other than Melody. Don’t run from that.”
“I’m not running from anything. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“Don’t overthink it,” Clark said.
“That’s a luxury that I don’t have. Fuck. I have to overthink everything.” I looked them each in the eyes before continuing. “I have a child to think about. I can’t just act on whims. Not to mention, Winnie is a decade younger than me, and she just got out of a relationship with a complete douchebag. She’s young. I’m sure she wants a family and things people her age want. I have my family with Melody, and I can’t fuck things up with a nanny my daughter is crazy about.”
“Your life is not over just because you’re a father,” Easton said.
I rubbed my face. “I’m not saying it’s over. But I can’t be irresponsible. I can’t just do whatever the fuck it is that I want to do.”
“You’re a good dad, Archer.” Axel blew out a breath. “But you also deserve to be happy.”
“I am happy. I have everything I need. I don’t need to complicate it.” I shrugged. “I shouldn’t have been an assholeabout Brenner taking her out. In fact, you should encourage him to ask her out again. I’ll get my head on straight.”
I’d been a complete asshole.
I knew better, and I’d done it anyway.
She deserved better.
eighteen
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