“The place is going to close in fifteen minutes,” Teagan said. “We’d better get going.”
Teagan drove Lorne’s car on the way back. I knew everyone at the house would likely be asleep, and Archie and Teagan would be alone together when they got there.
The first stop would be Veronica’s dorm. After I directed Teagan there, my gut led me to make a split-second decision.
As Veronica was about to exit the car, rather than follow her out I said, “I think I’m going to head back home tonight.”
She pouted. “You said you were spending the night at my place...”
“Yes, I know. But I realized I told Shelley I would fix her bike again so she could take it to school tomorrow. It’s the same issue that keeps happening, and I’m the only one who knows how to fix it. I totally forgot.”
This wasn’t a complete lie. I’d told Shelley I’d fix her bike “sometime this week.” That changed to tonight now because I really wanted to keep an eye on Archie. He’d given me the impression that he wasn’t anywhere near done with Teagan this evening.
“Okay, whatever,” Veronica huffed as she stalked away.
I’d pay for this tomorrow, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I let Teagan return home alone with Archie.
At the same time, this was a little crazy. He’d be here for three months. Would I be able to intercept every opportunity he had to be alone with Teagan? Likely not. If she liked him, I’d have to accept that. But I knew him. Archie liked to use girls for sex and move on when he got bored. And I’d be damned if he made Teagan another notch on his belt. Bloody fucking damned.
Things were quiet for the rest of the ride home. Tension definitely lingered in the air—there was my slightly volatile goodbye with Veronica, and I was also sure Archie was starting to sense my feelings about this situation.
He’d try even harder to win Teagan over if he felt he was in some sort of competition with me. I had to tread carefully, keep an eye on her without him thinking I had feelings for her myself. I would have to go back to using the pseudo-sister card. I was trying to keep her from being hurt by him. My complicated feelings were just an extra part I’d have to hide.
When the three of us entered the house through the main door, my suspicions were confirmed.
“Care to continue hanging out, Teagan?” Archie asked.
I stiffened.
Before she could open her mouth to answer, I said, “Great. What are we doing?”
Archie’s eyes darted to mine. “I was thinking...just Teagan and me, actually.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
He squinted. “What is your problem?”
He’d said it loudly, and I feared he’d wake the family.
“Lower your voice,” I demanded.
“Then let’s go outside.”
Teagan looked pissed off and followed us back out the door.
Archie and I faced off on the front lawn.
“Now that we’re out here, tell me what your problem is, Caleb.”
“My problem is you’ve been here a mere minute, and you’re already up to your games.”
“Games? What the hell are you talking about?”
Teagan interrupted, “Excuse me. Don’t I have a say in this?”
Both of us turned to her.
She crossed her arms and looked straight at me. “If I want to hang out with Archie, if I want to invite him to my room, that’s my choice. Not yours.”
She was right, but even hearing her mention him in her room made me sick to my stomach. I nodded slowly as Archie smirked.
“But you know what?” she added. “I’m tired, and I’m going to bed. So I’m not hanging out with anyone tonight. I suggest you both do the same—especially you, Caleb, because you have class in the morning, and my sister’s bike to fix, in case you’ve forgotten.” She turned to Archie. “Goodnight. Thank you for a great time. It was really fun.”
We said nothing as Teagan entered the house. Then it was just us guys left on the frosty grass.
Archie shook his head. “Where is this coming from?” Cold air billowed from his mouth. “You have a thing for her or something? Because if you do, that’s really unfortunate for your girlfriend.”
I looked down at my feet. “I’m protective of her. I don’t have to have a thing for her to care about her and not want her to become just another one of your conquests.”
“You’ve had plenty of conquests yourself. That doesn’t mean I go around warning your new girl not to trust you. People change. They mature. They want different things than they might have wanted a couple of years ago.”
“You’re trying to convince me you don’t have your sights set on fucking Teagan while you’re here?”
“I genuinely like her. She’s as sweet and intelligent as she is attractive.”
That admission bothered me just as much as the thought of him trying to sleep with her.