Page 52 of Shots Fired

“Have you and Collins set a date yet?” I pick up my soda and take a large pull, my mouth dry and throat thick.

“Way to change the subject.” Sawyer chuckles, although I can sense his relief since we’re heading nowhere fast on the current topic. “Collins wants a small wedding at the city clerk’s office with a meal for friends at a restaurant we like at Brighton Beach. We’re thinking in the offseason, so maybe July and then go all in on a big honeymoon to Japan—she’s always wanted to head back after she visited when she was younger.”

As I twist around to face my captain, I can’t help but smile.

“What’s the grin for?”

I shake my head. “Nothing, just thinking how fucking stoked I am for you. You deserve the world, Cap.”

Sawyer inhales deeply, rolling his lips together as he studies me. “You know, I thought I had you all figured out when you joined the Blades from Philly. But you just keep proving me wrong, don’t you? When Ezra had the motorcycle accident, you were there with words of wisdom. You’ve always had my back, and I’ve always had yours.”

Now feels like a better time to revisit the previous conversation. “I’m serious about Darcy. I don’t know how manyways I can say it, but I am, and I’m not going to let her go. There’s something there between us.”

I’m desperate to tell him I’ve fallen harder since I had her in my bed.

Sawyer hums like he understands, but doesn’t necessarily agree while I glance over my shoulder to find Darcy.

Christ, she’s beautiful. Every time I look at her, she realigns my brain chemistry. Her contagious laugh brightens everything in her vicinity. My parents might’ve separated after years of marriage, but I’m confident I could never let Darcy get away. I could make her the happiest girl on this planet.

“You chased Collins when she kept blowing you off.” I say the words and bite down on my cheek—hard.

Sawyer rises from his seat and clamps a hand on my shoulder. “That’s true, and I remember talking to you about it. You told me to go after the girl and tell her how I felt.” He squeezes his palm, and I know it’s to comfort me ahead of whatever he’s about to say. “The thing is, you were also correct when you said your situation with Darcy wasn’t the same as mine with was with Collins. I wasn’t trying to bone my best friend’s sister, and neither was I trying to push something I knew was a lost cause. I don’t want to see you get hurt, Archer. I want to see you happy and settled and with a woman who makes you feel worthy. Darcy isn’t at that time in life. She wants to have fun and explore the new city she just moved to. Be a friend to her, man. Be a friend to yourself and let it go.”

He picks up his pint, and the wordsI’m sleeping with herare right on the tip of my tongue. They won’t materialize though because perhaps he’s right; maybe I am fooling myself, and the only reason Darcy climbs into my bed is purely out of fun and nothing more.

Maybe my playboy days aren’t just actively playing against me, but fully laughing in my face. Revealing to Darcy that Ihaven’t slept around in a while might have done nothing to change her opinion of me, even if she’ll never judge me for my past.

Still, I want her next to me again tonight. My addiction to this girl won’t allow anything else. And if I have to lean into my playboy reputation, then that’s what I’ll do to keep her coming back to me. I guess you could say that at this point, I’m caught between the ultimate rock and a hard place.

“I’m worried about you, Archer.” Sawyer’s voice permeates my thoughts.

I wave a nonchalant hand in front of me, eyes still on Darcy. “I’m good. You don’t need to be concerned.”

Before walking away, he hesitates for the briefest of seconds, and I pray he doesn’t say anything more. In the past, I might’ve turned to him for women-related advice, but he knows this circumstance is different, and he’s aware I’m reluctant to pull him into it too.

“You won’t change my mind,” I breathe out. “No one will.”

He disappears, and I squeeze my eyes shut, whispering to myself,What the fuck are you doing, Archer?only for it to be absorbed by the music and open dance floor in front of me.

When I open my eyes a few seconds later, it’s like she can sense my pain. From across the room, Darcy glances at me briefly. Jack’s arm is still around her shoulders as she throws me a quick smile.

In your purse!I mouth to her, pointing toward the end of the bar.

She looks confused, and I feel frustrated.

Grabbing my cell, I wave it at her subtly, being sure not to capture anyone else’s attention in the process.

Check this, I mouth again.

For good measure, I type out another text.

Me: You look fucking incredible.

Making her excuses, Darcy shimmies out from beneath her brother’s arm and grabs her purse, fetching out her cell phone.

I can feel my adrenaline spike, watching her read my messages and type out a response.

Doll: Let me guess … in your mind, you’re already peeling this dress off me.