Page 121 of Total Shutdown

It’s all I can decipher as his voice booms down the phone, the background noise slowly getting quieter.

“I know it’s you, genius. You’re saved in my Contacts and, funnily enough, under your name. Get to somewhere quiet and tell me what’s going on,” I say, bracing an elbow on the counter.

The raucousness completely fades, and I wait for him to speak.

“Archer, what the fuck is going on?” I repeat.

Iknewhe wasn’t right earlier tonight.

He blows out a steady breath. “You have to promise you won’t go nuclear on my ass.”

I close my eyes and will this to be a dream.Not a-fucking-gain.

“I promise,” I reply, although I’m not convinced I won’t.

There are a few more beats of silence, and then I can’t stand the tension any longer.

“Archer!” I announce.

“Oh fuck, man. I think …” He blows out one last deep breath. “I think I fucked up again. Only this time, it was over Darcy.”

THE END