Page 95 of Best Wrong Thing

“Not unless you do. I’m done hiding. And maybe a part of me needs to get it out in the open while I’m feeling brave.”

“You’re afraid if you don’t do it now, you won’t?”

Jacob nods.

“Now is good.” What’s the worst that can happen? Mum and Barry could be so mad they throw us out of the villa. Yeah, it’s probably best not to think about worst-case scenarios.

“Then I’d need to call Mum. I don’t want her to find out second-hand.”

“Of course not. Will she be okay that you’ve fallen forme?” I am the son of the woman her husband had an affair with.

“I hope so. However our parents react, we’ll get through it.” Jacob hugs me tight.

I return his fierce, comforting embrace. “Yes, we will. I’m sure of it.”

Chapter 23

Jacob

Archer nudges me awake. “Hey, time to go.”

I groan and press my face against his chest. He smells of sweat, sand, and salt. The sun prickles my skin. “Must we?”

I’m amazed neither of us fell off the sun lounger. I have Archer to thank for that. His arm is wrapped tightly around me, anchoring me to his side. Has he slept at all?

“Yeah. But we don’t have to tell them anything. It’s okay if you’ve changed your mind.”

“Have you?”

He smiles and shakes his head.

“Then nor have I.”

“Sure?”

I grimace. “No, but I can’t keep pretending I’m not madly in love with you.”

He quirks a brow. “Madly in love? That’s a step up from last night.”

I push up and peck his lips. “No, it’s not. I guess I’m feeling romantic this morning.”

“I like it.”

I stroke his hair behind his ear. “I love you. It’s time to tell Dad and Molly that.”

The moment we stand, a man puts a towel on the sun lounger, which is in a prime spot. Nearly all the sun loungers have towels claiming them now, even though it’s early. We trudge across the beach to the palm-lined road and walk towards the villa, our footsteps slow and heavy.

I could still change my mind, but I won’t. Archer deserves more than to be kept in the shadows of my life, but it’s hard not to imagine what Dad will say. Or Mum. Will they be disappointed in me? Will it hurt more if Mum despises my choices? Will she be able to accept Archer for who he is, or will her emotions be clouded by whose son he is?

Why did Dad have to have an affair?

Of course if he hadn’t, I’d probably never have met Archer. I only went to that bar to drown my sorrows because Dad married Molly out of the blue. It’s funny how things turn out. Not that I’m going to thank Dad anytime soon, but my happiness is a by-product of his affair.

We’re holding hands, but as the villa comes into sight, Archer pulls his hand out of mine. I give him a quizzical look.

He smiles coyly. “Habit.”

My stomach churns. It shouldn’t be a habit for either of us. I did this. I insisted on secrecy.