Just One Year(32)

Christmas wasn’t just sad, it was excruciating. And this year was the first opportunity to forego that pain.

“I’ll lend you the money to buy your ticket if you want to go home,” Archie said.

Of course he’d use this opportunity to seem like a martyr, to flaunt the fact that he held a full-time job and had some money.

“Thank you. But I’m actually looking forward to experiencing Christmas here in Boston. It will be my only opportunity to do that.”

Veronica looked disappointed. “I thought you said you’d think about coming home with me to Minnesota.”

The last thing I wanted was another inquisition from her parents, this time lasting an entire week or more.

“I think it’s best if you spend time with your family alone,” I said.

When she didn’t say anything else, I knew this would come up again later and turn into an argument about how she believed I planned to ditch her. I’d never actually told Veronica one way or the other what my plans for us would be when the school year was over. But wasn’t it obvious? Going back to England of course implied that we’d be splitting up. Yet she still seemed to treat things as if we were serious. Case in point, wanting me to join her in Minnesota for Christmas. Ultimately, I supposed I was planning to ditch her. But she seemed determined to change my mind about leaving or that we could make it work long-distance.

“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.”