Chapter 22

TWENTY-TWO

I thread my fingers through Adeline's hair as I hold the shower sprayer over her head, massaging the soap through her long, dark strands. Her strawberry-scented shampoo mixes with the brown dirt. Suds swirl at our feet as evidence of what we did in the backyard disappearing down the drain. Bubbles trail down the length of her back and over the flower tattoo inked into the skin along her ribs.

My chest expands looking at her, and I think back to how long I've known Adeline. I remember the first time I met her when Archer invited me over to his house during freshman year of high school. Adeline was only two years old at the time. Her mother had her strapped into a stroller, just having come back from a run in the neighborhood. Adeline's hair was pulled into two braided pigtails. I'd barely given her any notice, and when I think back on it, neither did Archer.

Granted, we were high as a fucking kite, about to head out for a movie, but I think back to that day and wonder if Archer noticed the contempt their father held for Adeline—even a hint or an inkling.

I don't think he did or else he would have done more to protect Adeline. Either he lived in ignorant bliss or was too afraid to speak out, because despite the shit my best friend has put his family and friends through, and despite what he's put me through, I know he has a big heart.

But mine breaks for Adeline now. She's had to endure years of pain and neglect, feeling alone. I wish I'd known the truth even then.

If I had, I wonder if there was anything I could have done. Would I have done anything?

Guilt stabs at my chest for thinking I was doing the right thing when, in reality, my need to protect her was misguided. Maybe if I hadn't done what I did, Adeline wouldn't have suffered for as long as she did.

My fingers slide over her skin now, tracing over her pink flower. She steps back, nearly bringing her back to my chest. I lean down, pressing my mouth to the hollow of her ear.

Goosebumps rise and prickle her skin.

I want to drop the showerhead and sink back into Adeline, but I hold back, admiring her and savoring this moment instead.

"Do you feel better now you've repaired the garden box?" I ask.

She inhales a shaky breath, shivering again when my mouth moves over her ear. She leans into me. "Yes."

"Good." I trail my fingers down her ribs. "You can do whatever you want."

"With the garden?" She turns in my arms. "Or with you?"

Hook, line, and sinker. Adeline's completely hijacked my heart. She holds it in her hands with the ability to do with it what she pleases.

"Both," I tell her, surrendering to this feeling.

Two years I spent in prison rethinking the decisions I made throughout my life. There was nothing for me to do but sit in my cell alone, wondering if I'd made the right decision. My sentence was harsh, and I spent every single day angry at the judge for using me to send a message. But I also spent my time thinking my life was lost. Every hope and dream vanished in the matter of days.

I thought my life was over.

Adeline may be twelve years younger than me and in a different phase of her life, but I see a future with her. I see the future I thought was ripped away from me.

Adeline is a gift. A gift I wasn't expecting.

I wrap my free hand around her neck and bring her in for a kiss. Her mouth is warm and molds to mine as if she was made for me.

"What are you doing to me?" I ask her, pulling away.

The corner of her mouth lifts and she falls back against the tile. "You might not know, but I know what you're doing to me."

I drop the showerhead and tower over her, placing my hand above her head. "What am I doing?" I ask, my voice low.

"The same thing you've always done." Her eyes search mine. "I fell for you a long time ago, Micah. There was a time I never thought this would be possible, chalking it up to a meaningless crush. But all the days my heart hummed in anticipation at the thought of seeing you weren't meaningless. I know you never paid attention to me, but I've always noticed you. You stole my heart a long time ago."

I inhale a deep breath, the cold air hitting my skin after the absence of the hot water spraying on us, and I lean in and kiss her. We don't speak again, instead allowing her words to sink into both of our souls. They make a home, healing both our souls.

I still haven't told Adeline the real reason I went to prison, but I push it to the back of my mind right now.

I want to take my time with her. I want to live in this moment, knowing I deserve it. Telling myself I deserve it.

Life is full of heartache, but life with Adeline isn't.

I fall to my knees in front of her and lift her leg over my shoulder, then bury my face between her legs, dipping my tongue between her slits. She's warm and wet, tilting her head back against the tile on a gasp.

I flick my tongue and suck on her swollen clit while her fingers tug on the ends of my wet hair.

She's quick to reach her orgasm this time, her body shuddering, and her leg clenching my back. I taste her and hold my mouth to her, even as she rides out her orgasm on my face.

Panting, she lowers her leg from my shoulder. I stand and grab the showerhead as

I place my lips to hers, kissing her before she turns around and plants her hands on the shower wall. I finish washing her hair. We don't talk. We simply finish cleaning each other in silence. It's slightly comical watching her stretch to reach my head when it's her turn to clean me, her nails barely meeting my scalp, so I bend my knees, giving her better access.

"Will this ever fade?" she asks, sliding her hands across my chest, fixated on where her skin touches mine.

I place my hand over hers. "Will what fade?"

"The need inside me to always be with you. To touch you."

"I don't know," I breathe as she slips her hand between us, grabbing my cock. It swells under her touch. Heat pools in my stomach. "But I can't imagine it fading right now."

Her hand slides easily down my length. A heavy, deep groan rumbles from my chest as I lift her and wrap her legs around me. I'm about to spin around and plunge into her, with her body pressed against the wall, when a loud banging sound comes from downstairs.

Both Adeline and I turn our heads in the direction of the bathroom door as the steam billows inside the shower, clouding and fogging up the glass holding us in.

We hold our breath under the streaming water.

"Micah!" The faint sound of Archer's voice echoes through the house. "Addy!"

"Fuck!" Adeline hisses, covering her mouth. Her legs loosen from around my waist as her feet land on the shower floor.

"Micah?" Archer yells again after hearing no response. "I know you're here. Your car and your bike are in the driveway. Unless you're with Ray."

Fuck, does Archer keep tabs on me?

I look down at Addy. Her eyes are wide, and she tucks her lips between her teeth.

I haven't spoken to Archer in weeks, and Adeline hasn't talked about him, either, which tells me she's as perplexed by him showing up as I am.

Panicked, I keep my eyes on her when I finally do respond to Archer.

"Hang on, Arch!" I yell. "I'm in the shower. Be right down."

"What are we going to do?" she whispers, doe-eyed, her skin suddenly pale.

I cup my hands to her face. "I'll step out first and go down to talk to him. I'll see if I can get him out of here."

"He probably expects that I'm here, too," she whispers, her obvious fear taking hold. "I don't want to lie to him."

"It's fine. I'll take care of it."

It's not that I expect to keep my relationship with Adeline a secret, but I didn't expect Archer to find out today. I haven't thought too much about how this conversation will go when we do come to it. I'm caught off guard, trying to appear strong for Adeline.

"I'm an adult, Micah," Adeline whispers, pulling my attention back to her. "We shouldn't be expected to keep this a secret forever, even if you are his best friend."

"I know." I nod. "I just don't want to hurt him, and I know he won't be too thrilled to know we're together."

Closing her mouth, she swallows nervously. "All of my clean clothes are in my room."

I lean in and kiss her. "It'll be okay. Wait until I'm downstairs to go change."

"Okay." She stands on her toes to kiss me again.

I turn off the shower and hand Adeline her towel before wrapping mine around my waist, then I step into my room and slip on a pair of sweatpants and a plain T-shirt.

Before I leave my room, I give Adeline one last look. Her towel is wrapped around her small frame and another towel is wrapped around the top of her head. Her eyebrows are set in deep concern. I wish I could take it away from her, but the expression on her face is the way I feel inside.

Eventually, I jog down the stairs and find Archer sitting on the sofa, his arm draped over the back. He turns his head my way, and I sit in the chair opposite him, placing my feet on the edge of the coffee table as I flick my gaze to the front entryway. "How did you get in? The door was locked."

"Did you forget I have a key?" he asks, jingling the keys dangling from his finger. His eyebrows are knitted as he tosses them onto the coffee table.

"Oh, yeah." I scratch the back of my head. "It's been so long."

Archer takes in the living room. "It looks great in here." His gaze falls back to me. "Let me guess: Adeline."

I laugh. "Definitely."

He grins but doesn't add to the conversation.

"So, what's up?" I ask him, pointing at him.

"What's up?" he asks, his eyebrows rising. "I haven't seen you in months, and you ask what's up?"

I tilt my head to the side, confusion marring my expression. "Well, the last time you texted me you said you weren't able to make it to visit because it wouldn't be safe."

"I've got everything handled for now." He waves me off. "You shouldn't be worried."

"I shouldn't be worried? Did you know I've seen Soren's men?"

"What?"

"Yeah, I saw one of them dancing with Adeline at Exodus. I don't know why he was there, but he was clearly keeping tabs on her." I rub my forehead. "Luckily, I pulled her out of there before he was able to do anything, but I'm almost certain he's been following me. At least, he was . I haven't seen anything recently that would make me think they still are, but I'm not under the assumption that they've suddenly stopped for no reason, either."

"Dammit." He looks out the window and exhales heavily. "It wasn't supposed to be like this."

"What the fuck, Archer?" Just how deep into this are you with Soren?"

"Soren?" Adeline's voice carries from the staircase. Her feet land on the bottom step before she steps through the opening to the living room. "Who's Soren?"

"Nobody," Archer says, turning to Adeline.

Her gorgeous eyes bounce back and forth between us, and I can tell she isn't buying Archer's lie. I wouldn't, either.

"Who is he talking about Micah?"

"Seriously, Addy," Archer interrupts. "It's fine."

"No," she bites back. "I heard you upstairs. Why wasn't it safe for you to visit before? Is Soren the reason you haven't shown up in months?"

"I'm not kidding, Addy," he barks. "Drop it."

Anger sparks in her eyes, and she takes a few more steps into the living room to stand above Archer and cross her arms over her chest.

"Dammit, Archer. Stop treating me like a child. If there's something going on, then we should know about it."

A drop of water from the ends of Adeline's hair splashes onto Archer's leg. It soaks into his jeans, causing him to follow it with his eyes before looking back up at Adeline.

Her hair is still wet from our shower, hanging in waves, framing her face. She's dressed in a pair of loose sweatpants and a form fitting tank top.

But when Archer's eyes move from Adeline to me, I know exactly what he's thinking.

I told him I was in the shower when he came in, and now Adeline is in front of him, with soaking wet hair, the scent of her strawberry body wash filling the room, mixing with my cedar-scented one.

In one breath his eyes turn wild.

"My sister is right," he says to me. "If something is going on, I should know about it."

Adeline half turns my way, her arms still crossed over her chest. Suddenly, this conversation is no longer about the secrets Archer is hiding. It's about the ones Adeline and I are keeping from him.

Both of which I'm keeping from the other.

"Archer.," I say, sitting forward, resting my forearms on my knees. I lift my gaze to Adeline, watching the panicked expression on her face.

"Fuck you!" Archer yells, standing from the couch. He bounces off and charges toward me. I straighten my back and look up at him towering over me. "Are you fucking my little sister?"

"Archer," Adeline cuts in behind him. "Stop it." She places her hand around his arm, but he isn't having any of it. He jerks away from Adeline's touch and keeps his attention on me.

"I fucking asked you to take care of her and protect her," he spits with venom. "And this is how you fucking repay me? By fucking her in the shower?" He spins around, looking at his sister. "How long has this been going on?"

I ball my hands into fists, fury building within me. I've stayed silent for far too long. When I look at Adeline and see the fear in her eye, I see the little girl who used to hide from her father. The one who never felt seen or heard or loved. Her relationship with Archer is delicate, sure, but I see the pain inside her soul. Pain for hurting someone she loves despite how he's kept her at a distance.

I also can't help fixating on one single word that fell from Archer's mouth. All the pent-up frustration of the past ten years ignites like a powder keg. The rope is lit, the fire climbing up its length, ready to explode.

"Repay you?" I look up at my best friend with more anger than I've felt in my entire life. My vision turns red. "What exactly do I owe you, Arch? Because I think you might have forgotten what I did for you. How I ruined my entire fucking life for you ."

"What do you mean?" Adeline asks, wide-eyed. She turns to her brother. "What does he mean he ruined his life for you, Archer?"

"It doesn't matter," he answers. "He's twelve years older than you, Adeline." He looks at me, curling his hand into a tight fist. "She's my baby sister, you fucking asshole. I trusted you."

Adeline screams, and stars fill my eyes when Archer's fist connects with my face. I fall to my right, on my side, and lift my hand to my face. Radiating pain shoots across my cheek, and I let out a groan, blinking away the ache.

"Archer, what is wrong with you?" Adeline yells, falling to her knees in front of me. She wraps her hand around my arm. "Micah," she cries. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I nod, taking a second to gather my bearings.

"So, it's true, then?" he asks. "You're fucking her?"

"Shut up, Archer!" Adeline yells. "You have no idea what's going on, and it's none of your business. My relationship with Micah has nothing to do with you."

"The hell it does!" he yells. "He's supposed to be my best friend."

"I am." I grind my teeth together, massaging my jaw, and when I finally look up and find Adeline looking into my eyes, I decide it's time for her to know the truth. She deserves it. Regardless of what she might think of me or Archer afterward.

I sit up and remove the mask I've used to conceal the truth for so long.

"You talk about protecting family, but you've done nothing but constantly put them in danger. Why don't you tell your sister the truth, then?" I ask him. "She deserves to know."

"What are you talking about?" Adeline asks, frustration bubbling in her expression. She stands and turns to her brother. "Stop with all the fucking secrets, Archer. What is Micah talking about?"

The silence drags on far too long before Archer finally gathers the courage to declare his confession. His eyes don't move from his sister.

"It was me." Plain and simple. His voice is deep and straight to the point. My jaw echoes with the pain inflicted by Archer, but the real pain is inside. I can feel the safe cracking and unlocking, allowing air into my soul that's felt crushed by secrets for far too long.

"What was you?" Adeline's voice trembles.

"I was the one selling and distributing illegal drugs." He swallows and takes a deep breath, knowing the truth will add fuel to the fire. I see the fear in his eyes. Fear for losing his sister… or at least what little remains of the relationship they do have.

"Wait." She lifts her hands in the air, her mind working around the truth Archer is telling her. "From what I read all the drugs were found in Micah's bag. They found a trail leading back to him."

Archer shakes his head. "When Micah and his family's company invested in my tech company, we made incredible amounts of profit, exceeding expectations. I was able to pay back the loan they'd given me to startup within months. But after a couple years, profits started to dwindle, and I couldn't understand why. I'd gone to Dad for help, and he'd introduced me to some associates of his. At that time, Soren wasn't involved. It was someone else running their ring. They told me if I'd help them move some inventory, I'd be able to keep my business afloat, and it worked. Then, once I'd helped and seen what money could be made, I wasn't able to stop. I just went in deeper and deeper until I couldn't see a way out."

"But that doesn't explain how Micah took the fall for you and Dad," Adeline points out in a tight voice.

"When I'd introduced myself to them, I gave them Micah's name."

An audible gasp passes Adeline's mouth. "How could you?" she asks him, her mouth gaped in horror. "Why would you think that was a good idea?"

"I don't know," Archer says, guilt clear across his face. "Maybe part of me thought his father's reputation in the drug world would help keep them off my back. Or… I don't know, maybe I'm a fucking coward."

"So, you just let Micah take the fall?" she yells.

"You have no place to judge me, Adeline," he argues, clearly frustrated this is how his visit here is turning out, but I'm thankful the truth is finally being ripped open and exposed. I didn't realize how suffocated I'd become from keeping everyone's secrets. "I'm not saying what I did was right, but I panicked. Micah was never a part of it."

"Stop," she says, closing her eyes, not wanting to listen to another word. She finally turns and looks at me. "Why would you lie for him?" Tears stream down her face. I want to stick my hand out and wipe every single one away. "Why would you go to prison for them? Why didn't you tell the police the truth?"

"I thought I was protecting Archer. I thought I was protecting Lachlan." My voice is shaky and weak, knowing how foolish my decision ended up being. "I thought I was protecting you ."

A sob rattles Adeline's body as the truth settles inside her.

"I didn't know then," I explain. "I didn't know how protecting your father only brought you more suffering. If I had, I wouldn't have made the same choice."

There it is. The truth. I'd taken the fall for the Mayfield family, believing I was protecting all of them. "The Mayfield family going down for drug trafficking would have been devastating. A Harding going down for drug possession would be history repeating itself."

Adeline's heart seems to break in front of me. Her eyes turn down, as well as her mouth, and her chin trembles. "Micah..." A shaky breath passes her lips, and I know this is the moment I know I'm in love with her. I want to gather up every moment she ever felt less than or felt betrayed by those she trusted and shield her from them.

"How did you going to prison affect Adeline?" Archer asks, his brows slanted. "What do you mean by suffering?"

Adeline's tears stain her cheeks as she looks at her brother. "You have no idea what life was like living at home, Archer. You have no idea what it feels like to live in the nothingness, to exist in the shadows. To be neglected and overlooked. Then when you are given attention by the ones who are supposed to love you, you're constantly told you're a waste of space and oxygen."

"Addy," Archer says, wide-eyed. "I had no idea. If I did, I would have…" He's looking at his sister with pity and regret.

"Don't. I know you didn't know what was going on." She swallows. "I don't want your pity. I've had enough of it. I'm telling you this because, yes, I should have told you what was going on. Maybe it would have made a difference, maybe it wouldn't. It isn't your fault for not assuming what was going on. You didn't have any reason to believe that I wasn't okay. You had no reason to believe I wasn't living with the same loving parents you'd experienced. I did what I could to survive, and I got out of there as soon as I could. But when I got to Los Angeles, I ended up in the arms of someone just like Dad. He made the promise to love me, but in the end, he hurt me. That's why I'm here. That's why I came back. I left my entire life and career behind. I had to because I knew what would have happened if I'd stayed."

"I'm sorry you were with someone who hurt you, and I'm glad you were brave enough to leave him, but it wasn't all sunshine and roses for me at home, either, Addy." Archer sighs. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. While I may not have dealt with the same issues, Dad always looked at me like I was one step or one breath away from disappointment. I guess since the day I was able to leave, I never looked back and never thought to make sure you were okay."

Silence inflates the air while the three of us stand among the truth. It's heavy and weighted, crushing us all.

Adeline swallows as she sheds quiet tears. "There's no point in living in the past." She finally breaks the silence. "But I don't understand how you could let your best friend spend two years in prison for you. And now..." She hiccups on one of her cries. "And now you're worried about this Soren person coming after us?"

"Soren shouldn't be a problem anymore." Archer clears his throat, but he doesn't sound convincing. "I wouldn't be here if I thought he posed a threat to you or Micah."

"You shouldn't be here," I tell him. It hurts to say, but it's true. If Soren is still a threat, I don't want Archer to give him any reason to make me or Adeline a target. My need to protect Adeline comes in at full force. "You need to leave until you're certain Soren can't hurt any of us. You shouldn't have come."

Archer opens his mouth to object, but instead snaps it shut. He knows there's nothing he can say that will make this right. He also knows I'm right.

"I'm sorry," he says to Adeline. For the first time in all the years I've known Archer, tears line his eyes. "I'm sorry for all of it, and I'll make it right."

"I hope so." She holds her breath.

Archer trades glances between us and then without another word, he walks out the room, leaving behind his sister, his best friend, and the truth.