We hadn’t gone three steps when Robbie appeared, presumably having scented out the pizza. He gave me a cursory glance before shrugging his shoulders and directing an upnod my way. Then he glared at Renn and muttered, “Gage better not have eaten all the pepperoni,” before grabbing his backpack off the floor and heading to the den.
Renn watched him go before turning to me straight-faced. “Such a charmer, that one.”
“Actually,” Archie appeared in the hallway, speaking. “Robbie did okay today. I took him to the shop like we talked about and he watched me ink this lady’s ankle. He also worked on some of his own stuff in his sketchbook and they’re wicked good.”
Archie was talking to Renn, but his eyes focused on our laced fingers as the three of us walked toward the living room. I steeled myself for his disapproval, even though his expression was indecipherable. Renn must have also thought he’d need to run interference because he positioned himself between us. But the other man surprised us both.
“Good to see you, Sadie. Renn said you might be here.”
Wait…what? That’s it?
“It’s good to see you too,” somehow stumbled from my mouth.
I was bewildered as Archie pulled me in for a firm side hug before relaying his report that Robbie had behaved well at Studio Obscurum that afternoon. “He was excited in the shop, proud of his sketches, as un-pissy as I’ve seen him in a while.”
Renn explained that he’d asked Archie to take his brother to the studio to hang out. “He seems to like it there if Pete’s not around. Plus, since I ripped him a new one about staying out the other night, I thought he might enjoy a break from me.”
“I was glad to bring him, Renny.” Archie gave my shoulder a light squeeze before dropping his arm back to his side. “I wish you’d ask me to help more often. And you need to check out his drawings. I wasn’t kidding when I said they’re fantastic. Kid’s got genuine talent.”
There was a strong hint of suggestion in the older man’s tone, causing Renn to ask, “You think I should do that right now? It’s so rare for him to be in a good mood. He never lets me see his drawings or give him any encouragement.” Renn turned to me. “Do you mind? It’ll just be a few minutes and then I’m all yours again.”
Archie raised his eyebrows and tilted his head at the den, imploring me to send Renn to the other room.What was he up to?Welp, if he wanted to get me alone to chew me out, I figured I might as well get it over with. “Go talk to Robbie. I’m fine here with Archie.”
Renn looked between the two of us and, deciding no battle was imminent, gave me a peck on the cheek and went into the den.
As soon as Renn was out of earshot, I took the direct approach, turning to Archie. “Alright, we’re alone now, like you wanted. Tell me the truth. Are you mad? I hurt him, and I know how protective you are.”
Wariness stole across Archie’s features. He took a step back and lowered himself to the couch, eyeballing me as he patted the cushion nearest him. I sat down delicately. He ran a hand roughly over his face before speaking.
“When Renn mentioned yesterday he’d reconnected with you, he acted the same way. Defensive.” Archie sighed, and I noted a gray pallor in his cheeks that hadn’t been there a year ago. “It’s fair. When you took off in February, after everything happened with Pete, it pissed me off. But Renn told me what you said back then—that you were still dealing with things in your own life and weren’t in the headspace to balance that with someone else’s shit.” Muffled laughter drifted in from the den and Archie’s shoulders slumped as he melted further into the couch.
He looked so sincere, even a little lost. “That’s exactly it, Archie. If we’d gotten together then, he would have had to doallthe work. I wasn’t in a place to offer Renn the support he needed. It would have broken me—”
“And hurting you would have sent Renn over the edge.” He understood.
“Archie, I will always question walking away from Renn. But sometimes you just have to make the best decisions you can and hope they’re the right ones. I’m in a better place now. I think I can give Renn what he needs. And…I’ve missed him.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that because I’m worried.” His voice was solemn.
“Worried? About what?”
He twisted his palms before wiping them on his pants and exhaling heavily. “You’re already aware that Renn never truly dealt with losing Thomas.” I nodded as Archie continued, “I figured he’d come around eventually, since other than turning into a catatonic statue anytime someone mentioned his dad without warning, he always seemed so happy and together. Then he met you, and it was like he couldn’t stop that façade from cracking.
“Sadie, you made him feel more, create more, brought him into reality, into his grief. But after finding out about Pete and Mary, instead of letting that façade come down, he built it back up stronger than ever, except without the pretend good vibes. He insists he’s fine and gets upset if anyone says different.”
“And you don’t think me walking away from him made things worse?”
“No. It wasn’t you leaving that did that. It was finding out about his uncle. This only stops when he and Pete come to some sort of peace, and he deals with his dad’s death.” Archie leaned closer and looked meaningfully at me. “I think it will be easier for Renn to do that with you in his corner.”
I’d only been back in Renn’s life for a couple of days, but aside from a few brief flashes of temper, and his lack of kind words for Pete, I hadn’t seen evidence of the man Archie was describing. “Is it really that bad?”
He glanced down the hall at the den’s French doors. “I think I’ve said enough. Probably too much. I’m not trying to warn you off. No matter what he’s going through, Renn is still the best person I know.” He produced a noise between a laugh and a grunt. “It’s just been all about the grind for him lately—the boys, the shop. You should have seen him at the Halloween party I dragged him to. Even bought us matching skeleton onesies. I hoped he’d have a good time, but he just sat there looking like a melted popsicle. Today is the first time he’s smiled in months. It’s simple. Being with you makes him happy.”
My cheek ticked up at the memory of Renn’s costume. “For the record, you can’t scare me away. I’m in this. I think we can makeeach otherhappy. Be real partners.”
Archie nodded just as Renn came back into the room.
“I saw Robbie’s drawings. You weren’t kidding, Arch. They’re excellent.” He smiled at us. “There’s plenty of pizza. You both could stay and eat with me and the boys if you wanted.”
