“And he believed them?”
“In fairness to him, I did have a habit of going off like a hothead when I was younger. And I didn’t tell him what actually happened.”
“Oh, Issy.”
“I know. I was young and hurt.”
“You’ve never spoken to them again?”
“No. Archer has tried to act as mediator. But I’ve no interest in making up with people who could treat me like that.”
She swung her arms around his neck, and he pulled her onto his lap. “I’m so sorry that happened to you, Issy.”
“I’m more sorry it happened to you. People can be small-minded. Although, in my parents’ case, I think they were always looking for some reason to reject me.”
“And they don’t know that Archer is a Dom?”
“No, but even if they did, they’d probably ignore it. No way they’d cut themselves off from the gold
en child.”
“Are you angry with him about that?”
“With Archer? For being the favorite?”
She nodded.
“I was. Then. I’m not now. I know he didn’t ask for it. Doesn’t even want it. I know in the end that I got the better deal because I no longer have to be around them and their poison. No, I’m not angry with him anymore.
“I can see how that created a rift between the two of you.”
“It wasn’t just that. There was also Evelyn.”
“Evelyn?” she asked cautiously.
He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “After the Navy, I took a job as an ER doctor in Dallas where Archer lives. Figured I’d try to mend fences. Things were okay between us. Probably would have been better if I’d told him the truth of everything. He was pissy at me for leaving him to deal with our parents, who have never been easy.”
“So who was Evelyn?”
“My girlfriend.”
“Oh.” Her eyes were wide, and she seemed to be holding back. No doubt she had a hundred questions.
“Just let me get this out, all right? It’s not easy to admit what a fool I was.”
She frowned at that. “If I’m not allowed to say that I suck, then I don’t think you’re allowed to call yourself a fool.”
“Except with me, it’s the truth.”
“What happened, Issy?”
He couldn’t deny, he liked when she called him by that ridiculous name.
“I thought she was the one. Fell for her hard. Didn’t notice that Archer was more her type than me. Archer lived in an upscale penthouse while I had a run-down two-bed I was supposed to find time to renovate. Archer had a successful practice, whereas I worked long hours as an ER doctor. Archer had all the manners. I was blunt and socially awkward.”
She scowled. “I’m not going to like this woman, am I?”
“Good news is, baby doll, you’re so different from her it’s not funny. Makes me wonder what I saw in her in the first place. Guess I was lonely and she played me well.”