Just like lying to cover for someone you loved.
Guilt and indecision fought for the top spot in my head, but when it came down to it, I didn’t want Pops to hate him. I couldn’t handle him looking at Archer and thinking he was a bad person.
“I have to tell you something, but you cannot tell another soul. Do you understand me?”
He blinked. “You’re pretty serious, bug.”
“I mean it.” Then I held out my pinkie. “If you can’t keep it a secret, I can’t tell you.”
After a disgruntled sigh that I knew was for show more than anything, Pops hooked his pinkie around mine and squeezed. He tilted his chin. “This better be good.”
When I’d finished telling him Archer’s secret, his mouth hung open, and he fumbled behind himself for the chair, lowering his body slowly. “My God.”
“He’s not a bad person. I misjudged him, but a lot of that is because of what he wanted people to believe.”
Pops had a faraway look in his eye. “That’s a big lie to tell, bug.”
“I know.” I sat on the bed again, bracing my elbows on the tops of my thighs, my chin resting on my fisted hands. “I wish he’d come clean, but damn if I don’t respect him even more for not.”
His cloudy gray eyes were far too knowing when they came to rest on me again. “How much do yourespecthim?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes. “We’re ... friends. Sort of. Trying to be.”
“Friends. With the quarterback of the Buffalo Storm.”
“Yup.”
And I also knew the general size and shape of his dick, but I was not going to be sharing that with the class.
“Huh. Well, will your friend let you borrow his truck?”
I laughed. “Probably. You sure you’d want me to ask him for help?”
“Why the hell not? He’s a lot stronger than both of us, and I can’t lift that damn dresser.” Pops stood again, smacking the arm of his chair as he did. “It’ll make him feel good, doing something for a helpless old man.”
I snorted. “‘Helpless’ my ass.”
“Language,” he said as he walked out of his bedroom.
With a sigh, I flopped back on the bed.
Gavin flew into the room, breathing heavily. “I looked everywhere. I don’t know where your water is.”
“It’s okay, bud. I found it.”
“Cool. Can I go mark those ugly dishes in the kitchen?”
“Whose dishes are ugly?” Pops bellowed.
Gavin giggled, disappearing from the room again.
For a moment, I closed my eyes. The need for a quick nap was so strong, but it was past dinnertime, and I really wanted to be able to sleep tonight.
Dinner. Shit. We hadn’t eaten yet.
“Do you guys want me to make something for dinner?” I called, eyes still closed. “I could whip up some omelets.”
“No,” they said in unison. A curious beat of silence followed.