The Best Mistake - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,14

the twins, Baylor and Chase. That season they built upon the success of the previous year, winning another championship, and with Chase breaking all of the records Archer had set the year before. Those guys really were born to do this, I thought, reading through the impressive stats, making notes along the way. When Dexter O’Brien joined the team, they took home yet another championship, though this one was hard won since everyone in college baseball seemed to be gunning for them.

Legacy was an understatement, I thought.

These guys and their mother had built a dynasty on that baseball diamond.

And Archer had led them the whole way.

His stats were out of this world, his work ethic supposedly unmatched, and the love he obviously had for his family when he’d spoken about them would’ve endeared him to me even if he hadn’t given me the hottest night of my life. Or called me a sexy bookworm.

I still couldn’t believe he’d said that.

I was so engrossed in my article that by the time I glanced at the clock it was already 10:00 pm. Quickly finishing up before sending it off to Walter, I was packing my things, double-checking all the names, when a memory of last night hit me with the force of a wrecking ball.

“Oh no, no, no,” I said, then closed my eyes on a groan.

I’d said the wrong name.

Holy wow, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t realized it before.

Without the haze of pleasure, I recalled everything from that night with perfect clarity. Me, head thrown back, calling out “Oh Baylor” as I…after Archer made me… Ugh, was it possible to die of post-orgasmic embarrassment? Was that a thing? Because if it was, I was definitely destined for the grave. Oh gosh, what Archer must think of me.

His last words from today replayed in my mind.

And again, the name’s Archer. That might be helpful for next time.

His meaning suddenly became clear—and I wanted to die all over again.

How did one apologize for something like this? Was it even okay to bring it up? Certainly I owed him an apology for calling out not just anyone’s name, but his brother’s. Oh Lord, please just kill me now.

After a moment, I forced myself to breath, my heart to calm.

No worries, I thought. I’d completed the interview, turned in my article, and now, the O’Briens would disappear from my life as quickly as they’d entered it. I’d never have to face him again. And, I told myself, I wouldn’t speak of that night to another living soul. Though…I knew Charlie would probably wrinkle it out of me. She was my best friend. I’d never been able to keep anything secret from her for long. But besides her, I was determined to never speak of it again. Even if I did still feel kind of bad and want to apologize to Archer. This was it. Case closed.

Time to go home for some ice cream therapy and a little R and R.

“You didn’t,” Charlie said, staring at me wide-eyed, the spoon full of Rocky Road paused half-way to her mouth. “Don’t mess with me, Honor. You’ve got to be making this up.”

“I wish,” I said, taking a bite of chocolatey goodness.

“So let me get this straight,” she said, putting her spoon down. “You went upstairs, following the person you thought was Baylor O’Brien. But it turned out it wasn’t Baylor but Archer.” She looked to me, and after my nod, she continued. “And then after the most glorious make-out session of your life, he gave you an O with just his hand, and you shouted his brother’s name right at the moment of climax.”

I nodded.

Charlie sat back, shaking her head. “Honor, this is better than a freaking soap opera. You should seriously consider selling your story to Cosmo or something.”

“Thanks,” I said, frowning down at the tub of ice cream. It hadn’t taken very much for Charlie to drag the truth out of me. She was good at it sure, but I blamed the ice cream and my guilt. “But do you think I should say I’m sorry?”

“For what?” she said. “It sounds like Archer nearly got off on you getting off—which is a rare trait in a male. I’m jealous that you found such a rare specimen. But seriously, you don’t need to apologize.”

“Yeah, but I kind of feel like I owe him.”

“Hold up, chickadee.” She leaned closer, though it was only the two of us in the living room. “You owe this guy nothing, okay?