The Best Mistake - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,34

Omega Beta house wasn’t exactly comfortable, but when Baylor had company, it was understood that I would bow out and let him have the room. I’d spent way too many nights on that lumpy couch.

I’d also spent way too many mornings getting him out of this exact predicament.

Checking my phone, I saw an S.O.S text from Bay. Apparently, the girl from last night was refusing to leave. Baylor had gotten himself another clinger.

What a surprise.

Sighing, I made my way up the stairs and opened the door to our room. There was a girl draped over Bay, who sat at his desk, looking very uncomfortable as she ran her fingers through his hair. They were both dressed, thankfully, though her hair was a mess, and his shirt looked like it was missing the top two buttons. When Baylor saw me, his eyes lit up.

“Archer,” he said, sounding relieved. “Great to see you, brother. Did you need something?”

I was used to this, too. It was an act we’d perfected over the years.

“Yeah,” I said, “I need to get dressed.”

“Oh shoot,” Baylor said, disentangling himself from the girl. “Sorry, sweetheart. Now that my brother’s back, I guess you’ll have to leave.”

She looked over her shoulder, eyes roving over my body as if she hadn’t just had her hands all over Bay. “I don’t mind. If you want to get dressed, you’re more than welcome.” Her eyes met mine as she smiled. “I’m not shy or anything.”

I cocked a brow. “But I am. Sorry, you’ll have to go.”

She harrumphed and pouted. “You’re no fun, Archer O’Brien.”

Wasn’t the first time I’d heard that, so I took it in stride.

“You’re right. He isn’t,” Baylor said, ushering her to the door. “But last night was fun. Thanks for that, sweetheart.”

“No, thank you.” She turned at the door, planted a kiss on his lips then pulled away slowly. “You’re a good time, Baylor. Don’t lose my number, okay?”

“Hmm,” he said, watching as she sashayed out the door.

I couldn’t contain my eyeroll. “Her number? Do you even remember her name?”

Baylor grinned. “Course, I do. It’s sweetheart. That’s all their names.”

“Don’t be a jerk,” I said.

“Oh come on, Archer.” Baylor closed the door and plopped down onto his bed. “She knew the score. And did you or did you not notice how she checked you out right in front of me? That was classy.”

He had a point, but…

“Just be careful,” I said, pulling off my old shirt and grabbing a towel. “You need to tone it down with all the girls and the drinking. Bear’s worried, and so am I.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it,” he said dismissively.

“Well, maybe you need to hear it again. Some of these girls might want to get you into trouble. Did you ever think of that? You’re smarter than this. Hell, you’re better than this, Bay.”

“Actually, I’m not,” he said, putting his hands behind his head, “but I’m glad you think so.”

Shaking my head, I went to the door.

“Rest easy, Arch. I’ve got it under control.”

“Do you?” I asked. “Because it sure doesn’t look like it.”

Baylor lifted his shoulders. “A little fun never hurt anyone. It’s all good.”

“Whatever you say. But you are better than this. I hope you know that.”

Baylor just scoffed.

I went to my classes. The exam in Principles of Physiology was no cakewalk, but I’d studied hard last night, probably pulled at least a B, maybe an A minus. Either way, my GPA was solid. Management of Sports Organizations was usually my favorite class because everything about it interested me. But during today’s lecture, my mind was still on Bay, thinking about what I could do to help him. If Dad was here, he would’ve known exactly what to say. He always did. My siblings and I had an unspoken agreement not to involve Mom in any of our crap. She’d already gone through so much. Dad’s death devastated her. Though she smiled and was still the kindest soul ever, she’d never fully recovered from his loss. As the oldest, I’d tried to fill his shoes as best I could, be there for her and my younger brothers and sister …but it was never enough.

Speaking of which…

I got a call later that night around 9:00 pm from Garret, the bartender at Shake & Pour, asking me to come get Dex. He’d been fighting again. Wonderful.

I drove to the bar as fast as I could without getting pulled over. I’d only taken a few steps inside when I spotted them. Garret was sitting