By Your Side. (Sequel to Art Girl and Wolf Boy)

By Your Side. (15)

Phoebe's POV:

As people were leaving the barbecue, I skipped over to my dad and gave him the puppy dog eyes.

His eyes didn't leave the dying fire. "What is it this time, Scout?"

"Can I sleep over Archer's?"

He didn't hesitate. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because I said so."

"You usually let me sleep over Archer's. What's different about now?"

He flinched. He actually flinched. I was so surprised that I forgot my next argument. My father seemed to choose his words carefully. "Now, Archer's getting older and more mature."

I gathered my defense. "Older than he was three days ago?" I asked disbelievingly. I mean, sure he had shifted. So what? That made him different from me, but that was no reason to try and split us up. My father had never not let me sleep over Archer's house.

"Yes." My father said slowly.

"I don't believe that. In fact, I think that's a load of bull--"

"Phoebe," he said in a warning tone. He looked at our spectators, which included my best friend. I watched my father's eyes meet with Archer's. A sort of an understanding passed between them and Archer began to head toward us.

"Now, say goodbye to Archer. I'll be in the car."

He left. I folded my arms as Archer approached, opening his arms for a hug. He dropped them when he saw that I wasn't exactly jumping into them.

"Phob?" His face dropped and he immediately looked concerned. "What's wrong?"

I felt bad for a second, but I wanted some answers. "What was that?"

"What was what?"

"That thing between you and my father. Since when have you two been all buddy buddy?"

He laughed darkly. "Trust me, it's far from what you're thinking. Very, very far."

"Than what is it?"

He paused, then looked at me with those not longer innocent blue eyes. "Don't get mad."

Against his wishes, my temper flared. I fought desperately to keep it down, but I exploded. "Let me guess! YOU CAN'T TELL ME!"

"You make it seem like a bad thing." He said in a tiny voice.

"It is a bad thing, Archer. Since when do we keep secrets from each other? I thought we were best friends!"

His face changed from meek to thunderous in a mere second. "We ARE best friends!" He was yelling now too.

"It doesn't seem like it!"

"You don't understand what I'm trying to do here, Phoebe, so just stay out of it!"

"I'm trying to understand but you're not letting me! Just tell me, Archer!" I tugged at my hair, frustrated.

He growled. "I will tell you WHEN I GET READY!"

"But--"

"Stop badgering me and let me do what I have to do, Phoebe." He said in a powerful voice.

Silence. Our spectators, a few stragglers left from the party, watched open-mouthed. I was shocked to the core. I'm pretty sure my roots turned red.

"You did not," I said quietly, "just do that."

"I-I--"

I stepped forward, poking him in the chest. "I know I must've imagined it. I know it. You wouldn't dare try and handle me."