Brothers for the Summer [Discontinued]

Chapter 9- The Breakthrough

Archer

"In and out." Isabella repeated again and again. "In and out."

I took deep breaths, trembling against her chest. I began to calm myself and I felt my skin return to its natural color.

"Shh." Isabella stroked my cheek. "It's okay."

Soon my breathing was back to normal, but I didn't want to move. I felt safe, curled up against Isabella. I closed my eyes and drew a quivering breath as Isabella's hands run up and down my back in a soothing way. I listened to her heartbeat and it's unique pattern that calmed me down further.

That was enough. I couldn't give in anymore. I reluctantly pulled away and sat up straight, looking up at everyone's concerned faces.

"Are you okay, Archer?" Holly asked.

"I-I think so." I say.

"Good." She said calmly. Then, she became angry. "Archer Kendler! We invite you into our home and you repay us be hitting our daughter? O-Or leaving her when she was hurt?" Holly scolded tearfully.

"What do you have to say for yourself, young man?" Theodore added.

I was absolutely ashamed of hitting Issy like I did, or leaving her to fend for herself when she fell, and by doing so disappointing Holly to the point where she is crying. It was like disappointing my mother. I knew she wasn't my real mother, but she's treated me so well. Holly has given me three meals a day, restocked the pantry of pancake ingredients ever few days, given me a nice place to sleep. This is more than my birthmother has ever given me, and I am so grateful. Making her upset makes me feel like utter garbage. I figured this wasn't a time to act coldly towards them because I really needed to stay here. Not only because of my program, but I truly did like this family, especially Isabella, as much as I hate to admit it. So, I was going to tell them the truth.

"I'm sorry." I said on the verge of tears. "I didn't mean to hit Isabella. She startled me when she kissed my cheek. It was by reflex."

"Archer," Holly placed a hand on my shoulder. "I can understand if Isabella made you a little uncomfortable—"

"It doesn't give her the right to hit our daughter!" Theodore yelled, startling me to where I was shaking.

Isabella rubbed my arm again and it kept me from shaking any further.

"It's not that." I say, rubbing at my eyes to prevent crying. "I just don't get much love back home... I had a bad reaction to Isabella cuz she has no problem showing she cares, while I... I just can't anymore."

"Oh Archer..." Holly frowned.

"What about Isaak and Garrett? You care for them." Theodore noted.

"Yeah, but I've known them all my life, sir. They are my family."

"We love you too, man." Isaak says and I cracked a smile.

Holly and Theodore looked at each other with saddened expressions.

"Look Archer," Theodore spoke. "It wasn't right how you treated Isabella, but we can look past it if Isabella can."

I looked at Isabella with pleading eyes, praying that she'd forgive me and let me stay here.

Isabella frowned, clearly showing that her father had put pressure on her. "I don't know."

"Please!" I begged like a scared little girl.

She sighed. "I'll think about it, okay? I just want to sort this through."

Isabella got up and left. She was obviously conflicted, and I understand why. I was a douche and she wants me gone. But she adores Isaak and Garrett, and would want them to stay. But she knows it's all or none of us, so she could never get her way.

Isabella

I couldn't make up my mind. Get rid of Archer, but lose two of my best friends, or keep them all here? Archer seemed apologetic, and I have sympathized with him. But it doesn't excuse his behavior. I thought about the subject for hours, and eventually fell asleep.

I woke up to hearing voices from the opposite side of my bedroom door.

"We shouldn't, guys." Garrett says. "What if we make it worse?"

"But I gotta know." Archer replied. "She might have changed her mind."

"And if she hasn't?" Isaak began to sob. "We can't go yet..."

The sound of Isaak crying made me speak up. "Boys!" –utter silence— "You know I can hear you, right?" –no answer— "It's alright. You can come in."

The door opened and the three boys slowly entered my bedroom.

"Oh Isaak." I rubbed his arm. "Don't cry, baby."

"Why do you want me to leave, Isabella? I thought you loved me."

My heart nearly split in two. I held his face in my hands and shushed him. "No, no, I do love you, Isaak. Don't you dare think otherwise."

"But you said you didn't care if we left."

I had forgotten that I had said that. I felt bad now. "I didn't mean it, baby. I was just angry. Okay?"—he didn't give a response other than soft sobs— "Okay?"

Isaak nodded and I rubbed his head. "Good. Garrett, you too?"

Garrett nodded through the tears forming in his eyes.

"You don't need to leave." I pulled the boys for a hug as they started sobbing hysterically. I knew that their tears of sadness had turned to those of relief. "I love you boys so much."

"What about me?"

We broke from the hug and looked at Archer, who seemed as if he was about to cry, but I knew he wouldn't let himself.

I walked towards him, glaring him down. Then I smiled. "Yes, Archer, you can stay too."

"Thank you so much!"

Archer hugged me tightly, which surprised me because hugging is one way to show affection. And for the fact that he's showing it towards me, and not just his friends, was refreshing and, well, it was nice. Maybe I finally broke through to him. Or he's just overly happy. Either way I enjoyed the hug while it lasted for a good few seconds.

Then he parted from me, his face slightly pink. "Sorry."

I realized I was so busy questioning what was going through Archer's brain, and trying to figure out the meaning behind the hug, I had forgotten to hug him back.

I laughed. "No, Archer. You can hug me anytime. You just caught me by surprise."

"Oh." He rubbed his neck. Then he started laughing too, probably realizing how stupid he sounded right now.

"This is your last chance, Archer." I told him. "You want to be friends now?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

I hugged him tightly, so happy I finally got through to him. We were friends now. That's all I could have ask for.

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Teaser: The football program will begin!!