Hell's Only Angel

Two

Archie's P.O.V

I was in the garage with dad, Betty, and Adeline as we were fixing up the car. I stood next to Betty as Adeline stood next to dad.

"Can I just say, Mr. Andrews, watching you punch Hiram Lodge in the face was incredibly cathartic," Betty said to dad.

"It almost got me landed in jail," Dad said before clearing his throat. When we were done, we stood up a little more straight.

"All right, give it a try," Betty told my dad.

"You do the honors," Dad told me.

I smiled as I got inside. I cleared my throat before turning on the engine. When we heard it roar, we all smiled proudly.

"Nice," I heard Adeline say.

"Oh, yeah. Give it some gas. There you go," Dad told me. I chuckled a bit before looking up at him.

"We did it, dad," I tell him.

"Yeah, we did," Dad said before patting my shoulder a little. "We sure did."

"Just in time," I tell him. Dad's smile dropped as well as Adeline's. I felt bad. I didn't mean it like that.

"Could you guys excuse me a second. I'm gonna go in the house," Dad said before walking out of the garage.

"I'm going to get some water. You guys want some?" Adeline asked.

"I'm fine, Adeline. Thanks," Betty said.

"I'm good," I tell her. Adeline gave us a small nod before walking away. When she was gone, I looked over at Betty.

"Betty..."

She put some stuff away before looking at me.

"I have to ask you a favor," I tell her," If I do go away, will you check on my dad and sister? Invite them over for dinner? Once my mom goes to Chicago, they'll be alone. I know Adeline will say she'll be fine but I know it's going to affect her even more."

"Arch... the jury is still deliberating, that's a good sign, okay? You don't need to... put your house in order."

"Betty, promise me. Please," I tell her.

"Of course."

"The thought of leaving Adeline is painful," I tell her.

"I can imagine," Betty said.

"Especially since she broke up with Sweet Pea," I sighed. Betty gave me a shocked look.

"She and Sweet Pea broke up?" Betty asked me.

"Yeah. I don't know what happened. When I asked if Sweet Pea was taking care of her when she came to visit, she just told me that they broke up. I don't even know why but I know that Adeline needs someone to lean on. When our mom left, it was me. When she got a boyfriend, it was him. I know she's independent but she still needs someone in her life to help her out. She takes care of us but we need to take care of her as well," I explain to her.

"I'll keep an eye on Adeline. I promise," Betty tells me.