The Best Mistake

by O'Gorman, Cookie

  “That whole crazy family does,” she said. “By the way, was that the panty thief I saw coming out of your room? What did he have to say?”

  “Nothing much,” I mumbled, the lie sitting heavy on my tongue. I just didn’t have the heart to rehash the whole conversation with Baylor so soon.

  Rose came to the door then. “How’s it going in here?”

  “Good,” I said. “That new paint is going to look awesome on your bookshelf when it dries.”

  She nodded. “Just trying to brighten up the room.”

  “The eggshell blue color is gorgeous,” Charlie said. “A very happy color.”

  “And goodness knows, we could all use some more of that,” Rose said, her eyes taking in my face. “It will be okay, Honor. I’m sure he’ll come around eventually.”

  I’d opened my mouth to respond when there was a ruckus at the front door. It sounded like Emmy was arguing with someone. The three of us exchanged a look and then dashed out into the living room.

  I’ll never forget the sight that met my eyes.

  Emmy had Archer in a headlock, his body doubled over even more to adjust to her smaller size. I had no idea how she’d gotten him in that position. If I wasn’t so sad, the whole thing would’ve been hilarious.

  “I told you to call first,” she said, squeezing him tight.

  Archer’s voice was muffled. “I tried to, but you didn’t answer.”

  “That’s because I’m so mad. You have to leave now. If Honor sees you, she’s going to cry again, and I don’t want that.”

  “Gah, Emmy,” he said, “I’m here to make things right.”

  “I’m serious. You need to go before she sees you.”

  Charlie spoke then. “Well, too late for that.”

  Realizing there were other people in the room, Emmy backed off, and Archer straightened to his full height. He looked at her, frowning and rubbing his neck—until his eyes snagged on me.

  “Hi,” he said.

  I nodded. “Hi.”

  We stood like that, quietly staring at each other, with so much unspoken between us.

  “Screw this,” Charlie said a moment later and planted herself directly in front of Archer. “What are you even doing here?”

  “I tried to get him to go,” Emmy said, “but he refused. He says he’s here to apologize to Honor.”

  “Then I better hear some groveling in the next five seconds, or I’ll throw you out myself.”

  “I’m good with groveling,” Archer said.

  Charlie scoffed. “It’s your choice, Honor. Do you want to hear what he has to say? Because you really don’t have to listen. After disappearing on you, it’s not like he’s earned the right to be heard.”

  “I deserve that and worse.” Archer looked over to meet my eyes, sounding pained. “But I just had to see you.”

  I held out my hands, self-conscious yet knowing there was nothing I could do about how I looked. “Well, here I am,” I said.

  His eyes were sad. “Yeah, and you’re just as beautiful as ever.”

  “Maybe we should give them a minute,” Rose commented.

  “Okay,” Charlie said, begrudgingly. “But if he hurts her again Emmy, you’ll be minus one brother.”

  Emmy said nothing to that, but before the three of them left, I thought I heard her lean up to Archer and say, “Good luck.”

  They disappeared into one of the rooms. I thought it was Charlie’s, but to be honest, I wasn’t paying that much attention. Archer’s eyes were on mine, and now it was just me and him in the living room.

  Just me and the man I was in love with.

  Me…and the man who had broken my heart through a text.

  Sighing, I sat down on the couch and gestured for him to do the same. “What do you want, Archer? Is everything okay with Chase?”

  “It is,” he said but opted to stay standing. The rejection stung but not half as much as his other one had, so I let it go. “But I’m not here for that. I came because I have to tell you something.”

  “What?” I asked.

  He began pacing back and forth, and it was only then that I noticed how tired he looked. His clothes were disheveled, the dark circles under his eyes more pronounced, his hair messy as if he’d run his fingers through it one too many times. Archer looked almost as haggard as I felt inside.

  “I know you probably don’t want to see me,” he said then stopped to meet my eyes.

  He was so very wrong about that.

  I’d wanted nothing more than to see him for the last three weeks.

  But I didn’t correct him.

  “You have every right to be mad and probably never wanted to hear from me again.”

  Wrong again, I thought. I’d tried to be mad at Archer, on multiple occasions, but I’d failed every single time.

  “I know I have no right whatsoever to be here right now, especially considering how I left.” Archer stopped pacing and sat down next to me. “But I had to come see you. I had to tell you the truth even if you don’t want to hear it.”

  “Oh?” I asked. “And what’s that?”

  “I love you,” he said, and my breath caught in my chest. “I love you, Honor. I love how you read books, real books, and even carry them to parties. Sometimes leaving them behind by accident.”

  My eyes filled, but he kept going.

  “I love the quirky clothes you wear, even when I don’t know what they’re about. I love the way you just blurt out exactly what you’re feeling. I love how beautiful you are, inside and out.”

  His hand went to my cheek then slowly moved into my hair.

  “I love your writing, too. The article you did about me was way too flattering by the way. You made me sound far more perfect than I am.”

  A small laugh escaped. “I wrote it before you sent me that text,” I choked.

  “I hate myself for sending that to you, for hurting you like that.”

  “S’okay. Your family needed you.”

  “No, it’s not,” he said, staring into my eyes. “And they do need me, but you needed me, too. I didn’t think I could be there for everyone, just thought I’d let you down over and over, but now, I know I was just being an idiot. I’ll never forgive myself, Honor. But if you’d let me, I’ll do my best to make it up to you. Every day from here on out. Please, will you give me a second chance?”

  Archer’s words were so sincere. The way he was looking at me as he waited for an answer made my whole body come alive. Still, it took me a minute to believe this was real. Before I could respond, he spoke again.

  “Oh, I almost forgot. Before you answer,” he said, looking a bit nervous, “I brought you something.”

  It was a testament to how distracting he was that I hadn’t noticed the books. Archer lifted them, three in total, before gently placing the stack into my lap. My eyes moved over the hardbacks. I could tell they were old just from the look and heft of them. Opening the top one, I read the title page…and stared.

  “Jane Eyre,” I murmured, “An Autobiography edited by Currer Bell…”

  Out of my peripheral vision, I saw Archer nod, could feel his eyes on my face. “It was Charlotte Brontë’s pen name. The book was originally published in three volumes.”

  I swallowed. “I know.”

  “It’s a first edition,” he added. “I thought you might like it.”

  My eyes met his then. “Like it? Archer, I love it. But this is way too much. I can’t possibly accept.”

  “Yes, you can,” he said simply.

  “But…I…How did you even manage to get these?”

  “My Aunt Genevieve collects rare books.” He shrugged as if he hadn’t just handed me a priceless piece of British literature. “She also lives about thirty minutes away and is a total romantic. When I told her how badly I’d messed up, that I needed them to try and get the girl I love back, she handed them over, kissed me on the cheek and wished me good luck.”

  The girl I love.

  My heart felt too full to speak, b
ut I forced out the words.

  “So, she just gave them to you…to give to me?”

  Seeing my expression, he nodded. “I’ve always been her favorite. At least that’s what she says—though I think she says that to all of us, loves me and my siblings equally.”

  I closed the book as carefully as possible, cleared my throat. “Are you trying to bribe me with books?”

  “I would never.”

  “Because that would be kind of unfair. You know how much I love them, especially Jane.”

  “I do.” His eyes were cautious, but I could hear the smile in his voice. “That book brought us together. I was hoping it might do it again. So, will you give me another chance?”

  After giving myself a moment, taking in a much-needed inhale and exhale, I gave him the only response in my heart.

  “Of course, I will,” I said. “How could I not?”

  Archer closed his eyes in what looked like relief.

  “Thank God,” he said and pulled me to him for a long breathless kiss. His eyes searched mine as he leaned back a bit. “Not that I’m questioning it, and I probably shouldn’t press my luck. But why? Why are you giving me a second chance? Was it my awesome groveling or the books?”

  “Neither. It’s just…” I shook my head. “I’d rather be with you, just breathing the same air as you, than anywhere with anyone else.”

  I heard his breath catch this time, but I’d only spoken the truth.

  “And because I love you, too.”

  The smile that filled his usually frowning face was a stunner. Archer O’Brien was a lot of things: Captain to the Wolves baseball team, the oldest of six siblings, one of five brothers, a man who hardly ever smiled, a superstar athlete, the only person who made my heart feel like it was about to beat right out of my chest.

  We may have started out as a mistake.

  But he was the best mistake I’d ever made.

  If you enjoyed this book, I’d be so thankful if you’d leave a review. Your thoughts matter, and just a few words can really make a difference. Reviews are a wonderful way to support me and my books, and they help me find new readers! Thank you in advance, and I hope you loved The Best Mistake! <3

  Also, please check out my other books!

  Adorkable

  Ninja Girl

  The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder

  The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad

  Archer and Honor—and all of the O’Briens—have been living in my head for a while now. I’ve always loved stories about families that stick together through thick and thin, who always have each other’s backs. And I’ve also always loved sports romance! The Best Mistake is my take on both and my first New Adult romance. I wrote it just for fun, to feed my soul, but I hope it will touch readers’ hearts as well :).

  There are a lot of people to thank, so here we go!

  To Susan Elizabeth Phillips (who will most likely never read this), thank you for the Chicago Stars and for introducing me to sports romance. I’ve loved the genre ever since.

  To Julia Quinn (who will also never read this lol), thank you for the Bridgertons, one of my favorite fictional families of all time.

  To Mom, thank you for reading and saying you enjoy my books. You have no idea how much that pushes me to keep writing.

  To Aunt Pat, thank you for being my best friend and for being as excited as I was when the idea for the O’Briens came all those years ago. I love you and miss you every day.

  To Aunt Colleen, thank you for giving me that bag of romance books. I can’t wait to read your book when it comes out.

  To Sarah Hansen, thank you for this amazing cover! You rock!!!

  To Stacey Blake, thank you for being SO awesome & making the book interior so pretty!

  To whoever posted that pic of the Burgess brothers, thank you for the early inspiration!

  To my literature teachers (and all teachers), thank you for all that you do. It really matters.

  To my readers, thank you so much for your support! I’m so thankful for every encouraging message you’ve sent, every kind review, blog post and comment! Thank you for lifting my spirits and making the publishing journey a wonderful one!

  And to YOU. Thank you so much for giving The Best Mistake a chance! My first New Adult sports romance, yay!!! If you’re reading this, you’re holding a piece of my heart in your hands. I hope it made you laugh/swoon/geek out lol. And I hope you enjoyed Archer and Honor’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it <3. If you fell in love with Archer, Baylor, Chase, Dex, Emmy or Finn, please let me know lol! I love hearing from readers! And if you’re that girl (or guy) who prefers paperbacks over parties, just know: You are not alone :).

  Cookie O’Gorman writes stories filled with humor and heart for the nerd in all of us. Fiery first kisses, snappy dialogue, smart girls, swoonworthy boys, and unbreakable friendships are featured in each of her books.

  Cookie is a hopeless romantic, a Harry Potter aficionado, and a supporter of all things dork. Chocolate, Chinese food, and Asian dramas are her kryptonite. Above all, she believes that real life has enough sorrow and despair—which is why she always tries to give her characters a happy ending. She is the author of Adorkable, Ninja Girl, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder and The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad. She is also the author of NA sports romance, The Best Mistake.

  Whether it’s about her books or just to fan-girl, Cookie would love to hear from you!

  Website

  Twitter

  Instagram

  Facebook

  For the latest news on Cookie’s books, access to fun, free content and monthly giveaways, subscribe to The Cookie Jar Newsletter!