CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

Chelsea

"Archie, wait!" Chelsea pulled his hand forcefully out of Arc's grasp as they reached the bottom of the wooden steps. Arc paused, his back stiffened, shoulders squared, and fists clenched.

"What the hell was that? That was so rude!" Chelsea yelled out, his voice echoing through the evening air. Arc's gruff reply came with a nod toward the darkening sky.

"We should leave. It's getting late." The sun's descent was a slow goodbye, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape, but time seemed to have slipped away unnoticed.

That wasn't a good enough reason for Arc to drag him off that way.

"That's not..." Chelsea began, but Sarge's voice stopped him. He turned around to see Sarge jog down the steps and reach him in an instant. Sweat clung to his forehead, and he wiped it out with his hand, giving Chelsea a wide grin.

Chelsea flashed his signature flirty smile. "You caught up with me." He reached out to rub Sarge's shou