Page 86 of A is for Aftercare

“I’m not that bad,” I mutter.

“You’re not as disorganised as Blake, that’s for sure,” Archie says, leaning his head against my arm.

I think I’m supposed to take that as a compliment. I wrap my arm around his waist and draw him a little closer to me. He seems more relaxed, which I’m glad about. I hadn’t thought for a second that he’d be intimidated by my friends. I suppose I should have tried to put myself in his shoes. Calvin, Gabe, Spencer, and I have known each other for years. It would make sense for Archie to feel a little like an outsider.

“Are we having a party a week on Friday?” Gabe asks.

I frown. “Why wouldn’t we be?” Not that I’ve even started thinking about it yet. I’ll ask Archie to send out the invitations and organise the caterers next week.

Gabe’s gaze flicks to Archie briefly.

Am I supposed to stop throwing parties because I'm seeing someone? I'm clearly out of touch with the rules of dating because that just seems bizarre to me. I want to take Archie to the party and play with him so long as he wants that too. I certainly won't be looking at any of the other subs there. I look down at Archie as I stroke my hand over his side. Somehow the words 'you're important to me' don't do justice to the sensation nestling deep within my heart.

“What do you think, Archie?” I only just manage to refrain from calling him Archieosaurus. I’m not sure how he’d react to the silly pet name in public. “Do you want to come to the party with me?”

He smiles up at me. “I’d like that, Sir.”

“Then yes, there will be a party happening at mine, a week on Friday. Consider yourselves and your boyfriends invited.”

“I’d be upset if weweren’tinvited,” Calvin says.

“But we’ll get back to you on whether we’ll be there,” Gabe says.

“Right. After we’ve talked to Blake.”

Everyone looks to Spencer.

He holds his hands up. “I don’t think Corey and I are as serious as you all seem to be. We’re going on our first date tomorrow. Besides, I’m pretty sure I’m working that night.” He takes his phone out of his pocket and checks something on it. “Yes.” He sighs. “The first of my four-night shifts.”

“That’s a shame,” I say.

I debate once again if I could ask Archie to keep track of Spencer's shifts for me. Maybe that way, the date of my parties could stop rigidly being every fourth Friday so they fit in more with my friend's hectic work schedule. It would be nice to see Spencer more often than I currently do.

“You’re going on a date?” Gabe asks Spencer. “Who’s planning it?”

“Me.”

“And? Where are you taking him?”

Spencer wags his finger back and forth. “I’m not going to share any details.” He leans forward so he can wink at Archie. “No offence, but I don’t know you well enough to be sure you won’t tell your brother.”

“Will he like it?” Archie asks.

“I’m hoping he’ll love it.”

“That’s good enough for me.”

“But the rest of us have to remain in suspense?” Gabe asks.

“I’m afraid so,” Spencer says.

Gabe shakes his head, and we all laugh. I’m glad the tension seems to have broken completely now.

We talk over a few more drinks—Gabe is on soft drinks again, as he’s driving—before eventually going our separate ways. I hold Archie’s hand as we walk towards my home.

“You should meet my brothers and Lexi next,” Archie says.

“I’d like that.”