Page 6 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

FIVE

Destiny

Destiny watched the trees blur past her window.

Her body still buzzed from the way Archer had lifted her earlier.

He carried her like she wasn’t an inconvenience, but something he wanted to do.

That alone had her thoughts in disarray.

What really unnerved her was how quiet he stayed as they drove.

It was as if he didn’t need to fill in the silence to own a room.

Archer also didn’t act like an asshole when she did decide to converse with him. She could tell that there were so many layers to him. Hurt radiated off of him and was concealed by his nonchalant persona, as well as his bluntness.

He pulled into a gated lot that had smooth looking black pavement. Beautiful palm trees stood tall next to the valet that awaited them in a tailored black vest. She looked up at the sign and it read “Archer’s Delight”.

He owns this place… She smiled at the nice sleek building.

Archer didn’t announce it, nor did he brag on the way there.

He parked in the front and cut his engine then walked around to help her out of the car like it was nothing.

Once she was situated in her chair, Archer walked next to her with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Two massive men stood at the entrance like statues.

They stepped to the side when they caught eyes with Archer.

He gave them a nod and let Destiny roll in first. Destiny’s chair glided smoothly over the polished floors as they entered.

Her mouth fell slightly open at the view.

The inside looked like something straight out of a billionaire’s private collection.

Dark wood walls soaked in the smooth amber lighting.

Floor-to-ceiling wine racks lined the back, while Mahogany cabinets filled with cigars were built in on either side.

Tables were covered with thick velvet cloth.

There were leather armchairs and crystal skull ashtrays, and Jazz played low through invisible speakers.

The scent inside was intoxicating, it smelled like cedarwood, smoke, bourbon, leather, and spice.

“Wow, this is yours?” She finally managed to ask.

Her eyes darted between the bar lined with vintage seats and the low booths that were lit by gold pendant lights.

“Yeah.” Archer smiled with pride as he took in his own masterpiece.

Archer’s Delight was his pride and joy. It took him a year to create the blueprint for it.

Whenever he felt overwhelmed or needed an escape, he’d come here and unwind by himself.

Today was the first day he ever brought somebody here with him.

Something inside of him told him that Destiny would appreciate a place like this.

Somewhere to escape the campus to feel welcomed and relaxed.

“I feel underdressed.” She laughed breathlessly.

Archer glanced at her, then back to the path ahead of them.

“You not, at all.” He said, meaning every word.

Destiny was beautiful, and she looked so chill and comfortable.

It didn’t matter to Archer if she had sweats and a hoodie on.

Nobody could tell him who to bring inside of what he owned.

There was no dress code at Archer’s delight, either.

Destiny’s heart rate picked up as she asked herself all kinds of questions.

Is this like… a date? She bit the inside of her cheek and smiled.

She blushed and couldn’t believe where she was at, and not by herself.

She was actually out with a man, a fine man that was being nice and a gentleman towards her.

She woke up this morning determined to do more, she never thought that it would end up with her thirty minutes away from campus and with Archer.

I need to fall out of my chair more… She snickered lowly at her own thoughts.

They settled into a private corner booth near the back.

The leather seat cushioned her stiff joints.

She was grateful for how helpful Archer was in making her feel comfortable.

She didn’t have to ask him to assist her into her seat, he just did it.

Her eyes continued to drink in every detail, down to the custom gold cigar cutters on display.

“This is like an experience; it’s beautiful, Archer…thank you for this. I never get to—” She stopped talking as she looked away.

Archer waited a couple of seconds before speaking. He didn’t want to cut her off again, since it really seemed to piss her off earlier when he kept cutting her off mid-sentence. Once he saw that she wasn’t going to finish her sentence, he spoke.

“You can come here for free, any time you want. The staff will know and let you right in and assist you.” He stated confidently.

“Wow. I want you to be my friend.” She stated seriously.

It might have sounded corny, but Archer thought it was cute. No one ever asked to be his friend. People just naturally flocked to him and tried their hardest to be in his circle.

“I’m your friend.” He chuckled, loving the way she tried to play off her blushing.

Archer was cocky, he knew without Destiny having to say it that she thought he was attractive.

Even though he knew that, he wouldn’t play on it.

Destiny didn’t have to tell him much about herself for him to know the kind of good girl she was.

On top of that, she was a virgin. She had a simple crush on him, and he already established that he wasn’t after what was between her legs.

“I don’t roll with anyone, remember? You rolled with me…I brought you to my lounge that nobody knows about.” He smirked.

“Your parents don’t know?” She asked curiously.

“Nah, I like them to believe whatever it is that they think of me.” Archer shrugged.

“What do you think they think of you?”

“They think very low of me. I used to care; I even wanted my father’s approval for everything that I did until I realized that he fed me nothing but lies for his image.

Two weeks ago, the truth that I had known for a very long time came out.

It just helped put things into a better perspective for me. ”

Archer didn’t know why he felt so comfortable with Destiny.

He never felt comfortable enough to express himself to anyone.

The shit with his family life was weighing him down; he tried his hardest to bury it and keep moving like it was nothing, but it still nagged at him.

Archer wanted answers and fast, about who his biological mother was.

“What was the truth, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Karen is not my real mom. I believed that she was since a little kid, she was the only mean ass woman around me. It wasn’t until I got old enough to see the difference in my complexion.

I had my father’s blue eyes and that was about it.

I don’t even look like him. My siblings were born years after me…

They look like full blooded white folks ” His throat ached instantly after saying it out loud.

“I knew that, but I—still…love Karen...” He admitted, more so to himself.

“She’s all I’ve known. The closest thing that I have had for a mother.

She never loved me…I been knew that, but I can’t help but to love her.

Because of her disdain for me…my siblings don’t treat me like any other sibling would treat a big brother.

That don’t change the fact that I still love them as well.

” Archer dropped his head at that realization.

Destiny’s breath got caught up in her throat.

She reached across the table and placed her hand on top of his hand.

She couldn’t help that she was an empath, she couldn’t imagine what all of what Archer was saying would feel like if it was her.

Archer normally would have snatched his hand away.

He didn’t want Destiny feeling sorry for him.

That sentiment alone with her warm soft hand stroking the top of his felt good to him.

He enjoyed the way her skin felt up against his, so he continued to talk.

“All of this college shit is just for an image. My father constantly needs something to brag about until my brother and sister go to college. I don’t have to do shit at Blake U, my dad pays good money to make sure I pass every class, so I randomly show up on campus just to make my appearance and make extra money while doing it.

” He spat out the bitter truth and was now ready to change the subject.

“If you want, I can help you find your real mom.” Destiny said, feeling determined to help her new friend out.

“Why would you want to do that, when that’s not your problem?” Archer’s thick brow raised.

“It’s what real friends do. I might have not had friends since ninth grade…but, now that I got you, I want to help.”

“What happened to you?” Archer asked.

“I was shot in the back at a party. A party I should have listened to my parents about not going to. That night, the girl that I thought was my best friend was sleeping with my so-called boyfriend. I caught their young asses fucking in one of the guest rooms at the house party we were at. I was too scared and emotional to confront them…I ran outside and—” Destiny looked away.

Archer noticed that her eyes misted over.

“I don’t like talking about the night that changed my entire life.

I miss walking. The doctors told me that I would never stand, walk, or have feeling in my legs again.

God proved them wrong. I do at home physical therapy, and it works.

I gained feeling back, which comes with pain, but I’m blessed and appreciate the pain sometimes because it proves that there’s hope in walking. ” She smiled sadly.

“You going to get there. Keep pushing the way that you’re pushing yourself now. I can help you along the way, too.” Archer gave her a reassuring smile.

“So, that means you’re going to let me help you?” She perked up.

“I might let you help me, first I’m going to confront them during family dinner and demand that they tell me who my real mother is.”

Archer removed his hand gently from under Destiny’s.

He stood and then sat down right beside her.

He was so close, Destiny shifted slightly.

She tucked a coil behind her ear as her nerves buzzed the moment he reached inside a carved wooden box that was on the table. He pulled out a cigar and held it up.

“You ever smoked one?” he asked with his eyes still on the cigar.

Destiny shook her head and eyed it.

“Nah, the closest I’ve gotten is standing next to my dad. He likes to smoke them on special occasions.” She smiled.

Speaking of her dad, Destiny forgot that her cell phone was in her pocket now. She pulled it out and saw that she had four missed calls and text messages from her father. Archer wondered who she was speed texting but didn’t feel like it was his place to wonder too long about it.

“This brand is Dominican.” He said, holding the cigar out for her to get a good look.

“It’s hand rolled, medium bodied. When you smoke it, it’s a smooth draw. It can’t hit harsh unless you rush it.” He smirked.

She watched Archer carefully as he clipped the end and lit it. The flame glowed then burned evenly. He inhaled slowly, she watched his lips part around the smoke before he let it curl from his mouth. That is so fucking sexy! She thought.

“You don’t inhale it like weed.” He said, turning toward her.

“You let it sit in your mouth, let the taste linger. It’s about the ritual, not the high.” He blew a small cloud of smoke her way.

Destiny swallowed as she watched Archer intently. Smoke wrapped around his sharp jaw then vanished around them.

“Sounds like you love cigars.”

“I do.” He smirked, eyes low from all the blunts he smoked earlier.

“What’s all of the things you love?”

“Knowledge, money, weed, and pussy…” Archer paused for a second before adding extras to what he said.

“Oh, I love real estate too. I like investing my money and saving.” He smiled.

“You have a nice car, expensive clothes, and jewelry…do you save money?”

“I didn’t buy none of it. It’s all for my father’s image.” Archer reminded her.

“Look at you, trying to catch me up in a lie.” He chuckled.

“So, this is what you do when you not being mean to half naked women waiting in your car in parking lots?” Destiny laughed.

“Only the ones who disrespect my friends.” He said, voice clipped. He took his eyes off the cigar and looked Destiny in the eyes.

Archer didn’t like that she kept bringing up Latosha; to him, she was no longer worth the mention or thought.

“You don’t belong in parking lot drama…you belong in peaceful rooms like this, though. You also too pretty to be worried about how I treat hoes in my spare time, Destiny.”

Destiny gasped softly, then tried to steady her breathing. She wanted to play it off but Archer had openly flirted with her and called her pretty. Plus, what he said wasn’t just smooth as hell, but it sounded like he meant it. It felt like he was seeing her in ways no one else did.

Archer took another drag of the cigar, but this time, he purposely let the smoke drift toward her, warming the space between them.

Destiny rested her hands in her lap, her eyes still on Archer and his cigar smoke.

She didn’t know what the hell was happening, but she wanted to stay here until the day ended to keep feeling whatever it was swirling between them.