Page 36

I awoke Sunday morning in Archer's big bed alone.

I frowned as I stretched and looked around the room.

A groan left my lips as my bones made satisfying cracks and pops.

My limbs felt heavy as I sat back against the headboard and rubbed my eyes.

The events of last night came rushing back to me and a blush warmed my cheeks.

God, what had come over me? I was so happy when Oliver woke me up to apologize.

I could tell that he was still holding back on me, that some things were being left unsaid.

But I also knew he was genuine in his apology, and his wish to move forward.

I figured we weren't back to normal yet, but at least we both wanted to be.

Then the heavens parted and my father—the most stubborn man in the whole world—said he'd try.

Pride swelled in me again as I thought about Archer driving to see him.

Growing up a daddy's girl, I'd always dreamed of a man respecting my father enough to be a bit traditional.

Sure, Archer and I both did things out of order, but it meant so much to me that he valued us enough to go there.

I had been so overcome with relief and euphoria that I had run right to Archer's house to wait for him.

I blushed deeper as I realized I hadn't actually been experiencing euphoria—yet.

Archer showed me that later on. My mouth dried up as I thought about the way he had made me feel.

I had completely lost control of my body and senses, it was like someone else had taken over.

It was embarrassing to think about the noises I'd made but I couldn't hold them back.

I had tried in the past to figure out my lady-mechanisms—but when you don't know your destination, it's hard to navigate there.

Holy moly, Archer knew where we were going.

I cringed when I realized that he obviously was very experienced with the female anatomy. I didn't want to think about Archer being intimate with anyone else but I knew it was the reality. Anxiety crept over me as I went down that rabbit hole.

Archer had insisted we stop last night before things went too far. But I knew that usually there would be some reciprocation on my end. How was I supposed to know what to do? How could I be as good as the other girls without any experience?

Just then the bedroom door opened and Archer walked in with two steaming coffee mugs. He smiled when he saw I was awake then his eyes flicked to my warm cheeks.

"What were you thinking about up here?" He smirked with a raised brow. He set the mugs on the side table and dropped onto the bed next to me, kissing my hairline.

"W-why didn't you wake me up?" I asked as I tried to settle my anxious thoughts.

Archer frowned slightly at my nervous stutter. "I tried," he said softly. "You punched me in your sleep."

A giggle burst from my mouth. "I did not!"

"Yes you did," he laughed, relaxing next to me. "Luckily we both know you can't punch. But I figured it'd be safer to go make coffee then try again."

I rolled my eyes at his little jab and shook my head with a weak smile. Archer twisted to look down on me again as he appraised my face. "What's the matter, Sweetheart? Normally a comment like that would rile you up."

I hesitated for a moment as I stared back at him before I sat up taller and tucked my legs under my bum. Might as well bite the bullet. "How many people have you slept with?"

A strangled noise came from the back of Archer's throat as he froze and stared down at me. "I don't—uhm—Why do you want to know? I don't see what good could come from this."

"I just need to know what I'm up against," I said with apprehension. I needed to know but I also really didn't want to hear his answer.

Archer's eyes softened and a small smile tugged the corner of his lips.

"Charlotte... Sweetheart,"-he pressed a quick kiss to my forehead-"you don't have any competition.

" Shame flashed across his face as he sucked a breath between his teeth.

"To be completely honest I can't give you a number.

I didn't keep track because no girl has ever mattered to me before you. "

I nodded slowly as I absorbed what Archer was saying. There had been that many other girls... how could anything with me be special after that?

"It's just," I started sadly, "everything we do is a first for me. I don't know how I can top what you've already experienced."

Archer pulled me into a tight hug and pressed his cheek to the top of my head.

"If I had known how great everything would feel with you, I would have waited Sweetheart.

But I am so fucking serious when I say that you top every experience I have ever had.

Just kissing you is amazing. And whenever we decide to do more, that will be amazing too. Because it's with you."

His large hands grabbed my shoulders and pulled me up to look at him. He ducked his head to catch my eye and smiled wryly. "Actually, you have taken a first for me. You're my first girlfriend."

"Really?" I asked surprised.

Archer laughed lightly and nodded. "Yep. Never really saw the point before." I rolled my eyes and decided I didn't want to ask any more questions about that.

"Whoopsies," I giggled. "You actually aren't my first boyfriend."

Archer glared down at me. "Who was he?"

"Richard Jones. Grade 2." I reported studiously.

Archer glared off into the distance as though he were making a diabolical plan. "I'll kill him," he said determinedly.

We put the conversation behind us after that and got ready for the day.

I had made plans with Madeline and Emmett already but they had agreed that Archer could come along.

Well, Madeline had agreed. Emmett and Archer were still tense around each other since the drama around Thanksgiving.

Neither of them would tell me exactly what happened but they weren't particularly friendly anymore. Not that Archer ever had been.

When I got out of the shower I could hear Archer grumbling in his bedroom. When I heard Madeline's laughter I wrapped my body in one of Archer's large towels and peeked out of the door.

Madeline laid on the end of Archer's bed smirking at him while he stomped around his room with a scowl. She just loved making him angry. She stood up when she caught sight of me and grabbed a plastic bag.

"Hey," she greeted me. "Here are the clothes you asked for."

"Everything okay out here?" I asked airly as I eyed Archer.

"Just peachy," he grimaced. His face relaxed when he focused on my bare collarbones. He reached towards me with a glint in his eye but I swatted his hand and disapeared back into the bathroom.

Gosh, I love Madeline, I thought as I pulled my hair defuser from the bag.

She'd also packed my favourite leggings, a crewneck sweatshirt, and a slouchy beanie.

Once I was dressed and my hair was dry I corralled Archer and Mads to leave.

We were taking Archer's truck to go pick up Emmett then we were going to a carnival Madeline had found online.

Archer helped me in the passenger seat then stood in the open door with a crooked grin. He tugged my beanie over my eyes and peppered my face with kisses as I laughed. "You are so fucking cute," he growled between kisses.

"Spare me," Madeline sighed as she walked up behind us. Archer scoffed but warmth spread in my chest as he reached out and opened the back door for her to climb in. I leant forward and kissed the tip of his nose then pushed his chest to get him moving.

The air got a bit thicker once Emmett got in the truck. I held Archer's hand in my lap so I could silently communicate with him through squeezes. Neither boy talked very often but I knew how sassy Archer could get very quickly.

The carnival was only a 45-minute drive from USC so Madeline and I filled most of that time with our chatter. Soon, we pulled into a parking lot and I wiggled excitedly in my seat.

Bright lights were strung all over different colourful booths of games and food. Rides in the background swooped and looped around in the air as people screamed and laughed with joy. Happy families and young couples took their time wandering around in the sun.

Madeline and Emmett ran ahead to buy tickets but I kept Archer back.

"You need to be nice today," I said pointedly.

Archer set his shoulders and glared. "It's not me! It's him," he whined like a dang child.

I stepped forward and pressed my stomach to Archer's as I gave him my best puppy-dog eyes. "It would really mean a lot to me? If you tried?"

"That's not playing fair," he mumbled as he glared in the direction Emmett went. He looked back down at me and sighed in resignation. "Fine, I'll try. But I really have been trying to be nice. Did you know I got him off of cleanup duty for a party?"

"Oh wow," I sassed, "you helped him get out of hazing that shouldn't be happening in the first place. What a hero my boyfriend is."

Archer laughed and grabbed my hand to pull me forward. "What a smartass my girlfriend is."

We crossed under the brightly lit archway to the carnival. There were a lot more people once you actually got inside so I tightened my grip on Archer's hand. Knowing that I got uncomfortable in big crowds, he rubbed comforting circles on my knuckles with his thumb.

Madeline and Emmett joined us soon enough with the ride tickets and we all set off to enjoy our afternoon.

We walked through the game booths first, watching people try to win the cheap stuffed animals on the walls.

We had to walk in pairs to get through the people so Archer and I walked in the back.

A lightbulb went off in my mind and I tugged at Madeline's shirt. "Switch places with Archer, I need to ask you something," I asked. Archer gave me a knowing look as I pushed him forward to walk next to Emmett.

"What's up?" Mads whispered as we hooked our arms together.

"Oh nothing," I giggled. "I'm just playing matchmaker." I gestured with my chin towards the two boys. Madeline nodded in understanding and we walked silently as we watched them.

Emmett and Archer both strode with stiff shoulders as they stared right ahead. Neither looked or spoke to the other. Apparently, I was going to have to work a little harder.

The opportunity presented itself when we got to the end of the games. The isle of booths we had been walking down opened up to all of the rides. Emmett started getting more jumpy and excited as he looked around.

"You guys wanna go on that one?" He asked pointing to a large purple monstrosity.

It looked like a big metal boat, but by how well everyone was strapped in, I figured it was scary.

Sure enough, the ride started rocking back and forth as pop music bopped out of the speakers.

The boat kept picking up speed until it went right over in a loop.

The people screamed as they were flung upside down and my throat tightened a bit.

"Uhm, I think I'll pass." I winced as a lady screeched really loud when they looped again. "But actually, Archer was telling me earlier how much he wanted to go on that ride!"

I raised my eyebrows at Archer, waiting for him to speak. He grimaced and shifted on his feet. "Oh yeah, I did didn't I?" he muttered as he stared at the ground.

"Perfect!" Madeline smiled. "You two boys go do it while Charlotte and I get some girl time."

Both boys shot each other distrusting looks as they apprehensively walked away together to get in line. Once they were out of sight Madeline and I found a picnic table to sit at.

"So we've barely gotten a chance to catch up. How's everything with Archer? I saw that big kiss on tv." Madeline pressed with a laugh.

I cringed knowing that the local news had aired that a few times now. It even ended up on TSN when they were showing clips of the championship. "It was rough there for a bit but Archer and I are good." I blushed thinking about last night again. "Really good," I added.

"Oh my god did you have sex?" Mads whisper-shouted at me.

"What? No! We did... other stuff." I mumbled awkwardly.

I very painfully managed to tell Madeline the gist of what had happened between Archer and me. She listened intently and helped me fill in words that I couldn't bring myself to say. My face was beet-red once I finished and let out a whistle of breath.

"Well, damn," she sighed. "So you didn't do anything back?"

"That's my problem!" I exclaimed. "I have no freaking clue what to do."

"Like... no clue?" Madeline clarified.

"I mean, I know the basics," I whispered. "But I'm a little lost on the details. Plus he's been with so many girls Mads! Girls that probably know all these tricks."

Madeline gave me a commiserating nod as she dropped her chin in her hand. "I'm not really an expert either," she sighed. "But I do know that lover-boy is like the ultimate alpha-male. I bet he loves that you are inexperienced. That just means he gets to teach you."

"You think?" I perked up.

"Definitely," Mads confirmed. "If anything, I say own it. Play up your innocent little doe-eyed thing and let him think he's in charge."

A loud commotion behind us made me twist in my seat. A few carnies were running towards a gathering crowd of people. Shouts rang out from the center of the crowd as everyone watched something in the middle.

I gasped when a carnie separated the crowd for a moment to get through and I got a glimpse of what everyone was staring at.

I. stood up and started running forward as Madeline shouted for me to slow down.

When I got to the edge of the sea of onlookers I pushed my way in.

A few random elbows almost sent me falling but I caught myself and managed to pop out in the center.

Everyone had created a ring around four men fighting. Two of the idiots were Emmett and Archer. They were both on top as they dropped punches down on the other two men. Emmett's lip was bleeding but besides that, they seemed fairly unscathed.

"Stop!" I shouted as I stepped forward. A few onlookers tried to hold me back but I evaded them. "Archer Johnson stop right this instant!" I yelled as I tugged his hat off his head and wacked his shoulder with it.

He stopped mid-punch and looked up at me with wide eyes. He shoved the guy under him into the ground eliciting a groan as he rolled over holding his stomach. Archer stood up and kicked Emmett in the side making him look at us.

"Hey baby," Archer smiled innocently down at me as he hid his red knuckles behind his back. I ignored the flutter in my stomach that his new name for me caused.

"What the heck do you think you're doing!" I glared up at him and punched him in the gut.

Emmett popped up next to me brushing off his jeans just as a carnie approached us with a bored expression.

"Y'all need to go before the police arrive," he drawled as he took in the two men still groaning on the ground.

I grabbed the underside of Archer and Emmett's arms and dragged them both forward quickly. The crowd parted instantly for us as I charged forward. Madeline joined us as we briskly moved to the exit.

Once we were outside the truck I let the boys go and whipped around to glare at them both. Emmett let out a relieved sigh as he rubbed his arm.

"Holy shit, that's gonna bruise," he whined.

"Tell me about it," Archer frowned. "Her little fingers do serious damage."

"Okay, what the hell happened?" Madeline huffed.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest and cocked a hip.

"I'll tell you what happened! These two hooligans got into a freaking fight!

Now we will all probably get arrested, and then if we get records we will get kicked out of school, and without school, we can all kiss our careers goodbye, and—"

"Breath, Sweetheart." Archer dropped his hands on my shoulders and shook me a little. "It wasn't even that big of a deal," he shrugged. "Those assholes recognized us from football and started running their mouths. We didn't even start the fight, that greasy one punched Emmett first."

"That's true!" Emmett jumped in. "The bugger caught me right in the lip."

"It's the only shot he got on you though," Archer smirked.

Emmett laughed and agreed. I looked at Madeline and saw my own shock mirrored in her face. We both watched silently as the boys relived the fight and laughed at each other's reenactments. Was this seriously the thing that was going to bring them together?

"Shotgun!" Emmett called as he pulled open the truck door. I gawked in shock as he climbed into my seat and shut the door on us.

I swung my face towards Archer to see him laughing at me. "You wanted us to get along," he shrugged.

"I didn't think it would happen this fast!" I scowled. "And I didn't think he'd get my seat."

Archer kissed my pouty bottom lip gently. "I can kick him out if you want?" He teased, knowing I'd say no.

The ride home was the exact opposite of the ride to the carnival.

Madeline and I silently listened to Emmett drone on in the front seat.

I was going to get early wrinkles by how hard my brow stayed furrowed.

Archer was intently focused on the road as usual, but he let Emmett go on and on and football. This was a freakin' anomaly.

Once we'd dropped Emmett off at home, Archer drove Madeline and me back to our dorm. He walked us up to our room so I asked him to stay for a bit.

"What the heck was that?" I asked as I plopped down on my bed.

"What was what?" Archer grinned as he stalked towards me. He fell between my legs and rested his head on my stomach.

"You and Emmett! You're just buddies now?"

"I thought that was what you wanted?" He asked as he snaked his arms around my waist.

"Well... yeah I did. I do! I just didn't think I'd be losing my seat." I grumbled.

Archer lifted his face to smirk at me. "You jealous Sweetheart?" I scoffed in response and rolled my eyes. "He's a pretty good kid actually," Archer added thoughtfully. "You should have heard him when those guys starting shitting on the Trojans. He took up for the whole team."

I smiled at the respect I could hear in Archer's voice. "So you actually like him?" I prodded.

"You said it was important to you, so I'm trying," he said simply.

I rubbed my fingers over the tight muscles on his back.

My insides melted into goo as a wave of gratitude washed over me.

I was so lucky to have Archer. I loved how hard he was working to make us happy.

Loved? I cringed internally. There was that word again.

The urge to verbalize the overwhelming feeling bubbled up in my stomach and rose up to the tip of my tongue.

It was like every nerve in my body was vibrating as I clamped my mouth closed.

I couldn't tell him I loved him. Not yet. It was too soon, right?