Page 13

CHAPTER

SEVEN

EMMA

After walking around campus all day, an early practice, then the doctor, I felt sweaty and a little stinky. When I got home, I jumped into the shower.

Just as I’m walking out of the bathroom in shorts and a T-shirt, there’s a knock on the door. I unwrap the towel from my head as I walk to the door. Seeing it’s Archie in the peephole, I unlock it and open it.

“Hey. Did you get everything okay?”

“Yep. I got my pizza and your pasta. I almost ate a few slices on the way here. I am so hungry,” he says as he walks over to the kitchen table, setting the bag with the food on it.

I walk into the kitchen and grab some plates from the cabinet, then some napkins. “Do you want something to drink?” I ask after setting everything on the table.

“Water is good for me. Thank you,” he says with a smile.

I grab him a bottle of water, a can of 7UP and a blue Powerade, and my Stanley, then walk back over to the table. Archie is standing, holding my chair out for me. Once I sit down and scoot myself in, he walks to his seat and sits .

“So, that was wild, right?” he asks.

My roommates aren’t home right now, so I don’t mind talking about it openly.

“For sure. Obviously, I knew it was real because of how I’ve been feeling and, of course, the tests, but seeing it on the screen and hearing the heartbeat made it so very real, you know. Like, Archie, we’re going to be parents.” I shake my head.

“Yeah, I agree. It made it all so real. And like you said in the room, we have to make some decisions. I know we’re hanging out, and I’d really like to continue to do that, but I also don’t want to be a part-time dad, you know?” He looks at me with a soft smile.

“I get it, and I wouldn’t ask you to be.

If you want to be a part of the baby’s life, you can absolutely be there.

” I run my teeth against my lower lip and tilt my head at him.

“Archie, I need you to understand that I’d never keep you from your child.

You don’t have to …” With my hands, I motion between the two of us. “You don’t have to do this.”

“By this , you mean?”

“The hanging-out thing. The kisses and attentiveness. The pizza. All of it.”

His eyes narrow a touch as he looks down and comprehends what I’m saying. With a nod, he looks up and gives a crooked smile.

“Okay, but here’s the thing.” He scoots closer.

“I really want to keep hanging out with you and getting to know you too. I think you know I’m attracted to you, but I also just like you.

I feel good when I’m around you—you know what I mean?

I look forward to seeing you every day between classes or talking to you on the phone, texting.

I want to keep this going not because of the baby, but because of that.

Do you think you want to give me a chance?

” He reaches over and places his hand on mine that’s resting on the table.

“Archie, I’m going to be completely honest here. I didn’t intend on getting involved with anyone in college because my plan was to move on and go to medical school. Having time for relationships when you’re going through that is hard. Or I imagine it would be.”

He raises a brow. “Is that why you ran off the night we were together without giving me your name and number?”

“Kind of. I mean, it’s not that I wasn’t incredibly into you. I have my boundaries, and getting involved with someone wasn’t in the cards. Going to medical school is all I’ve ever wanted.”

“You’re driven. And guarded. So, you bolted. That makes sense.”

There’s a piece of lint on his shirt. I zero in on it because it’s easier than looking at his intense gaze. “But this baby changes everything. And I know you have your own dreams to follow, so I want to figure out how we can both get what we want and be the best parents to this baby.”

“Anything worth fighting for is never easy. We’re athletes. We know about putting in the work and reaping the sweet benefits in the end. You want to go to med school and be a mom, then that’s what will happen.”

I look up at him. “You make this all sound so simple.”

“I’m trying to reassure you that it can be done. I’m also trying to show you how good I look naked again.”

He waggles his brows, and I can’t help but laugh.

I take a deep breath in and smile. “Being around you and getting to know you—it has made all this easier to process, for sure. I also like spending time with you, and, yeah … you’re easy to look at with or without your clothes on.” I smile at him.

He huffs a laugh. “You know it, darlin’.”

“So, I guess what I’m saying is, I would also like to keep spending time together and see where it goes. And at the end of the day, if all we are to each other are parenting partners, we’ll be the best partners out there.” I turn my palm and link my fingers with his.

“Does this mean I can keep kissing you? Maybe we can even fool around a little? I mean, for the sake of getting to know each other.” He has a small smile on his face, but his eyes … they just got a little bit of heat in them.

And I can’t even deny that it’s turning me on.

It’s safe to say my hormone levels are elevated, and while I’ve been around him the last few weeks, it has been getting harder to keep my hands to myself.

I want to touch him all the time. And the kissing just makes me want to rip his clothes off.

But I’m trying to be patient. If he keeps looking at me like this though, I might just jump him.

“Yeah, we can keep kissing, and I wouldn’t mind fooling around. Based on my memory of that night we were together, I’d say we have pretty good chemistry.” I feel heat reaching my cheeks the more I talk.

“Good chemistry? Darlin’, it was fire, and you know it. All you have to do is say the word, and I’m yours.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses it.

I pull my hand away and clear my throat. “Right. Agreed. So, that’s settled. Do you want to watch a movie or something after we eat, or do you need to get home?”

“I can hang out for a while. Do your roommates mind me being here? I’ve only met them a few times, but I don’t want them to get sick of having me around.”

He’s only met Mia and Peyton a few times, but Livi has been here more, and they’ve gotten to talk some.

“Not at all. Livi thinks you’re cool, and Mia and Peyton are in and out so much with their schedules, so they aren’t really here that often. I think they’ve been hanging out with some basketball guys lately or something.”

“They all seem cool. But you haven’t told them about the baby yet? Just Livi, right?”

I nod. “Yeah, I was waiting for confirmation, but now that we have it, I still don’t feel quite ready to tell them.

I mean, you know Livi knows, but I might hold off on telling the other two.

The last thing I want is for either one of them to let it slip at practice before I’m ready to notify Coach. ”

“I’ll take your lead, but I think we’ll have to tell our families sooner rather than later. I mean, you said you used your parents’ insurance card, and your dad is in insurance, so I think it’s probably better to tell them before they see it, no?” He takes another bite of pizza.

“I know. I have two tournaments left for the fall season. If I can make it through this coming weekend and the next one after, I’ll tell them then, so maybe we can tell our families around the same time. Speaking of, will you guys be practicing, or are you going home?”

“I’ll talk to my family about the baby as soon as you tell yours.” He nods. “We’ll be around for practice. Our last regular season game is the Saturday after, so we can’t really go anywhere.”

“That’s right. I wish I could have gone to the Chandler game. You guys were amazing.” I take a few bites of my pasta, and then I open my Stanley and mix some Powerade and 7UP into the cup.

“It was a fun game, for sure, but it always is. Especially since we’ve won the last few years.” He laughs.

“Definitely. So, how heavy is that Golden Hat? Is it solid or, like, a hat with a gold overlay? I’ve always wondered.” I giggle.

He chews his food and has a closed-mouthed smile. “No, it’s solid gold. Pretty heavy to most people probably, but not to us.” He winks at me.

“Right. I forget you’re all big manly men.” I chuckle.

“I’ll show you a big manly man.” He laughs as he pulls my chair closer to his.

I’m laughing as he does, but also drop my fork in the process. “Guess I’m done eating?”

He hums and leans in closer, then kisses me. “Should we go watch some TV?”

I pull back. “Yes, let me just clear off the table. I’ll leave your pizza here, but I’m going to save the rest of my pasta for tomorrow. I’m glad I was able to eat a little bit of it. ”

“Me too. Just let me know what sounds good to you, and I’m happy to bring it over. Any excuse to see you.” He winks.

Archie always seems to be in a good mood.

Sure, he’s also a big flirt, but I think he’s the kind of guy who is just happy.

Being around him makes me feel good. Makes me happy.

I wasn’t lying about anything I said to him earlier.

I do like spending time with him, and even if it didn’t work out between us as a couple, I could definitely be his friend.

He helps me pack up the bag that my pasta was in, and then he closes his pizza box and sets it to the side.

I take my bag and put it in the fridge. “Do you need anything else while I’m in here?”

“If you have any more water, that would be good. Or whatever you’re drinking is fine. Did I see you mix Powerade and 7UP in your cup though?”

“Ha! Yes. Don’t judge. One of the days I wasn’t feeling well, I was drinking some of the soda, but then got worried about getting dehydrated from throwing up, so I mixed them, and now I want it all the time.

We have plenty of water though. I’ll get you another one.

” I pull another bottle for him and grab my cup off the table.

He takes a seat on the couch and turns on the TV, changing it to—not surprisingly—ESPN. Not that I mind.