Page 16

CHAPTER

EIGHT

ARCHIE

It’s been a few days since our doctor’s appointment, and I haven’t seen Emma since I left her house the next morning. But we’ve been talking every day. She is starting to feel better and is able to eat a little more.

She still hasn’t told her parents or friends, aside from Livi.

I plan to tell my dad this weekend when he comes up for my game tomorrow.

To my friends, on the other hand, I haven’t really said anything about my whereabouts and don’t plan to until Emma is okay with telling everyone.

And I haven’t said much to Liam about it since he found out.

Hanging out with Emma, talking to her, fucking her …

better than I could have imagined. But this is something bigger.

We aren’t just hanging out casually. We’re having a baby.

And I’m stoked about it, truly, even though it doesn’t exactly fall into my timeline.

It’s happening, so I can embrace it for the gift that this baby is or freak out.

And I’m not the type of guy to freak out. Plus, my dad would kick my ass.

It will still be good to talk to him about this. I think I just need to make sure I’m doing all the right things to support her. And if anyone knows how to treat his lady, it’s my dad.

I’m walking back into the locker room from the practice field when Casey comes up next to me.

“Hey, brother. Are you gonna be home tonight, or are you going out?”

It’s Halloween tonight, but since we have a game tomorrow, none of us are really planning to do anything. Or at least I’m not. My plan was to go home and drop my gear, then grab some food and crash. I need to check in with Emma too.

“I’m coming home, but I want to shower first. You aren’t going out, are you? You’re starting tomorrow.” I pat his chest.

“Oh, yeah. No, I’m not doing anything. I think Charlie’s cooking for us tonight and then handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. We were going to watch Scream after. She just texted me to ask if you would be there or not since you haven’t been around a lot lately.”

I push open the locker room door and head to my locker to undress. “That’s my plan. But, dude, Scream is lame. Let’s watch, like, The Shining or something old school.”

Casey shakes his head and moves to his locker three down from mine. “Nope, no way. Charlie can’t handle the really scary stuff. She’ll be up all night, and Beck needs some sleep. I can’t babysit her either.”

“Charlie is scared, or you are?” I look over at him and laugh.

“Fuck you.” He laughs. “I’m not scared, but I can’t have creepy shit in my head all night either.” He tosses a dirty towel at me.

“Uh-huh. That’s what I thought. It’s okay that you’re a little bitch baby, King.” I love to rib my guys.

“Who’s a bitch baby?” Beckham walks in with Callaway.

“Your boy here. I didn’t know he was afraid to watch scary movies.” I nod to Casey.

Beck barks out a laugh. “He and Charlie are both big babies. They can’t handle it, and honestly, I can’t deal with either one of them tonight, so whatever we watch needs to be on the lame side of scary.”

I finish pulling off my shoulder pads and then strip off the rash guard I wear. I undo the belt on my pants and push them off my legs. Then I toss my practice gear in the laundry bin and walk into the shower room.

A few guys are in there, shootin’ the shit while they shower, and I hear Casey, Beck, and Bo following behind me.

After a quick wash, I grab a towel on my way back to my locker and scrub it over my head first before wrapping it around my waist. My phone chimes from the top shelf in my locker. There are a few texts from Emma, my mom, and my brother Aiden. I check Emma’s first.

Emma: Hey. Hope you had a good day today. Just wanted to see what you were doing tonight.

Archie: Hey, darlin’. I just got out of practice and showered. I’m still at the field house. I was going to go to my place and eat with my roommates and watch a movie. What are you up to?

It’s been about thirty minutes since she texted, so I’m surprised when she texts back right away, before I have a chance to set my phone back down.

Emma: Well, my roommates are all going out tonight for Halloween, but I’m not in the mood to go, for obvious reasons.

Archie: You feeling bad tonight?

Emma: No, I’m fine. I was going to watch a movie and probably crash early. So …

Archie: Emma, if you want me to come over and take care of you, that’s all you have to say.

Emma: HA! I mean, I don’t need anyone to take care of me, but I wouldn’t hate it if you came over.

Archie: Want me to grab some food for us? I’m starving.

Emma: I already ate, but you’re welcome to bring something or see if we have anything here you can eat.

Archie: I’m gonna run back to my place and grab some food, and then I’ll head over. Does that work?

Emma: Sounds good. See you in a bit.

Archie:

After I set my phone back on the shelf, I loosen the knot on my towel and run it down my legs to finish drying off. I pull out the fresh clothes from my bag and get dressed in a T-shirt and sweats quickly, then slip my feet into my slides.

I’m zipping up my bag when Pitz walks into the locker room. “You just coming in?” I ask.

He nods, not looking too happy.

“What’s up, man? You good?”

I hold out my fist to him as he walks by. He ignores it and keeps walking to his locker.

“Yo, Pitz, what’s going on?”

Standing in front of his locker, he has his hands on his hips and shakes his head. “I just got out of a meeting with Coach.” He looks around the locker room. “He’s starting Callaway tomorrow,” he whispers.

I pull a deep breath in and nod. “I can’t say I’m surprised. He’s been killing it this week, but I know it sucks for you. Sorry, man.”

“I’ll be fine. I just feel like my time is coming to an end here because, Griff, I’m not sitting on the bench next year.” He shakes his head.

I walk over to him. “I get it. You’ll have to do what is best for you and your career, but you have to stay focused on the rest of this season.

We only have three more games before the bowl games.

You will be playing in not only the games leading up to that, but we need you to be ready to go so we can get to the championship game.

Do you think you can do that? You think you can be the leader we need you to be on that field, even if you aren’t starting? ” I place a hand on his shoulder.

He looks up and meets my eyes. “I am one of the captains on this team, and I won’t let you guys down.”

“That’s my guy.” I hold out my palm to him, and he grabs it to do our handshake. “You had me worried you were pussing out on me.”

That gets me a smile.

“Fuck you, Griff. You heading back to the house or to see your girl?”

I look around the room before I answer, “I’m gonna run home first and see if dinner is ready. I guess Charlie is cooking and doing some Halloween stuff, like handing out candy, and they’re all watching a movie, but I’m not sticking around after I eat.”

“Gotchu. Are you coming home tonight though? We have to be here at, like, nine a.m. tomorrow,” he mentions.

I nod. “I know. Right now, I plan to come home tonight, but if I don’t, I’ll come back early.” I turn and start to walk out.

“Dude, don’t let her wear your ass out tonight.” He chuckles.

“Yeah, yeah. See you at home.” I hold up my hand but don’t turn around.

Ten minutes later, I’m parking on the street in front of my house. When I walk in, the scent of a home-cooked meal makes my stomach grumble.

Charlie is in the kitchen, pulling something out of the oven.

“Hey, Chuck. What up? Smells awesome in here. ”

The sound of my bag dropping to the floor makes her jump.

“Jesus, that scared me!” She looks at me and laughs. “Sorry, I’m a little jumpy. I’ve been watching scary movies for the last few hours while I was waiting for you guys to get home. I’m thinking that probably wasn’t the best idea now. Every little noise has me looking over my shoulder.”

I walk over to where she’s standing and look into the pan she just pulled out. “Brownies, huh? Is that our dinner?”

She clears her throat. “No, it’s just a treat for us for after dinner.

I made some lasagna and a salad for us. I know you guys like to carb-load the night before.

But this is a healthier lasagna. The sauce is homemade versus canned, so less preservatives.

And the cheese is organic, and the noodles are whole grain with added protein. ”

I nod a few times. “Awesome. Thanks, sugar. Is it ready now, or do I need to wait around for a bit?”

She opens the oven, then closes it. “I’d say another ten to fifteen minutes.”

“Sounds good. Thank you for doing this.”

“Of course. Are you sticking around to hand out candy and watch a movie, or do you have plans?” she asks.

I bring my hand up behind me and scratch my neck. “I’m not going to be around for the movie and trick-or-treaters, no.”

She nods and smirks. “Okay, got it.”

“I’m going to go drop my stuff in my room and call my mom. Give me a shout when dinner is ready.”

“You got it.” She shoots me a thumbs-up.

I pick up my bag and take it to my room.

My room setup is pretty plain. I have one of the smaller rooms in the house, but it doesn’t bother me.

I’m a simple guy. I just need a bed, bathroom, a dresser or a closet for my clothes, and I’m good to go.

I set my bag on the floor at the end of the bed and then sit on the edge.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket and call my mom.

“Hey, Arch. Whatcha doing?” she says when she answers.

“Hey, Mama. Just got home from practice and going to eat some dinner. What are y’all up to? Doing anything for Halloween?”