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“Well, the boys have a game tonight at seven, but then some of the guys are coming back to the ranch to stay the night. Dad made the corn maze again this year, and we set up some snacks and stuff in the shack for them. But I have a feeling it’s going to be a late night.

Austin is already asking if he and his friends can sleep out there with the older boys, but that’s a big no.

I know Ace and Anders won’t keep an eye on them.

And apparently, some girls will be coming over, too, although I said they can’t spend the night. ”

She keeps talking, and I lie back on my bed and smile. I miss my family. The past few summers, I haven’t been able to spend a ton of time there due to training. About the time I get home and get on a schedule, I have to turn around and come back here for the school year to start.

My family plays up the holidays big time.

Mom and Dad decorate the house and the shack—which is an old ranch-hand cottage that we converted into an entertainment area for us and our friends.

I lost my virginity in that shack, and by the fact that my brothers are having girls up there tonight, I’m guessing they’re messing around too.

I hear the front door slam and voices in the hall.

“That all sounds like fun, Mama. I’m gonna have to let you go though. The rest of the guys just got home, and I think our dinner will be ready soon. I’ll give you a call after our game tomorrow. Tell Dad to text me when he gets up here, and I’ll try to see him before the game.”

“Okay, baby. Keep yourself safe tomorrow. I should be able to be at the next game since the boys’ regular season will be over. We’ll find out if we’re moving on to the playoffs after tonight. Tell the boys good luck for me. Love you!” She makes a kiss sound.

“Bye, Mama. Love you. Tell the boys I said good luck if they haven’t left yet. ”

“Will do. Bye, Arch.” She hangs up.

I get off the bed and shoot a text to Emma to let her know I’ll head her way in fifteen minutes. Then I pocket my phone and walk out toward the kitchen.

The guys are sitting at the set table, and Charlie is bringing food over and placing it in the center.

I pull out a chair and sit. “This looks great, Chuck. Thank you again for cooking.”

“Now, see, why can’t the rest of you say that? Y’all just walked in without saying hello and sat down, waiting on me to serve you.”

“Hey now, Boss. I came right over to you and said hello properly.” Beck winks at her.

“Yeah, we all saw that, dickhead,” Casey snipes.

Charlie giggles. “Okay, I mean, except for Beck.”

Since no one is making a move, I grab the spatula that’s sitting next to the pan and scoop some lasagna out and onto my plate. Leaving the spatula in the dish, I move to the salad, and with the tongs, I drop some bunny food into the bowl at my place setting. Then I hand it to Pitz on my left.

I sprinkle some cheese on the top, then add some dressing to my salad. I practically shove the food in my mouth, anxious to get to Emma now.

“Bro, Arch, you in a hurry?” Beck asks.

I chew and nod.

“Where you going?” he asks.

After swallowing, I say, “You my mom or something?”

“But seriously, Arch, where have you been?” Casey lifts his chin to me.

Liam clears his throat and has a smirk on his face, seemingly in a better mood than he was in the locker room.

“Well, King, if you must know, it takes some maintenance to look this good. I need to get my balls waxed every two weeks, and then I need to check in with my barber on the regular to trim my hair and beard. Then I work out, which you would know if you came to the gym more.”

“Hey! I’m there every day, same as you.” Casey points at me.

“Right, right. And then I have class and practice. But since we’re asking about my whereabouts, where have you been spending time, King?”

“Yeah, Case, where have you been lately?” his sister asks him with a smirk on her face. “We all know where he’s been. He’s with Noelle probably as much as I’m with Beck.”

“You know what? I don’t have to answer to any of you. Y’all suck.” He throws down his napkin, laughing.

Everyone laughs and keeps talking. They chatter about the movie they’re going to watch and what kind of candy Charlie bought. Casey asks her to keep some stashed for us and not give it all out, so we can have some after the game.

With my last bite shoved in, I stand and pick up my plate. After I finish chewing and swallow, I check to make sure the dishwasher is dirty, and then I rinse and load my dishes.

“All right, fellas and Chuck, I’m out. Have fun tonight.” I get a water bottle out of the refrigerator.

They all say goodbye as I leave the kitchen.

I grab one of my baseball hats from the hooks by the front door and put it on. Then I pull my keys out of my front pocket and pull the door open.

I get into my truck and text Emma.

Archie: You need anything before I get there?

Emma: I’m good. See you soon.

The streets are starting to get busy with kids and college students alike all dressed in costumes. It makes me smile when I see a little boy dressed in a Walker football uniform and he’s wearing my name and number, so I honk and wave.

I wonder if we’ll have a boy or a girl. I’m good with either, but my family is largely male. Even on my mom’s side, she’s the only girl, so chances are high that we’ll have a boy. I wonder if Emma has a preference .

When I pull up to her building, I see her roommates walking out. All three are dressed up in a glittery bikini top under a vest, bottoms under silver chaps, white cowboy hats with rhinestones on the band, and white cowboy boots on their feet.

I grab my water out of the cupholder and step out of my truck. “Ladies.” I nod at them. “Let me guess. Space cowgirls?”

“OMG, no way did you guess that on the first try! I told you it was too easy,” Mia whines.

“Babe, it’s not that hard. Only so many options with us dressed like this, but I will say I’m impressed at the speed of the guess, Archie,” Livi says.

I wink at her. “You ladies have a good night and be safe. If y’all need a ride, give us a call.”

Peyton puts both of her hands over her heart. “Aren’t you the sweetest, Archie Griffith? Emma’s a lucky bitch.” She giggles as Mia pulls her along.

“Bye, Archie,” Livi says.

“Later,” I say and head toward the building.

Before I can knock on the door, it opens. Emma is standing there in light-pink pajamas with golf clubs and golf balls on them. Her hair is wrapped up in a loose bun on the top of her head. She looks so fucking cute.

“Hey,” she says, breathy.

“Hey, darlin’. Sorry it took so long. I had to get some food.”

I walk in, and she shuts the door behind me.

She takes my hand in hers and leads us to the couch. “That’s okay. I was just helping the girls get ready. Or really, just sitting there, talking to them, while they got ready.” She laughs.

“Yeah, I saw them on my way in. They look ready to have some fun.” I chuckle.

Emma laughs. “I’m sure they will. Do you want to watch a movie? I think I have some popcorn. Or I can grab some other snacks.”

I shake my head. “I’m not really hungry right now, but if you are, go ahead and make something, or I can do it for you. ”

We sit down next to each other on the couch, and I take off my slides and push them under the coffee table with my foot. I grab her legs and pull her closer, draping her legs over mine. We smile at each other.

“Hi,” I say with a smirk.

“Hey,” she says, smiling.

I take ahold of her feet and start rubbing them a little. I notice her second toe is longer than her big toe. I pinch in between my fingers and wiggle it.

She reaches over and tries to swat at my hand, laughing. “I’m super ticklish. Stop.”

“Okay, but I’m just fascinated by the fact that this toe is bigger than the rest.”

“Don’t make fun of my tootsies. I read somewhere that if your second toe is larger than the rest, especially the big toe, it means you’re naturally athletic.”

“Interesting.” I lift my foot and see my second toe is also slightly longer, but hers … it’s long like a finger.

I drop my foot and continue to rub her feet for a minute and hear a content sigh.

“That feels so good.”

“I’m glad.”

Not able to wait a minute longer, I reach up and turn my hat backward on my head, and then I lean in and kiss her. I trace my tongue along the seam of her lips, and when she opens for me, I slide my tongue into her mouth.

She sucks on my tongue, and my half-mast dick is now fully saluting.

One of her hands moves into my hair, and she palms the back of my head.

Her other hand moves to the band of my sweatpants.

She moves her hand back and forth, teasing, which makes my stomach muscles constrict, and she must feel it because she smiles against my lips.

Her hand makes its way into my sweats, and when she wraps it around my erection, I groan.

She breaks the kiss but keeps her mouth against mine. “You really do have the perfect cock, Archie.” She slides her hand up and down, and when she reaches the head, pre-cum leaks out, and she smears it with her thumb, rolling it around the bulb.

“Well, you have a unicorn pussy, so I guess we’re a good match.” I smirk.

She hums, sliding her hand up and down my shaft, then starts to kiss me again.

I slide my hands up her thighs, which are resting on my legs. I keep one hand on her leg and move my other around her waist, pulling her in a little more. I’m about to pull her completely onto my lap when she breaks the kiss, covers her mouth, and jumps up.

“Emma, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” I get up and follow her down the hall to the bathroom.

She barely makes it to the toilet before throwing up. I kneel behind her and pull her hair back with one hand.

After a few minutes, she leans back against me, and I let go of her hair.

“I’m so sorry. That’s gross.” She reaches over and pulls off a piece of toilet paper and wipes her mouth.

“It’s okay, darlin’. You’ve been feeling pretty good, right?” I rub up and down her arms.