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CHAPTER

ELEVEN

ARCHIE

The last few weeks have been busy between classes, spending time with Emma, and football. I haven’t been home much, and when I am, it’s usually just for short periods of time to grab clothes or to eat with my roommates on dinner nights.

I’m sure they’re wondering where I’ve been.

It’s been months since I’ve been to a party with any of them, and when we’re at practice, I don’t really say much about anything other than football.

It’s not that I don’t want to tell my friends.

I would love to, but until Emma is ready for more people to know, I’ll keep doing what she’s comfortable with.

Tonight, my roommates and I are having dinner together for a Friendsgiving type of thing since we won’t be together for the actual holiday.

We’ve each made a Thanksgiving recipe from our families.

My mom makes the best cornbread stuffing, so I called her yesterday, got the recipe and made it this morning.

Casey made the turkey and didn’t overcook it.

Beck made some mashed potatoes. Liam made some green-bean thing that I’m not sure anyone will eat, but he said it’s a classic Thanksgiving Day side.

Charlie made homemade mac ’n’ cheese and rolls, along with two pumpkin pies with fresh whipped cream to top it with. The house smells so good.

I invited Emma to come over, but she had a lab she needed to make up, so she couldn’t come. But I really think she’s just not ready to meet my friends yet.

We also invited Bo Callaway over because he’s been getting pretty close with Casey. Or at least I see them together a lot at practice.

Casey’s friend Noelle came over too. She’s got some boyfriend who plays on the baseball team, but I’ve never actually seen them together. I guess she’s bringing an apple pie.

Arbor and Lily—Charlie’s friends—are here too.

We borrowed an extra-long table from Arbor’s mom, Lindsay. So, the guys have been tasked with setting the table while the girls make sure everything is done cooking.

“Well, boys, our last game of the regular season is coming up this weekend. How we feelin’ about it?” Pitz asks us all.

Casey chimes in, “I think it’ll be a good game for sure. Close maybe.”

“Their run game is strong, so our D needs to stay one step ahead and anticipate their moves before they make them.” Beck is the one who likes to watch tape and analyze the other teams. He’s good at it too.

“I agree with Beck. We need to be ready for them and not take this game lightly. They could surprise us and catch us off guard if we get lazy,” Bo says.

“What do you think, Arch?” Pitz asks me.

“I mean, yeah, I’m not too worried about this particular game, but we can’t be negligent either. We need to prepare for them. Just because we have a spot in the playoffs doesn’t mean we can slack here, but I don’t think we will. We’re ready.”

“Okay, boys. Dinner is ready. Come help us carry all the food in,” Charlie instructs us, like the bossy little thing she is.

We all walk into the kitchen, and the girls are putting the dishes on the small table in the kitchen that are ready to be brought out to the large dining table.

“Casey, come over here and help me cut the turkey,” Charlie tells him.

“Wait, are we sure we want Casey to use a big knife?” Noelle asks. “Remember that time in tenth grade when he almost cut off his finger in culinary?”

“Oh my God, I completely forgot about that.” Charlie laughs. “Okay, wait. Beck, maybe you should do it then.”

“Char, are you serious right now? I’m not going to cut off my fucking finger. Be so for real. And, Noelle … you’re a traitor. Why wouldn’t you have faith in me, bestie?” Casey looks like a wounded puppy.

“Step aside, Boss. I got this under control.” Beck takes the carving knife from Charlie and drops a kiss on her lips. “Case, why don’t you just grab the plate that I need to put the turkey on?”

Casey mumbles something to Beck when he walks over that I can’t hear.

I grab my dish and take it into the other room and place it on the table.

Bo steps up behind me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, I saw you on campus the other day. You were with a blonde and were kissing her. Is she your girl or something?”

I turn to look to see who might be in earshot, and then I lean into Bo. “I mean, we haven’t made anything official. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, but I haven’t said anything to anyone about it while we figure it out, you know?”

“Oh, okay, so the other guys don’t know—got it. I couldn’t see her face clearly, but she looked sort of familiar.”

“I’m not sure if you would know her—” I get cut off when everyone starts to filter into the room.

Casey brings in the platter with the turkey on it.

Bo taps me on the back. “I got you.”

“Thanks, man. ”

I’m not gonna lie and say that not telling my friends isn’t bothering me. I can’t wait to tell them all about the baby. As we get further along, I not only want to tell them about it, but I really want her to meet my friends, like I have hers.

There is a pitcher of water and some bottles of wine on the table—because we think we’re fancy or some shit. And once everyone is seated, we all start piling food on our plates.

“Wait!” Charlie shouts.

My fork is almost to my mouth, so I pause.

“Sorry, sorry.” She laughs. “I just want us to go around and say something we’re grateful for. We do it at our house every year, so we should do it here too!”

“Oh, she’s right. This will be fun. I’ll go first,” Arbor says.

“I’m grateful for being halfway through the school year.

It’s been a killer. I’m grateful for my roomie, Lily.

And I’m grateful that Charlie finally made her way to Walker.

It’s been so much fun, having you here. Also, I’m grateful for getting the chance to get to know all of you.

For a bunch of jocks, you’re all pretty great. Cheers!” She holds up her wineglass.

“Okay, I’ll go next. Really just because I’m starving and want to move this along so my sister will let me eat,” Casey jabs. “I’m grateful for all of you and for an amazing season. Beck, you go.”

“Uh, okay. I’m grateful for Charlie.” He picks up his water glass and takes a drink.

“Dude, that can’t be the only thing you’re grateful for. You’re having a killer season, and we’re awesome roommates, so there’s that,” Pitz says.

“Okay, sure. We can add all that in there too.” Beck shrugs.

“I love you, babe.” Charlie leans over and kisses him.

Everyone else says something they’re grateful for. Mostly each other, passing classes, winning the regular season.

“Archie’s turn. Go, Arch,” Charlie prompts.

But I can’t say what I’m really grateful for. Sure, all the things they’ve mentioned, but I want to say Emma and the baby too.

“I guess same as everyone else. I love y’all, and I’m grateful to be healthy and killin’ it on the field. Cheers.” I hold my water glass up.

“Oh, wait, Bo hasn’t gone yet,” Pitz says.

“That’s okay, man. I’m good. I’m just glad to be here and part of the meal. Thanks for the invite.” He smiles and lifts his wineglass.

This really is a great group of people, and I’m honored to be a part of this group on and off the field. These guys are the kind of friends you keep forever. I really can’t wait to tell them I’m going to be a dad.

A few days later, Emma and I show up at the doctor’s office for her next checkup. After we get called back into the room, she undresses, but this time, she doesn’t turn her back to me.

I have no idea what to expect, so I ask Emma, “So, what do you think they’ll do today? Do we get to see the baby again, or is that a different appointment?”

“Well, I’m not really sure. I think we’ll get to at least hear the baby’s heartbeat. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine.” She ties the gown around her waist.

Just as she’s sitting down on the table, there’s a knock on the door, and the doctor walks in.

“Emma, good to see you.” Then she says to me, “And I didn’t catch your name the last time.”

I hold out my hand to her. “Archie Griffith, baby daddy. ”

That makes her laugh, and Emma joins in.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. So, Doc, what do we have in store for us today?” I ask.

“Do we get to see the baby again?” Emma asks.

“I’m going to check your measurements, your vitals, and we’ll get the baby’s heartbeat. Emma, go ahead and lie back.”

She stands to the side of Emma and pulls apart her gown, keeping the sheet draped over her legs. The nurse who followed her into the room hands her a little machine that has a wand attached to it. Then she squirts some clear fluid on Emma’s belly, and then the doctor turns on the device.

She swipes it back and forth across Emma’s stomach. We hear a whooshing sound and then a nice and steady rhythm.

“Okay, Emma and Archie, this is your baby’s heartbeat. It’s nice and strong—one hundred fifty-four beats per minute. I don’t see a need for an ultrasound today.”

The nurse wipes off the liquid, and then the doctor gets a measuring tape out. She runs it across Emma’s belly and reads off some numbers for the nurse to record.

“Everything look good, Doctor?” Emma asks.

“Yes, it does, but you are measuring a little small, which could simply be just a miscalculation in the due date. But you’re also tall and lean.

I’m going to go ahead and order some blood work for you.

I also want to talk to you both about the genetic testing.

You have some choices. You can find out the sex of the baby through blood work.

But I think it would be in your best interest to also get the additional tests based on your family history. ”

Emma looks over at me. “Do we want to find out the sex of the baby, or do we want it to be a surprise?”

“I’m good either way, baby.” I ask the doctor, “Can you tell us more about the other tests?”