Page 7

CHAPTER

FOUR

ARCHIE

I just got home from my last class of the day, and I’m in the kitchen, making a protein shake before I have to leave for practice.

I think the other guys already left without me, and I know Charlie has her long day of classes today.

So, I might just take my time and have my shake here instead of bringing it with me.

My cell rings over the noise of the blender. The ringtone is the Walker U fight song, and it’s loud as shit. It startles even me sometimes. I know it drives my roommates crazy.

I turn off the blender and walk over to the kitchen table, where I left my phone. Mama Bear shows on the screen. I swipe the Answer button and tap Speaker.

“Hey, Mama.”

“Hi, honey. How was class today? Did you find out what you got on that last test in your History class?”

My mom is the best. Seriously, the best. Three of my brothers are still at home, but she makes it a point to call me and Aiden every day to check in .

“Yeah, I got an eighty-four on it. Not too bad. I’m happy with it. Keeps me eligible.” I laugh.

“Okay, well, that’s good! It’s hard to believe this is pretty much your last semester, isn’t it? I know you plan to keep the house as your home base until the draft, but this is it, huh?”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “Yep. I can’t believe it either.

But I promised you and Dad that I would still get my degree, so don’t worry.

I’ll either take classes online or finish when I’m not in training or in season.

Might take me a while, but I do want a backup plan. You never know what can happen.”

“Archie, please don’t even say things like that. I know injuries can happen, but I’m practically in need of anti-anxiety meds as it is between you and your brothers. I swear you all think you’re indestructible.” She huffs.

“Mama, if you really think about it, it’s your fault. You raised us this way. Fearless, just like you.” I belt out a laugh. Not laughing because it’s not true. My mom is the most fearless woman I know.

“Ha-ha. So, there is actually a reason for my call. I, of course, wanted to do our daily check-in, but I wanted to let you know I can’t make it up for the game this weekend.

I’m so sorry. Ace and Aston have a game on Friday night, and then Austin and Jesse have games on Saturday morning and afternoon.

So, Dad is going to come up by himself, and I’ll cart the boys around here. ”

I walk back over to the blender and pour my shake into a cup.

“Not a problem, Mama. It’s the busiest time of year for the Griffs. I get it. This game is gonna be a good one though.”

She sighs. “I know, and I really am sorry to miss it. I also need to be here for the ranch hands in case they have any problems while Dad is up there. We have a few horses that are due any day now.”

The doorbell rings before I can reply. “Hang on, Ma. Someone is at the door. ”

I walk over to the door and pull it open to see Emma standing on the other side.

The girl I’ve been thinking about for two months is on my freaking doorstep, wearing leggings, an oversize sweatshirt, and one of those messy buns girls like to wear.

She doesn’t have on a stitch of makeup and is still the prettiest girl on campus.

I have to clear my throat and lift my chin to make sure I’m not looking like a total puppy dog in heat at the sight of her.

“Holy shit. Emma! What are you doing here?”

“Hey, Archie. Sorry to stop by like this, but I really need to talk to you. Is this a bad time?”

I shake my head, probably a little too much. “No, it’s great. Come on in.”

“Archie, who is Emma?” my mom asks.

“Oh shit. Sorry, Ma. My friend Emma is here, I gotta go. I’ll call you later. Love you, Mama.”

“To the moon, baby. Call me later. I want to know wh?—”

I end the call before she can say anything else.

Emma smiles. “Mama’s boy?”

I shrug. “I mean … no? I’m the oldest of six and the favorite though, so you know how it is,” I say, laughing.

Her smile falls. “Right. So, wow … you have a big family then?”

“Yeah, all boys too.”

“Are they all, like, your size?” She has her backpack over her shoulder, and she shifts it to the other one.

“Uh, yeah, pretty much. Aiden is close to my size. And the four youngest brothers are getting close.” I stop talking and smile at her. “But I don’t think you came here to ask about my family, did you?”

“Oh, right. Yeah, no, I didn’t. So, um, how are you?” She’s gripping the strap of her bag so tight that her knuckles are turning white.

“Hey, let me take your bag for you. You want to come in? I just made a protein shake. I can make you one, if you want.” I reach my hand out, and she hands me her backpack .

“No, thanks. I’m sorry to drop by like this, but there’s something I need to tell you.” Her face is turning a little pink.

I’m not sure what it is she needs to tell me, but I’m pretty fucking happy she’s here.

“Oh yeah. Shoot. Follow me to the kitchen. Water? Gatorade? We don’t drink soda during the season, but I think my roommate has some of those sparkling waters if you want one of those.”

“I’m good. Are your roommates here right now?” she asks.

I pull out one of the chairs at the kitchen table and drop her bag on it. “No, it’s almost time for practice, so I think they left for the field house already. And Charlie, our other roommate, is in class or her sorority house.”

“Oh! I didn’t realize a girl lived here.”

I nod. “Yep. She is Casey King’s twin and Beckham Linson’s girl.”

She releases a breath. “Oh good. That’s good. Sounds fun.”

I can tell she’s nervous, but I’m not sure why. Is she embarrassed by the night we spent together? She did take off at some point during the night. When I woke up, she was gone, as was my Texas Forever shirt.

“So, Emma with no last name, I’ve been looking for you.”

Her eyes widen. “You’ve been looking for me? Why?”

I bark out a laugh. “Well, you pretty much blew my mind that night we spent together, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”

She stands there, looking at me with a shocked expression on her face.

“Does that surprise you?” I mean, it is out of the norm for me, but she doesn’t need me to tell her that.

“Sorry.” She shakes her head. “I’m just trying to figure out why you would be looking for me.

I know your reputation—which is totally fine, by the way!

I get it. College fun and all that. But, um, yeah.

I think I’ll just come out and say it. I find it’s easier if I just blurt things out when I’m nervous. ”

I reach out to take her arm, and she lets me .

“Hey, are you okay? You don’t need to be nervous with me. I’m stoked to see you. I’m not lying when I said I’ve been looking for you. I’ve been to Schuster and Smith’s house more times than I’d like to admit. I even scoped out a few other parties to see if you were there.”

She tries not to smile and rolls her lips in. “Good to know.”

“Do you want to sit down?”

Nodding, she sits when I pull the chair out for her. “Archie …” She looks up at me.

“Yes, darlin’?” I want her to relax a little. And honestly, I’m just happy she’s here.

“So, I’m pregnant.” She looks up and meets my eyes.

I’m not completely sure if this is a prank or if she said what I think she just said.

“Come again? Did you say you’re pregnant?” I tilt my head and watch her face for any sign that this could be a joke.

“Yes, I did. And, Archie, just so you know, I obviously didn’t intend for this to happen.

I’m completely freaking out right now, but I’m trying to stay calm so I can get through telling you all of this.

But I had to tell you. I have no idea how I’m going to do this, but I wanted to give you the choice to be a part of the baby’s life.

If you want to, that is. I’m sorry I’m rambling.

This didn’t fit into my plan, so I have no clue what I’m doing or how this will all work.

” She moves her hands from under mine and covers her face.

On instinct, I move toward her.

“Hey, hey. Okay, so you’re pregnant. And I’m sorry to ask, but you’re sure it’s mine?” I reach for her hands and pull them away from her face. I need to see her when she tells me her answer.

Tears are running down her face, and I release one of her hands and wipe one off.

“Talk to me.”

She inhales deeply. “I totally understand why you’re asking, but I want you to know I don’t sleep around. Regular hookups aren’t really my thing, like they are yours.”

“Ouch. Okay, good to know.” I nod a few times. “But just so you know, I haven’t been with anyone since you. I haven’t wanted to. I haven’t been able to look at any other girl without seeing your face in my mind.”

“Really?” she whispers.

“Really.” I try to keep my tone earnest. The gorgeous girl who I had the best sex of my life with has turned up on my doorstep to say she’s having my kid.

I’ve gone from elated, to confused, to—I’ll admit—shitting a brick, to wanting to make this girl feel safe, to full-on excited in a matter of moments.

She’s staring at me as if trying to decipher if I’m full of shit.

I lower my gaze to hers and try to get her attention to me and away from whatever thoughts that are going on in her head.

“So, tell me how you know you’re pregnant.

Did you see a doctor yet? How does that all work?

I’m gonna be with you through all of this, by the way.

You will never have to worry about that.

I could probably get you in to see one of the team doctors or something.

A guy I played with a few years ago had a baby, and I’m pretty sure they used the university doctors during her pregnancy, but I can find out for sure. ”

She starts shaking her head while I’m talking. “No, we can’t do that. I’m also an athlete.”

“Wait, what? What sport?” I’m going through every athlete event we’ve been required to attend over the last few years, and there’s no way I wouldn’t remember her face.