Chapter Fifteen
TABITHA
Holy modern, award-winning kitchen.
I step backward into the hall and into the main part of the clubhouse. Nope, still the same place. It’s like stepping back into time, a classic look for this group. I’m pretty sure they haven’t had any major updates in thirty years.
Yet, when I walk into the kitchen, the difference is incredible. I let the door close softly behind me as my eyes scan over the navy blue cabinets, butcher block counters, and white tile backsplash. It looks like something out of a magazine. This kitchen appears new and sleek.
Noise catches my attention in the corner.
Lee, Archie’s dad, is sitting at the built-in dinette with a cup of coffee. A newspaper spread out in front of him, and the television in the corner has the volume low. I step closer to see he’s either watching or listening to reruns of Star Trek.
It instantly puts a smile on my face and takes me back to my childhood. It was Lee’s favorite show to watch. I remember watching episodes with him while Gracie made us tea.
“Morning,” Lee peers up at me over his cup of coffee.
“Is there any tea?”
I don’t know whether anyone in the clubhouse drinks tea. Gracie drinks it, though, and I know she’s occasionally here. It wouldn’t be wrong of me to assume they might have a small box somewhere.
“Top far cabinet in the corner. There’s a bin we keep just for Gracie. The kettle is in the cabinet next to the stove.” He smiles. “Help yourself.”
“Thanks.”
I make my way over to locate the kettle, fill it and get it going before looking to see what kind of tea is available.
Getting the little basket down, I noticed a decent collection of teas.
I grab the classic Twinings English Breakfast and then search the cabinets until I find the mugs.
A mismatched assortment of them brings another smile to my face. Not everything appears to have changed.
“How do you take your tea?” Lee folds the newspaper over.
“Same as Gracie would make it when I was young.”
He chuckles. “Young. Darling, you’re still young.”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t feel like it. I feel like I’ve wasted the last decade of my life.”
My brows furrow as the kettle whistles. I get my tea to steep and turn back around to face Lee. I cross my arms and lean against the counter.
“Who’s to say what young and old is?” He questions. “You’re barely entering your thirties; most people these days don’t really start living until they’re in their forties. You have all the time in the world.”
“Realistically, I know that. It’s just that now it feels like the biggest mistake, and I was too blind to see it after all that time.”
“Don’t live your life focusing on regrets. We all make mistakes, but it’s the choices we make that turn us into who we’re supposed to be. So, you wasted a few years. All that time wasn’t for nothing. As I recall, you found something you’re passionate about and made a career out of it.” Lee grins.
“The only good thing to come out of all of that.” I smile back at him. “I have you to thank for all of that too.”
Lee gave me my first comic book after I spent a few hours at their house looking at his collection. Archie and I would go into his office and pull out boxes of comics and spend the entire night reading them.
“I’m surprised Archie doesn’t collect them now like us.” I chuckle.
“You know it was never about the comics. He just wanted to spend time with you.”
“Well, we were best friends.” I swallow.
“Uh huh.” He smirks and returns to watching the little television.
I turn around and take my time making my cup of tea. I’ve made it the same way for years. Every now and then, I’ll try a different type of tea or mix up how I take it. In the end, I always go back to the classic. A little bit of sugar and a splash of milk.
My mind wanders to my teenage years and even earlier.
Summer days spent at the Stryker’s home.
Lee was often busy with the club. Archie and I would spend hours reading comic books.
I remember us both reading them. He never got into them as much.
We’d talk about them for hours after reading them, or maybe it was just me.
I shake my head. It’s all in my head. I’m all in my head—again.
Last night has really messed with me. I don’t know what to think. I didn’t know last night either, so when he got back to the room, I pretended to be asleep. I wasn’t ready to face whatever almost happened. Then, I started doubting it was going in the direction it felt like.
His lips were right there and then—ugh. It feels like it’s all in my head. Maybe it was a trick of light.
There were times like that when we were younger when I thought there might’ve been something there. I was always wrong.
Why should it be any different now?
Fifteen Years Earlier - Age 17
This is a crazy idea. He’s going to think I’m nuts! I know it’s ridiculous. Even the idea of it sounds insane! Would he go for it? Archie has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. He was literally born days before me.
Our moms practically planned it. They grew up together, got married around the same time, and then got pregnant around the same time. Our moms did everything together, same with our families. The Grimaldis and Strikers are inseparable.
Vacations, holidays, happy times and sad—we were always together. I wouldn’t have been surprised if our moms even thought of Archie and I getting together one day. It’s not a crazy thought. Something to tie our families together even more. Not that he would see me like that, we’re just friends.
I hold out the acceptance letter with a forced smile. It only serves as a reminder of what I’m going to ask him. Archie is my friend, my best friend, and I know he respects me. It’s what matters.
“What’s with the face?” He looks down at the letter, then his eyes grow. “You got in!” He throws his arms around me, lifting me in the air and spinning me in a circle. “That’s amazing!” He slowly releases me. “Tab, what’s wrong? Why do you look like someone just ran over your pet?”
Of course, he would be happy I got into my dream college. I was happy when he got accepted into the Air Force Academy. Something I’m still hesitant about. Joining the military wasn’t something I thought he was serious about until his letter came.
I clear my throat. “I’ve been thinking.”
Archie is my best friend. Surely, he’ll understand.
It’s not like any of us have real dates.
We’re going to prom as a group. It’s the perfect way to spend senior prom, with friends.
No chance of jealousy or snide comments.
As the only girl in the friend group, it comes with the territory.
It’s not my fault all our parents are close.
“You know how we’re all going to prom together next week?” I take a deep breath.
This is it. This is the moment.
“Yeah?”
“I’ve been thinking.” I swallow. “Since I’ll be going off to college next year. I mean, we’ll all be off doing our own things.” I laugh at myself.
Why am I so nervous? This is Archie! I’ve always been able to talk to him about anything.
“Hey, babe!” A girl throws her arms around Archie.
“Hey.” He smiles and put his arm around the girl. “Beth, you know Tabitha.”
“Sure.” Beth’s eyes narrow as she looks me up and down.
I hate when they do that. There’s nothing between me and Archie. Now like they think. Yet, they always look at me as if there is. Surely, they know we’re just friends. There’s zero chance he would see me like that.
I smile at Beth, but remain silent.
“What about prom?” Archie shakes his head, as if he just remembered we were in the middle of a conversation.
My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. It’s too embarrassing to admit now. This has got to be a blessing. Archie is family and I can’t do anything to ruin our friendship.
“Oh, prom! I’m so excited to be going with all of you.” Beth snuggles up closer to him.
A date? He was taking a fucking date? Now I feel even worse. And lame. And sick to my stomach. I fake a smile.
“You’re taking a date? Fun!” I hold back my groan.
I should be happy for him. He’s my best friend and his happiness is important to me. He deserves to be happy. Unfortunately, now it’s going to be like every other party. I’ll be the loner in the group as the guys all find a girl for the evening.
It’s not like I can be just one of the guys. I’ve tried dating in the past, but nothing comes of it. One time around me and my friends and they practically ghost me. Ignoring me in the school hallways.
“You don’t have a date?” Archie looks surprised. “It’s senior prom.”
“The group plan—” I start then shake my head. “Never mind, I’ll see you later.”
I walk away. I don’t want to. I want to tell him how it makes me feel.
We had a plan. The group of us that have grown up around each other.
Now, they’ll all be going with dates. I should probably skip the prom all together.
It’s no fun going to these things alone.
I thought if we were going as a group, it would be different this time.
This is a blessing in disguise. It had been a stupid plan, and I really didn’t need to risk our friendship.
He was too important. Our families were too important.
I thought if I asked him, then at least my first time would mean something instead of risking it being a drunken mistake next year at college.
Operation lose my virginity to someone who actually respects me is off.