Chapter Thirty-Eight
TABITHA
I pull the mail from the Stryker’s mailbox and walk back inside their home.
I flip through it quickly before leaving it on the dining table, just to check incase there isn’t anything urgent.
There’s not much I can do, but I want to be here for Archie’s parents.
And honestly, it helps keep me a little distracted instead of sitting around at home.
I also like being here every time the phone rings. Just in case.
Ryan’s posed that a week has passed and I’m still not back home.
He told me he wanted to spend quality time with me.
I tried explaining to him, this is a family emergency—he doesn’t care.
He only raised his voice at me and got angry.
So I hung up on him and haven’t returned his calls in two days. He’ll have to get over it.
“You really don’t have to stay.” Gracie steps up to the counter to fix a cup of tea. “I don’t even know what to do with myself. I keep thinking—”
I turn to face her, Archie’s mom. “We have to have a little faith. Archie isn’t done doing good in this world.”
“I love you sweetie. Thank you for being here.” She moves to sit across the table from me.
“I don’t mind.” I flip open the newspaper, letting my eyes gaze across the words. I don’t actually feel like reading. Then freeze. “What?
The paper feels rough in my hands. I know these eyes, I unfold the next section and stare at the image looking back at me. I couldn’t believe. I didn’t want to believe it. But there it is, in black letters. Engaged.
My best friend was engaged and he didn’t even tell me.
Maybe it shouldn’t bother me. I’m married, but it’s not like that. We’re best friends. Archie got engaged and didn’t even tell me. I slam the paper down a little harder than I mean to.
“What’s wrong?” Gracie looks over. “Oh.”
“I didn’t even know he was seriously seeing someone. I guess we’re not as close as I thought we were.”
“Oh, shit.” Gracie stands and moves to the counter to grab the phone. “I didn’t even call her.”
“What?”
“I mean, it was sudden. Out of nowhere—he says he’s engaged. We didn’t even know he was seeing someone. He just brought this girl home and introduced her as his fiancé.” She shakes her head.
I watch as Gracie lifts the phone to her hear. “Hey, it’s about Archie.”
I swallow and lean back in the chair. My eyes roam back over to the paper. The picture staring back at me. His fiancé is pretty, like supermodel-pretty. I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s always had beautiful girlfriends in the past.
“Where’s Gracie?” Lee walks in.
“On the phone with Archie’s fiancé.” I don’t mean for it to come out as snarky as it does.
“Oh.” He grumbles to himself before walking over to the coffee pot to fill up his cup, then he leaves the room again.
Archie’s dad has been in this weird default mode. It’s like he’s an NPC in a video game, just going through the motions. Repetitive words and grumbles before another cup of coffee. He’ll be in and out of the house, spending a lot of his time at the clubhouse.
Gracie walks over. “She’s on her way here.”
“Oh, I should get going then.” I push away from the table and stand.
Gracie shakes her head. “No, sweetie. You’re family. You don’t need to leave.”
I don’t want to, not really. This is probably for the best. I would not make a good impression on the new woman in Archie’s life. I’ll go back to my parents for the night and head home tomorrow.
“I should be getting back.” I go in to hug her. “Please, let me know I you hear anything—if you need anything.”
“I know.” Gracie half-smiles and places a hand on my cheek. “Thank you. I love you, sweet girl.”
“Love you too.” She pulls me in for a tight hug. “Have faith.”
I’m not sure if I say that last part more for her or me. I just know we all need a lot of it right now.
Once I’m back at my parents, I sit on the porch and lean back in the swing. It’s quiet and I let it wrap me up as I close my eyes.
“Please come back to me, Arch.”
Present Day
He keeps looking me over as if I’m injured. The paramedic looks like he wants to interfere, but I simply shake my head. Archie’s hands move up my neck. His eyes glide down and up my body, until they lock on my eyes.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I place a hand on his cheek. “I promise.”
Ryan’s mother cornered me in the restroom and locked us in there. She said it was about to go down and we needed to stay in here for safety. Why she chose to look out for me then and not the years spent with her son is beyond me.
“It’s over. It’s all over.”
“Nobody had eyes on you and I was going out of my mind.” He closes his eyes and rests his forehead on mine. “I can’t lose you.”
“And I can’t lose you.”
James sets up next to us. “Sorry to interrupt, but just thought you should know that they called the time of death.”
I can’t believe he’s really gone. They won’t tell me the details, but maybe that’s for the best. It’s over. It’s all finally over.
“Marry me.” Archie’s eyes search mine.
I open my mouth. Did he really just? Now? I shove him back. “What the hell is wrong with you, Arch?”
His face straightens. “Marry me.”
“You can’t just ask me that.” I shake my head.
“Technically I’m not asking.” He shrugs.
James snickers next to us.
I cross my arms in front of my chest. “If you want me to marry you, I need a real proposal. One with thought behind it and romance—lots of fucking romance!” I gesture to him. “You’re not even down on one knee, Arch. Do better and then maybe I’ll consider it.”
“Tab,” his voice comes out like a warning.
“No!” I throw my hand up to stop his advance on me, but he still wraps his arms around me.
His lips move to my ear. “I love you.”
“Yeah, but you can do better.” I pull back and grin.
He nods. “Deal.”