Chapter 8
Elle
“Miss Taylor to the office please.”
I wince as I hear my kids collectively “oooooo”. I shoot my aide a look and she responds with a head nod indicating I make my way to the office. Paraprofessionals do not get paid enough for the work that they do. I would not survive without my Miss Julie.
As I approach Stacy’s desk I see a gorgeous arrangement of orange tulips and a package wrapped in shiny gray wrapping paper with a matching bow. “These are pretty, are they yours?”
“Nope, both are for you.” Stacy replies.
“What is this for?” My birthday is in the summer, so I know that it’s not for that. Orange is not my favorite color, so I know they’re not from my mom or Sadie.
Stacy chuckles, “Why do you think I called you up here? I am just as curious as you are.”
I scan the package looking for a card. There isn’t one on the outside, so I open the box to find a card sitting on top of tissue paper.
Ellie,
I noticed that you were in need of a new jersey. Hope you don’t mind but I took the liberty of picking you out a new one.
Archer PS- I thought you had better taste than that. Garcia?
Really?
I open the box to find the latest Wolves jersey, orange shoulders, gray lettering with a white torso.
Fighting and failing to suppress my smile; I flip the jersey to inspect the back, not at all surprised to see Archer’s last name emblazoned across the shoulders along with his number 14 in the Wolves’ signature gray.
I feel my cheeks heating up. This is a little possessive, but I’m also incredibly pleased he wants me wearing his jersey. “The flowers were a nice touch.” I say to myself more than anyone. It softens the whole caveman attitude of the situation.
“So, what’s the story behind this?” Stacy asks.
“Oh! A friend of mine works for the Wolves and apparently, they think I need an updated jersey. Turns out they are not the biggest fan of Samuel Garcia.”
“How can you not be a fan? He is dreamy.” Stacy sighs, “plus his season of Dancing With the Stars was amazing. The way he moved his hips.”
I laugh at her dreamy expression. “I guess I should go change into this updated jersey and send them a thank you card.” I take the new jersey and tulips into my classroom.
Placing the tulips on my desk, I make my way to the bathroom to change.
“Miss Taylor! Who give you the flowers?” one of my kids shouts out.
“Donny, blurt bean please.” Miss Julie says holding out her hand for one of the beans that we use as our classroom reward system.
I quickly change into the jersey in my bathroom and send Archer a picture instead of a SnapChat.
Elle: Thanks for the jersey!
Man Giant: you needed an upgrade. Plus, I can’t be seen in public with you if you’re wearing another man’s name.
Elle: The tulips were a nice touch. Makes you come out less caveman-y.
I roll my eyes with a smile still plastered on my face.
Our texting has been wavering between friendly and flirty.
I’m not quite sure where it leaves us honestly.
I am enjoying it immensely though. I haven’t had much luck on the dating front obviously.
I’ve had a few longer relationships but they just seem to fizzle out around the 6-month mark.
I may have made fun of Archer for the jersey, but it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Wolves-Phantoms game is this weekend, and I will be able to wear the jersey when Sadie and I go to the game.
After admiring myself in the jersey, I head out of the attached bathroom and resume my math lesson with the kids.
As soon as the kids are dismissed, I head to Sadie’s room. “Vi texted me. She’s hosting one of those wine and paint nights and she didn’t sell all the tickets. She wants to know if we want to go. It’s tonight.”
Sadie thinks about it. “Sounds fun, we’ll need to stop at the liquor store though. I’m fresh out of wine. Maybe we can convince her to ditch her fiancé for the night and join us for Mexican after. We can go to your and Archer’s restaurant.”
I grimace slightly. “So… I haven’t exactly told Vi about that. Or well anyone besides you.”
Sadie pins me with a look. “Well, she definitely has to join us for Mexican then.”
After stopping at the liquor store and getting our favorite cheapo wine we make our way into Vi’s art studio. Her main income with the studio is pottery. Her customers make and paint their own pottery, but she also hosts other classes such as this wine and paint.
“Thanks for coming! I hate having someone’s first class not be full ya know? .” Vi hugs us and helps us get settled.
“Tonight, we are doing a guided painting of pumpkins and mums. Led by the hella talented Brittany Valentine.” Vi addresses the class.
I’ve known Vi since our sophomore year of high school where we were unfortunately paired up for a chemistry project.
We were tasked with making fudge, needless to say our fudge was not the class favorite.
We bonded over our fudge fiasco and have remained close friends ever since.
It’s been great seeing her realize her dreams. Her studio has really taken off and she’s engaged to her perfect man, and they’re getting married next spring.
I’m happy for her, but also a little jealous.
I want to have that kind of love that she and Phoenix have.
“Pour yourselves your drinks and let’s get started! ”
“Why do your pumpkins look like tits?” I ask Sadie as we follow along with Brittany’s instructions.
“They do not!” She says indignantly, she tilts her head, “Okay, maybe they do.”
We both burst into giggles over Sadie’s voluptuous pumpkins. Vi walks over to us as she ties her rainbow hair up into a bun. “Titty pumpkins, I like it.”
“See even Vi agrees and she’s the artistic expert.”
“Oh fuck off.” Sadie laughs. “You’re coming to Mexican with us after right? Ellie has some exciting news to share.”
Vi looks at me. “I can’t make it to Mexican. My future mother-in-law is in town for the wedding tasting this weekend. Or I would go, I need a girls’ night.” She turns to me. “Spill your secrets now.” She threatens, brandishing her paintbrush like a weapon.
I roll my lips together. The volume of the class is overall pretty loud and all the conversations blend together.
I don’t want to cause a media storm for Archer, although I suppose that’s probably thinking too highly of myself.
I doubt anyone would really go to the media over flirty text messages and a gifted jersey.
“I have been on a few dates with a guy.” I start.
Vi grins, “tell me more, what’s his name, what does he do, is he good in bed? How did you two meet?”
“So, we actually met in college, and we’ve reconnected.” I continue, “He works in the sports industry and —”
“If you tell me right now that you fucked Man Giant and didn’t tell me the second after it happened, I’m divorcing you as as friend.” Vi says straight-faced.
“We haven’t fucked. We haven’t even kissed. It’s just been flirty banter and a new jersey.” I took the jersey off and replaced it with my Garcia jersey for the painting class. I didn’t want to risk ruining it. “But yes, it is Man Giant.”
Vi’s face lights up. “It was a shame he transferred when he did. I’ve been saying for years that you two looked really good together in that Halloween picture.
Oh you need to go to a game! Remember when we went to the first game that he played in college?
” I remember, what surprises me is that she remembers.
Her tongue was down Phoenix’s throat the whole game.
“You two are going to your annual Wolves-Phantoms game, right? You should tell him you’re going, maybe he will offer you a backstage tour, do they call it backstage? ” she muses.
“I already bought the tickets, and I’m going to make sure that Ellie wears matching underwear in case he offers her a behind the scenes tour if you know what I mean.” Sadie waggles her brows.
I playfully hit Sadie, making her wine slosh over the side of her glass onto her pumpkin painting. She looks at me in mock outrage.
“You know what, I am not sorry.” I state.
The rest of the painting class goes off without a hitch. Sadie and I catch an uber to our Friday night restaurant. The margaritas and chips are going down way too easily. I look at my phone screen and see a picture from Archer. It’s a photo of a new Baldur’s Gate lll character.
Man Giant: Ty and I are trying honor mode again. How’s your night?
Elle: I must have had too many margs. Is Archer Bell playing bg3?
Man Giant: Heaven forbid a man have hobbies.
Man Giant: You knowing the abbreviation makes me believe you play. How have we not talked about this before? What’s your build?
Elle: Depends if I’m playing Durge or tv.
Ellie: *Tav.
Man Giant: Give me your Durge. Resist or Embrace.
Elle: Resist, even in a video game I have a hard time being mena.
Ellie: *mean
Elle: I love that you’re still a fucking nerd
Elle: my little nerdy Archer.
Man Giant: Hey! There is nothing little about me. Man Giant: How much have you had to drink?
Elle: enough that the letters on my phone are too small.
Man Giant: Let me know when you’re ready to leave, I’m coming to pick you and Sadie up, call me paranoid but I don’t want you two getting an uber when you’re both drunk. Where are you?
Elle: Salsa Casa.