Chapter 15
Elle
Ipull into the parking garage of Archer’s building. I showered and packed an overnight bag just in case I ended up spending the night. Archer seemed sad, but overall okay, my overnight bag is just a precaution.
I grab my purse, leaving my overnight bag in the car and walk into the building.
I’m greeted by a doorman, who I find out is named Phil.
Phil leads me to the elevator, and I take the floor to Archer’s place.
This building is incredibly nice. It’s got a modern look throughout and it makes me wonder what Archer’s place will look like.
I don’t have to wonder long as I step onto the floor that houses his apartment.
I knock on the door and he answers almost immediately.
The smell of pizza and his laundry detergent greeting me as I walk in.
“You ordered pizza?” I smile as I set down my purse taking in the sight of his apartment.
The floor to ceiling windows are the main focus of the living area that overlooks the river.
Through the windows I can see the outdoor sitting area with a fire table and comfortable looking lounge chairs.
Turning my attention back into the interior I see the living room blend seamlessly into the kitchen and dining area.
It’s very industrial and modern with the color scheme mainly being earth tones.
I turn my attention to the hallway off to the side of the kitchen that houses a door to what looks like a half bath and another door that houses a laundry room, further down the hall I assume leads to the bedrooms.
“I didn’t feel like cooking, I hope that’s okay.” Archer replies as he pours us both a drink.
“Pizza is great. It smells phenomenal.” I accept the glass but put it down on the island counter almost immediately.
I look at him and open my arms like I do when my students need a hug but are too cool to ask for one.
He, as predicted, walks into the embrace.
He has to duck his head to me but he sinks into it all the same.
We stand there for a while in silence until I finally ask “Do you want to talk about it?”
“I don’t really know how to put it into words.” He replies, his voice thick.
“That’s okay. Just know if you do, I’m here for you.”
He takes a deep breath and steps out of my embrace. “Let’s eat. I know you’re hungry. I could hear your stomach.” A ghost of a smile crosses his lips as he points out my stomach.
“I will never say no to margarita pizza.”
“I know, that’s why I ordered you a large.”
I laugh. I will not have to pack my lunch tomorrow and for that I am grateful. It’s my least favorite part of getting ready for my day. I don’t know why, but it just is.
After we finish our dinner, Archer grabs a blanket and leads me out to the balcony where he starts the fire table.
We spend most of our evening out there and I decide it’s probably my favorite spot in his apartment.
I didn’t see the hot tub earlier when I was looking out from the living area.
But it’s a spacious thing that overlooks the river.
I have no idea how I missed it initially, but I am in love with this outdoor space.
I’m curled up against him contemplating if I can get s’more supplies delivered at this time. When a thought occurs to me. “Do other Wolves players live in this building?”
“Yes, as well as a few Crows players and I think we have one Thunder player that just moved in.” He’s referring to our professional baseball team the Crows as well as our professional hockey team the Thundersnow.
“Wow! All my favorite sports sharing one roof.” I muse. “Does Ty live here?”
“No.” Archer smiles. “He lives close to his mama. She’s not in very good health so he likes to be close in case he’s needed.”
“That’s incredibly sweet.” I smile. “I can’t wait to meet him soon. He’s like your Sadie.”
“Speaking of that, he wants to meet you and Sadie as well. He suggested a haunted house next week; would you guys be up for that?”
“Oh, Sadie will for sure be up for that. Me, on the other hand, I think I might have to wear a diaper. I’m afraid I might pee myself. I’m a big scaredy cat.”
Archer chuckles. “I’ll protect you from any scary clowns with chainsaws.”
“Just the scary clowns with chainsaws?”
“Oh yeah, if they have anything else you’re on your own.”
“Gee, how chivalrous of you.” I roll my eyes and grin.
We spend a good amount of time like that beneath the blanket watching the sunset, Archer eventually pulls out his phone and turns on some music, and I decide to go ahead and order the s’more supplies.
“Will you spend the night?” Archer asks.
I smile; glad I wasn’t presuming anything when I packed my overnight bag. “I left my bag in the car, I didn’t want to assume, in case you wanted to be left alone.”
“If you give me your keys I will go get your bag.” Archer says, standing up.
“They’re in my purse on your end table next to the couch.
” He nods and fetches my bag from the car.
On the way up he must have met the delivery guy because he walks in bearing not only my bag, but my s’more supplies as well.
We make several until our stomachs hurt from the sweet treats.
We decide we need to sleep off the sugar.
Archer gives me a formal tour of the apartment after that. I was pretty spot on with my initial assumptions of the layout. Archer takes me to the master bedroom where we get ready for bed together.
He tucks me into what is the most comfortable bed I have ever laid in, and I decided that I am going to find a way to switch our mattresses. I don’t care that he’s a professional football player, I want this mattress.
He scoots in behind me, wraps his arms around me and kisses me before sleep overcomes us both.
I end up sleeping through the whole night for the first time in a long time.