Chapter 20
Elle- Present Day
After everyone gets their fill of Scream City we end up at Archer’s apartment.
We’re gathered around his fire table. Deej and Mack left us at Scream City to go home since they live in the area.
Cameron, Ty, Archer and Phoenix have set up a game of beer pong off the side of the balcony.
The four of us girls are under blankets, Sadie and Vi are making s’mores, and Stephanie is showing me all the photos she’s taken tonight.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I took a ton of faceless photos that Archer could post. He explained that you’re a teacher and want to continue teaching, which I love for you and therefore need to remain anonymous.
But his fans are chomping at the bit for any information about his new girl.
” “No, these are amazing. Thank you! Would you mind sending me some? I would love to post them to my account and tag you of course.”
“Oh totally!” Stephanie says. I give her my number, and I instantly get the pictures.
Damn she’s quick. I swipe through the photos; Stephanie truly has an eye for photography.
If her career with the Wolves doesn’t pan out she would make bank as a professional photographer.
“So not to be a dick but I’m curious about how keeping your identity a secret is going to work.
Teaching while dating a very popular professional football player seems like it’s going to be hard. ”
“Well, I spoke to my principal and superintendent earlier and they didn’t seem to have a problem with it. They said they will have increased security for the kids if my identity were to become public and if it becomes a problem.”
Stephanie smiles. “I’m surprised the guys didn’t get stopped more tonight.”
“I think most people were too preoccupied to approach us. That festival was nightmare inducing.” I shudder.
“Lucky for you, you got a 6’4 teddy bear to keep you safe tonight.” She nudges me with her shoulder.
We start talking about what we like to do in our free time, and it turns out we like to read the same books. Apparently, we got kind of loud because Ty’s voice cuts through the night. “Hey! Steph! Tell Ellie about your theory about the —”
“You read those books too?” Phoenix asks, “Vi is obsessed.”
“What books?” Cameron asks.
“They’re dirty books.” Phoenix goes to explain.
“Wait like porn. You watch porn?” Cameron asks, looking at Stephanie.
“I don’t watch porn.” Stephanie sniffs. “I read it, like a fucking lady.” I decide that I’m keeping Stephanie. She’s now one of my people.
“Wait so these books are like porn?” Cameron asks. “Like how dirty are we talking?”
“Well, it depends on the book and the author. Not all romance novels have spice in them, some are closed door, those are the ones with the fade to black scenes or off page sex. Then there are the open door books, where those can range from vague descriptions to highly detailed and explicit scenes. Then you have what some would call vanilla sex, enjoyable but nothing too crazy. Then the spice can be ramped up depending if it has kinks, toys or other things that would deviate from what people consider vanilla. The more adventurous typically the higher the spice level. Then there’s a whole other subsect with dark romance.
Which I don’t think you’re ready for yet.
” Stephanie explains, noticing the look of confusion on Cameron’s face.
“Listen, don’t knock romance books until you try them, they are the backbone of the literacy world and sell more copies than any other subgenre.” Ty interjects.
Archer clears his throat. “I’ve been reading some of the pirate ones that Ellie has on her shelf.”
I gasp loudly and turn to him a huge smile forming across my face. “You have?! Do you like them?! What prompted you to read them?!”
“Well I started reading them to have something else in common with you, and I am a little ashamed to say that I got jealous that you had this huge thing in common with Ty and I wanted to be able to share it with you as well which is how I ended up exploring other romance genres.” He says as he comes up behind me drops a kiss on my head.
“We should start a book club!” Sadie exclaims.
Everyone but Phoenix agrees. “I’m more of a nonfiction guy. I’ve tried to read some of Vi’s favorites, but I can’t picture it.”
“Are you one of those people that can’t visualize images in their head?”
“Actually yeah.” Phoenix explains.
The conversation seems to split off, half of us listening to Phoenix’s description of what it’s like in his brain and the other half of us engrossed in what our first book should be for book club.
I must have dozed off because when I come to, it’s only Ty, Sadie and Stephanie left, and they’re all gathering up their things and are ready to leave. I hear Stephanie telling Ty and Archer, she’ll see them at work in the morning and that Sadie needs to text her with the book we decide on.
●●●
The following morning Archer and I are out for brunch at Oracle, a cute cafe within walking distance of his apartment.
The cafe is a mix of woods and metals with fresh flowers dotting every other table.
There is a seating area with plush armchairs and couches near the windows that have a view of the river.
It’s trendy and apparently the place to go for brunch on Saturday.
It’s crowded and several people have stopped and asked Archer for a photo which he politely obliges.
While he is busy taking selfies I get us a table with the hostess.
She leads me to a nice, secluded table outside by a small flower garden. It’s beautiful out, a perfect fall day and I plan on spending as much time outside today as possible. Archer has mandatory pregame meetings after this, so Sadie and I are going to the pumpkin patch.
Stephanie told us about the community Trunk or Treat event that the Wolves are putting on this upcoming Tuesday.
Sadie and I told her that we are familiar with the event.
We have been involved with it for the past three years.
Many of our students and families attend it.
The annual Trunk or Treat always takes place the day before Halloween so the kids can go trick or treating on actual Halloween night.
I’m lost in thought when Archer finally takes a seat. “I am so sorry about that. Once someone asked, then everyone wanted one.
“It’s okay.” I smile, “I ordered coffee for us. I took a risk and ordered us both pumpkin spiced lattes.”
“I thought you didn’t like them?”
“No, I usually make them myself at home. I just feel like so many of the shops have them tasting like potpourri. I have my own recipe that I have perfected over the years, and I just personally think mine are the best.”
“Tell me what to buy for the recipe, and then we’ll make our own at home. I bought that fancy espresso machine that I have no idea how to use.” Archer jokes, but I’m pretty sure he’s serious. Sadie and contemplated trying to YouTube it to make espresso martinis last night.
The waitress comes back with our coffees and takes our orders. Archer orders an omelet with mushrooms, peppers, sausage and cheese, and I order the fall flavors French toast because why not.
“Okay, so I don’t know if you’re aware, but the Wolves-Grizzlies game is coming up.
” Archer takes a drink of his coffee before continuing.
“And… My parents were die hard Grizzlies fans before I was drafted by the Wolves, my whole family, and I mean my WHOLE family makes a big thing over that game. They tailgate beforehand and have a cookout after and I get special permission by Coach to swing by when it’s an away game.
It’s at home this year so everyone will be in town.
My parents were hoping you would join them for this year’s game.
I told them I would ask since you and Sadie seem to do your own things, obviously Sadie is invited too.
Mom really wants to meet you ever since I dropped the dating bomb in that press conference. ”
“Of course, I’ll join your family!” I smile and Archer returns it. “Speaking of the dating bomb. Stephanie suggested that you could post faceless photos of me. Since I actually enjoy my job for the most part. I kind of want to stay anonymous. I hope that’s okay.”
“I completely understand and I respect it completely. There are some guys on the team whose wives stay out of the spotlight, and they manage it just fine. I think we can make it work.” He winks.
“Okay. Great.” I take a deep breath before continuing.
“Stephanie got a lot at Scream City, but I was thinking you could post those closer to Wednesday for a Halloween vibe, if you wanted, we could do a coffee date thing.”
“I’ll do whatever you tell me to do. I am not really big into social media if you didn’t notice. Most of the stuff I post is what Jason or Stephanie suggest I post. I only use it to send stupid memes and reels to my friends.” Archer admits. “I did use it to stalk you when you first messaged me.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I mean isn’t that what it’s essentially made for, the trick is to make sure you don’t like any posts from like seven years ago, that’s how you get in trouble.”
“Noted.” Archer smiles and we both take a drink of our coffee as the server sets down our breakfasts.
He looks at my French toast longingly. “Once the season is over, we are going to eat all the festive French toasts in a flight form. I want them all, blueberry, blackberry lemon, lavender, pumpkin spice, gingerbread…”
“I had no idea you were that passionate about French toast.” I take a bite of mine, dramatically moaning for effect.
“That is just cruel.” Archer says as he takes a bite of his omelet. “I could dramatically moan as well, but we both know it would be a lie. It’s still pretty good though.”
The rest of our meal continues in a comfortable rhythm of us talking while the drone of the restaurant hums in the background.
As I’m finishing the last bit of my French toast, Archer hands me his phone, “How’s this for the faceless post?
” His phone shows a photo of my French toast, coffee and my profile up to the bridge of my nose.
My hair looks great, my hair over my right shoulder and the sun hitting pieces just right so it has some great dimension.
I’m glad I opted for something comfortable today and not low cut because that would make for a rather unfortunate photo in my opinion.
“Damn, that’s a great picture. If this whole quarterback thing doesn’t work for you, you and Stephanie could open a photography business.”
He chuckles as I hand back his phone. We get up to leave after he signs the check and leaves a very generous tip. The two of us head out back to his apartment, he has to get ready for practice and I need to meet Sadie at the pumpkin patch.