Chapter 49
Archer
Ispill my guts to Ty about, well, everything.
“That cover story almost ruined the best thing that ever happened to me.” I state.
“I know it’s still a fresh wound so I’m going to let it slide that I’m not the best thing that ever happened to you.” Ty jokes trying to lighten the mood.
I shoot him a withering glare, still exhausted and raw.
After Ellie and I had our very passionate, very fantastic, make up sex, we ended up staying up until dawn talking about our relationship.
I finally admitted the truth about mine and Cassie’s break up, how it broke me.
How desperately I wanted to keep the humiliation a secret.
How Kirk Williams was the first one to break the story.
I hadn’t even told my parents before the media was spinning it.
I shut myself in my apartment after that.
I recount how Lucas demanded that I let him into my apartment after I refused to answer anyone’s calls or texts.
He drove straight to my house when he heard only to be greeted by Cassie and Doug.
How he had to walk away from a fight and drive the additional hour and half to my apartment in the city to find me.
I refused to let him in, threatening to call the cops if he didn’t leave.
The pity calls, the constant checking in from my loved ones, once I did start answering my phone.
I recount Coach threatening to cut me if I didn’t get help after a particularly bad outburst I had. Taking a swing at Ty, DJ holding me back as I raged against my best friend. The final crack that broke the emotional dam I had erected.
Elle listened as intently as she had that first meeting in the coffee shop. Her words are almost an exact echo. This time with tears streaming down her face, “That’s just fucking awful.”
Ty is quiet as he lets me finally process the past forty-eight hours.
“I’m glad you finally told her the truth.
” He sits next to me in the locker room, knocking me good naturedly with his shoulder.
“I’m also proud of you. I know how hard it is to relive those moments, but you deserve peace and I think finally admitting to the lie, which at the time was to protect yourself, is what is going to allow you and Elle to move forward and maintain a healthy relationship. ”
I watch Ty as he picks up a stray roll of tape fidgeting with it.
“Look, I’ve seen the worst of it. The spiral. The shame. Hell, I didn’t know you had such a good right hook.” A humorless laugh escapes us both.
He pauses as he considers his next words.
“I was scared shitless of the absolute ghost you were when you tried to shut the whole world out.” He meets my gaze, his expression is serious now.
“You let Cassie and Kirk Williams control your narrative. For months. Don’t let that happen again.
Don’t build another wall, don’t shut the people you love out.
Don’t hide anything anymore.” He sets the tape down.
“I know I supported the fake story at the time, but that was before we both knew Ellie and how genuine she is. She loves you Archer. Don’t let that lie get in the way of your relationship. Don’t let the mistakes of the past become another ghost that haunts you.”
I sit there processing my best friend’s words of advice. If he wasn’t a professional football player I think he would make an excellent couples’ counselor. I think it’s in part due to all the romance books he reads.
“So now that she knows the whole history, how is she? Did you guys talk about what happens next? Because having the truth out there is just the start, man.” Ty’s deep voice brings me back to our conversation.
I’m exhausted but that doesn’t stop a smile from ghosting my lips.
“She was heartbroken for me.” I take a deep breath, trying to dispel the knot in my chest. “When I told her about Lucas driving all the way out there, and the media, and how I just shut down... she cried. Not for us, but for me, and what I had been through.”
“She’s a good egg.” He interjects.
“Yeah,” A slight chuckle escapes me. “She is.”
I take a steady breath before continuing.
“We talked about what happens next. She knows I have no more secrets. That’s the deal.
She said she needs me to be honest about everything; the good, the bad, the ugly, the little things that feel easier to hide than acknowledge.
She knows that the part of me that was broken by Cassie and the media.
.. that part is still healing, but it’s not going to keep coming between us.
So yeah. We’re okay. Better than okay.” I smile, tired but happy.
“She knows everything, and she’s choosing to stay. She’s the real deal.”
“Good. That’s all I ever wanted for you, man.” Ty says standing up, holding a hand for me to take. I grasp my best friend’s hand as he hoists me up off the bleachers. Both of us groaning like we’re ninety.
I feel lighter than I have in months. I finally feel ready.