Chapter 52
Archer
December wraps up with New Years Eve. We decide to keep it low key because our final game of the season is this upcoming weekend.
Sadie, Ty, Stephanie, DJ, Mack, Cameron, Ellie and I meet Vi and Phoenix at Gridiron and she’s all dolled up. She’s in a forest green midi sweater dress and the suede boots that her sister gifted her. She’s wearing her new charm bracelet, and the diamond studs I got her. She looks effortlessly elegant.
I can’t wait to peel that dress off her later.
I pull up to the restaurant and hand the valet my keys.
I quickly jog over to help Ellie out of the truck.
She happily takes my arm, and we are escorted to the backroom where DJ, Mack, Ty and Sadie are waiting for us.
Cameron walks in with his new lady friend; he introduces her as Kelly.
Stephanie arrives at the same time as Violet and Phoenix.
Once everyone is settled, we are served a bottle of Iron Line Reserve. As I told Ellie I can’t tell the difference between a glass of expensive or cheap wine, but DJ’s bottle is spectacular.
After a glass or two of DJ’s wine the girls switch to the signature cocktail named Vine and Velvet. I take a sip of Elle’s and make a face; it has gin in it. She immediately bursts out laughing at my expression.
“So, Kelly what do you do?” Sadie asks, distracting everyone from my gin adverse face.
“Oh!” Kelly’s cheeks flush slightly, “I’m uh... I’m a waitress.”
“I waited tables all through college.” Elle chimes. I look at her; how did I not know that? “It’s so hard. People can be so rude!”
“Oh, you got that right. That’s actually how Cameron and I met, this older gentleman was giving me a hard time, and well Cameron stepped in and diffused the situation before my manager could come out.” She smiles at him.
Stephanie smiles, apparently Cam’s wing woman for the evening. “Has he told you that he has helped eight shelter dogs get adopted this month?”
Kelly, who had given her full attention to Stephanie while she was speaking, turns and looks at Cameron who is now blushing. “He didn’t mention that.” She’s looking at him with only what can be described as adoration.
“It was only seven actually.” He says rubbing the back of his neck.
“Poor Hank the Tank got returned. Apparently, his personality was too big for the family.” He pauses.
“If I were home more, I would totally adopt him. He’s such a good boy, he just needs someone to exercise him and love on him constantly. ”
“Adopt him.” Mack pipes in. “There are plenty of dog walkers in the city. I’m sure we’ll find one who can fit Hank’s needs!”
Cameron seems to think about it for a few minutes. “I’ll fill out the paperwork tomorrow.” He smiles. “I need someone to hang out with while Kelly is working and you all are with your significant others.” He jokes.
I turn my attention to Ellie who is deep in wedding conversation with Vi.
“So, Iris got us all tickets to see The Giddy-Up Gentlemen!”
“I love that name!” Ellie laughs. “Very on brand.”
“What’s this?” I ask.
“Her bachelorette.” Phoenix says with an odd look on his face. “They’re going to a cowboy themed Magic Mike.”
“Oh.” I take a drink of my water. “I’m sure they’ll have lots of fun. Didn’t know you were into cowboys Elle.”
“I prefer pirates.” She shoots me a saucy wink.
“Cowboys have always been Vi’s favorite genre of choice.”
“It’s true.” She laughs. “Hence the bachelorette.” The conversation is cut short when the food arrives. I ordered salmon to stick with the dietary requirements. Which turned out to be the right choice. It’s delicious. It’s buttery and comforting without being too heavy. Honestly, perfect.
“So you two are engaged?” Kelly asks Violet.
“Yes! We’re getting married this upcoming spring!” Vi smiles. “I just picked up my dress. Ellie is keeping it for me at her place.”
So that was what she was wrestling in the guest closet while I was in the shower.
“Oh! Do you mind telling me about it? I’m trying to start my own wedding planning business but that requires capital, hence waiting tables.”
“You’re a wedding planner?” Mack interjects.
“Well, I’ve only helped plan a few.” Kelly falters.
“Give me your number.” Mack says pushing his phone toward her. “Please.” He adds quickly. “Deej just popped the question and honestly, I would love to team up with you, if you’re up to it.”
“Oh! Uhm! Yes! Absolutely! 100 percent yes!”
Violet dives into the nitty gritty of wedding planning with Ellie, Mack, DJ and Kelly, while I’m pulled into a conversation about the upcoming game with Cameron, Ty, Sadie and Steph.
Steph has some social media things she wants us to do to really hype up our fans for the final game of the season.
If we win our final game, we clinch the division and move into the playoffs automatically.
If we lose, we go to the wild card round.
The evening continues with quiet but content conversation, it comes to an end after Ellie, Sadie and Stephanie finish their dark chocolate cake with espresso crumbles.
Which was so good, Elle ordered two pieces to take home and freeze for us to eat after the game.
She claims it can either be celebration cake or comfort cake, either way it’s something to look forward to.
●●●
“The drought is over! Forget the Wild Card, folks! The Wolves are your Division Champions! The Pack is in the playoffs!” The announcer’s voice booms through the stadium nearly drowned by the cheers and screams of our fans. They showed up and showed out at the Phantom’s home base.
Ty is grinning ear to ear. My chest is heaving, my blood still pounding as he wraps me in a hug.
This hug is more than just a we did it thing.
“You went through hell this past year, and managed to come back on top.” He yells in my ear to be heard above the noise.
I squeeze him back because he was instrumental in this on and off the field.
This feeling is pure joy. We won! The Phantoms slink off the field I look out to the stands; I know that Ellie is out there in the jersey I bought her in a fit of nonsensical jealousy. She and Sadie made the trip to Sadie’s hometown for the final game of the season.
They’ll be driving home tomorrow, they both took personal days to be here. A gesture that I know Ty appreciated as much as I did.
I want to call her but I know I won’t be able to hear her over the noise of the crowd as they try to get out of the stadium.
I have to focus on showering and then catching the flight home.
I’ll call her tonight when I get to our apartment.
They’re staying the night at the Thompson’s so they can make the drive home in the daylight.
I take a steadying breath, just a few hours. I can wait a few hours. A few hours and I get to hear my girl’s voice.