Chapter 58
Elle
Listen, I thought I knew chaos as a kindergarten teacher, however, kindergarten chaos and Super Bowl chaos are two VERY different brands.
I find myself scrambling to get the days off that I need to be able to travel to California to watch Archer.
Between making substitute teacher plans and discussing travel plans.
I barely have time to process everything.
Thank God for Jason, he took care of booking everything for us.
He called me this morning and informed me he got me and my parents along with the Bells into the team family block of rooms at the hotel.
He also got transportation arranged for us as well.
Archer owes this man a raise, an all-inclusive vacation and sainthood.
We spent the morning following the Conference Championship allocating the tickets Archer was able to purchase.
Two of my siblings politely declined the tickets.
Stella couldn’t justify the expense for her entire family although Archer assured her it wasn’t an issue, Easton declined even though it killed him, because Nikki is not allowed to travel being 37 weeks pregnant.
Erica though, is living it up, she is attending with my parents.
Archer’s entire immediate family is coming of course, and Mari has been texting me about coordinating outfits.
Even with my family, his immediate family and grandparents, Archer still had 3 allotted tickets left, and he chose to use them for Cameron.
Who we found out is one of eight children.
He obviously wanted his whole family to be there so Archer gifted him his remaining tickets.
Cameron tried to pay Archer for them, but Archer reminded him it was a gift.
Archer is convinced that Cameron hid his face in his shoulder when he hugged him so he couldn’t see him cry.
I’m sitting on the couch, laptop in my lap as I write my final sub plan for the trip. A small box falls from above me landing on my laptop. I look up and see Archer looking at me with a nervous smile on his face.
“What’s this?” I ask, gingerly taking the box.
“Just open it please.” He says. He’s never been good at waiting for gifts.
“Fine, fine.” I fake sigh. I take the box, it’s neatly wrapped, he must have asked Steph to wrap it again for him. Taking my sweet time I slowly slide the ribbon off, Archer’s energy radiating off him in waves, prompting me to go even slower.
“Ellie” he whines, “you’re killing me here.”
Giggling and taking pity on him, I unwrap the tiny box at a normal pace. Opening the box I find a small golden charm, shaped like the state of California. “You bought me a new charm?!”
“It’s to commemorate the Super Bowl.” He smiles. He moves next to me to help fasten the charm on my bracelet.
“There’s uh actually one more gift as well.”
“It’s not even my birthday!” I joke.
“It’s sort of a thing with the wives and girl friends, and I figured since you are going to be sitting with a lot of them, I didn’t want you missing out.
Ty got Sadie one too, ya know since you two always match.
” He jokes rubbing his neck. “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.
” He explains. “Arch. Just give me my present. Please.”
Laughing he sets another small box in front of me. This time it’s a delicate gold chain with a small diamond-encrusted pendant of Archer’s jersey number.
I gasp. “Archer.”
“You don’t have to wear it!” He tries to take it back, thinking I’m mad.
“No!” I snatch it from his grasp like a toddler. “I love it! Help me put it on?”
Archer’s demeanor instantly relaxes as he puts it on for me.
“Thank you so much.” I say kissing him.
Archer’s lips capture mine hungrily. His schedule has been grueling in preparation for the Super Bowl. We’ve hardly had any time for ourselves, and this eager kiss is proof that when this is all over, we are long overdue for a date night.
“I was thinking—” He says tucking a rogue hair behind my ear. “Do you want to go on a date tonight?”
I didn’t think it was possible for my smile to grow bigger, but before I can respond. Archer continues. “I leave on Saturday; it’s Thirsty Thursday at Cantina Al Rio.” A hopeful look is on his handsome face as he explains his plan.
“Let me put a bra on!” I exclaim as I jump off the couch. Earning a chuckle from him.
I find myself clambering into his truck once more, reminiscent of our first real date. This time when we arrive at the restaurant, we are seated inside since the balcony is closed due to the weather.
Archer orders his usual seasonal meal, and I order my favorite. Our cheese dip comes out first and I take a big bite, dancing in my seat.
“I love you.” Archer says as he watches my cheese dance.
“I love you too.” I say while looking at the cheese dip.
“I’m going to pretend that was directed at me.” He jokes.
We both know it was, but low key was also directed at the queso.
Our date night is uneventful, the calm before the storm.
A few of the patrons were kind enough to wait for us to finish our meal before they approached us asking for pictures with Archer.
I took my duties as photographer very seriously.
We all know these are going immediately on social media.
We make our way home and into the hot tub. Archer uses it to soothe his aching muscles. I use it for the warmth against the frigid February air.
“You know, I really wanted to ask you out freshman year.”
“No, you didn’t!” I look at him.
“I did, but like we were good friends and I was too shy to officially ask, and then we were drunk at that Halloween party, and I finally had the balls to ask. Thanks to liquid courage and all. Then I asked to kiss you with that god-awful pirate pun, and you laughed so hard you snorted.” He trails off, “I guess I just assumed that meant you weren’t into me.
So, I shook it off and valued our friendship instead. ”
I sit amongst the bubbles and think carefully of my response.
“You know. As jealous as I am of Cassie for getting that Heisman moment with you, you wouldn’t have gotten it at State.
You didn’t get playing time there. I wouldn’t have been able to transfer since a bulk of my expenses were scholarship funded.
We wouldn’t be where we are now.” I pause gathering my thoughts once more.
“If we would have dated and you transferred, I think, I would have resented you for it. Breaking my heart and all.” I shoot him a smile.
“I think fate leads us to be where we exactly need to be.”
“I guess I should thank fate for drunken DMs then.” Archer grins.