Chapter 62
Elle
The weeks leading up to and following the Super Bowl feel like a fever dream.
While the experience is something I’ll cherish forever, I’m grateful to be back in my normal routine.
I became slightly more popular amongst the upper elementary kids after my Super Bowl appearance.
But all in all, nothing really changed at school, which I am eternally grateful for.
We are in my brother’s living room when Archer takes his turn. He moves cautiously, his large hands engulfing the small blanket before he gently lifts her. Rebecca, who has been fussing, settles instantly against the steady warmth of his chest.
Archer looks at me, eyes full of wonder. “Ellie! She’s so tiny!” He whispers.
I feel a sudden, overwhelming, and powerful conviction: I want that. Not now, but maybe two to three years down the line.
“You look good holding that baby.” Nikki smiles. Her eyes tired but full of love for her daughter. She takes a seat across from us on the recliner.
Archer beams at her. His smile is heartbreakingly beautiful. “My niece and nephew were monsters of babies. Both of them were over nine pounds.”
“Poor Mari.” I grimace.
“Bells make big babies.” He jokes.
Remember how I said I wanted a baby before? Yeah. Scratch that. No way in hell, am I pushing out a nine pound baby out of my hooha. Fuck that.
Nikki shoots me a knowing look, and we both burst out laughing. Apparently she was thinking the same thing I was.
Archer is unphased, he continues to coo over my newest niece, already wrapping him around her tiny finger. This trip to my brothers is just what I needed before heading to Nashville with Vi for her bachelorette.
●●●
The following week Archer is helping me pack for the girls’ trip. He is leaning against my car, as I finish hanging up my clothes I didn’t want to rumple in my suitcase up in my backseat.
“I might sound like an overprotective boyfriend here, but please text me when you get there.” Archer says. His demeanor calm, the exhaustion from the past few months gone from his eyes.
“Of course,” I say, planting a kiss on his cheek. Vi was sweet enough to plan her bachelorette to coincide with my break, allowing me to take a long weekend without having to ask for any additional time off.
He told me he’s going away to some summit this weekend that is mandatory.
I feel a little guilty admitting that I wasn’t listening to where he said it was.
But being the closest bridesmaid to Vi physically means a lot of my free time, now that it’s not taken up by football, is being spent preparing for this long weekend.
“Be careful. No hitch hikers.” He jokes.
“I will.” I say, kissing him one last time before getting in my car to pick up Vi. Nashville is maybe a five-hour drive from us, so being good midwestern girls, we decided to drive instead of fly.
The drive down was uneventful, which I am thankful for.
I surprised Vi with a sash to wear on our drive.
She was soaking up every minute of it. Taking pictures and sending snaps, my perfectly curated bachelorette playlist thrums through my speakers making what could ultimately be the most boring part of the trip enjoyable for all.
The first night in the Nashville loft is amazing. Vi’s sister Iris was already at the house waiting for us when we arrived, cocktails in hand.
Vi’s other three bridesmaids join us shortly. Her bridesmaids consist of Hallie, a friend she met through Phoenix. Maya, a friend of Vi’s from college. Rounding out the group is Iris and Vi’s cousin Nia.
We are laughing on the huge white sofa, still unpacking, three bottles of wine deep, when my phone buzzes with a text from Archer. I grab it, already smiling.
Man Giant: Just landed. Tell me you aren’t doing the cowboy show without me.
Man Giant: Kidding, mostly.
I type back a quick, sassy reply before he calls. The screen flashes his name, and I excuse myself into the sleek minimalist kitchen, turning away from the girls’ noise.
“Hey, handsome!”
I can hear his smile through the phone. “Hey hot stuff, how’s your night going?”
“It’s been a blast!” I slightly slur. “What’s up?”
“You know I told you about that mandatory QB Leadership Summit they hold every year? I have meetings all day tomorrow. They booked the whole thing in some terrible Marriott downtown.”
“Wait, where?” I ask.
“Nashville.” He replies. “I flew in tonight before tomorrow’s meetings.”
“Nashville?” I repeat. I love Archer, but this is supposed to be a fun girls’ trip. No boys allowed. Plus, any bar that Archer Bell goes to is going to be packed. Damn it Arch. Hopefully his football thing will keep him busy all weekend and away from the bars we want to visit.
“Yeah, I know you’re with the girls, so I won’t keep you long, and I still have to unpack. But I wanted to tell you I love you, and I hope you and the girls are having the best time. I won’t interrupt you. I promise. And I promise not to crash the cowboy show.”
I relax completely at his easy assurance. He is respecting the boundary, despite the bizarre coincidence.
“Good boy. I love you too. Now go learn how to football.” I joke before hanging up.
The first night in Nashville is low-key.
We spent it inside the house drinking and eating pizza we ordered.
Resting up for tomorrow, which is the main event.
The Giddy-Up Gentlemen. The remainder of our trip will be filled with bar hopping and general bachelorette shenanigans, leaving us Sunday to drive home.
●●●
I’m on my second drink of the night as I check myself out in the full-length mirror. Vi asked us to do the traditional black outfit routine while she wears white. I’m in a sequined black dress, a splurge worth the cost because damn, I look good.
I meet the rest of the girls downstairs, all of us in black, save for Vi, who shines in her white two piece and glittering cowboy hat.
After what seems like a million pictures we all climb into the back of an uber that takes us to the Giddy-Up Gentlemen.