12. Archer #3
Her breath hitches, eyes flaring before she begins blinking rapidly, studying me like she’s not sure I’m real.
My heart gallops against my chest, raging for her response.
Allie licks her lips, mouth parting, and just when I think she’s going to say something, she reaches into the pocket of her skirt and pulls out her phone instead.
I rear back, confused, as she begins typing away on her screen. “Allie…”
“Hold on.”
What the fuck?
A second later, she holds the screen up to my face. A text message to her boyfriend, Chase, reads: This isn’t going to work out. Sorry.
“I needed you to see this before I do what I’m about to do,” she says, slipping her phone back into her pocket.
“What are you going—”
She wraps a hand around the back of my neck and hauls my mouth to hers—kissing me fiercely.
Her lips feel like falling into bed after the world’s longest day, like drinking water after dehydration, savoring your favorite food after starving.
And that’s exactly what I do. I fall into her, cradling her face and twisting my fingers in her hair. I drink her in—her warmth and the way she smells. I savor every touch and sound. It’s the sensation of belonging, of meant to be.
I’m drunk on it, and I think every move I make for the rest of my life will be in effort to be right back here.
With our faces still aligned, Allie slips off the bed, palm bracketing my jaw as she pulls me down with her. We both hit the floor with a thump as I roll atop her.
“What are you doing?” I laugh against her lips.
“We’re not doing it in a bunk bed.”
I pull back, gazing down at her. “We’re doing it?”
Her lashes flutter, eyes flaming with something akin to raw desire as she licks her lips before pressing against my chest. I let her guide me up until I’m on my knees.
“I’m in love with you too, Archer,” she whispers, voice dripping like hot honey, and my eyes flash to hers. “I want us to be together now.” She crawls forward, pushing me onto my back before straddling me. “In every way.”
“In every way,” I groan, feathering my lips between hers.
The kiss is languid and tender. Our movements unhurried and explorative—my hands glide down her sides, grasping her hips.
Allie’s fingers twine in the hair at the nape of my neck, tightening when I slip my tongue into her mouth.
She tastes like cherry lip gloss, and when I whimper, she trades it with a moan of her own.
Allie giggles when she lifts off me, running to lock the door while simultaneously unzipping her skirt and slipping it off her hips, leaving a trail of clothing across the room as I pile my pillows and comforter on the floor in front of the fireplace before stealing a condom from my brother’s duffel bag.
When I turn around, Allie’s laid out for me—the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
She smiles, biting her lip when I untuck my towel and let it drop from my hips. I lower to my knees and crawl toward her. For a long while, we kiss each other slowly. Touch each other thoroughly. Feel each other fervently. When we connect, it’s absolute and all-consuming.
Love in physical form.
When we finish, we lie in tangled limbs, wrapped in each other’s touch as we catch our breath.
“Do you think we’re just naturally good at it, or is it because we’re meant to be together?” Allie asks, still panting.
“Both, Amor,” I immediately respond, sure of my answer. “Both.”
She nuzzles against me, cheek on my chest, breath hot against my skin as she laughs. “Where did that come from? Amor.”
I shrug. “That’s what Grandpa calls Monny, and I guess I liked it. It’s what I feel when I look at you. Love.”
Allie only sighs in response, nodding against my shoulder.
I drag my knuckles up her bare spine, pondering how it’s possible for this moment to feel so right.
So destined. Like it’s always existed in time, and it’s been waiting for the two of us to arrive.
She fits into me like she was made to be there, I hold her like I was created for that sole purpose.
And if it’s not already fate, then perhaps we built it.
Through every rite of passage experienced side-by-side, every life milestone we’ve conquered together. Every inside joke and secret shared. The foundation we constructed through this lifelong friendship crafted the kind of love we’ll never be capable of finding elsewhere.
“Maybe, instead of moving into dorms next year, we can find an apartment together instead,” I say, breaking our long silence. “Every night could be like this.”
“I’ve dreamed about going to sleep beside you so many times that I’ve convinced myself it’s not a comprehensible reality.” She sighs softly, lifting her head, eyes half-lidded and swimming in satisfaction. “I’d love nothing more.”
I cup her face. “I’m here to make your dreams come true, Allie.”
She smiles, leaning into my touch as she lifts her mouth to mine. “Seal that promise by kissing me at midnight.”
I tilt my chin, just enough for my lips to brush hers. “Every night. Forever.”
Late January
Voicemail Transcription From Unknown Caller
“Hey, Mr. Ramos. This is Coach Reilly with TU Football. I apologize I haven’t had the chance to make this call sooner, but I’m elated about the opportunity to offer you…”