Archer: Thanks! And hey, thanks for coming today.
It was great knowing you were in the stands. I’m just bummed I didn’t get to see you.
I see the three little bubbles appear and then disappear. I gather the rest of my things from my locker and head to my truck. I feel my phone buzz, and I immediately pull it up.
Ellie: Well, you probably don’t know this but it’s absolutely a pain in the ass to get out of The Den after a game. Sadie and I are just chilling in the parking lot with some of Sadie’s friends fromcollege we ran into. We’re waiting for the lot to clear before we leave. Sadie and I drove separately, so I don’t have to wait around for her if it’s going to be a bit longer for you.
I text Ellie back telling her where to meet me. As much as I love interacting with fans because honestly without their support I wouldn’t be where I’m at, I am exhausted and I just want to see Ellie. I wait for her at the designated spot when I see her pull up in her SUV. She rolls down her window and yells. “I heard this is where I can meet Tyson McCreary.” Her teasing smile lights up her whole face.
“He’s on the phone with his mama; it’s his post-game ritual. He’ll be preoccupied for the next hour. But I did hear the quarterback is available.” I walk over and lean on her car. Ellie pretends to think about it.
“I suppose I could spare a moment or two for the quarterback.” I hear her doors unlock and slide in next to her. As soon as I’m seated, I capture her lips in a kiss. For a split second I’m afraid I’ve ruined whatever we have until she kisses me, back melting into it. My hands move to cup her face, and I angle to bring the kiss deeper. It’s electric. My hands are itching to feel more of her to bring her closer, but I keep my hands on her face stroking her cheek with my thumb. All too soon she’s pulling away a little breathless.
“That was, wow…” Her cheeks are flushed. “Is there anything you’re not good at?”
“Singing. I am a terrible singer.” I grin. My thumb is still stroking her cheek. “Oh, and telling the difference between a cheap and expensive bottle of wine.” That elicits a giggle from my girl. The realization hits me in the gut. Ellie in a few short weeks has wiggled her way into my life and my heart.
Chapter 12
Archer
“Want dinner?” Ellie asks. “It can be my treat if you don’t mind something from a drive through. If you want something homemade, we can head back to my place and I can make you something frozen.” She grins. “I really wasn’t planning on eating anything healthy clearly.”
“How about delivery?” I suggest. “My treat. I’ll hop in my truck and meet you back at your place?”
“Sounds great! I’ll see you there.” she smiles. I go to hop out of her car but not before stealing another quick kiss from her. Making my way to my truck. I see her waiting for me so I can follow her back to her place.
While I follow Ellie back to her place I call my parents up.
“What a game Kiddo!” is the first thing my dad says when he picks up the phone. “Love seeing that spark back in ya!”
“Hey Dad. Thanks. I did what you always told me to do. Go with my gut.”
“Oh honey, how are you feeling?” My mom’s voice comes through the other end of the phone. “You took a few hard hits.”
She’s not wrong, I’ll be feeling the hit that came from Connelly Hicks in the third quarter. “I feel amazing, all things considered.”
“Oh Hon, that’s great to hear. Your father and I have been worried ever since…”
“Trish honey, let the boy bask in the glow of victory.” “Actually” I interrupt. “I’ve met someone recently. It’s nothing serious but it’s been really good so far. I’m on my way to meet her for dinner.”
“Oh... that’s good.” The sudden anxiety from my mother is obvious. She saw firsthand how badly Cassie fucked me up.
“She’s a good girl. She actually went to college with me. We had history class together freshman year.” The anxiety seems to lessen with the knowledge that Ellie and I knew each other before I made it into the NFL. “She’s a teacher. Kindergarten.” I continue. “Her name is Ellie.”
My parents are quiet for a while and the only noise that fills the car is the sound of my turn signal. “Well, I’d love to meet her. Does she go to your games?” My dad asks.
“She was at tonight’s game.”
“Oh, was she in thebox?” My mom asks. Cassie would only go to games if she was able to be in the box, away from the obnoxious fans as she claimed. I'm sure my mom is trying to make a mental comparison which is not fair at all to Elle but I don’t say otherwise.
“No, she and her best friend were in the stands. Managed to snag good seats from the looks of the pictures she sent.”
“Oh!” My mother’s voice seems to perk up. I guess that was the correct answer to her question. “Well, we plan on coming in for your game against the Grizzlies.” The Grizzlies were my dad’s team growing up and by default they were mine. Mom and Dad usually make a week-long vacation out of that game. “We’d love to meet her then, if you don’t think it’s too soon.” My mom continues.
“Yeah, I will ask her about it.” I turn into Ellie’s apartment complex. “Hey, I love you but I’m gonna hop off here. I’m at Ellie’s place and she promised me some home cooked take out.” I joke.
“Bye sweetheart. We love you.” My mom chirps at the same time my dad’s “Love you kiddo” comes through the phone. I smile. My parents have always been affectionate and incredibly supportive. It’s where Cassie used to call my “positive masculinity” came from. I was, well am, never afraid to tell those I care about that I love them, especially after my brother’s accident. That was a big call to arms for me. You never know when you’ll get to talk to someone again.
