I know I definitely don’t imagine his jaw clenching as he responds. “Ms. Johnson and I’s relationship is private and has nothing to do with football but to squash all rumors here and now, we are no longer in a romantic relationship, we have both moved on withdifferent partners and are very happy. Ms. Johnson and I were friends before we entered a romantic relationship, and our friendship has endured even after our separation. Now, that is all I am going to say on this topic Mr. Williams. So if you have nothing to add about football, please make room for someone who does.”
Sadie turns to me grinning. “He just told everyone you guys are dating!”
“Thank goodness he didn’t mention my name specifically.”
“No, but you are about to be the topic of every Wolves fandom page until they find out who you are.” Sadie states.
We watch the rest of the press conference as Sadie monitors the various Wolves Facebook groups. She wasn’t wrong, they’re already buzzing about Archer’s mystery girlfriend. “Many women and some men are lamenting the fact that he is no longer single.” she giggles. “One girl already says she’s riding at dawn to protect youfrom Kirk Williams.”
“They don’t even know who I am.”
“Yeah but apparently, Kirk Williams has been an absolute bully to the Wolves and other teams for quite some time now. They seem genuine in their desire to keep him out of your business. “
“That’s sweet.” I bite my lip, a nervous habit I’ve had for as long as I can remember. “I should probably tell my parents about all this.”
Sadie drops her phone. “You haven’t told Jim and Joyce about this yet?!” She pins a look on me that if I had balls, they would shrivel.
“Well… no. I love my parents. They are the best but you know how they are. They would want to come down, meet him, have a huge cookout, invade his privacy in the best way and then show up for every home game. And then I’m stuck with them in my space for every home game!” “You need to call them, like now.” She commands.
Taking a deep breath. I call them up on FaceTime. I’m greeted by my dad’s smiling face and my mom’s backside as she messes with a halloween decoration. “Hey Pumpkin!”
“Hi! Dad!”
“Is that Ellebelle?” My mom asks as she turns around. She’s wearing a Wolves T-shirt and spider earrings and her blonde hair is pulled back in a messy ponytail. “How are you sweetie?” She smooshes her face beside my dad’s, her skin pale in comparison to my dad’solive tone. His hair has more gray in it than I remember but his hazel eyes and freckles still match mine.
“I’m great. What are you guys up to?”
“Oh we just finished watching the game and Erica is drowning in sorrow that her fake boyfriend Archer just announced that he has a girlfriend.”
Sadie tries her best to muffle her laughter over the fact that my baby sister has a crush on my boyfriend. Erica is what my parents call their happiest accident. The rest of us were planned and only have a few years separating us. Estella, who goes by Stella is the oldest at thirty. Then there’s me at twenty-eight. Next is Easton, my only brother who is only three years younger than me at twenty-five; then there is Erica who is currently sixteen.
“Oh… man, that’s uh…” Sadie makes a go-ahead motion with her hands, encouraging me to continue with my confession. “That’s going to be really awkward.”
My parents’ brows furrow in confusion. It’s amazing how they’ve picked up the same mannerisms over the years. “Elle, you have something to say, so stop beating around the bush.” My dad states. He knows when I’m procrastinating.
I close my eyes willing for strength and patience for the inquisition that is about to be upon me. “I’m the one dating Archer Bell.”
There’s silence until Erica screeches in the background. “SHE’S DATING WHO?!”
“Pumpkin,” My dad drawls, ignoring my sister’s demands that I answer her questions. “When did this happen?”
I roll my lips. “About a month or so.” Shit, it seems much longer than that. It really hasn’t been long at all has it?
“Oh.” My mom says, choosing her words carefully. “I can see why you haven’t told us, he’s a very popular athlete and it hasn’t been that long. How did you two meet?”
“Well, you know I knew him in college. We had class together.” I start. “I reached out to him after that nasty loss to the Chimeras and well one thing led to another and here we are.”
“I forgot he attended State for his freshman year.” My dad says. “Makes sense why I wouldn’t remember, he didn’t get any playing time there.” He pauses for a minute before continuing “Well it’s a good thing we are already Wolves fans, would hate to have to change my allegiance this late in life.” I crack a smile at that.
“Well, I can’t wait to meet him.” My mom says. “We’ll have to come in for a game or two. We’ll get a hotel room though. We wouldn’t want to intrude on your private time. I can’t see you guys having a lot of time where your schedules align.”
My father makes a face at my mom for suggesting alone time, but I am grateful they won’t be in our space the whole time when they do come visit.
“Well whenever you come down, I’ll make sure that we plan something to do together. Maybe we could go bowling or to the driving range or have a game night.” I say. My family is big on family activities. Every Thursday night growing up we had family game night. Thursdays were the best nights because us kids always had some sort of activity over the weekends. I had my races, Easton had his baseball tournaments, Stella always had some sort of club activity or fundraiser, and Erica’s various sporting events still seem to dominate their weekends.
“Monopoly is out, your father cheats.” My mother states and my father sticks his tongue out at her.
“I do not cheat; it’s not my fault that you insist on playing the Disney version and only buy your favorite movies on the board. That’s just bad business sense.”
