“Okay, so I don’t know if you’re aware, but the Wolves-Grizzlies game is coming up.” Archer takes a drink of his coffee before continuing. “And… My parents were die hard Grizzlies fans before I was drafted by the Wolves, my whole family, and I mean my WHOLE family makes a big thing over that game. They tailgate beforehand and have a cookout after and I get special permission by Coach to swing by when it’s an away game. It’s at home this year so everyone will be in town. My parents were hoping you would join them for this year’s game. I told them I would ask since you and Sadie seem to do your own things, obviously Sadie is invited too. Mom really wants to meet you ever since I dropped the dating bomb in that press conference.”
“Of course, I’ll join your family!” I smile and Archer returns it. “Speaking of the dating bomb. Stephanie suggested that you could post faceless photos of me. Since I actually enjoy my job for the most part. I kind of want to stay anonymous. I hope that’s okay.”
“I completely understand and I respect it completely. There are some guys on the team whose wives stay out of the spotlight, and they manage it just fine. I think we can make it work.” He winks.
“Okay. Great.” I take a deep breath before continuing.
“Stephanie got a lot at Scream City, but I was thinking you could post those closer to Wednesday for a Halloween vibe, if you wanted, we could do a coffee date thing.”
“I’ll do whatever you tell me to do. I am not really big into social media if you didn’t notice. Most of the stuff I post is what Jason or Stephanie suggest I post. I only use it to send stupid memes and reels to my friends.” Archer admits. “I did use it to stalk you when you first messaged me.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I mean isn’t that what it’s essentially made for, the trick is to make sure you don’t like any posts from like seven years ago, that’s how you get in trouble.”
“Noted.” Archer smiles and we both take a drink of our coffee as the server sets down our breakfasts. He looks at my French toast longingly. “Once the season is over, we are going to eat all the festive French toasts in a flight form. I want them all, blueberry, blackberry lemon, lavender, pumpkin spice, gingerbread…”
“I had no idea you were that passionate about French toast.” I take a bite of mine, dramatically moaning for effect.
“That is just cruel.” Archer says as he takes a bite of his omelet. “I could dramatically moan as well, but we both know it would be a lie. It’s still pretty good though.”
The rest of our meal continues in a comfortable rhythm of us talking while the drone of the restauranthums in the background.
As I’m finishing the last bit of my French toast, Archer hands me his phone, “How’s this for the faceless post?” His phone shows a photo of my French toast, coffee and my profile up to the bridge of my nose. My hair looks great, my hair over my right shoulder and the sun hitting pieces just right so it has some great dimension. I’m glad I opted for something comfortable today and not low cut because that would make for a rather unfortunate photo in my opinion.
“Damn, that’s a great picture. If this whole quarterback thing doesn’t work for you, you and Stephanie could open a photography business.”
He chuckles as I hand back his phone. We get up to leave after he signs the check and leaves a very generous tip. The two of us head out back to his apartment, he has to get ready for practice and I need to meet Sadie at the pumpkin patch.
Chapter 21
Archer
Today’s pre-game practice was not so great. Apparently, we stayed out way too late last night because Ty, Deej, Cameron and I are sloppy. And Coach has no qualms about calling us out on it either.
And since none of us could deny we were sloppy at practice we all stayed late to run extra drills to make up for it. Now we’re in with the athletic trainers getting stretched out and prepared for tomorrow’s game.
“Mack loves Elle and her friend Sadie.” Deej says as he gets stretched out next to Ty and I. “He said, and I quote ‘If we ever have kids, I absolutely want those girls to be the female influence they would need.’ I don’t know what that says about the sisters we have, but it’s clear that Mack prefers Elle and Sadie.” Deej grins. “Although, I don’t know how I feel about that Phoenix guy if I’m being honest. His wife was great, personable and sweet, but I don’t know, that guy just sort of rubbed me the wrong way I guess.”
“I’m sure he was just starstruck or something. He seemed cool enough when we went back to Archer’s place. Although he was kind of pompous about my reading preferences. Oh!” Ty cuts himself off. “We, meaning; Archer, me, Cameron, Sadie, Ellie and Stephanie are starting a bookclub! You should join!”
“Are these going to be real meetings or like a virtual thing?” Deej asks.
“I’m thinking in person. We can rotate hosting; the girls might not be able to — because and I’m not trying to be a dick here.” Ty says as he eyes me. “I don’t think the girls’ places can fit several large football players inside them.”
I nod along because he’s right, Ellie’s place is fine when it’s just the two of us and occasionally Sadie after Mexican and margaritas but the comparison of sardines in a can comes to mind when I try to picture the rest of the guys in her place. And from what Ellie has told me, Sadie has a roommate so that would be an additional person at her place.
“No, I think that’s a fair assessment.” I say. “I don’t know what Steph’s living situation is, but I do know that Ellie’s place is too small for all of us to meet there, and I think Sadie has a roommate. I have no problem hosting though. I could host every meeting since I live the most central to everyone.”
“In that case, I would love to join. I’ll ask Mack. I’m sure he will too, he loves to socialize.” Deej says as he texts who I am assuming is Mack. “I love this idea, why haven’t we done this sooner?”
“Well, we tried that D&D group last season.” I remind everyone, “But Benji was an awful DM and couldn’t keep the story straight and then Devon requested to be traded so he could be closer to his family and then it just sort of fell apart.”
“Book club seems much more manageable!” Ty bobs his head enthusiastically. Always the optimist.
“Well you tell me when, where and what book, and I will bring the wine.” Deej reads from his phone. “Sounds to me like Mack is in.”
“Hell yeah!” Ty cheers.
I smile. Book club does seem much more manageable, not to mention Ellie loves to read and seems to be more than willing to hang out with my friends. Cassie loved to hang out with them when we could be seen but never wanted to do so away from the public eye. She claimed private time was for us and at the beginning it was for us. But as time went on, private time never seemed to be about us. It sort of evolved into additional work time for both of us. Thinking back about Cassie and mine’s relationship brings me back to something I’ve been needing to check off my to do list.
