While we wait, Grandma fills our time by chatting about her week thus far, and all the dating drama that is going on in the facility, I peel off my face mask and make myself a cup of hot cider.
“Barb is dating Janet’s Ex, Alejandro. And Janet is now claiming that Scarlett is sleeping with Greg who is Barb’s brother.”
I nod along trying to keep everyone straight while grandma explains this whole dating debacle. I sip my cider carefully not to burn my tonguewhen I hear the door open and Archer throw his keys on the table next to the door. I hear his shoes hit the floor and his jacket unzip. Before I can turn around, he’s hurtling himself over the couch and plopping down next to me. I see my grandmother trying to inconspicuously wave over all her friends from the facility. “Hi Mary!” Archer smiles.
“Archer! My sweet! How are you? How was team bonding? What did you make?”
While Archer fills in all the details of his pottery class with the boys as Grandma’s entire screen is filled with her inner circle and her frenemy Vivienne.
From the scowl on Vivienne’s face, I think this is worse than losing to Grandma’s famous satin pie.
Archer spends the half hour talking to everyone and answering all the questions that are directed at him. When we finally get off the phone Archer has a big smile on his face. “Think that will get Vivienne off Gramma’s back?”
I smile and nod. “You’re her knight in shining armor now.”
He grins and plants a kiss on my cheek.
Chapter 38
Elle
The following two weeks go by in a blur. Quarter two is always jampacked, field trips, parent-teacher conferences, Halloween, the upcoming winter holidays and everything those entail. It’s downright exhausting. After surviving parent-teacher conference week, I’m really looking forward to slugging it on the couch this weekend until Archer’s game on Sunday. I pull into my spot in the garage and make my way to the elevator to Archer’s apartment, well I guess it’s our apartment now.
I say hi to Phil as I cross from the garage elevator to the main elevator in the lobby. Once I’m inside the elevator, I take my hair out of the bun it was in and massage my scalp. I had it way too tight and I’m sure it looks like a rat’s nest, but I can’t bring myself to care. The elevator stops at our floor, and I walk inside only to be greeted by a group of people I have never met before.
Looking around at the group of people I notice something, they all bear some sort of resemblanceto Archer.
Oh.
Fuck.
The Grizzlies game is this weekend. In my exhausted state I didn’t even notice the date. I’m really glad I cleaned the guest rooms when I did, but I’m really regretting taking my hair down in the elevator.
“Hello.” I smile and awkwardly wave.
FFUUUUUUCCCCK. Not the impression I wanted to make with his mom and dad.
I’m pulled into a huge hug from who I assume is Mama Bell.
“Oh, Ellie, I’m so glad to finally meet you.” She lets me go and holds me at arm’s length. “You are gorgeous! I’m just so happy to meet you!” She pulls me against her chest again and I can’t help but smile.
“Mom, let Elle breathe for like fifteen minutes. Sheesh, she hasn’t even been able to set down her work bag.” A lankier man, with brown hair but the same blue eyes as Archer says. He’s on the couch with two kids and a woman who I am assuming is his wife. He lets me put my bag down before approaching me. “I’m Lucas, this is my wife Mari, and our two kids, Jaxon and Lexi.” The kids barely look up from their devices when greeting me before going back to being fully engrossed in whatever they’re playing.
“It’s great to meet you all.” I say smiling.
“Archer is at practice and Dad is picking up my grandparents and Uncle Rob from the airport.” Lukas explains.
“Thanks for allowing us to hang out here this weekend.” Mari says. She’s probably the most gorgeouswoman I have ever seen. Flawless skin, silky black hair, dark brown eyes, and smattering of light freckles across her nose and cheeks. “I will try my best to make sure my husband and father-in-law keep their pregame rituals to a minimum.” She hides her mouth behind her hand and whispers “They all tend to revolve around chanting for the Grizzlies and howling for the Wolves.” She smiles, “Trish and I tend to go out for mimosas while they do the chanting and howling, we get a headstart on them with the drinking. We would love for you and your friend Sadie to join us.”
“Oh! Yeah, Sadie and I would love that.” Archer must have told them about Sadie and we are attached at the hip at the home games. “Thanks for including us!” I smile. “I’m sorry I didn’t get home earlier. I’ve been trying to catch up at work and I must have lost track of time.”
“Oh we know, sweetheart.” Trish says, handing me
a drink. I take a sniff and it’s eerily reminiscent of a Tyson Typhoon, it’s equally as fruity. “Archer told us all about how late you stay for parent-teacher conferences. Don’t worry the drink is alcohol free. It’s my famous punch, but if you want to add booze Mari and I are already ahead of you.” She winks.
I smile. I like Mama Bell and Mari already. “I will gladly join you, just let me change out of my work clothes and into some comfy clothes and I will get dinner started.”
“Oh no. Absolutely not! You’re not cooking for us!” Mama Bell exclaims. “David and I booked a private room at Old Mill Brewing. Our treat of course. As a thank you for letting us and the kids crash here. I’m sure this is the last thing you wanted. David’s parents will be at a hotel along with Robert and his family whoare flying in later tonight.” Mama Bell, or as she insists I call her, Trish explains.
