by Watkins, TM
“Damn it.”
I hated the feeling that I was missing something, looking down I realized I was still in my pajamas. Quickly I returned to my bedroom, changing for dinner and tidying myself up. Not only was it Eddie and of course James but my parents also came over.
We alternated Sundays, today was my turn. When my sister Saffron was in the country she'd be a part of the dinner thing as well. She was off trekking through Europe with her friends, likely to be back in about six months' time. We weren't sure, she had said that a year ago. Since then she's continued to hop from country to country and having a great time apparently.
There was a knock at the door, I looked at the clock with a frown. Maybe my parents had arrived early, it was unlike Eddie to be early for anything.
I wandered to the door and opened it expecting my parents and faced with Archer. Inwardly I just died of pure embarrassment. He offered no clue as to what he was thinking, just a pleasant smile as he held my book.
“Hey Roxy, finished your book.”
“Faith.” I said as I took the book.
I couldn't look him in the eye, feeling the flush of pink cheeks as the memories of this morning came flooding back.
“So thanks for bringing it back.” I said, hoping to close the door.
No such luck, he leaned on the frame, one arm just over his head, the other tucking the hand into his pocket.
“Sure, no problem. I took good care of it, figured it meant something to you. Is it like a first edition or something?”
“Yeah, I always get the first one that's printed, my mother gets the second and my agent gets the third.”
“Your mother reads them, really?”
I shrugged, looking at the light switch rather than to the man that I had spent a good couple of minutes fantasizing over as I rubbed my wet pussy with a bumpy, rubber phallus. My life sucked.
“A weird but proud collection. I don't think she's read them.
“Ah, okay. Not really into the mommy porn thing but I did like your book.”
“Thanks. You read it rather fast.”
“I like to read and when a book grabs me I just can't put it down.”
My eyebrows raised as I nodded slowly, still trying to avoid his gaze. It felt like his eyes were burning into me, I wanted desperately to look up at him but I couldn't face the scrutiny.
“So is there like another one? The ending seemed like it was left open for a follow on.”
“Uh yeah, there's two more in this series. Did you want to read it?”
He nodded and I stupidly looked up at him. Archer offered nothing that would make me think he'd seen me, just a plain face as he waited for me to move.
“Sure, okay.” I whispered, still completely mortified.
He followed me to the bookcase and watched me as I put it back onto the shelf. Could this get any worse? Possibly, maybe I'd left the cactus on my desk. Fear gripped me as my eyes darted around the room. Refraining from a groan of relief, I realized that I'd put it away before I put my clothes back on and crawled out of the room. I did not want him to see me and so I was on my hands and knees, avoiding all of the windows until I reached my bedroom.
Archer turned to look at the books, running his fingers over the spines.
“Is this the next one?”
“Yeah.”
“Sure you're okay for me to borrow it?”
“Yeah, it's cool.”
He chuckled as he looked at me, dragging the book from the shelf. There was a certain awkwardness that I couldn't get past, it was me and I knew it. He was being a gentleman and not saying anything. Smooth Archer, real smooth.
“Oh my gawd.” Eddie crooned. “Are you coming to dinner too Archie?”
I looked beyond the bulky man in front of me and saw not only Eddie and James but my parents as well. Oh what fun. My mother was great for making assumptions.
“Archer.” He grunted as he turned around.
“Faith.” I said under my breath rather smugly.
His eyes narrowed with a playful smirk, hopefully conceding defeat in his little Roxy game.
“Oh of course you are staying for dinner. One more won't matter will it Faith?”
Eddie looked at me with his cheeky, wry grin. Almost daring me to refuse him.
“Sure. Stay if you want.”
“Faith darling that is no way to invite a guest.” The bastard continued.
I was going to kill him as soon as I could figure out where to dump his body. The backyard was an option, I'm sure I could con Elise into helping me. Ken would sit on a deck chair with a beer and watch as two women dug a really big hole in the ground, offering his advice and not bothering to help. It didn't matter, so long as it was big enough to stuff a traitor into then it was fine by me.
Archer slid into position next to me, looking rather smug with himself. James was grinning, my parents were confused. They were faced with a man in my apartment which was odd.
“Fine.” I sighed. “Archer did you want to stay for dinner? But you can't right? Because you said that your friends are coming back tonight.”
“Actually I was just joking. I was planning on kicking back with a good book but seeing as you so kindly offered, I'd love to stay.”
Like he was in cahoots with Eddie, the bastard smiled at me.
“Great.” I said which kind of sounded like a groan.
I began to wander to the kitchen, my mother grabbing my arm.
“Aren't you forgetting something?”
“Probably. Am I wearing pants?”
“Yes dear.”
With her eyes she tried to indicate something about the new figure in the room. Eyebrows raising, eyes darting and face crinkling, all while trying to move as little as possible.
“Archer, these are my parents Roxanne and Peter. That's Archer, he bought the house across the road.”
I left them to do their greeting thing, Eddie followed me into the kitchen.
“I am going to kill you.” I muttered.
“Oh Faith you could never harm me. You know you love me far too much to do that.”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “Lucky for you.”
Eddie started to remove the plates from the cupboard, putting them onto the counter with a heavy sigh.
“So why was he here anyway?” He whispered.
“He was returning one of my books that he borrowed last night.”
“Oh, okay.” He frowned as he took a moment to think about it. “Did he really read it? You write chick books, he didn't read it did he?”
I shrugged as I leaned on the bench beside him.
“He said he did, wanted to read the next book so I guess he really did read it.”
“Huh.” Eddie said quietly.
Dinner on a Sunday in my apartment was almost a ritual, habits formed easily and rarely did we vary from it. I would put the food into bowls and platters, Eddie would ferry everything from the kitchen to the table while my parents organized where everything went. Then with the last of what food was waiting to be brought out, I would venture from the kitchen.
My parents always sat on the length of the table when Saffron was around but with just Eddie and myself, we all took a side of the table.
But things had changed. James was here and of course, Archer. When I emerged from the kitchen and saw the seating arrangement, I nearly dropped the platter of meat.
I smiled and put on my pretend happy face, all the while I was quietly annoyed. One of these devils, or possibly all of them were conspiring against me.
My parents were at each end of the rectangle table, Eddie and James on one side and Archer on the other. My seat was already determined and it was right beside Archer.
Dinner had started off rather noisily as people passed the platters and bowls, then as they started to eat the room quietened.
“It's rather quiet.” My mother said as she cut through the baked potato. “Maybe some background music?”
“You don't like my music.”
�
�I'm sure there's something reasonable to play quietly.”
Archer was grinning, trying not to laugh.
“What?”
“You should put on what you were playing on Friday. She did a great rendition of Home Sweet Home. Put it on and show them.”
“Screw you.” I muttered and got up from the table.
I tried to hide the searing red cheeks as I stood at the cabinet, flicking through the play lists. He'd seen it, where he was I don't know but he'd seen me singing in front of the window like a complete fool.
Archer's comment had caught my mother's curiosity and now she was probing for more information. To his delight, Archer was regaling them of what I had done.
Now I was in trouble for climbing on the desk. I got the same old lines, if I fell there would be no one to help me, no one would know. Except someone would know. It might not be for a few hours but Eddie would have eventually figured it out.
But that wasn't good enough. I had to be more careful, I had to ensure that I was always safe and climbing on things was not safe. I sat and listened, saying nothing. In my mind I was digging a bigger hole, one that would fit Eddie and Archer.
Everyone had piled the food onto their plates but Archer's plate was loaded a lot more than anyone else. Clearly he had a healthy appetite.
I made lots of different types of vegetables because there were so many varying preferences. My father didn't like potatoes but loved peas and carrots whereas my mother loved potatoes. Eddie wasn't fussed on a few things but ate broccoli as if his life depended on it. James was reasonably easy going with his selection, I did note that he didn't touch the carrots but everything else was in small helpings.
Archer? Well he waited until everyone had their turn at the bowl and then scooped large helpings of everything.
My parents said nothing but I could see their amusement. Having raised two daughters they had never seen the likes of a growing young man before even if Archer was fully grown now. Past boyfriends of Saffron and myself had always been a little freaked out at the prospect of dinner with the parents and ate little bits of everything that was on their plates.
I guess considering that Archer is not a boyfriend might have been beneficial. He didn't have to worry about their scrutiny.
My father was an intimidating man but nowhere near as intimidating as what Archer would have known in his days of being in a motorcycle club. No wonder he wasn't freaking out, this was probably the most normal thing he's ever done.
Dinner with civilians. Do they call us that or something else? I had no idea and I didn't know if I could ask Archer without getting that mean face again. It was so hard, I had so many questions and I couldn't ask any of them because it might be crossing a line.
“So what do you do for a living Archer?” My mother asked.
Silence hit the table, Eddie looked at me with slight panic.
“Mechanic.”
“Oh that's great.” She said so cheerfully. “Faith needs a good mechanic.”
“Mom!” I said rather shocked.
She looked at me rather confused.
“Well you do darling, the one that you go to is a rip-off.”
“It's under warranty, I don't have much choice.”
Her mouth twisted with derision as she looked down at her plate. After loading the fork and eating the food, she spoke again once the food was swallowed.
“Competent is better than being ripped off, isn't that right Archer?”
“Absolutely Mrs Harlow.”
“Oh please, Roxanne is fine.”
Archer smiled at her and I swear she nearly dropped the cutlery in her hands. It was pretty sad but I can't say as I blamed her.
Even though he'd only come over to return a book he was wearing a reasonably nice shirt and clean jeans. It was almost like he'd made an effort for something so trivial.
I looked over at Eddie who was surprisingly quiet. Things didn't exactly add up and I was suspicious. Archer comes over at the right time, dressed nicely. Eddie, James and my parents are earlier than usual and it happened to be within a few minutes of Archer's arrival.
Too convenient. I was beginning to suspect my darling neighbor and supposed best friend was playing matchmaker.
“I have to agree with them Rox, you'd be better off with competence.”
Dad always called me Rox, even after I said that I wanted to be called Faith.
“Gee thanks dad.” I said, taking a sip of wine.
Sober Sunday was gone, thrown out the kitchen window after Archer agreed to stay for dinner.
“I'll give her a once over.”
I choked on the wine, feeling a heavy paw thumping on my back.
“You alright there Roxy?”
“Oh.” My mother sighed happily. “Are you using your name again?”
“No, he's teasing me.”
She crinkled a look of love between us and I ignored her, continuing to eat my dinner before it went cold. My mother would play matchmaker if allowed. She'd have us married by the end of the year which wasn't good considering that it was already November.
Chapter Eight
Dinner was done, a rousing success as always. Roast was easy, I'd perfected it with years of trial and error and now had it down pat. Everyone sat back, bellies full and thoroughly satisfied.
“Are you going home to see your parents Eddie?”
“Probably. I guess it depends on life here. You know, James, time off work and all that.”
My father nodded, seemingly happy with the response. He liked the family time thing and Eddie saying he was likely to go and see his parents was pleasing for my father.
Both of my parents adored Eddie, he was like the son they never had. My mother even had lunch with him from time to time. I was cool with it, there was no jealousy over it. Quite often I'd go into lock down and me ditching him like that made him kind of lonely. But it was how I did things and everyone accepted it. I had to be distraction free when editing so I shut off contact from the world for a few days.
At the moment there was no shutting off from the outside world, I was still in no-man's land. Adrift in a sea of hopelessness, no wind in my sails, no oars to get me to shore. I was hoping for that fabled gust of wind to hit me, praying that I hadn't hit the wall with my career.
Once everyone was done with picking at what remained, I began to clear the table. The neat freak in me had to make sure that everything was done right. My parents and Eddie knew the routine, stack the plates and cutlery and leave it alone from then on.
I took the first load of dishes to the kitchen, hearing panicked whispers from the dining room. Turning out of the room I was faced with Archer, his arms laden with bowls.
“Why don't you like help?”
“I like things done in a certain way and you are disrupting that.”
I wanted to huff when he put the dishes on the bench that I had kept clean for a very specific reason. This was exactly why I didn't want help.
“Please, go and sit down. I know you're trying to be helpful but you're not.”
He said nothing and left the kitchen, leaving me to remove the dishes from that bench. I was about to put the cups out for coffee and serving dessert as soon as I had cleared the table. When I turned around I saw more dishes and the back of Archer as he walked out of the room.
Annoyed and frustrated, I waited until he came back, knowing he was determined to help.
He entered the room with a grin, dumping the bowls onto the bench.
“Please stop trying to help.”
“Why?” He asked simply.
“I have a routine, I do things in a particular way and you are making a mess. Don't put them there.”
I put the bowls back into his hands and started to remove the cups from the cupboard.
“Ooh, did you make dessert too?” He asked as he dumped the bowls back onto the bench.
I narrowed my eyes at the offending items and then at him. He had an inane grin that was in desperate need of beating
out of him.
This morning was forgotten in favor of trying not to strangle him. He seemed determined to make me frustrated at his antics, maybe he just liked being a pain in the ass.
His eyes widened as I pulled the container out, lifting the lid off the chocolate cake. Before I could stop him his finger swiped along the frosting on the side and went straight into his mouth.
“Keep your dirty fingers off the food.”
“I washed my hands before coming over here.”
Of course you did. No doubt my traitorous friend had waggled his gorgeous ass across the road and invited you, laid out his own devious plan for this evening and ensured that you were in perfect order for my clean freak ways.
That clean freak did a quick once over. No grease embedded in the fingers or nails, shaved, hair a little scruffy but that was probably intentional. Shirt ironed and smelling like it had been recently washed. There was a subtle scent of lemon underneath the heaviness of his aftershave.
He was scrupulously clean and I knew that there was something underhanded going on. I was going to have words with Eddie.
Ignoring him I searched through the dishwasher and found the spatula, turning back to find him eying off the cake again.
“Away with you!” I snapped, smacking his hand.
He chuckled and then looked over my shoulder, frowning. Concerned for what he might be looking at, I turned to the view of Eddie's kitchen and saw darkness which was to be expected. I looked back and saw Archer had his finger in his mouth again and that damned smug grin on his face.
“Get out of my kitchen.” I hissed, pushing him away.
“Have you tasted it? It's so damned good.”
“Well, I'd like to but someone keeps distracting me.”
Smoothing the icing over the finger marks, I tried to ignore him as I concentrated.
“You are way too uptight.”
My body tightened as he drew closer, the words whispered over my neck. From behind he reached out to the cake yet again and I tried to stop him. He took my hand and reached around me for the other one, crossing them over my body. With one oversized paw he held them tight against my ribs and pushed me against his body.