A Bad Boy's Gift

Chapter 9

I stand at the top of the stairs listening to them chatting away before I go down to them.

"Does she live here on her own?" Archer seems amazed.

"No, it's her parents' place, but they are rarely ever here, in fact, sometimes they stay in the other house that they own, just down the road. I have no idea what they do for money, but they're loaded." Jenna shares. "And she has a 12 year old brother too, he's sweet. River is often left alone by her parents, it's sad really. She doesn't see this place as her home, just a house that she  lives in until she has her own. Apparently she intends to buy one for her and Hudson, so she doesn't leave him with their parents" Jenna likes to make people feel sorry for me.

Ugh, my ugly family information being shared with my friends. Wait, can I call Archer a friend? He was always 'Crazy boy' to me. Damn, this guy is getting under my skin. 

I start walking down, I am back in my black shirt and jeans, Adidas trainers with my full face of make-up and the ends of my hair curled. 

"Glad I never told you my bank details Jen, I'd be skint." I say to her, startling them all. 

"Wow..." I turn towards the sound, clearly Archer wasn't supposed to express his admiration out loud. His cheeks turn red. "Sorry..." 

"No need to apologise. Glad you like what you see... This time, anyway." I grin at him and he goes shy again. This is a totally different person to who I met Sunday morning. I wonder whether he might be Bipolar? No, don't jump to conclusions, silly. He is human after all.

"Well it took you long enough to pretty yourself up, so we'd better be off before you're late for the start." Jen says as she walks past me to open the front door. "Benny and I will sit on the back seat, I'm sure you'd like to get to know Archer a bit better, wouldn't you?" She winks at me.

"Sure, it'll be nice to get to know each other now we seem to be seeing more of one another." I look at him and he smiles. It's a cute smile, showing his teeth again, like Sunday morning. 

"I'll just get my phone and keys." I say, allowing them to go outside. I turn the driveway lights on and decide that it is a good idea to leave a lamp or two on as well. 

I lock up, starting the alarm as I leave then walk down the steps and towards my car, where the others are waiting. 

"Get in." I unlock the car remotely so they can start getting their harnesses and seat belts on. I climb in myself and look over to Archer who is struggling with his harness. "Need a hand?" I ask.

"Erm, yeah, if you don't mind, this is so confusing." He has a frown on his face. It's a cute frown, one full of concentration and frustration. 

I lean over and explain, "So it's a five point harness. This bit with the buckle goes between your legs, these two are around your waist and they clip in like this. And then, these two over your shoulders, clip in there." I help him get clipped in, "It's a bit tight cause Hudson is usually in here. You're much bigger than he is, so it's adjusted to fit him." I smile at him, while tightening the straps. "There you go, all secure." 

"At least I know I won't go anywhere if you crash." He smirks.

"And why would I be crashing, Mr Jackson?" I flirt back to him.

"Maybe it would be because of my stunning physique." He looks at me directly in the eyes, heating my core, sending butterflies into my belly. 

I recover quickly, "Don't be silly. You don't distract me." I rev the engine and reverse out of my spot, probably a bit too quickly. When I pull off down the gravel driveway, I go slowly so as not to spray stones up the back of my car.