A Muffin a Day

Chapter Ten, The Car ride

Jay

I looked at Archer, not knowing how to react. Everyone else was eating and enjoying themselves. Here was me and Archer, holding hands together. What had gotten into this man... He'd smile slightly, "Just making sure you're alright." I'd look at him surprised. He wanted to make sure I was okay? I'd smile softly, "Really?" He'd nod, "Of course, why would I not?" He'd question. I'd shrug looking at him. Milo would look at the watch on his wrist. There were no numbers on it, just marks. "It's going to get dark soon, why don't we get you all home?" I'd nod slightly. Lacey would get up and put her chair back where she found it. Milo would get up and hold his hand out for Ms. Angela. She'd smile, taking his hand and allowing him to help her up. Archer would stand up, waiting for me to get up. I'd scoot out of the booth, getting up, imminently getting scooped up by Archer. I'd let out a squeal, covering my face from embarrassment. I could have sworn I felt so many eyes on me. "They're just jealous." Archer would say to me in a whisper as he brought me towards the car. He opened the car door and set me down, sitting next to me now. Lacey was on the other side of me, on her phone. Milo would start the car and begin to drive towards our houses. Archer would still be holding my hand, his eyes shut now. I had barely been with this man for a day, and here he was, holding my hand. I'd look over at Lacey, "Pstt...Lacey...." She'd look over, "Hm?" I'd sigh, whispering, "I don't really know if I should trust...Archer..." She'd blink, "Why?" I'd sigh, "I feel like he's hiding things from me..." She'd shrug, "Go through his stuff? Like his phone and stuff?" I stare, "I can't do that! What if he has a password?" She'd shrug, "Identification card in his wallet?" I groan slightly. "You know..." Archer started, "I think I enjoy being with you." It must be the alcohol...He would never say that. I'd nod, "Yeah? Is that so..?" He'd nod, "You're an interesting person...funny...kind...attractive..." I'd set my hand over his mouth. "Sh...I know you don't mean that." I'd whisper the last part. He'd chuckle, "I do." He'd open his eyes, looking at me. "You're a great partner." He'd say. My hand continued to cover his mouth. Suddenly he licked my hand. I was used to that with my siblings, so I decided I wasn't going to move away. He smirked, "I'll lick you up and down later." I'd look at him, my face red. He'd chuckle and wrap his arms around me, pulling me into his lap. I'd sigh, "We aren't dating, Archer." He'd shrug, "We should be...I would love to have you all to myself..." I'd look at him, my face feeling hot. "Archer.." He'd chuckle, "Y/n.." I'd sigh, "Don't talk like that..." He'd tilt his head, "Why?" I'd sigh, "I..." How do I respond to that? "Just..Don't. You know we aren't dating, and don't pretend we are in front of people...I don't want to be this close to you..." He'd shrug, "What if I want to?" I'd stare, "Why would you want to?" He'd shrug, "Lacey is already under the impression, so is Milo, and Ms. Angela...You can't really take it back now." I'd sigh, shaking my head. "I can fake break up with you." He'd chuckle, putting his head on my shoulder, "Why would you do that? You enjoy being with me." I'd sigh, seeing we were at Lacey's house. I'd look over, seeing Lacey asleep, "Time to go, Lacey." I'd shake her. She'd nod mumbling death threats. She really hated being woken. She would open the car door, "Thank you..." She said to Milo before dragging herself to her front door, she looked tired still. Milo would pull out of her driveway now, going towards my house. Ms. Angela and Milo were humming a song that was on the radio. I'd sigh, looking at Archer, who seemed asleep now. His arms wrapped around my waist. I'd look forward, "Milo, does Archer just kinda, get like this when he's drunk?" He'd shake his head, "I don't think so, Angel. I believe he's just really into you." He'd chuckle. Ms. Angela turned to look at me, "I don't think he's been sweet like that to anyone...Not even his wife..." I'd blink, "He has a wife?" She'd shake her head, "Had...she...passed away a...few.. years ago." I'd nod. Why'd she pause like that..."How did she pass, if you don't mind me asking?" She'd sigh, "Unfortunately, she was murdered when Archer was at work..." I'd nod slowly. "Has Archer had other relationships after her?" She'd shrug, "I'm unsure...I've met maybe three other women who he was dating but, they never lasted. Archer wasn't good with commitment." I'd nod slowly. Everyone gave me mixed stories... I'll probably ask Archer about it tomorrow. "Would you like to come over for a glass of wine?" I'd hear Ms. Angela ask. Milo would chuckle, "Sure. I wouldn't mind, it'd be lovely spending time with you once again." He'd smile, pulling up to my house. "Alright...You both have a lovely night, alright?" I'd nod, flicking Archer's forehead. "C'mon, get up." He'd groan, waking up. "Wha...oh.." he'd let go of me, getting out of the car and moving outside. I'd get out and shut the door behind me. Archer had already started walking to the door. Milo would roll down the window and hand me a paper. "If you ever need me, text." He'd smile. I'd set it in my pocket, nodding. "Sure." I'd wave to him as he drove off. Turning to go into the house. I'd shut the door behind me, seeing Archer was gone. "Archer?" I'd call out, looking around. "I'm going to take a shower, alright?" I'd walk into my bedroom, seeing Archer's coat on the floor and his sweater in the middle of being taken off. I'd feel your eyes widen, looking at him. He'd look at me, a smile on his face. He'd begin to walk over to me, backing me into a wall. "You know...I've been wanting to see under all this..." he began to take off my jacket, it falling to the floor. He had burn marks from his neck to the top of his chest, and a dog tag around his neck. He'd begin to put his hand under my shirt. I looked at him in fear. He started squeezing my nipples. A few tears going down my face now. He noticed this, pulling his hand away. "Jay....What's wrong..?"