Page 7 of A Million To Fall

My dad claps Archer’s shoulder. “Nicely done, Archer. Please have her home by one, okay?” he says like I’m a borrowed book. “No drinking, young man!”

“Of course, sir,” Archer says. “I’ll take good care of her.”

I’m not even a part of their conversation anymore. So I just smile and slip into my coat, then let Archer take my hand and lead me outside.

“Jeez, I’m going to need a ladder to get in that thing,” I joke when I stand in front of his lifted truck. I don’t understand why anyone needs tires this huge.

Archer chuckles. “I’ll help you.”

I place my right foot on the step rail and hoist myself up.

“There you go, good job,” Archer’s voice floats up, but I’m distracted by the feel of his hand on the back of my leg. His fingers glide to my butt, giving me a little push.

It’s quick, but I notice—both his touch and how sure he looks. Not a hint of embarrassment.

I tug my skirt down, my face hot. But I don’t say anything. He’s just trying to be helpful.

Still, I make a mental note not to wear this outfit again. Not if getting into his truck requires this much assistance.

I study the bracelet as we drive the short route to Jake’s. “So, do you always give girls jewelry on first dates?”

Archer glances at me. “Nope. But then again, I’ve never been on a date with a girl like you.”

I huff a laugh. “Oh, come on.”

“I’m serious, Skye,” he says. “I mean, yeah, I’ve obviously been with girls, but none like you. I’ve been wanting to ask you out for a while now, but, I guess I was intimidated.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “What? You were intimidated by me?” Archer’s nothing if not self-assured.

He nods. “You’re different, Skye. You haven’t come on to me like other girls, and I’ve never heard rumors about you sleeping around and stuff. And I like that. You’re not the kind of girl one just sleeps with. You’re the kind of girl one marries.”

My jaw drops. Is he seriously talking about marriage? At our age? On our first date?

My parents would probably love this, though. Valedictorian (fingers crossed). Tier-one college (God willing). Future Mrs. Somebody Important.

Still, as sweet as this is, it’s also kind of a lot.

Days ago, I didn’t even know he liked me. Now I’m in his truck with jewelry on my wrist, listening to him talk about marriage.

I glance down at the bracelet, twisting it lightly on my wrist. I don’t usually wear bracelets. I don’t even have a watch. And the chain feels heavy around my skin.

But it’s pretty.

And Archer is nice, and attractive, and the son of the D.A.

I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

four

Boston

Iwasn’t planning on going to Jake’s tonight. Okay, at first I kind of thought about it. The idea of friends, music, and Skye was hard not to get excited about. Not too much, though, because my ultimate decision depended on my mom’s state. It always does.

I braced myself for the inevitable—that she was high, or coming down from something, or going through withdrawals. Any of those are a possibility at any given time.

After my dad died, things fell apart quietly.

At first there were a lot of people in and out of our house. They brought casseroles—so many fucking casseroles—and showered my mom and me with sympathy and “let us know if you need anything.” That sympathy all but dried up within two weeks of my dad’s funeral.