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“Yeah well, you can prove it tomorrow.”
I didn’t say a word. Archie had figured it out just fine with me giving him a few pointers. When he lifted my hand to press a kiss to it softly in thanks, I smiled into the dark. I rubbed a circle against the side of his hand with my thumb.
Another yawn stretched my jaw, and the meds swarmed up. We had to make some plans…
Chapter Eight
Duck. Duck. Mom
Monday morning rolled around, and I wasn’t the only one groaning at the sound of the alarm. Though we were two fewer than we’d been Saturday. Archie stayed over along with Coop. Jake and Ian went home because they had football practice early.
It was weird to crash the night before without them there, but I was glad Coop and Archie stayed, even if I’d half-expected to be on my own.
“Okay, we need to hit a grocery store today,” Coop said as he studied the contents of the fridge. Honestly, there wasn’t much beyond a Styrofoam container of some leftover fries that no one was going to eat, a splash of milk that wouldn’t do anything for cereal, and some condiments.
The guys atea lot.
“It’s okay…” I began, but Archie nudged me over so he could get to the coffee maker.
“I’ll send Jeremy a list, and he can pick it up. If I leave the extra key for him at the office, he can swing by and stock everything while we’re at school.”
I glanced at Coop, and I had a feeling his expression mirrored mine. His eyebrows were high, and his mouth shaped in a little ‘o.’ Closing the fridge, he said, “Arch, maybe we just hit the grocery store after school.”
We were out of cat food, so I had to go regardless. I’d opened the last cans this morning, and I was pretty proud of myself for getting the can lid open while bracing it with my splint.
“It’s not a problem,” Archie said, taking a sip of his coffee, then cutting a look toward me. “Unless I can persuade you to bring the cats and come stay at the house for the week. Jeremy would love to spoil you some more.”
We’d talked about that. “I don’t know if that’s a great idea, especially right now with my mom about to get served with the emancipation papers.”
“Fair,” Archie admitted and blew out a breath. “Then let’s just make a list for Jeremy. He’s coming by later with the laundry anyway.”
“Archie, he has a job. He works for your family, and he takes care of everything there…”
“And he’s offered to help out here,” he pointed out. “You know he adores you, right?”
“The feeling is mutual.” Still. I shifted and then glanced at my coffee. “I just don’t want to impose.” Or take advantage of everything Archie kept doing. He was covering a lot.
“Tell you what…” Coop suggested. “Let’s decide at lunch. This is your first day back, it’s probably going to be exhausting. If you’re really tired, we could ask Jere, or you can give me the list and I’ll do it after school. How does that sound?”
Meeting Coop’s gaze, I read understanding.
“That sounds good,” I said, then glanced at Archie. “I know you want to just fix everything.”
“I can handle it, babe. You’ve been doing a great job of letting us take care of you. But seriously, if you’re tired, let me text Jeremy. Hewantsto help, and so do I.” The last three words twisted around my heart. I hated telling Archie no when he got like this.
“I will, I promise.” It was an easy enough promise to make.
“So let’s go ahead and make a list?” Coop suggested.
“Good plan, then we’ll hustle ’cause we need food in case Frankie needs to take her pain meds.”
Yeah, I really had no interest in taking them at school, but I was bringing them with me. Normally, I’d check them in with the nurse, but that required a parent note as well as the prescription so… “Archie, do you mind if I leave those in your car?”
“Nope,” he said. “I’ll run out and grab them if you need them.”
Fifteen minutes later, with a shopping list longer than my arm, we walked out of the apartment. I did not need that much stuff, though Coop and Archie both pointed out they were all likely to be around a lot the next couple of weeks while I needed help. That was going to be a dent in my bank account.
Yes, Archie would absolutely offer to pay, but that wasn’t fair to him. Not that I started that argument now, he was unlikely to ever stop offering. It was just who he was.
