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“You gonna tell her?” His dad teased from his recliner.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He sat and his leg started to bounce, so he stood back up.
His father laughed.
“She has her whole life ahead of her.” He shook his head.
“Why are you making it sound like you’re twice her age? Y’all are the same age.” His dad stood as a knock came at the door. “Go and answer the door.”
“We’re just friends.” He muttered to himself, even though he could hear his father laughing as he walked away.
He pulled the door open and smiled as he greeted Marcus and Carol. She was always the first to pull him in for a hug before making her way to his mom, her best friend.
“Happy Thanksgiving.” He heard the moms greet each other from the kitchen.
“It’s getting chilly out there.” Tabitha spoke with her eyes cast down.
He took the moment to let his eyes roam over the soft green sweater dress she wore over fishnet tights and a pair of knee-high boots. She looked cozy, and he wanted to pull her close to see if she felt as warm as she looked.
Her head lifted just in time to see his eyes land on hers. They instantly grew, and she launched herself at him.
“I didn’t know you were here! Gracie said you weren’t going to be able to get away, and you didn’t say anything in your letters.”
Her arms wrapped around his waist, and he pulled her in closer. “They like to keep us on our toes. I only found out a couple of days ago.”
“You get letters?” His mom teased as she peaked her head out of the dining room.
“Not as often as I would like.” Tabitha laughed before pulling away and going to greet her too.
“Half the nonsense you write in yours is like another language.” Archie teased. “College this and sorority that. I know more about some Kappa Chi something another Beta Sigma person than I should ever know about.”
“You’re my best friend and I have to tell someone about the crazy things those people get into. The houses are ridiculous there.” Tabitha shook her head.
“Dinner,” announced his mom.
“This looks amazing, Gracie.” Marcus entered the dining room, followed by his father.
The six of them took their seats, the same as they always had when they were together. The dads on the ends of the table. The moms on one side. The kids on the other side.
Archie looked down to see Tabitha grab his hand and give it a squeeze. They’d always been just friends. There were a handful of times where the teasing turned to more flirting. The chemistry was there, even if they both denied it. Fuck, he missed his girl.
He knew it would be hard to wait until he was done with at least the academy. In two years, they would both graduate. He’d officially be an officer and she could use her library science degree or be a stay at home mom, once they got to that point. Whatever she wanted to do was fine with him. He couldn’t tell her yet. He had to make his life into something more first. She deserved the world, and he wanted to be the one to give it to her. She just didn’t know it.
Not yet.
CHAPTER23
TABITHA
The sight in front of her nearly made her scream. She didn’t even remember getting out of bed. At some point, she stumbled into the bathroom to pee. She leaned closer to the mirror. Her hair looked like an animal had turned it into a nest. Her stomach turned as the reminder she’d barely eaten in the last couple of days.
Days?
Her fingers brushed the bristles on her toothbrush. When was the last time she brushed her teeth? She made a face and quickly grabbed it and the toothpaste. Once done, she turned the water on in the shower and let it warm up.
She stared at her reflection again; she looked like a wreck. What would people think? What would Archie think? She shook her head and stripped out of her pajamas.
The water was too hot on her skin, but it felt good to feel for a moment before she turned it down. She took her time lathering the soap up across her body before attacking the mess of her hair.
