Toe the Line(10)

He looked out toward the water a moment. “Strange but awesome. Always the best time of year, if you ask me.” He shrugged. “I appreciate being home even more now that I’m away at school. You can’t beat coming back to this.”

I learned a lot about James during the next half hour or so. He was pre-med, loved nineties alternative rock, and had an older sister who was already in med school. And unlike Archie’s dad, James seemed impressed with my journalistic aspirations and the opportunities that could result from that major.

Our conversation was flowing nicely, but it was getting late. I felt like I needed a breather. Tonight had been a lot, particularly what happened with Xavier. So I excused myself from talking with James and went over to Archie.

“Hey, I think I’m gonna head back to the house,” I told him.

He let go of Bree and placed the cup he was holding down in the sand. “I’ll walk you.” His breath smelled like beer.

“You don’t have to.”

“You shouldn’t walk home alone this late.”

Archie was nothing if not protective, so I chose not to argue with him.

After I said my goodbyes, the short walk from the beach to our house started off quiet. Then I decided to ask him something. “How did you know my middle name?”

His eyes filled with mirth.

“What?” I asked.

He stopped walking and placed his hands on his hips. “Let me demonstrate.” He flipped his hair before putting on his best female voice. “Representing the great state of New York, I’m Noelle Simone Benedict.”

Uh... A rush of adrenaline hit with the embarrassment. “Where did you see that?”

“I Googled you once when my mother told me you were in a beauty pageant. I had to see it for myself. They had the replay online.”

“It wasn’t a beauty pageant,” I clarified. “It was for a scholarship.”

“You were wearing a gown. Looked like a beauty pageant to me.”

“Well, yeah, that was part of it, but this particular pageant is geared toward academics and declamation, not beauty.”

“By the way, I’m not making fun of you. I hope you know that. I think it’s fucking awesome.”

“I only entered for the scholarship money.”

“You got robbed. That Rhode Island chick who won had nothing on you.”

“She took nothing from me because I didn’t even place in the top ten.” I laughed.

“Still, it took a lot of balls to put yourself out there like that. I couldn’t have done that shit. I have mad respect for you.”

My chest swelled with pride, though the pageant wasn’t something I was usually boastful about.

“Thanks again for rescuing me from Xavier,” I said when we approached the house.

“I’m still pissed and want to fuck him up. I never thought he’d be that big of a douche. If I’d known he would pull something like that, I would’ve pushed harder for you to stay away from him.”

“Had he done something in the past to tip you off?”

“I just know how he treats girls in general—fucking them and then bragging about it. His parents are super rich. He’s very entitled. I know that sounds funny coming from me, by the way.” He chuckled. “It takes one to know one.”

“Yeah.” I laughed. “But you’re not a douche like him.”

“Not to that level, no.” He grinned. “I’m like a douche level two maybe. He’s a douche level ten.”

I elbowed him. “I suspect you’re not a douche at all, despite my earlier preconceived notions.”

“Well, one thing’s for certain. I would never push myself on a girl.”

“You’re too busy pushing them off.” I winked.

He shrugged, unable to argue with that.

We stopped in front of the door at the house. “I assume you’re not coming in. It’s still a little early for you.”

He shook his head and looked down at the ground. “Nah. My dad’s probably still up, so…”

“I don’t blame you for wanting to avoid him.” I sighed. “He’s tough on you.”

“Yeah. It wasn’t always as bad as it is now, but…”

“I got a little taste of it myself earlier.”

He drew in his brows. “What did he do?”

“He quizzed me about my decision to major in journalism this morning. He didn’t approve.”

“Typical, yeah. Unless you’re gonna be a doctor or lawyer—or something else that promises good money—it’s not worth pursuing in his mind.” He rolled his eyes.

I opened the door. “Well…have fun…with Bree, I presume.”

He kicked some dirt. “Thanks.”

I watched as he walked away, wondering why the hell I had butterflies in my stomach when the dude I was apparently crushing on was about to have sex with another girl.

? ? ?

The following morning, as I set out on my jog, there was something missing: Archie. I couldn’t help but look back from time to time, hoping he’d show up. He’d made it sound like coming with me would be a regular thing, since it wasn’t safe to be alone. But apparently, it was a one-time thing.

The fact that I was disappointed bugged the shit out of me. Why did I care so much about Archie all of a sudden? Why had I thought of little else but him since the moment he arrived? I pondered such things for three miles.