The Best Mistake

by O'Gorman, Cookie

  Did I? I wondered. What I really wanted was to figure out what to do about all of these crazy emotions.

  Before I could answer, June came back followed by Chase, Dex and Baylor. Awesome. Maybe they could help mask how overwhelmed I felt. Archer was still looking at me as they sidled up next to us.

  “Good news,” June said, and it took me a second to realize she was speaking to me. “I figured out an answer to the room situation.”

  “You did?” I said faintly. “Oh, that’s a relief.”

  She gave me a look but didn’t ask any other questions for which I was grateful.

  “What room situation?” Archer said.

  I snapped out of it at the sound of his voice. “When I agreed to travel with the team, I didn’t remember to book a room,” I said. “Didn’t even think about it really. Which was stupid, considering I knew this would be an overnight thing.” I shrugged. “June and I were talking when suddenly I realized I had nowhere to stay.”

  “You can stay with me,” Archer said quickly.

  “Or me,” Baylor said, smiling despite the scowl Archer directed at him.

  “Or us,” Chase said, elbowing Dex in the side. “We have room for her, right?”

  Dex tilted his head, no doubt seeing the red sweeping over my cheeks if the grin on his face was any indication. “No arguments here,” he said.

  Archer looked like he was about to blow when another voice joined our little crew.

  “Well, isn’t it nice how all of you are so concerned for Honor’s welfare,” Coach O’Brien said, the sarcasm thick in her voice as she walked up, planting herself next to me. “But none of that will be necessary. Honor’s going to be staying with me and June tonight.”

  A flash of something passed over Archer’s face—disappointment maybe?—but it was gone a second later.

  “Cool,” he said, pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “As long as she’s covered. I was just concerned.”

  “Sure you were,” Baylor mumbled after which Archer not-so-subtly elbowed him in the stomach. The resulting groan made Archer’s lips tug up on one side.

  “So,” he said again, “pizza later?”

  “I’m in,” June said. “Would never turn down pizza. Yum.”

  “You kids have fun,” Coach O’Brien said. “Me, Bear and the staff are going to a steak place not too far from the hotel. Had a whole bunch of five-star reviews online. I hope it’s as good as everyone says.”

  And then all eyes were on me.

  “Well,” I said, wringing my hands, “I would come, but actually, I need to stay in and write.”

  “Are you sure?” June said. “Some of the other girls said they were planning to come, too, so it won’t just be us and these guys.” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder. “If that’s what you’re worried about. I totally get it. They can be…a lot.”

  Coach O’Brien nodded, but Baylor frowned. “Hey, I resent that, Junebug.”

  “You sure you can’t come?” June said, ignoring him.

  I nodded. “Yeah, I should really get these articles done. It’s the reason I’m here after all.”

  I caught Archer’s gaze then as he lifted a brow, and I heard what he didn’t say just as surely as if he’d spoken aloud. His look said, But that’s not the only reason, right? I tried to telegraph my response with my eyes. Of course, it’s not. I love being with you, spending time with you—so much more than I should—but right now, I just need to be alone to write and breathe.

  And, most of all, to think.

  There would be a lot of thinking going on while the others were away. Of this, I was certain.

  I wasn’t sure he got all that, but he nodded a second later.

  “No problem,” he said.

  June put a hand on my arm. “I’ll bring you back a couple slices.”

  As we walked to the bus, I hung back, and Archer fell into step beside me.

  Lowering his voice so only I could hear, he said, “You know, I could stay in, too. I don’t have to go with the guys. They would understand.”

  I forced a laugh. “Oh no, please go. You just won, so you should celebrate.”

  “You sure?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I said. “I’m sure. You’ll have more fun without me anyway.”

  He didn’t say anything in response.

  The hotel where we stayed was nice. The room I ended up in with Coach O’Brien and June had two beds and a big couch, the latter of which would be my bed for the night. I wasn’t complaining. It was comfortable. My feet didn’t hang off the end, the cushions were soft yet sturdy, and honestly, I was just happy not to be on the streets or sleeping on the bus. Coach O’Brien had mentioned before leaving for dinner with the rest of the staff that she’d always intended me to room with her when she’d invited me. June had even offered me the bed, but I declined. They were being so nice about everything, but it was clear they were in a groove, a pattern. I just wanted to be as undisruptive as possible.

  And to get these freaking articles finished and sent off to Walter.

  I’d decided to start with Archer.

  He was the oldest, after all.

  And the smartest.

  And the most interesting.

  And the funniest.

  And the hottest.

  I mean, those broad shoulders alone—

  Gah, what the heck was wrong with me?

  I mean, yeah, Archer was all of those things. It was true. Though he’d called his younger brother Finn a genius, I’d noticed Archer’s quick wit, not just in conversation but on the field. And everything he did interested me, including how confident yet humble he was with such incredible talent. He had a great sense of humor, though he frowned a lot. And, as if it needed to be said again, he was a total stunner. From the steel gray eyes to his strong cheekbones, from those kissable lips to his rocking body, the guy ticked all of my boxes.

  Despite this (or maybe because of it), I was having a hard time writing about him. The first time I’d tried the whole thing had gone wonky. It started as an article praising his baseball skills, outlining his many prospects, but before I knew it, the thing had somehow turned into an expose on what a kind, awesome and yes, gorgeous, human being he was. This in and of itself wasn’t a problem. But goodness, if I was one of our Howler readers, I would’ve definitely gotten the wrong impression. It kind of sounded like I was falling for the guy.

  And maybe I was.

  But I could guard my heart.

  Archer and I were an impossibility—which may have sounded bleak, but it was just the opposite. If we could never happen, if there couldn’t be a real relationship between us and if I knew it, accepted it as a fact going in, I was free to pursue something with him.

  And if I got hurt?

  Well, maybe a little hurt was worth it.

  Archer was going to be a professional baseball player. There was no doubt in my mind. That meant travel and fame and women throwing themselves at him. My future plans consisted of graduating, getting my CPA license and possibly freelancing on the side until I actually found my passion in life. The fact that we were so different, and our paths had crossed at all…it had to be fate.

  Right?

  I was just finishing up my second attempt at the Archer article—it turned out way better than the first, thank goodness—when my phone started ringing. I answered, and then suddenly Charlie’s face filled the screen.

  “Hey Honor,” she said, “where are you? All I’m seeing is some crappy white ceiling.”

  With a laugh, I hit the save button on my computer and picked up my cell. “Sorry, I was just saving my work. Hey Charlie. How are you doing?”

  “How am I?” she said, raising a brow. “I’m not the one on a trip with a bunch of hot athletes. Your day must’ve been ten times more interesting than mine, especially since you never texted me back. BTW, I’m still mad you didn’t send me any hottie pics.”

  “I fell asleep on the bus.” I shrugged, feeling my lips tug up as I thought a
bout just whose shoulder I’d fallen asleep on. “Otherwise, I definitely would’ve sent you something.”

  “Hmm,” she said suspiciously, “and what’s that smile about?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Oookay…and you seriously got no pics whatsoever?”

  “I did get one,” I said, biting my lip. “But it’s not really what you asked for.”

  “Well, come on,” she said. “Send it over.”

  Pulling up the surprise photo Archer had taken of the two of us, I hit send and waited for her reaction.

  “Wow,” Charlie said quietly. “You two are so stinking cute together. And the kiss on the forehead? Totally romantic.”

  “Whatever,” I said, trying to laugh it off. “It was just a joke.”

  “Doesn’t look that way to me.”

  A second later, I heard raised voices in the background. “What’s that noise?” I asked.

  Charlie rolled her eyes. “Emmy insisted on us watching this show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We’ve been binging it all day. It’s about vampires, obviously, and all that stupid paranormal stuff.” She raised her voice. “You know I despise silly, outdated TV shows.”

  “Oh shut your face,” Emmy’s voice said a second before she stepped up next to Charlie. Her words were harsh, but she was smiling. “Hey Honor.” She waved to me. “What Charlie meant to say is Buffy will always be in style. It’s timeless, and she’s loving every silly second of it.”

  “I am not,” Charlie said, but she was grinning, too.

  A moment later, Rose appeared, carrying a big bowl of popcorn. “Seriously,” she said, “just admit it, girl. You like the show. It’s not a crime or anything.” To me, she smiled and said, “Oh hi, Honor. Just so you know, Charlie’s been worried about you all day, but we told her you’d be fine.”

  “I haven’t been worried per se,” Charlie muttered. “And I don’t like Buffy. Not at all. Period.”

  “Not even Spike?” Rose said.

  Charlie hesitated, and Emmy shot her a don’t-even-try-to-lie grin. “Everybody loves Spike.”

  “Okay, okay,” Charlie said finally and threw up her hands. “I like it a little. But only a little, and only because of Spike. Seriously Honor, you have to see this guy to understand. He’s like sex on a stick.”

  “Ah, now I really wish I was there,” I laughed and so did they. “He sounds amazing.”

  “You have no idea,” Emmy said with a wink.

  All of a sudden a new face entered the picture, and I had to do a double-take.

  “Hey, are we watching more Buffy or what?” Finn said, standing just over Rose’s shoulder. The youngest O’Brien brother—the one I knew the least—had another bowl filled with what looked like chips. “Hey, Honor, I didn’t see you there.”

  “Hi Finn,” I said in surprise.

  “I hear we won today,” he said. “Hope it was a good game.”

  “Yeah, the team played great.”

  “Awesome,” he said. “Hey Rose, you want me to take that bowl into the living room? I was heading that way anyway.”

  “No, but thanks.” Rose smiled at him, and I thought I saw a blush rise on Finn’s cheeks. “I’ll take it in myself. Talk to you later, Honor.”

  “Yeah, definitely,” I said as the two walked away. Charlie and I exchanged a significant glance while the others weren’t looking

  “So, the game went well?” Emmy asked again. “I would’ve been there, but I have a project due Monday.”

  “It did,” I said. “Your brothers killed it out there.”

  “Well, of course, they did,” she said as if that was a given. “Is June there?”

  I shook my head. “She went out for pizza with the team.”

  Emmy nodded. “Naturally. Well, tell her hi for me when you get a chance. It was good talking to you.”

  “You, too,” I said, and then it was just me and Charlie again.

  Her eyes were bright, but she didn’t say anything, forcing me to ask the question.

  “Sooo…” I said, making sure to keep my voice low, “are you going tell me what the heck Finn is doing there?”

  Charlie glanced over her shoulder then back to me, smiling like a kid in a candy store. “Well, I can’t say for sure. Emmy decided on the BtVS marathon, ignoring my objections, and Rose found out she was off tonight, something about there being a water main break at the tattoo shop. But anyway, so Finn shows up all out of the blue, and he’s been throwing Rose these puppy-dog glances that she’s completely unaware of, of course.”

  “Of course,” I said.

  “It’s been that way all night.”

  “Sounds like it would make a great reality show.”

  “Oh please,” Charlie said. “Why watch other people living life instead of going and living it yourself? Speaking of which, tell me more about you and Archer. Have there been any new developments on that front? Besides the super cute picture. And remember, we’re best friends, so I’ll know if you’re lying.”

  All of the thoughts I’d been having about Archer came tumbling out in a rush. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d needed to tell someone, not just anyone but my best friend, until that moment. Charlie was my person. It had been that way since we were little. I could always count on her to give me good advice.

  “Tell me if I have this right,” she said after I was done. “You’re really into Archer, and you’ve admitted to yourself that you want him.”

  “Very much,” I said.

  “But you don’t think anything could happen between the two of you relationship-wise because you’re too different, he’s going places, you’re not, yada, yada, yada.”

  I frowned at that but nodded.

  “And this is a good thing you say since that means there’s less chance of you getting attached and then heartbroken because you already know he’ll leave?”

  “That was my conclusion, yes.”

  Charlie tilted her head.

  “So, what do you think?” I asked.

  “Honor…are you crazy?” she said. “Listen, I can’t tell you what to do here. That has to be your decision. But you have a soft-heart, my friend. There is no way you won’t get attached. If you ask me, you already are. And loathe as I am to have any kind of confidence in members of the opposite sex, Archer seems different. I’d say he’s at least half-way in love with you already.”

  We talked some more, but Charlie wouldn’t see things my way. I kept telling her that if I expected it, the abandonment, then there was very little risk involved. But she kept saying how he might want something real and for me to be open to that etc. I put it down to that picture. It was just Archer’s idea of a joke, but it had addled her perception of things.

  “Just don’t stand in the way of your own happiness,” she said before we hung up.

  Afterward, I knocked out Chase’s story. It was much easier than Archer’s, took my mind off of things (at least for a while), and I needed the distraction. Badly. By the time I got the rough drafts for both stories finished, June had come home with the pizza she promised. There were three pieces with four kinds of cheese, and it was oh-so-good. We talked for a bit about her night, sounded like she and the guys had had a great time. But by 10:00 pm, all three of us, including Coach O’Brien, were in bed. The team had a curfew I hadn’t known about.

  I was nearly asleep when my phone buzzed.

  With a frown, holding the phone close so the light wouldn’t disturb Mrs. O’Brien or June, thinking it was probably Charlie, I opened the screen to see what was going on. But the text wasn’t from her.

  Archer: You were wrong.

  Me: About what?

  Archer: I would’ve definitely had more fun if I’d stayed with you.

  My heart rate accelerated. How did he do that with such a simple sentence? I tried not to think about how much his next answer mattered.

  Me: Why?

  Archer: Is that a real question?

  Me: umm yes…?

  After about a minute, h
is answer came through.

  Archer: Well, for one, I could’ve pumped you for more info about this Jamie guy. Fictional or not, it’s always good to know the competition.

  I laughed at that.

  Archer: Two, if you’d been there, I could’ve stared at you instead of my brothers. A definite improvement. And three, between them and those girls from the game, I had a hard time concentrating.

  Me: Oh. So, Marguerite and her friends were there?

  Archer: Was that her name? I can’t remember.

  I rolled my eyes. Archer had just spent several hours with girls who doted on him, wanted his autograph, for goodness sakes, beautiful girls who by his own admission made it hard to concentrate. This shouldn’t make me jealous, and I wasn’t, not really. I just wished I’d gotten to spend that time with him as well.

  Me: I’m sure it’s hard to remember names when there are so many gorgeous girls around.

  His response was instant.

  Archer: It wasn’t like that.

  Me: I see.

  Archer: I’m pretty sure you don’t.

  There wasn’t much I could say to that, so I waited instead.

  Archer: Honor…come on. Like I said, it would’ve been more fun with you. My mind was on you the whole time. How was your night? How’d the writing go?

  Me: It went well. Got done with two articles, and I did a lot of thinking.

  Archer: Any thoughts about me?

  Me: Maybe.

  Archer: I hope they were good ones.

  Me: They were.

  Archer: Details?

  Me: No way.

  Archer: Okay, just tell me this. Was I wearing a kilt in any of these “thoughts”?

  I laughed quietly.

  Me: No, not this time.

  Archer: Damn. Next question: Did I take off a kilt in any of them?

  Me: Goodnight, Archer.

  Archer: Goodnight, Honor. Sweet dreams. Hopefully of me.

  As if he had willed it to happen, I did dream of Archer that night. And they were sweet (for the most part). But that bit of heat was in there, too, and there were no kilts this time. Just me and Archer, and it was more than enough. By the time I woke up the next day, I was even more confident in my decision. I could hook up with Archer. No strings, no expectations, no heartbreak. Just fun with a guy I greatly esteemed and was attracted to. I was determined to see this through (if he still wanted me, of course).