Bloom: The Kingdom of Archer Series: Book I

by J Rose

  “Lyric. Don’t leave,” Jane cried.

  “It’s alright. I’m just going to go get Andrew,” Lyric told her softly.

  “Andrew I need Andrew,” Her friend cried to Lyric who walked back inside the bar, glaring at Brad as she pushed past him.

  “Parker,” Brad spoke up. There was pain in his eyes as he looked at me and I was surprised. Mainly because he’d spent all night spewing nonsense about wanting to stay single. At that moment I realized that was all it was, nonsense.

  “Andrew. I need Andrew,” Jane continued to slur out.

  In the distance, I could see Lyric walking back with Green while her friend continued to call out to the guy. It was abrupt, but I heard a gagging noise and then… she threw up on me. The mush of her vomit hit me first, followed by the disgusting smell of alcohol and her dinner.

  “Jane,” Lyric and Green both spoke up walking over to her quickly, Green made sure to push Brad out of the way.

  “It’s okay Jane,” Lyric spoke up, trying to soothe her friend who had now begun to vomit all over the side of the street.

  “Parker. I’m sorry,” Lyric whispered. Though the stench of her friend’s. vomit was repulsive and made me want to gag, it had only gotten on my suit jacket which I took off.

  “Andrew. Lyric,” Their friend called out in tears.

  “It’s okay. We’re going home,” Green spoke up before picking up the girl in his arms bridal style.

  “Call your town car Archer. I gave my driver the night off,” Green spoke up.

  “You can’t just take her,” Brad spoke up once again.

  “Watch us,” Lyric and Green both spoke up glaring at him.

  “Parker,” Lyric spoke turning to look at me, her eyes filled with worry.

  “I’ll call Neil” I found myself saying. Though all I had to do was call to tell him to bring the car around both Green and Lyric walked out into the empty road to wait with Jane. Even when the night had ended this way for Lyric and I it had meant giving in. For Jane and Brad? I realized it meant that the girl had given up. The car pulled up in the distance and I couldn’t really turn to look at my friend knowing well the look he had on his face. More so when I realized I’d worn that same look for the past five years and I hoped that whatever this was between them it wouldn’t take five years of pain to fix.

  #

  (Lyric)

  The night had not ended the way I expected. Things seemed to crash just when we reached reality and I realized how ironic it was to have wanted a perfect night with Parker Archer.

  “I want to go back home,” Jane slurred out while Andrew carried her upstairs to my bedroom.

  “It’ll be alright Jane I promise,” I spoke to her, trying to offer some sort of comfort. I had no idea what she had been through with Brad but I realized it wasn’t good. The way she had been acting lately attested to that. I felt guilty realizing that I’d been too caught up in my own problems to realize this.

  “Come on Jane. Settle down,” Andrew spoke to her gently. Opening the door to my room, I led them in and Andrew proceeded to deposit her on my bed.

  “I need to leave,” She cried out to both of us.

  “Jane. You can’t leave like this. You need to get some rest. We’ll talk in the morning,” I whispered to her. Andrew and I then lay beside her, Andrew to her left while I laid to her right.

  “I can’t,” Jane spoke up in tears, though the slur to her voice was still there.

  “What happened?” Andrew questioned her.

  “Does it matter? He hates me,” She cried.

  “And I hate him too,” Jane slurred out trying to stand back up, only to have Andrew and I push her back down gently.

  “Jane.”

  “Why can’t we be back home,” She interrupted, Andrew and I then took hold of both our hands.

  “Remember the lake?” She asked Andrew and I, causing both of us to smile at her.

  “Of course we do,” Andrew spoke up.

  “We rented a car and drove it up to the lake two years ago,” Andrew said to her.

  “We tried to fish, but you weren’t patient enough for that,” I spoke to her.

  “I wanted to swim and just have fun. You guys were always the quiet ones,” Jane spoke softly, already starting to fall asleep.

  “Hardly,” Andrew spoke and at the memory I found myself laughing.

  “I agree. You ended up getting frustrated after the first 30 minutes and tried to throw the fishing rod. The fish hook got caught on your back,” I reminded Andrew causing him to chuckle.

  “You were always the more patient of the three of us Lyric,” Andrew corrected.

  “She deserves it more. A soulmate,” Jane spoke up again.

  “Everyone deserves a soulmate,” Andrew chimed in trying to comfort her.

  “Then why do I feel like I’m the unluckiest person in the world?” Jane whispered. Pain so evident in her voice that both Andrew and I turned to hug her while Jane clung to us, sobbing her heart out until she fell asleep.

  For the longest of times, Andrew and I both laid in the quiet looking up at the ceiling. The events of the night freshly imprinted in our minds.

  “What are we going to do about her?” I questioned him.

  “We can’t do much if she’s not willing to share anything. That’s what you two have in common,” Andrew whispered.

  “What do you mean?” I asked and to my question, Andrew chuckled.

  “You remember what happened that day don’t you?” Andrew questioned.

  “Sure. The hook,”

  “No I mean the fact that Jane had been feverish that day, and she didn’t say anything all night. We only realized she was sick because she ended up fainting. That’s where you contrast again I guess,”

  “I don’t-”

  “I mean,” He spoke cutting me off.

  “You wear your heart on your sleeve. Even if you want to hide your emotions, it’s not that hard to guess what you’re thinking. But Jane…. She doesn’t budge unless she’s ready to explode. And tonight was that night I guess,” Andrew spoke, looking at Jane who was well settled and comfortably flipped to one side, resting her head on Andrews’ chest.

  “Brad-”

  “Jacobs has no say in this,” Andrew snapped.

  “But-”

  “I get it Lyric. Really. But right now what Jane needs is to get her mind right. Jacobs is just hurting her.” Andrew spoke.

  “So what do you suggest?” I questioned.

  “Maybe talk to your wolf boy. Ask if she can stay here,” Andrew suggested.

  “Would she want that?” I asked him.

  “No. But she can’t stay at my house at the moment. Not if I’m here too,” He said before once again silence ensued.

  #

  It was well past two in the morning and I found myself still awake. I’d showered and changed into a pair of white pajama pants and a t-shirt. Andrew by then was also asleep, snoring softly and hugging Jane. They looked pretty comfortable in the position they were in. I’d forgotten how close they always were. Andrew had always been our protector but where he cared about me one way, he cared about Jane another. Jane and Andrew had grown up together, Jane was like his little sister and Andrew was overprotective when it came to her. Sighing, I covered them up with fresh bed sheets I’d gotten out of the closet and then headed outside of the bedroom.

  Parker was standing outside the bedroom door pacing, stopping only when he saw me standing there.

  “Hi,” I found myself speaking first, closing the door behind me.

  “You’re still up I figured. You’d be asleep,” He spoke awkwardly. I realized it had more to do with the kiss we’d shared hours ago.

  “How is your friend… and Green,” Parker added.

  “They’re both asleep. I. Couldn’t really sleep,” I whispered.

  “About tonight I-”

  “It was perfect,” I said to him quietly feeling my cheeks redden at my own boldness.

  I didn’t want
him to believe I had not wanted what happened tonight because I did. I wanted him to kiss me. It was ironic really, how long I had been so afraid of the unknown. But now, I needed and wanted, to embrace whatever this was because I wanted those feelings that came with being with him.

  “Yeah. It kind of was.” Parker spoke up, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, and giving that half smile that now seemed to make my heart pitter patter.

  “I’m sorry about Jane. She can be a little-”

  “I get it. It’s not your fault," He spoke quietly.

  “Though it does make me wonder a bit,” He whispered.

  “About what?” I found myself asking.

  “You,” He spoke.

  “Me… Why?” I questioned feeling my heart race.

  “I just… I feel guilty when I realize I wasted so much time and-”

  “You weren’t the only one who made mistakes Parker. I did too,” I reminded him.

  “But it’s fair to say it was mostly my fault,” He spoke, moving closer to me and cupping my face in his hands, caressing my cheek once more. A habit of his I realized I liked a little too much.

  “No. It isn’t.”

  “Can we not talk about it anymore,” I added to him quietly

  “I just-” Parker began pressing his forehead against my own.

  “I don’t want this to keep affecting us anymore,” I found myself saying.

  “Neither do I,” Parker whispered back.

  “I want us to start over but the past shapes us and our relationship,” he continued.

  “Maybe it does in many ways. But I like where we are now,” I found myself saying.

  “Me too,” He whispered, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips, that only caused my breath to hitch and my knees to feel weak. Had he not been holding on to me I would have fallen.

  “Lyric,” He spoke. My name on his lips sounded like the sweetest of songs on his lips. His thumb grazed my bottom lip gently, and I found myself looking down unable to contain my own blush.

  It was hard to keep my blush in check much less my heart. Chuckling to himself he pressed another kiss to my forehead.

  “You should get some sleep,” He spoke quietly.

  “Maybe,” I spoke to him quietly.

  “You should too,” I found myself saying.

  “I’ll be fine,” He shrugged.

  “Parker,” I spoke reaching up to caress his cheek.

  “You should sleep too. I’ll be fine.”

  “It’s Oliver’s day off,” He spoke up.

  “I’ll be fine. Andrew and Jane are there,”

  “That house cat is asleep,” He pointed out.

  “I was going to sleep in the guest bedroom tonight,” I whispered.

  “Oh,”

  “I. You can sleep there too if you want,” I found myself saying. feeling myself blush again and wanting to change the subject.

  “Jane. I. I was hoping she could stay a few days until she sorts out her life with Brad. I know it’s asking a lot with Andrew here and-”

  “It’s fine Lyric. She’s your friend.” Parker spoke.

  “I don’t know what’s going on between them but. Sometimes we do need this to realize what we’ve done,” He whispered not elaborating. Still, I knew what he meant. Taking my hand Parker led me to the guest bedroom which was right next to what should be our bedroom.

  #

  The guest bedroom was simple. Right as you entered much like our own bedroom, there was a large window that exposed the large beautiful night sky. The bed was placed against the window letting the night sky light the room. To the right side of the room, there was a small nightstand, a few paces after that placed on the wall was a small mirror. To the left side of the bed was another nightstand and of course a lamp to light the room. Further in, there was a small closet which was open with a pile of dirty laundry toppling its way out of the closet.

  “Sorry,” Parker spoke sheepishly, and I found myself smiling at his antics. The bedroom was nice; though nothing like I pictured Parker Archer to have. Then again, I was the one sleeping in his room. He was stuffing his clothes back in the closet when I found a large sketchbook sitting on the nightstand.

  The book was open to a sketch of someone. I had not noticed I was looking back at my own eyes until I took in the entire picture. My hair seemed to be flowing against the wind perfectly. Around me there were fireflies, there was one in my hand while I smiled. My eyes, though I knew what they looked like, I’d never particularly seen this expression in my eyes before. I looked… different, happy,… beautiful. Parker had not noticed until he closed the closet, freezing in place when he saw the sketchbook in my hand.

  “I-”

  “You drew this. You drew me,” I found myself saying.

  “Yes,” He spoke, walking over to me and gently prying the sketchbook out of my hands.

  “You weren’t supposed to see that,” Parker spoke his tone embarrassed.

  “It’s nice,” I found myself saying. Part of me wondered if this was how Parker saw me.

  “Yes,” He answered again, and I realized I had spoken out loud. Taking my hand in his he once more reached to caress my cheek with the other hand.

  “When I say you’re beautiful. I mean it.” Parker whispered. Looking back into his eyes it was hard to breathe. Though I hoped he’d kiss me again he didn’t. Instead, he let go of me, taking a few bed sheets that were neatly folded on the bed.

  “We should get some sleep.” He said.

  “Alright,” I found myself saying. Making my way to the bed quietly, I laid on my side, while Parker himself laid out blankets on the floor and faced my way as well.

  “Good night Lyric.”

  “Good night Parker.”

  CHAPTER 19:

  FRIENDSHIPS

  (Lyric)

  The fresh morning air brought peace into the room. The sun shined down like a soft velvet blanket warming the room and whispering words of comfort. It was breath-taking how peaceful things felt. For a moment, I’d almost forgotten where I was. It felt… different. The past morning had come with new-found feelings. This morning, however, came with so much more. The tingle of my lips still remained, and I found myself reaching up to touch them. What was it about Parker Archer that took my breath away?

  Looking at him sleep once again I couldn’t stop the smile that grazed my lips. The past few days felt like a dream. It was hard to believe that soulmates, love, and Parker had all become one. Life had entangled our souls together and woven something new.

  “Morning,” I’d been lost in my own thought to notice Parker wake up. I was only glad he had not caught me staring at him.

  “Morning,” I whispered back trying to control my racing heart and my blushing cheeks. He sat up then, stretching his arms and yawning before standing up and gathering the bed sheets form the floor to begin folding them. The atmosphere around us felt different. We had our moments where things seemed to fall into place. Then, of course, came the awkwardness.

  I was naturally a shy girl, but I had never thought Parker Archer could be shy as well. It was refreshing and rather ironic. Of course, it did make me feel better to know he wasn’t the same guy he was in high school. Mistakes were made on both sides and we both agreed on that. More than anything, we wanted to move forward, and that certainly brought nervous butterflies and mixed happy emotions to my being.

  “Ms. Lyric,” Hearing Oliver outside the door cut through the silence and I found myself looking up at the open door where Oliver now stood in comfortable workout wear.

  “You have practice with me again this morning,” Oliver spoke his tone calm, collected, more formal than usual.

  “Alright. I’ll be downstairs soon then. I’ll get ready but. I’d like to check on my friend first. To see if she’s alright.”

  “Okay Princess,” Oliver spoke before heading out simply nodding his head at Parker who did the same.

  “I should go get ready,” I told Parker, standing up from the bed quietly and
heading toward the door.

  “I’ll see you later then,” He spoke offering a smile and taking hold of my hand and pulling me close to him until I was pressed against his chest.

  “Parker,” I spoke, that flutter in my heart increasing softly and delicately like a butterfly, raising its wings up and down. No words were exchanged then, though he only offered a soft kiss on my cheek, that soft spark that ignited my entire body with tingles still flowed through me. His penetrating hazel eyes still took my breath away.

  “I… I should go,” I found myself saying, slowly pulling myself away from his touch. Though my heart wished to stay. Still, I headed out of the room to get ready for my practice with Oliver only to find Andrew and Jane were still asleep. I quickly changed and headed out to practice where Oliver was waiting patiently.

  #

  I couldn’t breathe again, this time for a different reason. I was looking up at the sky again, my body sprawled on the grass. I could feel my heart running faster than a hummingbird’s own heart, sweat trickled down my neck.

  “Water Ms. Lyric,” Oliver spoke up while he held two bottles of water.

  “Thank you,” I spoke, sitting up to take the bottled drink and take a sip. The water felt cool down my throat quenching my thirst and cooling me off just a tad.

  “You did a good job today Ms. Lyric,” Oliver spoke.

  “Hardly,” I told him, laughing lightly and turning to face him while he too sat down on the grass taking a sip of his own water.

  “I know I’m weak,”

  “But you will get better. Ms. Lyric,”

  “Lyric,” I corrected him once more.

  “Princess I,”

  “Lyric. Just Lyric. Princess, Ms. Lyric. It makes me feel uncomfortable,” I spoke to him honestly.

  “But you’re Parker’s soulmate he is a Prince and-”

  “I know. But. I don’t feel adequate to be called a Princess and even if I did. I don’t expect the people I know, the people I consider my friends to call me Princess,” I explained to him.