A Bad Boy's Gift

Chapter 23

After my hard workout, I decide on a Big Mac and nine Nuggets, with a hot chocolate. It's cool outside tonight. 

"Thank you," Archer says to the girl in the window as she passes him our order. Her eyes fluttered as though she's never seen someone so good-looking. I keep my eyes on her, an eyebrow raised; why do I feel so jealous of other girls wanting him? He doesn't notice my stare, but she sees me and stops her butterfly impression. That's right bitch, back off.

We eat our food in the car park, the hot chocolate warming my bones. Once we're finished, I take the rubbish to the bin across the other side of the car park, the walk helping my stomach to settle. 

Archer smiles at me gently as I climb back into the car.

"Where are we going now then?" I ask, putting my seatbelt on.

"I can take you back to mine?" He asks, starting the ignition again. 

"Okay." I might learn something important about him by going back to his.

We drive into the town again, going gently through the street around the Saturday night pissheads. It's been a long time since I did a night out; I never finish work in the mood to go out on a Saturday anymore, so I usually just go straight home. We continue into the built-up area of town, where there are a few high-rise apartments. This is where the local fancy pants people live.

He turns his indicator on to inform other road users that we're turning; into an underground garage. Oh... Interesting. I'm suddenly pleased I didn't say anything about fancy pants out loud!

He parks his sleek S4 by a black VW Golf R, taking care when reversing into the spot. He takes his time to switch off the car, seeming nervous. 

"Can I ring Hudson, I need to make sure he's okay." I take my phone out, and he nods, getting out of the car to give me some privacy. 

"Hey Kiddo," I say when he answers.

"Hey, where are you?" He doesn't seem concerned, I guess that's a good thing. 

"I bumped into Archer while I was at the gym, we've had some food, just going to hang out. But, erm, I'm going to send you my location, so you know where I am. Just in case." I tell him, pinging my location to him.

"Okay... You're not in trouble are you?" Now he seems concerned.

"No, but you never know, can't be too careful."

"Okay, I've got it, be careful Riv, love you." Oh, my heart just melts for this boy.

"I love you too sweet." We hang up and I climb out of the car. "Sorry, he doesn't normally chat that much."

"It's okay, the lift is over here." He motions to the lift, not offering to hold hands this time.

I thank him for the Maccies while we ride up, it seems to last forever. 

"Where's Molly?" I ask.

"She's with our Cousins for the night, and last night too, she has sleepovers every now and then." That was an open-ended answer; there's more to that story, like why she goes. 

The doors open to a corridor with only two doors coming off of it. He goes to the one on the right. I follow him as he unlocks the door and walks inside. 

We enter a relatively dark room, where he switches on the gentle light. The living room is very minimal, with a sofa, coffee table, rug, and TV on the wall. Large windows let in moonlight, as I'd expect from an apartment so high in the building. There are high ceilings and dimmable lights, currently offering a subtle glow. He takes his jacket off and lifts his cap off of his head, but before he gives me a chance to see his face, turns and walks into another room.