Page 12 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

“I don’t like talking about the night that changed my entire life. I miss walking. The doctors told me that I would never stand, walk, or have feeling in my legs again. God proved them wrong. I do at home physical therapy, and it works. I gained feeling back, which comes with pain, but I’m blessed and appreciate the pain sometimes because it proves that there’s hope in walking.” She smiled sadly.

“You going to get there. Keep pushing the way that you’re pushing yourself now. I can help you along the way, too.” Archer gave her a reassuring smile.

“So, that means you’re going to let me help you?” She perked up.

“I might let you help me, first I’m going to confront them during family dinner and demand that they tell me who my real mother is.”

Archer removed his hand gently from under Destiny’s. He stood and then sat down right beside her. He was so close, Destiny shifted slightly. She tucked a coil behind her ear as her nerves buzzed the moment he reached inside a carved wooden box that was on the table. He pulled out a cigar and held it up.

“You ever smoked one?” he asked with his eyes still on the cigar.

Destiny shook her head and eyed it.

“Nah, the closest I’ve gotten is standing next to my dad. He likes to smoke them on special occasions.” She smiled.

Speaking of her dad, Destiny forgot that her cell phone was in her pocket now. She pulled it out and saw that she hadfour missed calls and text messages from her father. Archer wondered who she was speed texting but didn’t feel like it was his place to wonder too long about it.

“This brand is Dominican.” He said, holding the cigar out for her to get a good look.

“It’s hand rolled, medium bodied. When you smoke it, it’s a smooth draw. It can’t hit harsh unless you rush it.” He smirked.

She watched Archer carefully as he clipped the end and lit it. The flame glowed then burned evenly. He inhaled slowly, she watched his lips part around the smoke before he let it curl from his mouth.That is so fucking sexy!She thought.

“You don’t inhale it like weed.” He said, turning toward her.

“You let it sit in your mouth, let the taste linger. It’s about the ritual, not the high.” He blew a small cloud of smoke her way.

Destiny swallowed as she watched Archer intently. Smoke wrapped around his sharp jaw then vanished around them.

“Sounds like you love cigars.”

“I do.” He smirked, eyes low from all the blunts he smoked earlier.

“What’s all of the things you love?”

“Knowledge, money, weed, and pussy…” Archer paused for a second before adding extras to what he said.

“Oh, I love real estate too. I like investing my money and saving.” He smiled.

“You have a nice car, expensive clothes, and jewelry…do you save money?”

“I didn’t buy none of it. It’s all for my father’s image.” Archer reminded her.

“Look at you, trying to catch me up in a lie.” He chuckled.

“So, this is what you do when you not being mean to half naked women waiting in your car in parking lots?” Destiny laughed.

“Only the ones who disrespect my friends.” He said, voice clipped. He took his eyes off the cigar and looked Destiny in the eyes.

Archer didn’t like that she kept bringing up Latosha; to him, she was no longer worth the mention or thought.

“You don’t belong in parking lot drama…you belong in peaceful rooms like this, though. You also too pretty to be worried about how I treat hoes in my spare time, Destiny.”

Destiny gasped softly, then tried to steady her breathing. She wanted to play it off but Archer had openly flirted with her and called her pretty. Plus, what he said wasn’t just smooth as hell, but it sounded like he meant it. It felt like he was seeing her in ways no one else did.

Archer took another drag of the cigar, but this time, he purposely let the smoke drift toward her, warming the space between them. Destiny rested her hands in her lap, her eyes still on Archer and his cigar smoke. She didn’t know what the hell was happening, but she wanted to stay here until the day ended to keep feeling whatever it was swirling between them.

SIX

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