Chapter Fifty-Seven

"Would you stop making goo-goo eyes at each other for like one second and pass the mashed potatoes," Juliet demands as she slams her fist on the table.

"Man, I thought our furniture couldn't handle those whiny tantrums," I say turning towards her and raising my eyebrows.

"Oh, shut up and hand me the mashed potatoes, Loser," Juliet answers as she rolls her eyes.

I laugh as I grab the bowl and pass them towards her. Alison, Juliet, Dad, and I are all gathered around our kitchen table enjoying a home cooked meal made with love by Dad.

It's been a few days since the show and Alison and I have been inseparable since. I think Juliet would use the term insufferable though.

After the dust settled, Dad demanded that we have a family dinner together. I believe he put it something along the lines of ‘now that the family's back together.'

"You know," I lean over and whisper in Alison's ear. "I'm pretty sure my family loves you more than me."

"Oh definitely," she responds through a mouthful of potatoes.

"I think I'm okay with that." I kiss her on the ear and then go back to my plate.

"Yeah, we do," Juliet says without looking up from her plate. I see a smile creep up over her face. "And don't you forget that. If you guys break up again, we get Alison this time."

I laugh. "Well, you don't have to worry about that. This girl is stuck with me." I slide her chair closer to me in emphasis.

"I think I'm okay with that," she whispers in my ear before kissing it. Shivers run up my spine.

The past few days have been the best of my life. I have never felt so gloriously happy. Having Alison back in my life makes it feel complete. Makes me feel whole again. There's nothing else I want in life. Nothing else that can make this any better. She's my whole world at this point, and I don't want that to ever change.

Everyone else starts talking but I'm not listening. All I can focus on is Alison sitting next to me. I put my hand on her thigh and starting making small circles. I see her smile grow, but she doesn't say anything. She just rests her hand on top of mine.

This is what life was meant to feel like.

A few hours later, we're all lying on the couches, watching a rom-com that Alison and Juliet picked out. Usually, I'd argue a little bit about this kind of movie, just for the sake of arguing, but I didn't tonight. I'm fine watching whatever as long as we're all together.

Dad, on the other hand, has been grumping the whole time about it. Juliet has, of course, put him in his place a few times. I was even shocked when Alison jumped in. I love this though. My favorite people all together and getting along and enjoying time together.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I shift mine and Alison's weight and slip it from my jeans. Stephen's name flashes across my screen. That's odd.

"I'm going to get this," I say to Alison as I quickly get up off the couch.

When I'm out of earshot, I hit the green button on the phone. "Hello? Stephen?"

"Hey, Archer, sorry to bug you, but I think I have some good news for you."

"Oh, okay, yeah what is it?"

"Well, a record label reached out to me. They didn't know who was managing you and wanted to talk about giving you a record deal."

My jaw hits the floor. "Are you serious?"

"Very."

"Like an actual record deal? With a label and everything?"

"A pretty big label actually. Turns out they've seen your video and had a representative at your concert the night you and Alison got back together. They want you."

I still can't believe the words coming out of his mouth. "Yes. Absolutely yes."

"I'll let them know."

"Stephen?"

"Yeah?"

"There's only one problem though."

"What's that, Archer?"

"I don't have a manager yet. I was wondering if maybe this really great manager who works with that really talented artist Alison Quick would be willing to work with someone slightly less talented."

"I would be honored," he responds. "Enjoy the rest of your night. We'll sort out the details tomorrow."

"Thanks, Stephen. For everything."

"No problem."

I click the phone off and stare at it for a few seconds, still not believing what just happened.

A record deal. A record deal!

I run into the living room and stand in front of the TV, hands on my hips.

"Dude, get out of the way!" Juliet screams. She jumps off the couch and runs to me, trying to push me to the side. "I want to see Dylan O'Brien. Not you, Loser."

"Well, would you want to see me if you knew that I officially have a record deal with a major label?" I ask raising my eyebrows.

"Seriously!" Juliet shouts as she goes from hitting me to wrapping her arms around me.

I pick her up into my arms. "Seriously," I say.

"Son, that's incredible," my dad says as he claps me on the back.

Alison walks over to me and puts her lips on mine.

"Yuck, I'm right here," Juliet grumbles from my arms.

"I knew it would happen eventually. No way it wouldn't. You're too talented," Alison says snaking her arms around my waist from the side and laying her head on my shoulder.

"Thanks, Babe." I turn my head and kiss the side of hers. I look down at the people I love around me. "I can't believe this is my life right now."

"So," Juliet bounces into the kitchen as I'm making popcorn for everyone.

"So what?" I ask.

She climbs onto the barstool at the breakfast bar. "You going to propose to Alison or what?" she asks nonchalantly.

I choke on the piece of popcorn I stole from the bowl.

"What? I heard what you said the other day when Willow asked." She puts up air quotes. "Not yet. So are you going to do it?"

I lean towards her and rest my arms on the counter in front of us. "That depends. Do you have a little more scheming in you, you little mastermind?"

She leans closer towards me. "Depends. Do you have another video in you?" Her eyes grow devious.