Chapter 74

By the time we’d arrived at the large auditorium across town and put on our gowns,it seemed everyone else was ready.The large room looked filled to capacity.

“Aaron!Jeff!”

We turned in tandem to see Kevin waving.“Hey!”

Jeff and I wove through the throng of teens in black gowns and joined him.

“You guys going to Russell’s party tonight?”

Jeff nodded.“Wouldn’t miss it.Are you?”

“Yes.”He whispered clandestinely,“Lily’s going to be there.I asked her.”

I slapped his shoulder.“That’s awesome!”

He grinned.“And get this,she’s going to Central,too.I got my acceptance letter yesterday.Finally.”

I was thrilled for him.He seemed pretty excited about it,too.

“Jon got accepted,too.So we’re going to room together.”

“That’s great,Kevin.Right Jeff?”

“Yeah,”he managed to spit out without sounding too much like an ass.

“Anyway,I need to find Lily.See you guys at the party.”

“See you,”we told him.

“Jeff,”I began,but he stopped me with his hand.

“I know.You don’t care about Jon,but I can’t help getting jealous.”

“You’re all I could ever want,”I reminded him and gave him a kiss.

Jeff pulled me close,letting the kiss go on longer,but I didn’t mind.Heat blazed through me and I felt him harden against me.We pulled back at the same time and grinned.

“Let’s not stay too long at the party,”I whispered.

“Wasn’t planning on it.”

Unfortunately,we had to line up alphabetically,so when called to get ready,we said goodbye for the time being.

When we filed into the auditorium,the room was completely silent.I thought there was supposed to be music playing,but maybe they had trouble with it.I wasn’t sure,but it was so quiet,I was afraid to even clear my throat.

Once we were all in,our principal gestured for us to take our seats.I craned my neck and saw the back of Jeff’s head several rows ahead of me.

The ceremony started and to be perfectly honest,it was boring as hell.To keep from falling asleep,I reviewed in my mind the last game I’d played of Fifa on PS4.By the time they started calling our names,I was fighting the urge to let my eyes close.

I forced myself to sit up and pay attention.I was glad I did because Jeff’s row was the next one heading up,so I caught a glimpse of him as he filed toward the stage.My heart sped up as he waited his turn,and when finally his name was called,he strode confidently across the stage,accepted his diploma,and beamed at the crowd as he moved his tassel from his right side to his left.I wasn’t sure if he could see me,but I beamed back at him.

Soon,it was my turn,and I was surprised at how nervous I was to step onto that stage.I felt the first pangs of panic invade my chest and immediately started my breathing exercises.By the time I reached the principal and took my diploma,I felt better.I scanned the audience,but couldn’t see Jeff.Until a hand shot up and waved.I still couldn’t see his face,but that was okay—I knew he could see mine.

“Move your tassel,”the principal whispered.

Embarrassed,I did so before heading off the stage and back to my seat,eager to get off the robe.Jeff caught my eye as I passed his row and winked.

My heartrate sped up and I rethought the whole party tonight.Why go to a party when I could spend hours in bed with the man I loved?Doing all sorts of fun things!He’d been hinting he wanted to try things the other way around,and I was up for that.But I had to admit,having him inside me was the ultimate pleasure and I hoped he didn’t want to switch it up all the time.I couldn’t imagine anything better than when he slid deep inside me.I loved his balls slapping against me as he stretched and filled me.

Shit,I became rock-hard,sitting in the middle of the graduating class.Think about something else.Think about something else.

But Jeff turned around to wink at me and it proved hopeless.All I could think about was getting naked with him.I became thankful for the gown since it hid my bulge.

My mind drifted as the rest of the ceremony continued.I was so excited about college and sharing a room with Jeff.His mom still worried about that,but we didn’t.We knew no matter what happened,we could work through it and stay together.I wasn’t na?ve enough to think we wouldn’t ever have problems.Hell,we’d already been through some incredibly stressful events and survived.

So lost in my thoughts,I didn’t notice everyone standing until the guy next to me whispered to me to get up.We filed out quietly,but this time,music played.Nothing I recognized,though.

As soon as I entered the side room,Jeff pulled me into his arms.“We’re done!College,here we come!”

“Can you believe it?”

He grinned.“Ready to go to Russell’s?”

I bit back the desire to tell him I’d rather spend the evening in bed with him because he looked so excited.“Sure am.”

He cupped my face,oblivious to the chaos around us.When he looked at me,it became just the two of us and I couldn’t look away.I licked my lips,while his curved into a smile and his eyes crinkled.“Would you mind if we put in only a quick appearance at Russell’s and leave within an hour?”

I nodded,my mouth dry and my heart beat pounding against my rib cage.“Why?”

His mouth brushed my ear.“Because I’d rather have our own party tonight.”His breath ghosted my skin,and I shivered.

“Then let’s get our pictures taken with your mom,my grandparents,and Pamela and get out of here.”

“Then off to the party before our own celebration.”

I happily grabbed his hand as we hurried to find our families.Epilogue

The courtroom stood almost empty when Jeff and I entered,and my footsteps echoed in the large room.It was different than what I expected.All those years of watching Law&Orderreruns with my mom had me imagining high ceilings,large ornate wooden tables for the lawyers,and rich wood paneling on the walls.