by E. L. Todd
“That’s it.” She shot him a nasty look. “No sex tonight.”
“What?” he snapped. “Excuse me?”
“Oh no…” I gave Slade a fearful look. “She’s pulling out the big guns now.”
“You can’t do that,” Slade said, sounding uncertain.
“Yes, I can.” Trinity gave him a triumphant look. “And I just did.”
Slade turned to me, looking for help. “Wait…can she?”
I nodded. “Sorry, man.”
“No,” he argued, turning back to Trinity. “We’re in a relationship. I get sex when I want.”
“Not when you’re a dick.” She picked up her pizza and ate it, indifferent to him.
“Sorry, but you were absolutely worthless in there! I’m just being honest. When Skye hunted you down with two guns, you just kneeled on the floor and let her take you out. Where’s the sassy no-bullshit attitude you always have?”
“I was scared, okay?”
“We lost because of you!” Slade said.
She gave him another glare. “No sex for two days.”
“What?” he screamed. “You can’t do that! It’s not my fault you—”
“You want to make it three?” Trinity threatened.
Slade opened his mouth to argue but I silenced him. “Just stop talking.”
Slade’s face turned red, unable to hold back his fury, but he kept his silence.
“I could never withhold sex from Cayson.” Skye leaned toward me, her arm linking through mine. “He’s too good at it.”
“I’m good at it,” Slade said. “Better than any she’s ever had.”
“Irrelevant,” Trinity said.
“I’ll show you…” He looked off, his mind working furiously.
We finished our pizza then Slade paid for everything. Then we headed home.
“Where am I headed?” Slade asked as he drove.
“Skye’s,” I said. I usually slept there.
“Okay.” He dropped us off in the front. “I want a rematch. But I’ll have a better partner.”
“Then it’s not a rematch,” I said.
“And you can’t replace me!” Trinity said indignantly.
“I’m taking Roland next time,” Slade said. “Someone who knows a bullet hole form the trigger.”
“Then have sex with him too,” Trinity snapped. “Because now you aren’t getting any from me for three days.”
I turned to Skye. “Let’s get out—quick.”
We bolted from the car and walked away. They stayed parked in front of the apartment, still arguing.
We walked inside then kicked off our shoes.
“That was fun,” I said.
“It was.” She smiled at me but the sadness returned. Then she blinked it away. “Too bad Trinity sucks though.”
“That was actually pretty funny,” I said with a laugh.
She moved to the couch then I sat beside her. Once I was near her, she snuggled into me, her legs moving across my lap. She was lighter than a feather so it was never uncomfortable.
I put my arm around her shoulders then rubbed my nose against her. It seemed like a lifetime ago when Skye was just my friend. I always eyed her in envy, wishing I could kiss her and hold her. Every time she was with another guy, it killed me. But now that pain was gone. I was the one who got to keep her, and now every man looked at me in envy. I was one of the lucky few who had a partner who was perfectly compatible with me, mentally, emotionally, and physically. She was a dream come true, the perfect woman I’d had fantasized about. But now she was reality. I looked into her eyes before I spoke. “We’re going to have an incredible life together.”
Her eyes softened when she looked at me, and the depth of her thoughts was endless. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but something was going through her mind. Heartbeats passed and she said nothing. She met my gaze, her lips parted slightly. Sadness emerged, but just for a second before it disappeared. Her mouth opened to speak but words never came out. She averted her gaze and leaned her head against my shoulder, saying nothing.
Chapter Fifteen
Skye
My gown reached to my feet, being loose but not too loose. My cap was on my head, and my hair was in curls. I played with the tassel, making sure it was on the right side of my cap. Black heels were on my feet, and I wasn’t looking forward to walking across the stage wearing them. Hopefully, I wouldn’t fall.
A knock sounded on my door. “Honey, can I come in?”
“Yeah, Mom.”
She walked inside then sat on the edge of my bed. I sat in front of my vanity, checking my appearance even though I didn’t need to look anymore.
My mom smiled while she looked at me. Her hand reached out and brushed a strand of loose hair away. “So beautiful, Skye.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I still remember exactly how you looked the day you were born. Now you’re a beautiful and successful woman. It’s surreal…”
“Well, I think I get those traits from you.”
She chuckled. “No, I think you did most of it on your own.”
I looked back at the mirror and sighed.
“Nervous?”
“Yeah.” And depressed. As soon as this was over, Cayson wouldn’t be mine anymore. I’d been looking forward to this moment my entire adult life. Now it was only painful.
My mom’s eyes softened in pity. My dad told her everything, so she knew about my predicament. But she never mentioned it, knowing it would only make me sad on a day when I should be happy. And her silence also meant she agreed with my decision. It gave me strength to see it through but it also made me feel weak. “You’ll be fine.” Her words had several meanings.
“I know…”
She kissed my cheek then stood up. “Your father and I are ready whenever you are.” She walked out and shut the door.
I sat in front of my vanity, staring at my face without actually seeing it.
***
We were seated by discipline, so I sat in the business section. Trinity was beside me, so I had her for comfort. She looked beautiful in her gown. Her nails were perfectly painted and her hair looked like a professional had done it. Her heels were at least five inches tall.
“You look beautiful,” I said.
“You do too.” She gave me a smile. “And your breasts still look great, even in a shapeless gown.”
I laughed, grateful to feel my body relax. I needed that.
She gave me a look I recognized from years of friendship. “You doing okay?”
I shrugged. “No.”
She patted my hand. “I’m here—always.”
I nodded, grateful for her support.
Parents lined the chairs in front of the stage. I could see my parents and Roland in the front row, along with everyone else. Uncle Mike sat next to my dad, looking proud and thrilled. Conrad sat beside his mom, happy but not truly.
I wished I could sit with Cayson but he was in the science department. I wanted to soak up every second of him, to treasure the limited time we had left. Every kiss and every touch was precious. Never in my life would I be as happy as I was with him. And soon that joy would be gone.
The president and dean of the university addressed the crowd and gave a long-winded speech. If the students were bored, so were the parents. Moms and Dads just wanted to see their kids walk across the stage and get the diploma they used their life savings to pay for.
“We would like to recognize one remarkable student on this special day, asking him to give a speech before the diplomas are handed out. This young man is studious and hardworking, going above and beyond in every class. Every professor who’s had him never forgets his face or his work. In addition to his studies, he’s the president of the analytical science club, has volunteered more hours in the Harvard Affiliate Hospital than any other student who has graced this campus, and one of our top tutors. Help me welcome Cayson Thompson to the stage.” He clapped and stepped aside.
I had no idea Cayson
was giving a speech. He hadn’t mentioned it to me. Everyone clapped and whistled. Cayson’s father, Cortland stood up and clapped the loudest. His mother stood beside him, tears in her eyes. His sister, Clementine, smirked while she clapped. The rest of our family was on their feet, just as shocked as we were.
Cayson rose out of the crowd and headed to the stage, his shoulders looking broad in his gown. He smiled as he went, taking my heart with him. Even though I’d been with him for months, he still made me swoon with just a look. I’d always known how lucky I was to have him, but it hit home in that moment.
Trinity whistled loudly. “We love you!”
Cayson shook hands with the president then stepped up to the podium. He didn’t have any notes. He either memorized his speech or he was making it up. Knowing Cayson, it was the first one. “It’s an honor to be here.” He put both hands on either side of the podium, acting like he’d done it a hundred times. His voice didn’t falter, confident and strong. “When they asked me to speak today, I was surprised. I worked really hard to get here, had nights where I didn’t get any sleep because I had a lab report to do or an exam to study for, but I can think of a hundred students off the top of my head who worked just as hard as I did. So I don’t stand here as one of the selected few. I stand here for all of you.
He was such a smooth talker.
“I know graduation is a celebration of the end of an accomplishment. We acknowledge the light at the end of the tunnel that looked so dark in the beginning. We’re remembering a journey we all took together, one that wasn’t fun at the time, but in a few years we’ll remember it as the best time of our lives.
“I’m looking forward to the future, to working in society and getting all the nice things I strived for. But I know I’ll miss this campus, these students, and these professors.” He paused for a second. “I mean, who wants to have a job?” He chuckled. “I’d rather stay on campus and learn forever, partying on the weekends, and pretending I don’t have a hangover on Monday morning.” He turned toward one of his professors. “Yes, I wasn’t always the perfect student.” The crowd laughed at his words.
Cayson turned serious again. “We’re treating this moment as the end, as a goodbye, and while that’s true, it’s a lot more than that. We’re beginning our journey to bigger and better things. Some of us will save lives for a living, some will make the world a better place, and some will be ridiculously rich.” The crowd laughed again. “And the fact we don’t know who’s going to end up where makes it better. I’m excited to begin my next journey, and I speak for all the students behind me in that regard.” He cleared his throat. “There are a lot of people I want to thank, but the biggest shout out goes to all the parents. It’s because of you we’re here, whether you paid our tuition or tutored us when we couldn’t do basic math when we were children. Now you’re standing out there, probably crying just like my mom is, and we all want you to know we love and appreciate you—forever.”
“I love you, baby!” Cayson’s mother shouted.
Cayson smirked. “Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to my mom.”
“You still suck!” Clementine shouted.
Cayson laughed. “And my adorable sister.”
The crowd laughed at his words.
Cayson moved his tassel over and made his hat lopsided. “Now, let’s loosen up and not be so stiff, Harvard grads. Let’s get down and party!” He walked away from the podium to a loud round of applause.
Everyone stood and clapped, including myself. My hands hurt from smacking together so hard but I kept going. Once the crowd died down, we return to our seats. His speech made me feel invigorated but sad at the same time. I couldn’t deny how amazing and wonderful Cayson was. He deserved something more, not what he was settling for. I turned to Trinity, speaking with my eyes.
She gave me a sad look, one full of empathy and tears. “You’re making the right decision.”
I nodded. She didn’t need to tell me.
I already knew.
***
We spent the next few hours chatting with other graduates, promising to stay in touch while we went separate ways. I knew people always said that even though it never happened, so I was grateful my friends would always be a part of my life. Time and distance wouldn’t make a difference.
By the end of the day, everyone headed to my parents’ house in Connecticut, where a celebration was waiting. Even though it was a two-hour drive, it was still the best place to have a good time. There was plenty of space for everyone, and we had no neighbors so we didn’t have to worry about keeping it down.
When we arrived, cars were already in the driveway. Everyone had a spare key to our place and knew the alarm code. My dad wasn’t a trusting guy, but when it came to his family, he didn’t blink an eye over sharing his private belongings.
We got out and headed to the door. I was eager to take off my gown and cap. I bought a new dress for the occasion but no one could see it.
My dad walked in front then put his hand on my shoulder. “I’d like a moment with the graduate.”
My mom and Roland looked at us before they walked inside the house, giving us privacy.
I suspected a speech was coming. My dad was known for those.
He stared at me for a while, affection in his eyes. “I’m very proud of you, pumpkin.”
“I know, Dad. Thanks.”
“Your mother and I worked very hard to raise the two of you right. Never did we expect you and your brother to be even better versions of ourselves.”
“Even Roland?” I teased.
He nodded. “Especially Roland.”
I dropped my smile.
“I could sit here all night and tell you how proud I am and how much I love you…but I know it would be repetitions of the same thing.”
“Please don’t,” I said. “I’m hungry.”
He chuckled. “Okay.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. “I got you a graduation gift. I hope you like it.”
I eyed the box but didn’t take it. “Dad, you don’t need to get me anything. You’ve already given me the world.”
His eyes softened then he held the box out further. “Pumpkin, take it.”
I sighed then grabbed it. I felt the box in my hands before I opened it. Inside was a key card. It was completely black with small writing in the corner. I stared at it, unsure what it meant. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
“It’s a universal key card,” he explained. “You can use it on any door at any building in any country within the company. It even unlocks Mike’s office door, not that you should go in there.” He smirked. “He doesn’t like it when people barge in. Now you have access to everything, even confidential files.”
I held it in my hands, my eyes wide. “Thanks…”
“Keep looking. There’s more.”
I looked through the box again. There was a business card inside. I held it up and read it under the light of the porch.
Skye Preston
President and CEO
PIXEL Software.
I felt the thickness of the card in my hand and watched the metallic sheen shine in the light. It was heavy and radiated power and authority. The second I held it my nerves tingled. It was the beginning of something scary and frightening. It was the start of an age, a new beginning. My destiny was in my palm, my gateway to the spot I’d been working to take.
My dad watched my reaction. “It’s always been yours, Skye. Now take it.”
I looked at him, feeling the emotion in my throat.
He could read my mind. “Don’t be scared. You were made for this.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever do as good of a job as you and Uncle Mike.”
“No, you won’t.” He patted my shoulder. “You’ll do better.”
His faith made me feel stronger, but I feared it was misplaced.
“And you got me, Uncle Mike, and Grandpa if you need any help. You’ll be fine.”
I nodded then returned the c
ard to the box. “Thank you, Dad.”
“Of course, pumpkin.” He hugged me then kissed me on the forehead. “I’m so lucky to have you. I thank your mother every day for making you.”
“Is that why you always let her get her way?” I teased.
“Among other reasons…” He rubbed my back while he rested his head on mine. The sun was starting to set and the sky was starting to darken in colors of purple and pink. I was excited to go inside and celebrate with my friends, but I was also content being out here with my father. He was the opposite side of the same coin, someone who understood me in a way no one else ever would.
“Thanks for everything, Dad. But I’m glad you didn’t buy me a ridiculously extravagant gift—like usual.”
He chuckled. “About that…”
I pulled away and gave him an incredulous look. “You better not have…”
He smirked then reached into his pocket. Then he pulled out a key.
I eyed it with a raised eyebrow. That key could go to anything; a new car, a private jet, a yacht, even a damn spaceship.
He grabbed my hand and dropped it in my open palm. “I bought you a pent house in the city.”
My jaw dropped. “What…?”
“It’s on 58th street, just a few blocks from the office. It has a beautiful view of the skyline with floor-to-ceiling windows. And it’s already furnished so you don’t need to worry about that. Your mother decorated it.” He rocked onto the balls of his feet, clearly excited about giving it to me. “It’s close to us, but not so close that you don’t have your own space.”
I stared at the key then looked at him again. “You know you’re crazy, right?”
He shrugged. “Your mother may have mentioned that to me at some point in our marriage…”
“You didn’t need to buy me anything, Dad.” I was shocked he gave it to me, but secretly, I was excited. Having a luxury apartment in the city was a dream come true. Anybody would want it.
“I know I don’t. But you deserve something great for working so hard.”
“You gave me a billion dollar company…I think that’s enough.”
He chuckled. “Pumpkin, just take it. I’ve already paid for it and it’s ready to go.”
