Chapter 14

Whoever coined the term ‘time flies’ has obviously never been in love and separated by long distance. A part of me believed Bryce would find a way to get to Virginia to surprise me, but it didn’t happen. With our schedules, it was also extremely hard to talk as often as we liked.

One highlight in the six weeks since I left Knoxville is the Holli situation was completely taken care of. She approached Bryce one night while he was working, which was a big mistake. He was still furious with her and basically cussed her out. Even though I wanted explicit details, he resorted to ‘man details.’ Basically, he told her she was a bitch for approaching me and needed to get over him. His vocabulary was extremely colorful with words like cunt, useless shit, and fucking crazy. I shouldn’t have been so happy he was mean to her, but I was delighted.

I decided I wanted to spend a week in Destin for our vacation. He found us a cottage on the beach, and we leave the day after his UT commencement. Quinn called him, begging to come along, but he shut her down quick. She pouted for a day or so but then pledged revenge one day.

My legs shake nervously when we drive up to the guys’ apartment. As usual, Bryce is outside waiting on me. The car isn’t fully stopped when I hop out and run to him. As soon as I jump in his arms, I feel whole again. His scent envelops me, and I wrap my legs around him, holding him as close as possible.

His lips run a trail down my neck and across my chin until he finds my mouth. I breathe in deep, drawing air from him. He breaks away too soon and looks at me sadly.

“Babe, Karen and Steve are already here. Your dad’s having a really hard time with the fact you’re staying here and already gave me a lecture. Not sure how he’ll handle me mauling you in daylight.”

“Does that mean you will maul me in moonlight?” I tease.

“Oh yeah, you can count on it.”

I loosen my legs and stand up dizzily. He steadies me and laughs. Quinn walks up and shoves her bag at him.

“If you aren’t going to take me on vacation, you can at least carry my bag.”

He rolls his eyes and goes to the car to get my things. She and I walk in and immediately are surrounded by my family. My dad holds me extra long, and when I pull back, he looks happy and sad at the same time. My mom tears up.

“What the hell, guys? I just saw you in February,” I question.

“Baby, my son’s graduating from college tomorrow. Give me a break. I’m a little emotional,” she says.

Whatever. I shrug and embrace my brother, who keeps shaking his head. Sheila and Dave come in, and we repeat the whole routine. Sheila sheds a few tears, too, when she lets go of Bryce. He rolls his eyes and pulls me to his side.

We choose a restaurant nearby and leave for an early dinner. All throughout our meal, Bryce holds my hand firmly. Quinn and I keep everyone entertained with stories of the last semester. The story of our exhibit is a huge conversation grabber. We should know in the next week about the program we applied to and if we’ll get to go away this summer.

My mom keeps looking my way and smiling widely. Finally, I give her the signal to follow me and go to the restroom. When we get inside, I check under the stalls to make sure we’re alone.

“What the hell is going on?” I question her.

“You’re back. All of you is back. The joking, vibrant, joyful Devon is back.”

“I agree,” Quinn says from behind me, joining us.

“I am happy. So, so happy I’m waiting for the world to throw me a curveball.”

“Honey, don’t think like that. Just enjoy it.”

I nod my head in agreement, and she pulls me to her. Quinn joins our embrace and tears sting my eyes.

“Okay, now that we’ve established this, can you quit looking at me funny?” I ask my mom.

“Yep, officially done.”

We all go back to the table, and our dinner is waiting. Bryce grabs my hand again and winks at me. Something inside tells me he knows what we were talking about.

When we leave the restaurant, all the parents go to their hotels, and we make plans to meet tomorrow for a late lunch before the ROTC Ceremony at three. Quinn is staying with me at the apartment until Dean arrives tomorrow and they move into a hotel room for the rest of the weekend.

As soon as we get into the apartment, I say goodnight and go to Bryce’s shower. Quinn comes in and talks non-stop the whole time I’m bathing, which annoys the shit out of me.

“You know Bryce won’t come in here and join me if you’re here, right?” I hiss.

Her laughter howls, and I poke my head out to see her rolling on the floor.

“What?”

“Nate paid me to come in and talk until you are done!”

“And you took it?”

“Yep! He’s trying to talk Bryce into letting me come to Destin so it’s a fair deal.”

“You are a bitch. I’ve been celibate for six weeks. My body is crying for relief. Why would you do that?”

“Oh, please! I hear you moaning in your room. I know you’re not exactly frustrated.”

“It’s not the same!” I slam the shower curtain back in place and finish my shower quickly.

When I’m done, I slip into my pajamas and head to the living room to find my boyfriend. He and Nate are watching the news, and he looks as miserable as I am.

“Nate, I promise to get you back one day!”

“Devon, there are some things brothers and sisters should never know about. Sex is one. I can’t ignore how tight Bryce is wound, but I did not want to hear it when we walked in the door. So I took my own drastic measures.”

Bryce gives him an evil look but slaps him on the back. “Thanks, man, but can I go to bed with my girl now?”

“Fucking A.” Nate stands and grabs the sheets to set up Quinn’s bed on the sofa. He mumbles the whole time, and I grin as I follow Bryce to his room.

He takes a shower, and I crawl in bed to read while I wait. When he comes out in his pajama pants, I look at him confused.

“You have on too many clothes,” I state.

He climbs in and pulls me to him. Then nothing. No kissing, no touching, no licking, nothing.

“What’s wrong?”

He blows out a breath and looks at me apologetically. “I just want to hold you. There’s a lot on my mind.”

“Like?”

“Like how the next two days are a big fucking deal. In the next few days, I have to say goodbye to some of my closest friends and I join the service full time. Like how nervous I am about the speech at the ceremony. And how I finally feel like my heart can beat again now that you’re here.”

I’m such a bitch. None of this has crossed my mind, and I’m ashamed of not being supportive. I nod and curl up on him, trying to tamper the need in my body.

“You’ll do great tomorrow, and I’ll be there cheering for you. Do you want to talk about anything specific?”

“No, I just want to fall asleep with my girl on me and dream about the beach next week.”

“I love you so much.”

“That’s what I’m counting on, Devon. Forever.”

If my mom cries one more time, I’m going to scream. Since meeting at lunch and seeing the guys in their uniforms, she has been a wet mess. Even Quinn told her to get a grip. Dean arrived, and I apologized for my parents’ odd behavior. If this is how they act for Nate, I’m thinking of skipping my own graduation—maybe both of them.

We’re already late, and I’m worried about getting a seat together. Bryce has been stoic all day, and if I don’t get a good seat, I’m scared he’ll blow. He joked around a little with Nate at lunch, but otherwise, he’s been quiet.

The auditorium is packed when we finally walk in, and I swear we’re the last ones here. I rush my parents forward and make sure Quinn is sitting next to me. Since we’re so late, there are only a few programs left, and I flip through to see the order of the service. Bryce speaks right in the middle.

When the music starts and the men file in, my eyes fill with tears. A hand lands on my shoulder, and I look back to see Sheila crying openly. Quinn even sniffs a few times. Dean puts his arms around her shoulder for comfort.

The ceremony itself is quite spectacular. It’s a homage to not only the Military but also the men and women’s accomplishments in college.

Bryce’s speech is flawless, and he locks eyes with me several times, which sends a chill through my body. When he and Nate actually are recognized, our group cheers so loudly they give us the hand signal to calm down.

When it’s all over and the students are dismissed, the room erupts. People file down to the floor of the small auditorium to find their loved ones. We bustle through the crowd, and I get to Nate first. He picks me up, and I scream into his shoulder how proud I am. Tomorrow may actually be his college graduation, but today is what means the most. It defines his future.

My mom pushes me out of the way when he sets me down, and I look around for Bryce. Sheila and Dave have him in an embrace, and my breath hitches at the sight. He looks around, and when his eyes lock with mine, he lets them go and stalks to me. I leap into his arms and let him spin me, holding on tight. When he sets me down, his eyes are determined and heated. He kisses me lightly and surprises me by dropping down to one knee.

The instant he hits the ground, several men around us do the same. The women in uniform stiffen and gain stance. I look around, and my family surrounds me as Sheila and Dave flank Bryce’s back. Everyone stares between the two of us.

“Devon Marie Harris, I asked you a few months ago to give me a chance. To come back to me, the girl I once knew. I hurt you deeply, and I’ll never be able to take that away, but I vow to always let you know how much you mean to me. The girl I learned to love as a boy has turned into the woman I love as a man. My days are brighter because you’re in my life. Will you promise to love me forever and marry me?”

Somehow, through my tears, I see him pull a box out of his pocket. There’s a glare that cascades with the light streaming in the windows. My knees go weak, but tiny hands hold my waist. Quinn.

“Yes,” I say meekly and then gain my voice. “Yes! OH MY GOD, YES!”

Cheers explode around us, and Bryce sinks into my waist, squeezing me so hard I may have bruises. My mom screams behind me, and my dad whistles. I look slightly to the side and see Nate on his knees with wet eyes. I cry even harder.

“Jesus Christ, I’m a lucky bastard,” Bryce whispers in my ears and takes my lips softly. I get wrapped up in the kiss until I feel the metal on my finger.

I break away and look at the antique ring I admired for years on Sheila’s hand.

“Is this?”

“Yeah, it’s my grandma’s ring,” he confirms, and I have a fresh set of waterworks. It’s an antique dinner ring with a diamond set in rubies, which is Bryce’s birthstone.

Quinn pulls me away and hugs me tightly, crying with me into my shoulder. When our eyes meet, she doesn’t look surprised.

“You knew?” I question.

“Absolutely. Do you think he was brave enough to do this without talking to me?”

I look around and everyone has the same expression. “You all knew?”
Heads nod and smiles break out on their faces. Everyone swamps me in hugs, and I lean into my dad the longest. When he steps back, Nate takes his place.

“I had to make sure it was okay, babe. You are only nineteen.” Bryce kisses my hair and pulls me away.

“Almost twenty, but still, how did you get my dad to approve?”

“I promised him we’d wait to actually get married after you graduate. Just didn’t mention which graduation.” He smiles slyly.

“I can’t believe this. We’re getting married. Me and you.”

“Always.” He lifts me up again but doesn’t kiss me. Instead, he braces me over his head, and my hands rest on his shoulders. Flashes go off around us, and I lose myself in the moment.

My fairytale may just come through.