Chapter 4

Bryce’s parents have a bungalow on the back of their property, only having used it as an office for Sheila in the past. They offered for the guys to store their stuff indefinitely. We all know it could be a long time before they actually get another place of their own, so this saves them from having to pay for a storage unit for years.

When the last box is unloaded from the U-Haul, I fall onto the sofa and moan. My eyes sting from exhaustion. Quinn falls next to me and exhales dramatically.

“This moving shit is tough.”

“I don’t even want to hear it from you. You’ve only been around for three hours. Imagine three days.”

Dean drove up from Atlanta to see Quinn for the weekend, and they agreed to help us unload. When this is all over, I’m going to owe her huge. While I’ve been away the last few days, she has taken care of everything for our upcoming trip.

The program requires we all fly into Rio as a group. Our international flight leaves out of Miami, so we were responsible for getting to the Miami airport with adequate time to meet with Professor Grant two hours before departure.

She worked with the university travel coordinator for the both of us. After reviewing the flights and knowing the importance of being there, we decided to fly in a day early and stay at an airport motel. This disappointed Bryce, but he didn’t say too much.

Quinn also got us a flight into Charlottesville for a short trip to pack what we need and meet with Roxy, the girl watching our apartment and my car while we are gone. She’s a friend who cheers with us and actually needed a place to stay for a few weeks to attend a summer workshop. It worked out well, and we agreed. If we weren’t accepted to the Summer Expo, our plan B was to come back to UVA for second summer semester, but things fell into place once we heard about the program.

So while I’ve been away the last few days, my best friend has organized our lives effortlessly. Yep, I owe her huge.

“Why are you so tired? Was there some wild excitement you haven’t told me about yet?” She raises her eyebrows and pinches my side lightly.

“No other excitement. We packed all day and then went out with some of their friends last night. Somehow, our low-key night turned into me going to bed at four a.m. Bryce didn’t crawl in until six. Then we were up at ten to load the truck. Even though I didn’t have to, I scoured the apartment the best I could to make sure they got their security deposit back.

“I didn’t sleep on the drive because we stopped halfway to switch drivers, and I rode with Nate the rest of the way home.”

“How’s he feeling about everything coming up?”

“He says he’s pretty open to being stationed anywhere, and I believe him. Bryce and I truly thought he wanted San Diego, but now, he’s talking more about Norfolk. I’m thrilled because I’d hate for him to be across the country.”

“You know it’s going to happen someday, right?”

“I know,” I say softly. “I’m in denial, especially with their skill sets. They’re likely to be in high demand.”

“We’ll take it one day at a time, like always. And in the end, no matter where everybody is stationed, we’ll have a wedding to plan.” She squeezes my hand.

I smile as both our phones ding with incoming emails.

Students:

We received some incredible news today that I could not refrain from sharing. As I mentioned on our last call, the leadership team has been working intensely to gain access to the athletes in the vicinity that are on the road to the 2016 Olympics. These are men and women from all over the world, who have traveled to work with trainers and coaches, and get a feel for the area. They are contenders for their categories, working hard toward their dreams.

It has been confirmed that we will be allowed to interview and photograph the aspiring competitors during our expo. I am working on the assignments now, but you will each be in groups of four, led by one of our professional leaders. I will not be leading, but instead will be floating around, joining you all at different times.

You all have different talents, and I assure you, I will build teams that carry equal weight in photography, journalism, world knowledge, and social awareness. This trip is quickly becoming the envy of all other summer programs.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me directly. I will however tell you, there are no requests for teams. These will be carefully worked through by me.

I look forward to seeing you all in a week.

Sincerely,

Professor Henry Grant

“Oh my God! This is unreal!” Quinn jumps up and dances around as I squeal, kicking my feet in the air.

Nate, Bryce, Dean, and Dave go quiet and stare at us with amusement.

“We have permission to interview the contending Olympians!” I practically scream. Bryce looks at me, stunned, then smiles widely, stalking over to me.

He tugs me off the couch and kisses my forehead lightly; before he can ask, I launch into the email.

“That’s incredible news,” he says when I’m done.

“Girls, what happens with all these photos and stories when you get back to school?” Dave questions us.

“Basically, we had to sign our rights away. Any of the work by the students that gets used, in any type of publications, will guarantee we get name recognition, but the school gets most of the credit, which is fine. In the end, though, IF one of our pieces is picked up for national exposure on the networks our leadership teams represent, we will be named as well. We will get no monetary payments, but we are allowed to use and note it on our resumes, internship applications, and grad school submissions. Also we’ll get recommendations from the national journalists. This is highly unlikely since the real journalistic work starts closer to when the final athletes are named,” I explain.

Quinn never quits dancing in her little circle until she throws herself at Dean. “No matter what the outcome, this type of opportunity basically guarantees a spot in the MFA program,” she sings.

When I lock eyes with Bryce, my breath disappears. His are shining bright with pure pride.

“This is going to be a lifetime experience. I wish I could share it with you.”

“Oh, buddy, don’t you worry. You’ll know every detail of the trip as if you were standing beside me. Did you forget? I’m the photographer?”

“I’m counting on it, babe, because you’re going to blow this out of the water.”

His confidence in me adds to the ever-growing list of things I cherish about him. Another moment to add to memory.

Quinn rolls her eyes when Bryce flashes his military ID and asks for a buddy pass to walk us through the airport to our gate. She’s been lenient on him since we got home from Florida, not busting his ass too much. But I can see that’s about to change.

“You know, Bryce, I think you may want to check and see about what housing assignment they’ve given you in Rhode Island. Pretty sure you’ve turned into a total girl.”

And I was right.

He keeps his mouth shut but narrows his eyes at her. She cracks up and walks ahead of us.

“Are you kidding me? This line is ridiculous.” She turns back to me and transfers her carry-on to Bryce. “I need to use the restroom and can’t wait to get through this madhouse of people. Can you carry my bag, and I’ll meet you at the gate?” Without waiting for an answer, she side steps me and disappears around the corner.

We show our documents to the TSA agent, and I get a glimpse of Bryce’s buddy pass. It is exactly like my ticket. He catches my eye and winks then leads me to the express lane.

“Bryce—”

He places one finger on my lips to quiet me then lowers his head to my ear. “Get through security, and I’ll explain. But you’ve probably figured out by now that I’m not dropping you off at the gate.”

I lean back and nod. “Is it totally improper for me to kiss you right now?”

“The kind of kiss I want would probably land us in jail, so I’ll settle for something softer.” He runs his lips across mine and then steps back, taking my bag from my hands.

Once through security, we find a restaurant near our gate. He causally orders us breakfast as I stare at him, waiting for an explanation. He finally chuckles, shaking his head.

“Did you really think I’d let you go to Virginia alone?”

“It’s for one night!” I protest.

“That was one night I wasn’t willing to give up. Not to mention, I’m going to miss your birthday next month, so I worked with Quinn to surprise you. Today and tomorrow, we’ll pack up what you need, get your apartment ready, and take care of your business. But tonight, you’re all mine, and I have a celebration planned.”

“What about Quinn?” I look for her at the gate.

“Well, I had to make her a deal. I’m responsible for gathering her items and getting them home. She gave me a detailed list and said you’d help.” He gives me a look of terror before reaching in his pocket and handing over a folded piece of paper.

I read through and giggle at the ridiculous things she listed for him. “This is a total joke, honey.”

His face visibly relaxes. “Thank God because look at items under section H.”

The waitress delivers our drinks, and I scan to Section H. It was a mistake to take a sip of water because it comes straight back up, spraying out of my mouth.

Section H:

Pink Cosmo Bunny (found in my nightstand drawer)

Sweet Success Bullet (also in pink)

Extra batteries located in my bathroom cabinets

My laugh turns into snorting as I try desperately to catch my breath. His lip twitches, fighting a smile.

“She’s good. The look on your face was priceless. I’m not sure if she does own these items, but they will not be traveling to South America with us.”

“Good to know. I was emotionally scarred, thinking about locating her sex toys. But she made me promise before she’d help me set up this surprise.

“Do you have luggage?”

He points to the bag Quinn shoved at him earlier. “That’s actually mine. Quinn’s probably in my car on her way home now. I really wanted this to be special. It’s our last night alone for months.”

My eyes start to prickle, but I smile when our food is delivered. Bryce situates his chair around the table, as close to mine as possible. He gently cups my chin then cradles my head in his neck, kissing along my forehead.

“I love you, Devon, and unfortunately, we’re going to have a lot of separation in our lives. The career I chose is going to take me away from you for long periods of time, but it’s my job to let you know that you are my world. So for the next two days, our last time alone for months, I plan to do that.”

Once again, his words bring out the deep emotions threatening to surface, and I swallow hard, gripping his wrist. “Let’s make a deal. You don’t say incredibly sweet and sentimental things that make me want to wail. Hide your sensitive side until at least the night before I leave. There’s only so much I can take.”

He grins into my neck and speaks softly, “Okay, babe, no more gushy shit. Now, let’s eat. You’re going to need your energy tonight.”