Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
I glanced out at the sea of black gowns and graduation caps to the general seating for family and friends behind us. They’d just ushered the row in front of me toward the makeshift stage. I was next. I was about to become a college graduate. I’d fulfilled the requirements for my major with top honors. Not an easy feat while playing a competitive sport but I’d done it. It was a great achievement but quite honestly, I was far more excited about some of the other things I’d accomplished in the past few months. I was an out-and-proud athlete with an amazing boyfriend, a supportive group of friends, and exciting plans for the future.
I’d enrolled in a culinary school in LA that was set to begin in the fall. The commute from Long Beach would suck, but it was only twice a week. I also had a part-time job lined up at an exclusive oceanfront restaurant I hoped would give me some real-life kitchen and business experience before I attempted to open my own bistro. The next stage would require as much hard work and dedication as the past five years, but I was ready for it.
And so was Gabe. He’d moved into my place last weekend. His lease was up at his apartment at the end of the month but he had a big tournament to prepare for, so we’d decided it was better to get it over with. My parents were charging a nominal fee for rent in deference to my newly graduated status. It wasn’t free but was still a hell of a lot cheaper than anything we could afford in the area. In a way, I think the gesture was an olive branch of sorts.
I came out to my folks during the holidays. They weren’t thrilled with what they referred to as my “life choices.” But as I’d suspected, they were more freaked out about me attending culinary school than having a boyfriend. They thought I was nuts. Maybe I was but damn, it felt good. At some point they must have noticed I was happier than ever, because they slowly thawed and began to try to understand me on my terms. They’d started showing up to Gabe’s games, and they’d even invited his mom and him to brunch today.
The family drama hadn’t been as intense as either of us feared. Gabe’s mom welcomed me warmly when he introduced me as his boyfriend and his dad…well, he was kind of a jerk. He shook my hand but then proceeded to ignore me. I didn’t think he had a problem with our relationship, though. I just wasn’t interesting to him once I hung up my water polo cap. The game was more important.
Thankfully, Gabe didn’t feel the same way. He worked hard, but he kept perspective. He wanted to ride out his success in the pool and go as far as it would take him. However, he was committed to finishing his degree too. Maybe he’d help run my bistro or maybe he’d start a swim program for underprivileged kids. The sky was the limit, I mused as I made my way along the grassy path.
I counted the graduates in front of me, patiently waiting for my name to be called. Three, two, one…
“…Derek Jackson Vaughn…”
I shook hands with the proctor and accepted the certificate he handed over before heading back down the path. I waved toward my friends hollering my name a few yards away, then stopped in my tracks and flashed a huge smile at the gorgeous man standing at the end of the row.
“Congratulations.”
Gabe pulled me into his arms for a hearty embrace and then released me. It was a safe hug. Anyone around us would have assumed we were just friends, especially on a day like today when hugs were a dime a dozen. But why settle for ordinary when you could have something memorable? I cupped the back of his neck and sealed my mouth over his in a kiss no one would mistake as “friendly.”
I chuckled when Gabe pushed his sunglasses up on his head and blinked theatrically when we broke for air.
“Thank you,” I said with a laugh.
“Did I tell you I’m proud of you?”
“I think so, but feel free to say it again,” I teased.
Gabe gave me a lopsided grin and nodded. “I’m proud of you, Der. And I can’t wait to see what kind of bread and spaghetti and—what else are you putting on your menu?”
“That’s it. Just bread and spaghetti. Everything else is overkill.”
“So true. I love you, baby.”
“I love you too.”
Gabe threw his arm over my shoulder and gathered me to his side. He kissed my temple sweetly and gave me a side-eyed look filled with humor and love and hope. It was moments like that I knew without a doubt I was where I was supposed to be. I wasn’t afraid anymore. I was free. There was a sense of personal contentment in truth. Somehow, I knew Gabe and I were out of the deep and on the right path…in love.