Shaking his head, he replies, “I don’t need their love because I have you.”
I shouldn’t have an argument against that. We designed our relationship to work that way. Guilt still tinges my heart, though, so I say, “If you can meet them in the middle and come to peace with them, you should.”
He finally reaches across the table and holds his hand palm up for me. When I slide my hand in his, he says, “But I won’t go without you.”
“I’m not going.” Just as I begin to pull back, his grasp on me tightens. Stuck in a deadlocked staring contest, I finally blink. Leaning forward, I whisper, “They hate me, Cooper.”
“They do.” His confirmation smacks me in the chest, but his hand still holds mine like he’s never going to let go. “They hate you because of me, not because of you.”
“How is that different?”
“Because this time we go back with nothing to lose. We know where we stand with our relationship. I need to know where I stand with them.”
I look around at the other customers. No one appears to need anything, so I stay, his reasoning making sense. Before I decide, he adds, “I won’t go unless you go. I can promise you that.”
Am I going to be the one to stand in their way on the path to making up? I promised I would never make him choose between them or me, and I can’t start now.
“You can RSVP for both of us.”
“I will.” I get that golden boy smile that will always work to get his way. Fortunately for me, I received it after I’d already made my decision—what’s best for us and for me personally.
This time, I won’t be thrown into the lion’s den unprepared.
It’s a beautiful day—blue skies, birds chirping, perfect temperature of seventy-five. I kind of wish I had someone here to see it. My phone vibrates in my hand, and I see a sneaky picture of Cooper as if he knew. Making a silly face, I giggle quietly, and then even more when I read the caption: I’m thinking chicken tonight.
It’s become a running joke with us. Although we also like fried chicken.
I text: Spicy chicken sandwich?
Cooper: Yes, and I have plans for you, but can’t say now. Got to run. See you on the flipside.
I look up just as they call his name. He crosses that stage with the confidence he always carries, but this time, he has a degree to back him up.
When he reaches the other side and walks down from the stage, he texts: I’ll work out the kinks with you tonight.
Me: I was hoping you’d say that. ;)
It takes a while to get to the letter S alphabetically, but I’m one of the first when they do. So much crosses my mind as I wait to hear my name called—I have no family with me, no friends in the stands, but I do have Cooper, who’s stuck with me today since he’s graduating as well. When I cross the stage to shake hands, a breeze blows in, knocking the hat right off my head. Calliope always did steal the attention.
Closing my eyes, I let the wind blow through me.
A professor hands the hat back to me, and I readjust it on my head before moving toward the steps. As I walk through the grass back to my row, Cooper calls, “Hey Salenger?”
I stop at the end of his row, where he’s seated five people deep, and smile with my hand on my hip. “Yeah, Haywood?”
The playfulness evaporates, and sincerity filters through his handsome features. “You did good, babe.”
“Thanks. You did, too.” There’s no wiping the smile from my face as I return to my seat, sitting in the realization that I did do it. All on my own. Sure, I have a pile of debt, but I earned my college degree, and no one can ever take that away from me.
The last Z receives their degree. Finally, we get to move our tassels from right to left and toss our mortarboard hats in the air. I hug a few acquaintances around me before searching the ground for my cap.
“Looking for something?” I know that deep voice, enticing when he wants to be.
I look up to find Cooper standing with my hat in his hands. I step closer and take the hat when he hands it to me. “Seems I found it.”
“Things that are yours won’t stay lost forever.”
“What about people?” I ask, staring into his vibrant green eyes.
A strong arm comes around my waist, and he rubs my side with his hand. “Same goes for them.”
Lifting up on my toes, we meet in the middle and kiss. “Congratulations, Cooper.”
“Congratulations to you.” We stand together, taking in the hard-earned achievement.
His parents didn’t come, not that I know of. The stands were full, so if they did, they’re not here as the crowd disperses. And I’m not mentioning it. That’s on them.
When my stomach growls, I finally ask, “What do you say we go get that chicken sandwich to celebrate?”
The sun is in his eyes, so he uses his hat as a visor. “I could have it delivered so we can start the celebration sooner?”
“Sounds like the perfect way to spend our first night as new graduates.”
“Story? Cooper?” We both look forward at the same time to see Lila with her hand waving in the air and the other holding Jake’s hand as they work their way toward us.
She rushes around a family, and then we scream in excitement as we run into each other’s arms. “What are you doing here?” I ask, stepping back. “Who’s watching the shop?”
“No one. I locked up for a few hours, but I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” She brings me in for another hug. It’s comforting and strong like she’s always been for me.
“Thank you.” I hold her a little bit longer, knowing I may not get many more chances. When we part this time, she congratulates Cooper, and they hug. It’s been nice to see them become friends over the last semester. I kneel and ask Jake, “What did you think of the ceremony?”
“It was long.”
Laughing, I reply. “It was.” He leans against me, wrapping his arms around my neck. “I want to be just like you and graduate, too, when I grow up.”
I hug him so tight until I look at him and those sweet brown eyes that match his hair. Tapping him on the nose, I say, “I believe in you.” That brings a big smile to his face. “I want you to meet my friend.”
His bottom lip pops out as he pouts. “Your boyfriend. Mom told me you kiss him.”
I shoot Lila a questioning look.
“That’s not exactly what happened.” She starts to stumble over her words. Looking down at him like he sold her out to secret agents, she says, “You said you were going to marry Story one day. I simply pointed out that she had a boyfriend. I didn’t say anything about kissing.”
Jake looks at Cooper with a slight scowl on his face. “Are you the boyfriend?” he asks with an air of protectiveness.
I try so hard not to laugh.
Cooper wraps his arm around my shoulder, and though he knows he has no competition, I appreciate that he’s ready to fight for me, even when it comes to a five-year-old. “I am.”
I can’t contain my laughter and finally let it out. Cooper holds out his hand to Jake, and they shake. “Story has told me a lot about you, Jake.”
“She has?” his eyes brighten.
“She has.” Cooper kneels so he’s eye level and engages with him. “She said you have a mean left arm when it comes to football.”
“I do. My coach says so.”
As a group, we start walking toward the parking lot. Lila hooks her arm with mine as we follow the boys, who we can overhear talking about everything from football to who’s the best character on Phineas and Ferb. Jake picks Doofenshmirtz. Cooper goes with Perry. Somehow, that works, and it’s endearing to watch them together.
Lila asks, “So New York or bust?”
“Not sure yet. I need to work out a few details, and we have his graduation party in Haywood next weekend.”
Her expression sours along with her tone. “Oh yeah, I’d forgotten.” She knows all about what happened on New Year’s Eve.
“Yet I can’t stop thinking about it.”
She rubs my arm. “It will be okay. You know what you’re getting into this time.”
I nod. When we reach the parking lot, I say, “Keep me on the schedule, okay?”
“No one’s replacing you just yet.” We hug once more, and then Cooper and I walk to his car.
“Cute kid,” he says.