together a joint graduation party for us.
“I’m on my way. I just left Daniel’s,” I tell her.
“And Daniel?” she prompts.
“He will not be joining us. Ever,” I add as an afterthought.
“Uh, okay. Would you care to explain what that means?”
I laugh humorlessly. “That means he’s a cheating piece of shit, and I should have listened to you.” I go on to tell her about the conversation I overheard and the outcome of my little visit with my now ex-boyfriend.
“Oh, God, Logan, I’m sorry. He’s a worthless piece of shit, and you can do better,” she tells me.
“Agreed.”
“Wow, you don’t seem all that upset.”
“Well, I’m not really. I’m just over it, over the drama of it all. I don’t know why I refused to see it before now, but there was never going to be a future for us.”
“You didn’t see it because you were in love with the fairy tale,” she says softly.
It’s scary how well she knows me. “I’m pulling in,” I say. I don’t bother letting her know she’s right. She already knows.
“Great. I’m on my way out.”
A few minutes later, we’re heading to her parents’ house to celebrate another milestone.
College graduation.
As soon as we arrive, Stacy and I split in opposite directions to say hello to our parents. My mom, dad, and brother drove down from Cincinnati. Mom smiles widely as she spots me walking toward her. “There she is,” she grins, “my college graduate.”
I can’t help but smile. “Hey, Mom. Where are Dad and Jase?”
“Right here, big sister.” My little brother by four years picks me up and swings me around. He may be younger, but he’s built like a damn linebacker. I don’t bother to protest. I’ve learned that just fuels him to keep me in the air longer.
“Jase, you need to share.” My dad laughs.
Jase’s deep rumble leaves his chest as he sits me back on my feet; they barely touch the ground before my dad is lifting me into a bear hug. “Proud of you, baby girl,” he says softly, just for me.
“Where’s Daniel?” Mom asks as Dad sets me back on my feet.
“He’s not coming. We’re over, actually,” I inform my family as if we were discussing the weather.
“Pft, like we haven’t heard that before,” Jase scoffs.
“Jase!” Mom scolds him. I stick my tongue out in reply. He flips me off.
“It’s over. I’m done with his games. He’s been cheating on me. Well, technically, he wasn’t cheating since we were always ‘taking a break,’ but in my eyes, he cheated.”
“I’m going to kick his ass,” Jase seethes.
I step next to him and place my arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. “I love you for that, I do. Honestly, he’s not worth it. I’m good with it. This has been a long time coming. I just want to forget it and move on,” I tell them.
“Regardless, he better hope he doesn’t see me out,” Jase warns.
Jase has a good couple of inches on Daniel and more muscle. He could definitely give Daniel a run for his money. Not that I think that will be an issue. Daniel doesn’t like confrontation, at least not with guys who are built like my little brother. Daniel is more of a preppy pretty boy type. Don’t judge, I was a sophomore in college and he swept me off my feet. My standards are much higher now, trust me.
“Well, sounds like we have more than just graduation to celebrate,” my dad quips.
“That we do, Dad. That we do.”
“Right,” Mom says. “Let’s get Stacy and her parents over here so we can give you your presents.” She claps her hands in glee. My mom has always been a giver. Something about giving lights her up. I get that from her, also a trait Daniel played on.
Good riddance.
Jase shoves his index finger and thumb in his mouth and whistles loudly. I never could do that. “Hey, Stace, we need you all over here,” he yells once he has everyone’s attention.
Looping her arms through both of her parents,’ Stacy leads them to us. Her parents step away to stand beside mine, all four of them wearing huge-ass grins. Hmm . . . this is gonna be good. I can already tell.
Jase steps between Stacy and me and throws an arm over each of our shoulders. “Remember this in four years, will you?” he says, loud enough for our parents to hear. He knows what it is and is envious. Hell, yeah! I cannot wait to see what it is.
“Girls, we