Stars and constellations, p.27
Stars and Constellations, page 27
part #6 of Light in the Dark Series
I add my tennis shoes to the pile of clothing as well as a baseball cap.
Xander starts packing while I gather the last of the items I’ll need to wear for graduation—a necklace, watch, and a pair of heels.
“Do you have everything you need?” I ask him, pointing to his pile of clothes.
He narrows his eyes on the items and then jumps up. “Shit, I almost forgot my watch.”
He runs across the room to a box labeled Dresser Items and comes back a moment later with his black watch—a gift from his parents for his team winning the Super Bowl two years ago.
I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of him than I was that day, as I watched the love of my life realize his dreams.
He adds the watch to the pile of clothes and sits back down on the floor.
“Hang on,” I say, this time being the one to jump up.
I grab my laptop and bring it over to the floor. I bring up Netflix and the last episode of Arrow that we watched.
“Now this will be much more fun,” I tell him.
As the show plays we work together to pack the last of our clothes—because I’m a shopaholic it takes quite a while. By the time we finish, it’s late and I’m ready to fall over.
Xander carries the boxes over to the door, and I stretch out on the floor staring at the ceiling.
Once all the boxes are moved, he towers over me, fighting a smile.
“What’cha doin’ down there?” he asks with a slight smirk, his full lips tilting on one corner.
“Too. Tired. To. Move,” I rasp in a voice like I’m dehydrated then reach out with weak fingers.
He laughs and hauls me up. “Cute, Kincaid.” He kisses my forehead.
I might never get used to him calling me Kincaid. In fact, I hope I never do because I love the fluttery feeling of butterflies I get in my stomach. When we first got married I didn’t have that feeling, I was terrified since it was such a spur of the moment thing, but now I love it.
Xander turns back the covers and climbs beneath them.
I join him and roll to my side. A moment later, his arm wraps around me, and I smile as he burrows his head into the crook of my neck.
“I love you.” He kisses the edge of my jaw.
“I love you too,” I say back.
I thought I’d be too keyed up to fall asleep, but my eyes grow heavy and sleep claims me.
I shower, curl my hair, and carefully apply my makeup before getting dressed.
I assess myself in the bathroom mirror, since my floor-length mirror is currently bubble-wrapped for the move. The dress fits me well, it’s a flattering cut, and ends just above my knees.
I inhale a deep breath. In a couple of hours, I’m going to be graduating. I’ll no longer be a college student. Classes, homework, and exams have consumed my life for four long years, and even though I’m beyond happy to be done, I feel a little lost. What do I do now?
The obvious answer is get a job, but that’s easier said than done.
“Hey, you ready?” Xander asks, poking his head into the bathroom.
My stomach dips when I see him because he looks too hot for his own good. The boy knows how to wear a dress shirt. The white material clings to his defined arms and chest.
“We need to go,” he continues, fiddling with his watch.
I look at the time and curse. He’s right, we do need to go since the four of us are supposed to meet Jace and Nova for breakfast before graduation.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” I say, forcing a smile.
I am ready, technically, in the sense that I’m dressed and my hair and makeup’s done. But my mind? That’s definitely not ready for today.
I don’t remember being this nervous at my high school graduation.
I smooth my hands down my dress and then flick off the bathroom light before I follow Xander out of the room and to the car.
Rae and Cade are already in his Jeep, and we join them instead of going in separate cars.
“Hey, look at you, no longer looking homeless,” I comment, buckling my seatbelt.
Cade had gone out and gotten a haircut this morning. It’s still on the longer side, but now just past his ears which is a vast improvement and the rodent that was on his face is now gone.
Cade starts to back out. “Stop!” I cry and he slams on the brakes. “I don’t feel so good,” I mutter, reaching for the door handle. I push it open and tumble out of the car, running for the house. I don’t make it far before I stop in the middle of the yard and throw up.
“Thea?” Xander calls worriedly, and a moment later his hand touches the small of my back. “Are you okay?” he asks, pulling my hair away from my neck.
I inhale a ragged breath, trying to calm my rolling stomach.
“I think I’m okay,” I say after a moment. “Just nerves.”
His brows knit together, and I can tell he’s unconvinced.
“I need to go brush my teeth,” I mutter, pulling away from him.
His hand falls from my hair and he follows me back up the driveway. Cade’s already opened the garage door so I head right inside and up the stairs.
“Thea?” Xander probes as he follows me. “What’s going on? I’m worried.”
I flip on the bathroom light and grab my toothbrush and toothpaste—practically the only essentials left in the bathroom.
“I don’t know,” I tell him honestly. “I really think it’s just the nerves,” I explain, but I’m unconvinced, and I can tell he is too.
“Do you think it’s that bug or whatever you had a few weeks ago?”
I shrug. “Idoubtit,” I say, my voice garbled around the toothbrush. I spit and rinse my mouth. “I took antibiotics for it, so I doubt it’d come back, especially this soon.”
“But you feel okay, right?”
“I’m a little tired, but that’s normal.” I wipe my mouth and reapply my lipstick.
“I just want to make sure you’re well enough for the trip. I don’t want to be …” he trails off, realizing he’s about to spill too many details.
“You don’t want to be what?” I pester.
He bites his lip. “I don’t want to be out of the country with you sick,” he admits.
I raise a brow, fighting a smile. “We’re leaving the country?”
“Yes, but I’m not telling you where. Not yet, at least.”
I turn the light off and we go through the whole process of leaving the house again.
When we slide into the car, Cade immediately launches into a tirade. “Are you sick again? Should we go to the doctor? You can skip graduation if you need to, Thea. Your health comes first.”
Honestly, my brother takes overprotective to a whole new level.
“I’m fine,” I assure him. “Jace and Nova are probably wondering where we are, so let’s go.” I wave my hand in a gesture for him to hurry up.
He watches me in the rearview mirror so I paste on a smile and that seems to make him feel better.
Honestly, I feel fine now, like I wasn’t just sick. In fact, I feel like I could go run a mile. I better not get ahead of myself—I hate cardio, unless it involves sex with Xander then I’m all over that.
We arrive at the café and my stomach rumbles. It’s nearly ten in the morning and I haven’t eaten anything yet—which might explain why I got sick.
Jace and Nova stand outside his truck. She stands in front of him and he has his arms wrapped around her from behind, his head ducked into her neck. He must say something because she laughs, smiling a big smile, which in turn makes me smile. Jace has always been a bit … intense and broody, but Nova brings out the best in him and vice versa. I’ve never seen two people more well-matched … except maybe Xander and myself, because we go together pretty damn well.
Cade parks the Jeep by the curb and we all hop out. Jace and Nova walk over to meet us and hugs are exchanged.
We head inside and get a table. A waitress immediately takes our drink order and then we all peruse the menu, trying to decide what we want for breakfast.
My stomach rumbles, and I eye the items on the menu. Everything sounds good, but I ultimately decide on the French toast.
The waitress comes back with our drinks and then takes our order.
When she’s gone, Jace speaks. “Well—” he drapes his arm behind Nova’s chair “—you girls are finally joining us big boys in the real world instead of playing at school.”
Nova shakes her head. “I wouldn’t call it playing.”
Jace’s lips quirk, fighting a smile.
“Yeah, it’s a lot of hard work,” I pipe in, sipping my water.
“I’m just glad Nova won’t have to buddy up with Joel anymore. How is it that you’re constantly partnered with that guy?”
Nova laughs. “Because, after being forced to work with him, I found that I like him and he’s my friend so we choose to work together now. Plus, we have a feel for each other’s techniques and styles so it makes working together not a headache. Besides, you like him—admit it, he’s not a bad guy.”
Jace sighs heavily. “He’s okay.”
“He’s more than okay.”
Jace growls. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Okay,” I interrupt, “I know arguing is like your form of foreplay, but we’re at breakfast.”
Jace chuckles and raises his hands innocently. “All right,” he relinquishes and Nova blushes.
Xander tugs on a piece of my hair, garnering my attention. “How are you feeling?” he asks, still worried.
I shrug. “Much better, honestly. I’m hungry, though—I think maybe that, combined with my nerves, made me sick.”
He nods, like that makes sense. “You’ll tell me if it’s something more?”
I nod, sure that he’s worried about the possibility of ending up in some foreign hospital.
“I really think I’m fine,” I assure him and lean over, kissing him quickly. I fight a smile and wipe the lipstick that smeared on his mouth.
“We need a toast,” Cade announces.
Xander chuckles and raises his glass. “Hit us with it, brother.”
Cade raises his glass and we all echo. “Here’s to growing up, becoming better people, and the best year of our lives. Cheers.”
“Cheers,” we echo, and clink our glasses together.
I smile over at Xander. While I’ve been worried about the future, I know that as long as I have him by my side, it’s going to be pretty great.
He leans over to kiss my forehead, and I melt into his touch.
I never believed I’d one day look at anyone—but especially him—and think this is my person. He completes me in every possible way. I couldn’t have found anyone more perfect for me.
The nerves return when we arrive at my school. Xander kisses me goodbye before he and the other guys head off to the stadium where graduation is being held.
Rae, Nova, and I head into the school and to the front lobby where we were told to meet to pick up our cap and gown rentals.
“Hey!” Joel, Nova’s friend, waves at us and makes his way through the crowd to us. Joel started out as only Nova’s friend, but has since integrated himself into our main friend group, and even though Jace won’t admit it, I know he kind of likes the guy.
“Hey,” Nova greets, and then hugs him.
He’s a good-looking guy. Tall, but not a giant like Xander or Jace, and not nearly as built as either, but he has a sweet face with dark hair that flops over his forehead messily.
He then hugs Rae and me. It hasn’t been long since we last saw each other but I think we’re feeling nostalgic.
“Come here, don’t fight this line,” he warns, indicating the main line. “There’s another back here that people can’t see. I’ll show you.”
He quickly turns and heads around the crowd and we scurry after him.
He’s right, there is another line and it only has ten people ahead of us, which is much less than the other line.
Joel already has his blue gown on, with his cap clasped loosely in his hand.
He speaks with Nova as we move up in the line.
It isn’t long before the three of us have our yellow gowns and then we move off to slip them on.
Everything becomes a flurry of chaos as we’re organized into lines. Nova is sent to the front since her last name is Clarke, Rae’s in the back since she’s Wilder, and since I’m Kincaid now, I’m pretty much in the middle. Joel’s last name is Whitaker so he ends up hanging in the back with Rae.
Our graduating class is huge and it takes us a while to be organized.
I don’t recognize any of the people around me, but I notice I get a few looks, especially from the girls.
As Xander’s football fame has grown, we’ve garnered more and more attention. Especially when the media caught wind of our Vegas wedding. That story broke almost a year after we were married, but people ate it up. I think the only reason it stayed buried so long is because we had a ‘normal’ wedding at the end of the summer so our family could be there, so a lot of people thought that was our actual wedding. But people have been fascinated by us—I think because we’re young and fun. Plus, I have no filter, which makes things interesting. Girls, however, seem to be extremely jealous of me—I guess because Xander’s hot, because it’s certainly not like they actually know him. Honestly, I’ve never understood why people get jealous over other people’s relationships. I’ve known Xander since we were kids, and I can’t help that we fell in love.
They finally get everyone in line and we file outside.
I take a deep breath, holding my head high as I walk with confidence.
Right now, all my worries are fleeing and I feel silly for freaking out earlier.
We descend the steps into the stadium. I scan the stands for Xander, my brother, my mom, her boyfriend, and Jace, but I don’t find any of them, which isn’t surprising considering the amount of people in attendance, but I still wish I could spot them.
The line snakes around in front of the seats and we all stand until they tell us to sit.
The summer sun beats down on us, and beneath the cheap polyester gown, I begin to sweat.
Gross.
Several speeches are given, but I zone out for most of it. Sadly, it’s not very interesting. Besides, my thoughts are occupied with daydreams of where Xander’s taking me. Now that I’ve warmed up to the idea of leaving I’m actually kind of excited.
It’s overseas—I know that much, since a passport is involved. Although, it could be Canada, but I find that doubtful. My guess is something tropical, perhaps in South America.
“Go,” the person beside me nudges me with a disgusted hushed whisper.
I jump, realizing that everyone has stood and the line is moving. I hurry into action, holding my head high like I wasn’t daydreaming.
The line snakes around and up onto the stage.
“Thea Elizabeth Kincaid.”
When I get my diploma and my tassel is moved from one side of my cap to the other, I finally spot my family in the crowd. Xander stands, whistling, and clapping. I smile up at him and wave as I descend the stairs. It’s funny, for once he’s in the stands cheering me on. I kind of like this reversal.
I stick out my tongue and grin at him. He winks back and my stomach flutters.
I see everyone else with him and wave at them all before hurrying to my seat.
It takes a good while longer for them to finish calling all the names.
I fan myself quietly, drowning in sweat. My stomach rolls and I worry that maybe I really do have a bug or something. But I know in reality sitting in the sun, dehydrated, isn’t the best idea and this is probably all tied into that.
Suddenly, caps are flying in the air, and I realize belatedly that I haven’t thrown mine.
I’m not with it today.
I pretend to toss mine off, but I really just lift it off and drop it back in my lap.
Everyone stands and the crowd in the bleachers descends onto the football field.
I lift my head in search of Rae and Nova. I spot Nova headed back toward me from the front so I wait for her.
“We did it.” She smiles widely and hugs me. She steps back, her brown eyes bright and her freckles standing out across her nose.
“We did,” I echo.
“Let’s find Rae.” She loops her arm through mine and pulls me through the crowd.
We finally meet up with Joel and Rae, and then we all look for everyone else.
I spot Xander and take off running into his arms.
“Whoa.” He chuckles, catching me.
He lifts me up and I take his face between my hands, the scruff rasping against my palms, and lower my head to kiss him.
“What was that for?” he asks, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Because I can,” I answer as he sets me down.
He wraps his arms around me, and I turn to see Rae kissing Cade, and Nova and Jace going at it in a way that is not at all appropriate for the public. It makes me laugh, though, since those two were so anti-relationship, but now might be the worst of all of us when it comes to PDA.
I spot my mom and her boyfriend, James, hovering behind the group.
I was so happy for my mom when she finally started dating again. What she had with my dad was a toxic and unhealthy relationship and she deserved to find a good guy. I think James is that guy, but if he turns out not to be, I’ll kick him in the balls.
My mom is in a better place now. She’s not the same quiet and meek woman she used to be. She’s absolutely radiant. She smiles and cracks jokes. She bakes us cookies and drops them by the house. She calls regularly. She’s there.
I extract myself from Xander’s arms and go to hug my mom. She squeezes me tight.
“I’m so proud of you, Thea,” she whispers in my ear.
“Thank you.” Hearing that means more than she’ll ever know. My first year of college I had no idea what I wanted to do. I think that’s true for a lot of people. It’s hard to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life. But I finally decided that I wanted to help kids and women affected by domestic violence. Social work isn’t the most glamorous of jobs. I know it’ll be long hours and hard work for little pay, but if I can make a difference in only one person’s life then I’ve done my job.
