“It’s okay.” Disappointment is clear in my voice.
“I blame it on Bryce.”
“Why him?”
“Because, apparently, Dean has decided to attend the ‘Bryce Randolph School of CRAZY’. He wants to come to the opening game and meet my cheer partner. I made the mistake of telling him about the campus article, and now he wants to meet Hank.
“In the course of a few weeks, my sweet, laid-back boyfriend has become a possessive giant! This is Bryce’s fault!”
“Still not following why you blame him. Maybe Dean genuinely wants to meet your friends.”
“Really, Dev? Let’s recap… He upsets me, which upsets you. You tell your overprotective, jealous, and extremely love sick buffoon fiancé. Next thing I know, we’re enjoying the day at a private spa, you are staying in one of the top five hotels in Atlanta, and now Dean is acting like a warrior? That is the result of Bryce Randolph!!!”
Her point is clear. “You think he maybe wanted to visit on a holiday weekend?” I ask unconvincingly.
She raises her eyebrows, and I laugh to myself. This has Bryce written all over it.
We sit in silence a few minutes until she pops up like a spring. “Oh my God! I have the best idea!”
“What the fuck! You kicked the shit out of me!” I massage the ache in my side
“Let’s get tattoos.” Her eyes light up.
I nibble on my bottom lip nervously. “What kind of tattoos?”
“How many kinds are there? The ones that are inked into your skin, you idiota.” She smirks at her witty remark.
“I know that, cadela.” Take that bitch! “I meant, what should we get?”
“Something that means something to us. I think I have an idea for me, it’s a quote.”
As soon as we are in her car, it hits me. I know the perfect tattoo.
Chapter 13
My knees bounce rapidly as I twist the program in my hands. Knowing Bryce is in the same building sets my excitement on overload. My whole body is buzzing with anticipation. Shelia and my mom keep looking at me with amused grins while my dad rolls his eyes. They can tease all they want. Due to a flight delay, I missed seeing him and Nate last night.
A pre-recorded message comes through the sound system, asking us to rise, and the door in the back opens. This is it! Goose bumps break out over my entire body as a large group of men and women march in, all dressed in their Dress Whites. When I finally find him in the crowd, my nose starts to tingle, and my eyes swell. As hard as I try to hold them back, tears fall freely. Sheila shoves a handful of tissues in my hands and sniffs softly. I stand between her and my mom, and we join hands when seated.
Nerves tingle through me during the entire ceremony. When Nate crosses the stage and salutes his drill instructor and Petty Officer, my mom gives a quiet sob. Dad wraps his arm around her shoulder and kisses her temple delicately. Pride beams on my dad’s face.
Several men and woman later, it’s my and Shelia’s turn to sob. Bryce looks so regal and pristine as he gives his own salute and silver dollar to the men in front of him. When he turns to walk away, our eyes catch for a brief second. The slight twitch of his lip is the only clue he actually saw me.
When the ceremony is over, I’m out of my seat and rushing toward the sea of white. Most of the men tower over me as I try to find either Bryce or Nate. There’s a soft tug on my elbow, and I turn to see Bryce standing in front of me. His beautiful blue eyes dance, and his face is lit with a huge smile. An embarrassing squeal escapes as I leap into his arms, slamming my mouth to his.
Immediately, I’m surrounded by his familiar scent, the warmth of his embrace, and the taste of him. Our tongues touch, and he cradles me closer, sucking me in. My blood burns with the need to let him know how much I missed him. Too soon, he breaks away and curls a hand on my cheek, locking our eyes.
“Hey.” I finally break the silence. “Congratulations.”
“Shit, it’s good to see you.” He pulls me back into a hug until a throat clears beside us.
I look back to see my brother with his arms stretched. Automatically, I go to him.
“I’m so proud of you, Nate,” I whisper though a cracked voice.
“Why the waterworks?” His warm hands rub my back gently.
“I’m overwhelmed with emotion. The ceremony was quite impressive.” I reach around and tug Bryce into the hug. “That was entirely too long not to see you both.”