“You made Eliza frown again. Keep it up and she won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”
My face flamed and Faye looked appalled. Randy was slow on the uptick. He pointed at Trask. “We love you. We hoped for the best for you. But you’re just like Jude, lost and still finding your way back. But you will see the reason someday.”
Trask squeezed my hand, looking into my eyes, totally ignoring their outburst. “That’s six, sweetheart. How will you ever survive?”
I snorted. “I think I can manage.”
“Enjoy the champagne,” Trask said, tipping his head to his parents as he ushered me out of the little church.
“I didn’t really get a good look inside.”
“We can come back,” Trask said. “I have other things on my mind.”
“I’m sorry—”
“I’m talking about your pussy, Eliza. The shit my parents pull doesn’t phase me anymore. I’m not even embarrassed by their brazenness now. I just want to make you smile.”
I grinned. “Who am I to deny you that?”
EPILOGUE 2: TRASK
Iheld her close, like I did each night, stroking her bare back with my fingertips. I would never tire of this. I wanted her every day.
“Are you sure you don’t want to walk at graduation, baby?” I asked.
“Please, no. For the love of everything, do not make me put on a weird ass robe and hat and make me walk across a stage for a pretend diploma while the real one is stuck in the mail somewhere.”
“We need to celebrate,” I declared. Because it was true. She busted her ass to graduate a year early and though she never said it, I knew she was relieved to be done with school.
“Let’s go to a fancy restaurant. We can drink that almond champagne and talk about all the naughty things we want to do to one another when we get back home.”
I laughed, pulling her close to me in our bed. It wouldn’t be long before she drifted off to sleep, but I knew I’d be up for hours, my mind working overtime.
“Are you sure you don’t want to walk?” I asked again.
“Trask, for goodness's sake. The ceremony is tomorrow. I purposely didn’t turn in any of my information. I didn’t buy the damned cap and gown because I seriously don’t want to.”
I sat up. Fuck the plan. “Okay, then come with me.”
She sat up, squinting as I turned on the light. “What is going on?”
I tossed some joggers and a sweatshirt at her. “Get dressed. I have a surprise.”
“Now? Are you joking?”
“Does it look like I’m joking?” I threw on a pair of sweats and started pulling on my shoes. She followed suit, looking confused and excited.
“Where are we going?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
I pulled her out to the truck and took off driving before I had a chance to change my mind or she had a chance to protest.
“Where are we going?” She laughed. God, I loved that sound.
“It’s a secret, love.” I pulled into a grocery store parking lot.
“Walmart? How riveting,” she deadpanned.