He blows out a breath and looks at me apologetically. “I just want to hold you. There’s a lot on my mind.”
“Like?”
“Like how the next two days are a big fucking deal. In the next few days, I have to say goodbye to some of my closest friends and I join the service full time. Like how nervous I am about the speech at the ceremony. And how I finally feel like my heart can beat again now that you’re here.”
I’m such a bitch. None of this has crossed my mind, and I’m ashamed of not being supportive. I nod and curl up on him, trying to tamper the need in my body.
“You’ll do great tomorrow, and I’ll be there cheering for you. Do you want to talk about anything specific?”
“No, I just want to fall asleep with my girl on me and dream about the beach next week.”
“I love you so much.”
“That’s what I’m counting on, Devon. Forever.”
If my mom cries one more time, I’m going to scream. Since meeting at lunch and seeing the guys in their uniforms, she has been a wet mess. Even Quinn told her to get a grip. Dean arrived, and I apologized for my parents’ odd behavior. If this is how they act for Nate, I’m thinking of skipping my own graduation—maybe both of them.
We’re already late, and I’m worried about getting a seat together. Bryce has been stoic all day, and if I don’t get a good seat, I’m scared he’ll blow. He joked around a little with Nate at lunch, but otherwise, he’s been quiet.
The auditorium is packed when we finally walk in, and I swear we’re the last ones here. I rush my parents forward and make sure Quinn is sitting next to me. Since we’re so late, there are only a few programs left, and I flip through to see the order of the service. Bryce speaks right in the middle.
When the music starts and the men file in, my eyes fill with tears. A hand lands on my shoulder, and I look back to see Sheila crying openly. Quinn even sniffs a few times. Dean puts his arms around her shoulder for comfort.
The ceremony itself is quite spectacular. It’s a homage to not only the Military but also the men and women’s accomplishments in college.
Bryce’s speech is flawless, and he locks eyes with me several times, which sends a chill through my body. When he and Nate actually are recognized, our group cheers so loudly they give us the hand signal to calm down.
When it’s all over and the students are dismissed, the room erupts. People file down to the floor of the small auditorium to find their loved ones. We bustle through the crowd, and I get to Nate first. He picks me up, and I scream into his shoulder how proud I am. Tomorrow may actually be his college graduation, but today is what means the most. It defines his future.
My mom pushes me out of the way when he sets me down, and I look around for Bryce. Sheila and Dave have him in an embrace, and my breath hitches at the sight. He looks around, and when his eyes lock with mine, he lets them go and stalks to me. I leap into his arms and let him spin me, holding on tight. When he sets me down, his eyes are determined and heated. He kisses me lightly and surprises me by dropping down to one knee.
The instant he hits the ground, several men around us do the same. The women in uniform stiffen and gain stance. I look around, and my family surrounds me as Sheila and Dave flank Bryce’s back. Everyone stares between the two of us.
“Devon Marie Harris, I asked you a few months ago to give me a chance. To come back to me, the girl I once knew. I hurt you deeply, and I’ll never be able to take that away, but I vow to always let you know how much you mean to me. The girl I learned to love as a boy has turned into the woman I love as a man. My days are brighter because you’re in my life. Will you promise to love me forever and marry me?”
Somehow, through my tears, I see him pull a box out of his pocket. There’s a glare that cascades with the light streaming in the windows. My knees go weak, but tiny hands hold my waist. Quinn.
“Yes,” I say meekly and then gain my voice. “Yes! OH MY GOD, YES!”
Cheers explode around us, and Bryce sinks into my waist, squeezing me so hard I may have bruises. My mom screams behind me, and my dad whistles. I look slightly to the side and see Nate on his knees with wet eyes. I cry even harder.
“Jesus Christ, I’m a lucky bastard,” Bryce whispers in my ears and takes my lips softly. I get wrapped up in the kiss until I feel the metal on my finger.
I break away and look at the antique ring I admired for years on Sheila’s hand.
“Is this?”
“Yeah, it’s my grandma’s ring,” he confirms, and I have a fresh set of waterworks. It’s an antique dinner ring with a diamond set in rubies, which is Bryce’s birthstone.
Quinn pulls me away and hugs me tightly, crying with me into my shoulder. When our eyes meet, she doesn’t look surprised.
“You knew?” I question.
“Absolutely. Do you think he was brave enough to do this without talking to me?”
I look around and everyone has the same expression. “You all knew?”
Heads nod and smiles break out on their faces. Everyone swamps me in hugs, and I lean into my dad the longest. When he steps back, Nate takes his place.