Page 84 of Scandalous
“What’s happening? Is she panicking again?” asked Jake, approaching from the left. He handed me a bottle of water which I took gratefully, and then he leaned in for a kiss, which I was more than happy to give him. God, he looked so damn good with his hair slicked back and a Denver Police Department badge pinned to his graduation hat. He’ll make a great cop. I know he will.
“I’m not panicking,” I insist again, straightening Jake’s hat. “Not as much as Aaron has been, anyway. Have you guys seen him?”
“I’m here,” Aaron called, right on cue. He was carrying his graduation hat in his hand, and his face was pale and chalky, but he looked damn adorable just the same. Following his dream, Aaron got accepted to one of the best art schools in the city. He intended to keep working as a medic at the station while he studied art, and I am so proud of him for following his true passion, regardless of anyone else's thoughts on it.
“Oh, honey.” I wrapped my arms around Aaron’s midsection and squeezed gently, and he hugged me back, resting his warm lips on the top of my head. “Don't be so nervous. We all have so much to be proud of.”
I take a step back, and my eyes catch sight of all three men standing beside my best friend, and I am suddenly so overwhelmed with love and compassion for each of them that I can feel real, hot tears pressing against the back of my eyeballs.
“No crying allowed,” Jami said, her brow furrowing. “This is a happy day, remember? Besides, if you cry, you’ll make me cry.”
“I remember,” I assure her and glance over my shoulder into the crowd where I could see my parents sitting in the row, waiting for me. Mom is positively beaming, and even Dad looks like he could admit to a decent time if asked. Next to Mom is Matt’s mother. She looks good, better than she has been. The chemo has been working.
Carly and Jason are nowhere to be found, which is honestly not something I could truly bring myself to care about. I heard that Jason dropped his final semester because he didn’t want to face us, and Carly transferred her credits to the online campus just before moving out of our house. None of us are the least bit sorry about it.
“Renee Elizabeth Lyon, please come forward,” the college president said, and my heart fluttered. Matt and Jake nodded at me, then planted a kiss on each cheek. Aaron hugged me tight, and Jami did too. She whispered something as she leaned in to wrap her arms around me.
“I love that you’re so happy, Renee. You deserve it.”
“Thanks, James.” I took a step back from my best friend and admired the people who meant the most to me.
“Here’s to new beginnings,” I grinned. “And new friendships, and new loves.”
“Here, here!” Aaron cheered with a smile. I pulled my shoulders back and walked onto the stage to accept my nursing diploma. My parents stood to cheer in front of me, and to the back of me, the men I loved, and my best friend hooted and hollered in excitement, chanting my name. I grinned so vastly that I thought my face might crack as I accepted my diploma.
What a beautiful day.
