requesting a sit-down meeting with my whole team to ask some specific questions that will be used to complement my work. They’ve also asked me to provide at least five additional pictures. I squeal and grab my phone to send a group text to my family and Bryce.
Me: October - The University paper will feature moi’. Can you believe it? I’ll send more information when I can!!!
The messages come back instantly.
Mom: Bring everything to Rhode Island with you tomorrow night. I want to see it all!
Dad: Way to go, Devon!
Nate: I expect an autographed printed copy when available.
Bryce: Beautiful, there was never any doubt. Congratulations. Can’t wait to see you to celebrate.
Then the messages take a whole new tone.
Dad: Bryce, this is a family message. Not sure if you saw, but please refrain from talking about any kind of celebration with my baby girl.
Bryce: ** raising hands in innocence** Family friendly message. We’ll have a lot to celebrate.
Nate: Slapped him upside the head, Dad. No need to worry.
Yeesh! These men are ridiculous. A new text comes through only from Bryce.
Bryce: So fucking proud of you, baby. Seriously… can’t wait to ‘celebrate’.
Me: God, I miss you.
Bryce: Going into a session. Call tomorrow.
Me: Love you. Wednesday can’t come soon enough.
The door to the apartment swings open with a bang.
“Did you get an email?” Quinn yells, bouncing in.
“Yes! Did you?”
“November Edition! Gymnastics and Wrestling!”
“October—DIVING!!!!!!!”
I jump into her arms, and we dance around, talking over each other until we collapse in a heap on the sofa.
“We’re pretty awesome, aren’t we?” She tries to catch her breath. “I’m so glad you brought us here.”
“Me too, sista. Me too. Things really do work out for a reason.”
Her head falls back on a throw pillow, and she rolls over, shoving her feet in my lap.
“Dean is flying up this weekend. Sorry to bust up your love fest, but he insisted. We’ll try to stay out of your way as much as possible.”
“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
Me: October - The University paper will feature moi’. Can you believe it? I’ll send more information when I can!!!
The messages come back instantly.
Mom: Bring everything to Rhode Island with you tomorrow night. I want to see it all!
Dad: Way to go, Devon!
Nate: I expect an autographed printed copy when available.
Bryce: Beautiful, there was never any doubt. Congratulations. Can’t wait to see you to celebrate.
Then the messages take a whole new tone.
Dad: Bryce, this is a family message. Not sure if you saw, but please refrain from talking about any kind of celebration with my baby girl.
Bryce: ** raising hands in innocence** Family friendly message. We’ll have a lot to celebrate.
Nate: Slapped him upside the head, Dad. No need to worry.
Yeesh! These men are ridiculous. A new text comes through only from Bryce.
Bryce: So fucking proud of you, baby. Seriously… can’t wait to ‘celebrate’.
Me: God, I miss you.
Bryce: Going into a session. Call tomorrow.
Me: Love you. Wednesday can’t come soon enough.
The door to the apartment swings open with a bang.
“Did you get an email?” Quinn yells, bouncing in.
“Yes! Did you?”
“November Edition! Gymnastics and Wrestling!”
“October—DIVING!!!!!!!”
I jump into her arms, and we dance around, talking over each other until we collapse in a heap on the sofa.
“We’re pretty awesome, aren’t we?” She tries to catch her breath. “I’m so glad you brought us here.”
“Me too, sista. Me too. Things really do work out for a reason.”
Her head falls back on a throw pillow, and she rolls over, shoving her feet in my lap.
“Dean is flying up this weekend. Sorry to bust up your love fest, but he insisted. We’ll try to stay out of your way as much as possible.”
“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
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