Apples to Oranges (10 page)

Mike smirked. “I bet. Where is Jace, anyway?” They stood in the
school’s parking lot and around them people were leaving. Mike’s parents had
already left to go home and
Brandon
had lost Jace somewhere between the gymnasium and his current location, when
Jace stopped to talk to some classmates.

“He’s back there chatting to some people. You can go on ahead
and do whatever it is that you’re doing. I’ll wait for him.”

“Sure thing. I guess I’ll see you both when I see you. Have
fun.”

Brandon
watched Mike strut across the parking lot until he was out of sight.

****

Jace felt damned good. For once his life was moving in the right
direction. He’d finally finished school and soon enough he’d start a new
chapter in his life, plus his relationship with
Brandon
had improved immensely and he no
longer felt the need to hide so much.

From behind him a voice called his name and when Jace turned in
the almost empty corridor just outside the gymnasium, he saw
Preston
standing there still in his cap and gown. “Hey,” he replied.

“I wanted to speak to you one-on-one,”
Preston
explained. “Listen, I know for some reason we never got together. I mean, we
kinda did, but that’s not what I mean.”

“It’s okay,” Jace said. “I know what you’re saying. You looked
good today and just think, no more high school.”

“Yeah, it’s going to be strange not coming back here in the
fall. Life goes on. So, anyway, I just wanted to wish you all the best for the
future. I know you’re with that guy, Brandon, and you don’t have to say
anything. You deserve to be happy. You’re a great guy.”

Jace was a little taken aback, but
Preston
sounded genuine. “You too, and I know you’ll do great in whatever you choose to
do in life, because you’re motivated and grounded.”

 
Preston
shrugged. “Maybe. I hope to find a guy like you.” He glanced at his watch. “I
should go…my parents are waiting for me outside. I gave them some lame excuse
about having to fetch a book from my locker.”
Preston
rolled his eyes. “We’re having a big family barbeque tonight.” He reached out
and squeezed Jace’s shoulder. “I’ll see you around.”

Jace’s mother had already left for home when he explained that
he wanted to stick around to be with friends. Her depression has lessened over
the past month and she was finally getting back into living life. Earlier that
day they’d had a moment, but it was all good and a part of healing.

“Your dad’s proud today,” she’d said. “I know that he’s here
with us and when you walk across that stage to accept your diploma, he’ll be
watching.”

The sentiment made him tear up, but he refused to give into his
emotions. He loved his dad and it hurt not having him there in body, but there
was comfort in knowing that he was there in spirit.

“I’m sure he is. We should get going,” he responded, changing
the topic before things became too heavy. “The ceremony starts in an hour and
we still have to drive there.”

Jace rehashed the conversation in his head and thought about his
dad. He hoped that wherever he was, his dad was at peace.

“There you are. I was waiting for you outside.”

Jace smiled at
Brandon
.
“I’m ready to go now.”

“Is there anything wrong?”
Brandon
reached down and took Jace’s hand and squeezed it gently.

“No, it’s nothing. I was thinking about my dad and wishing that
he could be here today.” There was no point in telling
Brandon
about his chat with
Preston
.

“You still miss him, eh?”

“I do and always will. It’s lessened a bit, but it’s times like
this when I really start thinking about him.”

“That’s totally understandable. You’ve got a big heart, Jace.
You care about others and it shows. You’re something special.”

Brandon
embraced Jace and by instinct he tried to pull away. “What if someone sees us?”
he questioned. While Mike did know about them, they were hardly out.

“Fuck ‘em,”
Brandon
said. “I’m over it and besides, we’re no longer in school and why should we
give a shit?”

“Point taken and you make a fine one.”

“You know how I feel about you, and I no longer see it as being
wrong. What we have is real and we shouldn’t be ashamed of it. I’ve hidden my
true self for so long that it became normal for me.”

“You’re strong. From the first moment we met I knew there was
more to you than that rough exterior. It makes me smile when I think about it,”
Jace admitted.

“And it was you that brought me out of that shell, that wall
that I’d built around myself to keep everyone out,” Brandon continued. “If you
hadn’t come into my life, I don’t know where I would have ended up.”

Jace looked up and when
Brandon
lifted his chin slowly, they kissed. It felt fantastic. This was love. This was
real.

The End

Other Books by Xondra Day:

Power Play

Beyond Friends

The Blood Between

Stockings and Suspenders

Under the Boss

Evernight Publishing

www.evernightpublishing.com