Page 215 of Staying Selfless

“So pretty. And you, Ali girl.” She wraps up my tiny friend. “Gorgeous as always.” She shoots Marc a knowing look as she holds Ali in a hug, but he just rolls his eyes.

I give Jack a quick hug before doing the same to Cam, Goody, Benny, and Sarah. I take my spot next to Marc and in front of Cam, ready to watch my man cross the stage and get his degree.

“Don’t tell your boyfriend this.” Goody bends down, speaking quietly. “I’m not trying to get my ass kicked here, but you look smoking hot today. And those brownies you taught me how to make the other day landed me a date with this cute chick from my physics class.”

“Nice work.” High-fiving Goody, I note the smug smile on his lips.

“When did you guys find out that Eli was graduating?” I pose my question to the rest of my boyfriend’s former teammates.

“When Marc texted us last night,” Cam explains. “We had no idea.”

“And when did you guys know?” I turn to Eli’s parents.

Both Jack and Mary look guilty as hell, averting their gazes from me.

“A couple of weeks now,” Mary admits.

“He made us promise not to say anything,” Jack adds without apology.

“I can’t believe he kept it a secret.”

“Logan, has Maddison signed yet?” Benny asks.

“Not that I know of.”

“Well, can one of you two let me know as soon as possible?” Goody requests. “I’m stoked for him, but really, I just need to know when he’s officially moving out so I can take his room.”

“Such a good friend, you dick,” Cam laughs.

“It’s twice the size of mine.” Goody’s shoulders pop in a nonchalant shrug. “I can get a king-sized bed in there, if you know what I’m saying.”

“Twice the space to sleep alone,” Benny teases, his girlfriend laughing right along with him.

As my friends mingle amongst themselves, my eyes wander across the crowd of students on the field, looking for Eli. I probably couldn’t pick him out if I tried. There are way too many people dressed in maroon graduation caps and gowns.

There are a few dots of empty chairs in the sea of deep red, but besides that, every seat is filled with a graduating student. But my eyes catch an empty chair, somewhere in the middle of the crowd, with Eli’s last name on it, just as every seat is assigned today.

Finally, the ceremony gets underway, the opening speaker welcoming the crowd. I continue to scan the stadium, looking at every possible entrance and hoping Eli gets here soon. And just as that thought crosses my mind, my favorite 6’4” piece of ass comes jogging into the arena, his cap in his hand and his gown fully unzipped, catching in the wind. He slips into his seat before he zips up the silky maroon fabric, donning the cap on top of his head and effortlessly looking hot as hell.

“There he is.” Marc nudges me, pointing in his brother’s direction as if I hadn’t been staring since the second my eyes found him.

My cheeks are already sore from the smile that won’t leave my lips. It’s mostly because I can’t wait to see Eli, but also because he impresses me more and more every day, and I couldn’t be more proud of him and everything he’s accomplished this year.

But there’s also a stirring in my belly, a mixture of excitement and nerves, praying to god that we are okay, and all the insecurities I’ve held over the last six weeks were simply made up in my head.

My knees continue to bounce for the duration of the ceremony. The combination of the sun beating down and the anxiousness coursing through my veins, warms my skin. The guest speakers take their sweet time, dragging this out as long as possible and loving the sound of their own voices.

But the truth is, I’d sit here all day just for the ten seconds it’ll take for Eli to walk across the stage.

Eventually, the names of the graduates begin to get rattled off, students crossing the stage, shaking the president of the university’s hand, and swapping their tassels to the other side of their caps.

There’s a low stirring of cheers as each name is announced, mostly small sections of friends and families excited for their individual student.

“Eli James Maddison,” the announcer booms and the stadium grows much louder than it’s been for any other student before him.

It reminds me of when he’s introduced at his hockey games, the crowd regularly erupting just a little bit more in volume. He’s been a local celebrity here for the last five years, the best hockey player in a state that worships the sport. And now, after the past six weeks in the NHL, he’s even more adored.

Regardless of all that, the small crowd around me consisting of Eli’s friends and family is much louder than any other attendees here. We all stand and cheer for him, with shouts and whistles for his achievements. My chest fills with pride for him, and my eyes sting a bit when he crosses the stage.

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