Page 122 of Devilry

“As a mature adult, Aiden, I feel the need to advise you that if you kiss me you will get kicked out of King.”

“Good,” he says unfazed. “This place turned me into a fucking prick anyway.”

“Fuck,” I mutter.

“What will it be Huxley? You’re wasting time. They’re tearing shreds into his scholarship as we speak. Get. Moving. “

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. “For Elijah.”

Epilogue

Elijah

NEW YEARS EVE

It’s New Year’s Eve and Cole’s house is a cross between a hotel and a disaster zone. With Geena, Meghann, and Trey staying here, what usually feels like a spacious home, now feels like a matchbox.

After Cole asked me to move in with him, I told him having Christmas Day atourhouse would be the only thing to sway my vote. When in reality, I had no willpower when it came to denying Cole. Saying no to him wasn’t in my vocabulary and that handsome fucker knew it.

The truth is, I didn’t want to stay in the King dorms any more than he wanted me to. After the whole kissing debacle at the University gala, being the talk of the town was something I didn’t want to have to get used to.

Photos of Cole and Aiden kissing spread like wildfire. But as the story itself unfolded of how my parents had dropped my name to Dean Billings first, gossip mongers were desperate to try and get the whole story.

Initially, I had felt so guilty that these two men had purposefully jeopardized their futures to save mine. But the more I saw them, and how happy and carefree they were right now, the more I realized that this was the perfect outcome for all of us.

Cole and I wanted to be together without any restrictions. We didn’t want to have to look over our shoulders, or worry about rumours. So, when Dean Billings told Cole he could return to work after a two-week suspension, Cole politely handed him his two-weeks’ notice, and said goodbye. He was careful not to burn his bridges, despite really wanting to give the dean a piece of his mind. But he’s been happier in the last few weeks than in all his time teaching at King, despite how much he loved the students and the class material. Seeing as there was no proof an actual relationship took place, Miles, Cole’s friend, is certain he’ll be able to get another job at any school, and we’ll be able to have our uncomplicated happy ever after.

As far as Aiden goes, he’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him. One day he’ll tell his story, and we’ll all be better for knowing it, but until then, he’s coming and going as he pleases, doing exactly what it is he wants. No longer the young moody man I had become accustomed to, Aiden is taking care of himself, and it’s such a beautiful sight to see.

I’ve tried a few times to apologize, or to at least thank him for what he did, but he’s told me over and over that he has no regrets. If anything, he’s finally, for once in a really long time, excited about the possibilities for his future.

I check the time, and there’s another hour and a half till everyone comes over for an impromptu New Year’s Eve party. After our Christmas dinner went so well, everyone wanted to ring in the New Year just the same way.

Cole is off buying last minute knick-knacks with his mom, and I’m almost certain Trey and Megs are having sex in the main bathroom.

When Megs had arrived in DC over a week ago, the first time we’d seen each other since the argument at Geena’s house, she spent a whole day obsessively apologizing. I told her a million times she didn’t need to, but the sentiment won’t be forgotten all the same. And she and I have gotten to spend some quality time together this week and come to realize that we actually have a lot in common, besides us both having Cole’s happiness as one of our top priorities.

“Oh hey, man. I didn’t know you were here.” Disheveled and a little bit flushed, Trey walks into the room, and I would say my assumption on the couple’s extracurricular activities was spot on.

“So, do you usually have sex in the bathroom when nobody’s home? Is that some kind of new fetish people are into these days?”

“You know what Eli?” Trey says, trying to stifle his smile, “I’d say you’re hanging around Cole too much, because you sure as shit weren’t this smart-ass-y the first time I met you.”

“Really Trey? Smart-ass-y?”

He flips me the bird than calls out to Megs. “You can come out, babe. He knows.”

When she comes into view, I throw a dishtowel at her and she quickly catches it. “Wash your hands and then help me make this pasta salad.”

Forty-five minutes later, Cole and Geena are here, and we’re about fifteen minutes from our guests arriving.

“This stuff looks great,” Cole says, his finger heading straight for the homemade French onion dip.

“What are you doing?” I slap away his hand. “I didn’t watch your mom cook all day so you can just ruin it all.”

Geena laughs from behind me. “This is why you’re my favourite, Eli.” She looks at Cole. “At least he doesn’t try to take all the credit.”

The doorbell rings just as I’ve finished setting the table with the variety of food Geena made. She specifically requested everyone tell her their favorite dish, so she could make it for tonight. She really is selfless, and in the short time I’ve known her she’s been more of a mother to me than mine ever has.

---