Page 76 of Learn Your Limits
Grabbing his hand with my clean one, I drag him until he’s pressed against me, chest to chest. I couldn’t care less about the mess on my desk or on my clothes when he looks down at me like no one else exists in the world. With a lift of my head, I meet his lips in a passionate kiss, tasting my forever with every swipe of my tongue against his.
“I love you, Reid,” I whisper, my breath fanning his lips as I remain close and hold him within my arms.
“I love you, Emiliano.”
Chapter fifty-two
Reid
Oakhart’s stadium is packed to the brim today, a buzz of energy coursing over the throng of graduates as one of the faculty members delivers the commencement speech. It’s a lot to take in, and honestly, it’s kind of overwhelming. As I sit here and try to force myself to pay attention to the well-crafted speech, one I’m sure has been given at least a dozen times to different graduating classes, I can’t help but think about how different my life has become in the last year.
Ten months ago, all I wanted was to find my freedom.
I signed up for a dating app as a way to put myself out there, thinking maybe I would have some fun, and if I was lucky, I’d find myself along the way. I never could have dreamed that I would fall in love and that love would be the thing to finally set me free.
Being loved by Emiliano Cervantes gave me the courage to finally be true to myself. It gave me the strength to be honest with my parents and to fight for the life I want.
A life that’s going to be much more vibrant with him by my side. Milo has already changed my world in more ways than I can count, and our life together has only just begun.
Because of him, I finally feel like I have a real family.
My relationship with my dad is more non-existent than ever before, but things with my mom have never been better, and Milo’s family has welcomed me with open arms. I haven’t had the chance to meet them yet, but I speak to his parents almost every Sunday when Milo calls them to check in. His parents graciously gifted me with a brand new tablet for graduation so that I have a way to create digital art, and both of his siblings sent cards.
For the first time, I feel like I have people in my corner who actually want what’s best for me and not what’s going to benefit them the most.
The thundering applause rolling through the filled stadium draws my attention to the crowd. There’s a sea of people, all here to celebrate their loved ones, but all I see is him. I mean, from where I’m sitting among the horde of graduates, I can’t actuallyseehim.
But I can feel him.
I know he’s here somewhere, sitting with my mom and Avalon, and I’m just waiting for the moment when this is finally over and we can live without barriers or restrictions. Living with Milo the past few months has been life-changing in the best way possible. I’ve never felt more like myself than when I’m with him, but I’m looking forward to truly being free.
With the final words of the commencement ceremony carrying over the crowd, a weight lifts from my shoulders, and I stand among the rest of the graduates, giving myself a moment to take it all in.
Scanning the crowd, my eyes quickly land on Milo, moving in confident strides toward me through the mass of people.A smile spreads across my face as I take off into a jog, my hands immediately landing on his waist when I reach him. The expression on his face matches mine, and it’s one filled with more love and adoration than I’ve ever known.
I’m vaguely aware of the university staff members lingering among the crowd, but I can’t find it within me to care. I wrap a hand around the back of Milo’s neck, pulling his lips to mine, and the world around us seemingly vanishes into thin air. The people, the noise, it all disappears.
Somehow, this year I managed to not only find the love of my life, but to find myself as well. I’m no longer being held down by my father’s expectations or the fear of disappointing him.
Instead, I’m living for me and building the life I want, with the man I love by my side. I know now that Milo and I will be able to overcome any obstacle that comes our way and that there are no limits when it comes to love.
Epilogue
Being amongst a community where Reid and I are just another couple in the large crowd has eased some of the tension I’ve been feeling lately. Not only was I eager for the busy school year to finish, but the whispers and judgmental looks I was receiving from a few colleagues were annoying me. Some days, it felt like Teresa was my only friend at the university.
A professor dating an ex-student might be gossiped about for a while, but I know the vultures will eventually focus their attention on something else. Until then, it’s my scarlet letter to bear, and I’ll wear it without an ounce of shame. The way Reid and I found each other is unorthodox—I’m well aware—yet I do not regret one moment of hardship we endured and the love that bloomed because of it.
Today though, there’s only celebration in mind. Reid has just accepted a school counselor position at a local elementary school, and we are spending the weekend at the Pride Festival.
“Milo, there’s so many people,” Reid comments beside me as we walk hand-in-hand through the festival entrance. The fascination in his voice makes me smile. I’m excited for himto experience just how soul-nourishing revelry with other queer people can be.
“And this isn’t even the largest festival,” I reply, squeezing his hand gently. “We should consider attending the one in New York City one of these years.” It’s only one of the trips we could take in this lifetime together.
“I’d love that,” he beams as we pause to the side of the incoming crowd. His amber eyes leave mine, looking at something over my shoulder, and I follow his view.
Behind us, the word “pride” is displayed on a huge canvas, each letter depicting different people in all sorts of different relationships. The art is gorgeous—bold lines and bright colors—I can see why it’s caught Reid’s eye.
“Do you want a picture?” I ask, already retrieving my phone from my pocket as Reid nods in reply. Still hand-in-hand, I guide him over to the mural where others are in a short line waiting to take pictures.
