Combust (The Wellingtons #1) (43 page)

“HAVE YOU given it any more thought?” Reese asks. She’s in my room, curling my hair as we get ready for graduation.

Staring into the mirror, I can hardly believe this day is here. Was it really only a few short months ago that my last semester of college was starting? After acing my chemistry course—thanks to my amazingly attentive and detailed tutor—I am officially graduating college. It’s surreal, and I still want to pinch myself sometimes. I can’t believe everything that’s happened since January, and I wouldn’t change a single second of it.

“Earth to Andi.” My eyes glance up, and I see her standing there with one hand on her hip. “Did you hear me? Have you thought about what you’re doing?”

The night Cohen asked me to move to Memphis with him, I wanted to scream out a resounding yes. We’d been tiptoeing around the future, and when he finally mentioned it, I froze. Part of me was afraid that he just felt bad for me, but then I saw the disappointment in his eyes when I said that it was an option. He hasn’t brought it up again, and I know Reese is exasperated with my holding out.

“I’m going to tell him yes. Tonight, after the party and after I tell Dad I’m not going to grad school. At least not yet.”

Reese squeals and jumps up and down, yanking my hair in the process. “Oops! Sorry, Andi. I’m just so happy for you.” She lets out a dreamy sigh and then holds up her ring finger to me. “It’s only a matter of time before you have one of these bad boys on your left hand.”

I nearly choke on my own spit. “Reese, we’re moving to the same city. Not getting engaged. He has years of school left, and I need to work on establishing my own career. Marriage is far, far off for us.”

She simply shrugs and starts talking about her wedding plans as she continues to finish doing my hair. I’m anxious to get on campus to see Cohen, to walk across the stage as I accept my diploma, and then finally tell him tonight what I’ve decided.

STRONG ARMS surround my waist as soon as the ceremony ends. A head rests on my shoulder, and I feel his warm breath on my ear. “Now that you’re an educated woman, do you still love me? Or did you only want me for my brains?”

Turning around and slipping arms around his neck, I gaze up at Cohen. “Well, at first I loved you for your brains…and then I got reacquainted with the rest of you. It’s safe to say I love every single part of you.”

With a slight chuckle, he leans in and crushes his mouth against mine. He picks me up and whirls me around until I’m breathless and dizzy—whether it’s from the twirling or his kisses, I’m not sure. Just as he’s setting me on the ground, I hear a throat clear behind us.

Pulling my lips away from him, I see my parents and Riley standing just a few feet away. Since Cohen and I have been dating, I haven’t made it back to Bethel for him to meet them, citing being too busy with school. Riley’s giving me a knowing look, Dad looks surprised, and Mom’s lips are twitching as if she wants to smile. It’s not that I kept Cohen a secret. He’s almost always around when I call home, but they may not have known how serious it’s become.

Cohen wraps an arm around my waist and steps towards them. “I’d recognize that gorgeous shade of red anywhere. You must be Mrs. Kane.” He extends his hand, and I can tell that Mom’s already charmed.

Dad grunts, and Cohen turns to him.

“Mr. Kane. It’s nice to meet you. You have a wonderful daughter.”

Dad takes his hand and gives him a firm shake. “And you are?”

Mom slaps his chest. “Honey, you know this is Cohen. Cohen, it’s so nice to finally meet you. We’ve heard so much about you. Thank you for helping our Andi get through that dreaded science course.”

Cohen gives her a sweet smile. “Trust me. The pleasure was all mine.”

A choking sound escapes Riley, and he squares his shoulders as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Dude, that’s my sister,” he growls.

Heat floods onto my face when Mom asks him what he means. Fortunately, I hear someone calling Cohen’s name. I see Charlie waving at him. He places a kiss on my temple then turns towards my family.

“If you’ll excuse me. She’ll yell my name all over campus until I answer her. I’ll see you all later at the party.” With one more kiss, he walks away, and I wish he were taking me with him.

Mom slips her arm around my shoulder and we start to walk toward the parking lot. “Oh, sweetie, you’ve been holding out on us. He’s quite a handsome boy.” I blush again then look at Dad, who’s frowning. “Oh, don’t worry about him. You know your dad. He’s just depressed that his little girl, his only girl, is all grown up now. I’m sure he’ll love him.”

Dad mumbles something under his breath, and suddenly I have no idea how I’m going to tell him of my plans for the fall. He’s been pushing for graduate school since last summer, and I know he’s going to be disappointed. But it’s my future, and like Mom said, I’m all grown up. It’s time I start acting like it and go for the future I want because I’m the one who’s going to be living it. No one else can make the decision for me.

THE GRADUATION party at Andi’s house is well under way, and even though her Dad keeps giving me side glances like he doesn’t quite trust me with his little girl, I can’t help the high I’m on. I’m one step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming a doctor. I have the girl of my dreams by my side, and nothing can bring me down tonight.

After playing a couple of rounds of corn hole in the backyard with Andi’s brother, he gives me a fist pump and tells me that I’m not so bad. That’s two down and one to go. Looking around the backyard, I see Mrs. Kane chatting with my parents and Reese’s mom, and it seems like they’re getting along just fine. Reese and Cy are by the grill, and many of their mutual friends are just hanging out, enjoying their first night at college graduates. I don’t see Andi, and when I ask Reese where she is, she gives me a weird glance and nods her head towards the house.

As I make my way inside, I stop when I hear raised voices coming from the living room. I know I should turn around and walk back outside, but instead, I gravitate closer when I realize the other voice is her father’s. The more I listen, the more it becomes clear what they’re arguing over—her future and how I’m playing a role in her decision making. This is news to me because I have no idea what she’s decided. I’ve been optimistic that she’s coming to Memphis, but she hasn’t actually told me that’s the case.

Before I can retreat, I hear a door slam down the hall and Mr. Kane is entering the kitchen, a heavy sigh on his lips. He stops when he sees me. I pretend I was just grabbing more wine, but I know it doesn’t fool him.

“I suppose you heard all of that,” he says, and I nod.

“Kind of hard not to when you’re yelling. She okay?” I ask, and I watch as his shoulders droop.

He brings a hand behind his neck like he’s trying to rub the stress away. “Look, it’s not that I don’t like you. You seem like a nice kid, and I haven’t seen my daughter’s face light up like that in a long time. Hell, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy. That being said, I can’t help but be wary about her making life-changing decisions based on a relationship she’s only been in for four months.”

“With all due respect, sir, I love your daughter, and regardless of how long we have or haven’t been together doesn’t change the fact that I know I want a future with her.”

“It’s easy to say that when you’re the one still chasing your dreams and she’s giving up hers to be with you.”

What the hell? I’m at a loss because I have no idea what he’s talking about. I’d never expect Andi to give anything up for me.

“And while you’re off getting your M.D., what’s she going to be doing? Your cooking? Cleaning? Your laundry? Trust me. She’ll get tired of that eventually, and then all she’ll do is resent you. Do you really want that?”

“No, of course not—” I’m about to continue when he walks to the back door and cuts me off.

“Then I guess you have a choice to make,” he says before walking out and leaving me there to wonder what the hell I’m missing.

TO SAY that things didn’t go well with Dad would be an understatement. At first, he was okay with me not going to graduate school. He was totally on board with me jumpstarting my career with an internship. Until I told him I was going to accept a job in Memphis. Apparently, Mr. Wellington had told him earlier about Cohen going there in the fall for med school, and he astutely put two and two together. He accused me of settling for a small-time magazine all so I could follow a boy—his words, not mine—to another city.