The Beginning of Us (221 page)

“Hey graduate,” he says, giving me a hug. We haven’t talked since the night at the bar. He’s been avoiding my text messages and won’t answer my calls. I’m not sure if I should say something to him now, especially with his dad right in front of us.

I hug him back and let out a squeal. “Hey!” He puts me down and kisses my cheek.
Oh shit! Oh shit!
My cheeks turn bright red. “So why have you been avoiding me?”

“Because I’m an ass,” he looks away from me, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry again for everything. I didn’t know what was going on. I was trying to protect you. I just want you to be happy and when I saw him on the dance floor I thought it was my chance to bring you back to me.”

“Bradley, we’re friends and that’s it. You know I love you but the love I have for you now is like a best friend.” I take his hand and squeeze it. “Friends?”

“Best friends.” He nods.

Bradley’s dad makes it over and gives me a hug. “Hi Mr Achley. Thank you so much for coming.”

“I’m sorry for everything, Karly. I wish I could turn back time and be there for you when you needed us. I only hope you can forgive me.”

“Of course.” I hug him back and wipe away my tears.

“Alright I’m going to find a seat. Bradley. Karly.” He touches my cheek and smiles before leaving.

Bradley pushes my hair back behind my ear, “You look amazing today. I’m so happy for you. Can I take you out later today?”

“Oh Bradley I’d love that, but the Hayes are throwing me a family party. I’m sorry. Maybe sometime next week?”

“It’s alright.” I hear the disappointment in his voice. “Alright sounds like a plan. Well I better get to my dad.” He brings me in for a hug again, “Congrats Snuggles. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Bradley.” He gives me one last look before heading back to the bleachers.

I make my way to my seat, but I can’t help but feel someone staring at me. I turn around and look but I don’t see anything until my eyes meet Nicholas’. I stand there in the middle of the grass, staring back at him. Neither of us breaks contact for what seems to be forever. I can tell he’s mad and I wish I can go over to him and explain what happened. It’s not what it looks like.

“Karly! Come on!” Lauren, one of the girls from my class, yells breaking my concentration on Nicholas. I turn around and make my way over to my seat and listen to everyone talking about their plans and how they can’t wait to start their lives.

My heart is racing and I can’t stop thinking about Nicholas and the way he looks at me. He doesn’t look happy and I know he saw me with Bradley. I pull out my phone and text Nicholas.

Me: It’s not what it looks like. He wanted to talk and he apologized. Don’t be mad. I know you don’t want us to be friends, but he’s one of my oldest friends. I’m sorry.

Nicholas: It’s okay. We’ll talk later

Me: Are you mad?

Nicholas: No baby. I trust you

Me: xoxox

At noon the ceremony starts. The president of the college welcomes all of our families and us before expressing how proud he is of our accomplishments. He continues to praise us on our hard work and dedication. We clap for him and for ourselves. The road to success wasn’t easy, but sitting here waiting to accept my diploma and be acknowledged for my hard work is worth it. He wishes us luck and to always remember this very moment as we’re sitting under the hot sun waiting to get our diploma. This is our moment and no one can ever take it away.

When all the speeches are done, they start announcing our names. With over six hundred students graduating today, it takes a little while before the completion but when my name is called, all I can hear is cheering and clapping from the Hayes and Larry. I look over and see a huge sign that Alexis, Nicholas and Larry are holding.

Congrats Karly Lynn Erikson! You did it girl!

I start laughing and smiling. I’m glad that I decided to come to my graduation. Everyone was right. This is
my
moment and I should celebrate my accomplishments.

Chapter 21
Nicholas

Bradley.

Anger spews from my ears and my body is rigid. I watch their interaction and the way he holds her. I hiss and my fists bunch at my side.
Who the hell does he think he is touching my girl?
 

“You okay?” Alexis asks touching my shoulder to calm me down.

“No. I wanna tell her to stop being friends with him but I don’t wanna be that dick.” I trust her, but I don’t trust him. After he hit her I thought she’d never forgive him. I hate telling Karly what to do and I don’t want our relationship to be on that level. She hasn’t done anything to make me doubt her and she loves me and Emma. I let out a sigh and tell myself to accept Bradley. He’s not leaving anytime soon.

Alexis forms an O with her mouth. “Then trust her. She loves you and she won’t mess this up.”

I let out a sigh, “Alright.” My phone vibrates and I look at it, smiling.

Karly: It’s not what it looks like. He wanted to talk and he apologized. Don’t be mad. I know you don’t want us to be friends, but he’s one of my oldest friends. I’m sorry.

Me: It’s okay. We’ll talk later

Karly: Are you mad?

Me: No baby. I trust you

Karly: xoxox

I feel better after reading her text messages. Things are going to be rough for a while. She has a past and so do I. We’ve been together for four months and even though it’s been a short period of time I know she’s the one I want to spend my life with. No one else matters but Karly and Emma.

Since the moment she walked into my life I’ve never been the same. I didn’t know how lonely I was until Karly touched me in more than one way. She saved me and helped me breathe. We’re going to have our ups and downs, but with Karly by my side we’ll be able to overcome it all.

Soon the ceremony starts and we listen to the speeches but I can’t focus on anything but Karly. When the speeches are over, they start announcing the graduates. She looks incredible up there getting her diploma. When her name is called, we all stand up and cheer as loud as possible. She needs to know that we all support her and are proud of her.

I watch her as she gets her diploma and lifts it in the air. Her smile is addicting and I can tell she’s feeling good by the way she’s walking and smiling. I can’t take my mind off the kiss we shared in the bedroom and her response to her gifts. As for the reaction when she saw the ring, I’m not sure if that was a good or bad reaction.

When I was in Tiffany’s the sales person asked me if I wanted to look at any of the engagement rings. I thought about it and nodded my head. Every ring shined at me and screamed ‘pick me! Pick me!’ I felt my heart stop and I couldn’t breathe. Committing to Karly wasn’t the problem, it was the fear that once we said ‘I do’ something was going to happen and take her away from me. All I thought about were ways and reasons why she’d want to leave. I came up with nothing. I pushed aside my fears and looked. One day I thought.

When the ceremony is over, Karly runs over to us yelling she did it. We all laugh and welcome her in our arms. She’s so carefree and ecstatic. It’s a nice change and I’m glad she realizes how important today is for her.

Then Karly runs into my arms and I catch her, holding her tight. “Thanks for the pep talk today babe,” she purrs in my ear.
Fuck, she’s going to kill me and I’m going to fucking die a happy man.

“See Angel, I told you. I’m proud of you,” I hug her tighter and even though there is thousands of people around us, honestly, it only seems like just her and me.

“Well if you two are done, I’m starving and it’s hot as shit out here,” Larry chimes in, breaking our connection.
I’ll deal with your dumbass later.

Karly blushes and tucks her hair back behind her ear.

“Well alright kids, let’s head back and get some lunch,” my dad says, rounding everyone up and walking back to the car.

I let the girls in first and I swear Karly’s trying to fucking kill me with her damn flirting and seduction. She gets in after Emma and literally her ass is in the air, near my face. Her tan, athletic legs look amazing in her dress and the shoes she has on make her legs look longer.
Fuck. Nicholas, be cool and think of birds and little fluffy animals.

“Nicholas, you coming?”
I’m about to Angel.

“Yep, just give me a minute.”

Larry comes up behind me and laughs. “Dude,” is all he says. I look down and yep, I need a cold shower.

The drive is painful and Emma isn’t making it better. She’s talking a mile a minute about how happy she is we’re all here and how she can’t wait to jump in the pool.

Dad pulls back into my driveway and we all get out of the car. Emma grabs Karly and Alexis’ hands and they all run inside. My parents head in and make sure everyone is okay and the food and decorations are all in order.

“Man you got it
bad
.” I look at Larry and his ugly baldhead.

“I love her man
.” 

“Yeah I see it all over your face. It’s the same thing with Lex.” Larry and Alexis-my best friend and sister; I’m glad they’re together and they make each other happy. That’s the important thing.

I run my hand through my hair and let out an annoyed moan. “So I was looking at rings last week when I got her gifts.”

“That’s awesome man. When you know you go with it. Alexis showed me some rings and we laughed about it. We’re at that age brother. Gotta settle down sooner rather than later.”

“Yeah,” I lean against the car, “you think so?”

“I know so. I can tell and you deserve to be happy. Just talk to her.” I nod and we head to the backyard with everyone else. My heart instantly stops beating. Karly is in a sexy black and white bikini. I can watch her for fucking hours.

“Ummm I’ll be back. Gonna go change into my suit.” I turn away from everyone and run inside. I need to take care of a little problem before my balls fall off. Closing my door, I jump in the shower and start imagining Karly and her sexy, tan body in her bikini. I wrap my right hand around my throbbing dick and start pumping up and down. I shut my eyes and imagine her mouth on me and her tits rubbing all over my chest. Her plump lips are on my dick as her tongue plays with the head and soft moans escape her lips. “Argh, yes.” I pump faster and yell out Karly’s name as hot semen spurts out and I feel better.

I finish up my shower and grab the towel from the rack. I wrap it around my waist and go back to my room.
Holy shit.

“Karly?”

She holds her gaze and licks her lips.
Fuck.
Our lips meet again. I wrap my arms around her waist and I lick her bottom lip. “You know you coulda texted me and told me to meet you in our room, Nicholas.”

“I know, but you were with Emma and I was fucking hard.” I take her hand and bring it down to my rock hard cock. Damn I didn’t think I can get hard again, but with Karly she has that power over me. She strokes it with her soft small hands causing me to throw my head back. My eyes roll to the back of my head and I swear I’m about to come all over my girl. I slip my tongue in her mouth again and guide her to my bed and lower her down. She tastes so sweet and I can’t get enough. My heart is racing as the urgency of the kiss deepens. I softly stroke her cheek and run my hand down her body and grasp her breast. I break the kiss and slowly take off her bathing suit cover.

“Nicholas,” she moans, leaning on her elbows looking at me. Her eyes trail down my body and to my throbbing dick.
Fuck. I want her.
Without thinking, I get back on top of her. Our tongues move in a passionate rhythm. Karly wraps her arms around my neck and pushes me over.
Damn she looks hot straddling me.

Karly rides my erection and throws her head back. It feels good and I don’t want her to stop. Suddenly there’s a knock on my door.

“Daddy? Mommy?” Emma’s small voice carries through the door and Karly quickly gets off me.

“Shit can you help her please?”

“Yeah,” she responds putting back on her cover up. I give her a quick kiss and run to the bathroom. I let out a breath and lean against the bathroom wall. 

* * * * *

The party ends by eleven and everyone heads home. Karly’s helping me clean and straighten up the house. “How’s my girlfriend doing? Did you have a good party?” I ask, giving her a kiss on the side of her head.

“Yes, it was fun. Thank you for everything.” She wraps her arms around my neck and our lips meet again.

“Damn you’re beautiful.” I kiss every inch of her body and memorize every curve.

“Oh my God. Nicholas.”

“I need you upstairs. Now so I can fuck you every way I can.”

She moans against my lips. “I love when you talk dirty to me,” she takes my hand and we head upstairs spending the night together in the sexiest harmony.