Touched By You (The Touch Series) (5 page)

I can’t believe this day is already here. It feels like yesterday mom and dad where driving me to New York for freshman orientation and today I’m graduating from NYU. A lot has happened over the past four years, but one thing is for certain I’ll cherish the friendships I’ve made. Living away from home was a bit of a struggle at first, but luckily I had some great people around me for support. For the past few years we’ve stuck by each other’s sides and made friendships I know will last a lifetime.

Coming back inside I shut the sliding glass doors and turn the lock for the last time. I head over to the oversized suede chair in the middle of the room and take a seat. I close my eyes for brief moment and watch as my memories of college slide past my eyelids. NYU has given me everything I had hoped it would not to mention a strong list of recommendations to head out into the work force. My dream job is to become a sports analyst for ESPN, but I know I’ll have to start small and work my way up. I had a great internship opportunity this past year and it gave me the knowledge and skills I’ll need to land a job back in Boston. Now all I need to do is find that job and start living my life.

After a few more minutes of reminiscing and planning my future, I decide to get dressed.

I’m so excited for today. As I get ready for graduation in my empty apartment all I can think about is that I can’t wait to see Derrick. He should be here any moment to pick me up. Having him in New York with me today just makes everything perfect. It’s been a few weeks since I last saw him, so there’s no telling if I’ll be able to keep my hands to myself when he arrives.

I was so worried that our relationship would be destroyed when going off to college, but the best part of all is that the distance just made us that much stronger as a couple. There really isn’t anything that could tear the two of us apart. Between my travels to Cambridge for home football games and Derrick coming down to NYU after the football season was over, we were lucky to see each other at least once a month.

A light off beat tapping noise comes from the hallway and I can only imagine the games this man is willing to play. He just loves to make me crazy. I pretend not to hear anything and continue getting myself ready. Then it hits me that he might be here with his parents. With that thought I bust a move and head for the door. I sure as hell don’t want to piss off Rose and Bud.

I’m so glad they are all here for me today. Fortunately for both our families Derrick and my graduation ceremonies were scheduled a week apart. This gives us the opportunity to have everyone in New York this weekend and then everyone back in Massachusetts for Derrick’s graduation next week.

“Well hello there Angel, you look breathtaking as usual.” Derrick says coming through the doorway and kissing me on the cheek.

He looks absolutely delicious in his black suit. I want to jump in his arms and swing my legs up around his hips, but with his parents following behind I don’t think that would be too appropriate.

“Yes she does look absolutely beautiful, congratulations Chloe. We’re so proud of you.” Rose says pulling me in for a hug.

“Thank you so much for being here today. It’s amazing to have both of our families in New York this weekend.”

“Are you ready Chloe, because we don’t want you being late to your graduation breakfast? We told Bryce and Teresa we’d get you there on time.” Bud says.

“Dad chill, we have plenty of time to make it to the restaurant.” Derrick says trying to calm his dad down.

Derrick’s parents are great. They’ve always been very welcoming of me and our relationship.

“Don’t worry Bud, I promise I won’t make us late. I just need to finish a few things and then we can go.”

“Chloe love, do you need any help in there?” Derrick asks.

“Please Derrick let the poor girl get herself ready.” Rose says holding onto Derrick’s shoulder.

“Mom, I haven’t seen my girl in weeks. I need to take advantage of all the time I have with her.”

“It’s okay Rose. I missed him too. He can come help me apply my makeup if he wants.” I say with a giggle.

“Yes! Thanks Angel, let’s do this.” Derrick says clasping his hands together.

Derrick is such a dork, he’ll do just about anything to get some alone time with me.

After much trial and error with the supporting hands and lips of Derrick, I’m able to apply and reapply my lipstick only five times before leaving my bathroom. Finally we’re able to make our way back to his parents and not be late meeting my family for breakfast.

Breakfast with the Taylor and Peters families is a good time as always. It’s great having all of us in one room. I can only imagine how things will be when we gather like this with a family of our own. Chloe and I’ve been talking about marriage since before we left for college so it really isn’t a question of if I’ll propose, it’s more like when.

After breakfast we make our way over to the college. Our families head into the stadium to take their seats and I go with Chloe to find a few of her friends who she’ll be sitting with for the ceremony.

I’ve met her roommates and friends during the times I came down to visit her in New York so I feel like part of their inner circle. Everyone seems to be excited about graduation and moving on with their careers, but I can tell Chloe is not one hundred percent into the conversation.

I rub my hand up and down the back of her graduation gown and give her a kiss on the cheek.

She turns to look at me with those big brown eyes and I see a hint of sadness.

“You okay love?” I ask pulling her into an embrace.

“Yeah, I’m good. I just wish I had things lined up like the girls do. Everyone else seems to have landed a permanent job with their internships or found something else. I’ve got nothing to move onto now that school is out and you’re going to law school in the fall. What do I have to look forward to Derrick?”

I look back into her eyes and a few tears spill out of those gorgeous browns.

“Don’t you worry about that stuff now Chloe. Today is your day and I sure as hell don’t want you upset when you walk across that stage. Your life will go on once you’re back in Boston. That’s the choice you made and I know you’ll find something. If you chose to stay in New York you’d be in a job already. Don’t doubt yourself Angel, you’re going to make things happen, I just know it.”

With that I kiss her on the lips and hear the ushers telling the class to go line up.

“Well it’s show time. I’ll see you in a few hours. Don’t trip when you cross the stage. I’d hate to have to run down there and make a scene to cover for you.”

Chloe giggles and wraps her arms around my neck.

“You’re amazing Derrick and I love you.”

“Love you too.”

The entire commencement ceremony passes by in a blur. There are a few hundred students walking today and I totally spaced out during the speakers. I’m too anxious to get back to Chloe’s empty apartment. She just needs to grab her last minute things and then we can head home to Boston. It’s all I’ve thought about over the past few weeks. Really, it’s all I’ve looked forward to, to get me through missing her when we weren’t together.

Her parents arranged for the moving truck to deliver Chloe’s things to her parents’ house Monday. This way we don’t have to rush back to Boston after the commencement. There were only a few larger pieces of furniture that they would need to pick up, but for the most part Chloe had all her valuable things in a few boxes we were able to fit into our cars.

Bryce and Teresa drove with Charlie back in their Expedition and my parents were planning to follow in the Range Rover. With two pretty big SUV’s there wasn’t too much little stuff for the movers to pick up.

Chloe decided she’d drive back home with me and my parents so that we could be together. I wasn’t going to argue with her since I too wanted the time to spend with her. By the time we hit the highway Chloe was nestled into my side and falling fast asleep.

I ran my fingers up and down her back to help her feel comfortable and within a few minutes she was fast asleep with a slight grin on her face.

If only she knew how glad I was that we had made it this far. The last four years were great, but still it was a struggle not to see her as much as I would’ve liked. Chloe is my world and I want to make her happy and feel safe with who we are and where our relationship is going.

I was a content man heading back home with his girl. A girl that one day would be my wife.

I rented a small townhouse in between Boston and Cambridge so that I’m close to school and Chloe. Since she hasn’t found a job yet, she felt it would be best to stay with her parents and make it a focus to sell herself to the local news stations. I know once she gets herself in the right frame of mind she’ll make it somewhere, it’s just going to be hard for a little while. The good thing is that we’ll be home in Boston together and I can support her as much as she needs.

It feels good to say go home to Boston, in fact I love knowing that I’ll be there with Chloe. Finally after four years we’ll be together without having to miss one another for more than a day. It’s almost as if I’m in a fucking dream. I never thought this day would come…now I never have to be apart from her again and we can start the future we’ve always talked about.

The past few weeks have been absolutely amazing. Having the summer to enjoy my family and friends was exactly what I needed after being away for four years. Now that graduation is past me and I’ve had a few months of fun in the sun, it’s time to find a job. When I came back from school I scouted a few places I’d like to work so my goal this week is to get my portfolio and resume together. But before I crack down on the job hunt I have one more day of relaxation. So I’m off to Derrick’s for one last fun day.

We decided to spend today on Derrick’s boat with our families. It’s the last day of summer for Derrick since he’s starting law school tomorrow. This will be a great way to bring an end to our summer-time bliss and prepare for the next few months ahead.

I chose to drive over to Derrick’s place on my own and meet my family over at the marina. This makes the most sense to me since I’ll be staying over at Derrick’s tonight, like I pretty much do every other night anyway.

Derrick has been up my ass asking me to move into his condo, but I’d rather wait till I know I can contribute somehow. I know he wants to take care of me and can handle the expenses, but still I’d feel better knowing we’re in it together.

When I arrive at Derrick’s condo he’s sitting at his desk in the living room with his Red Sox ball cap on backwards. He turns to face me and looks at me like he wants to attack.

He looks way too good to just be going sailing. I think I’d rather stay home all day and admire the man sitting in front of me.

“You have that look in your eye again Derrick. I don’t want to have to explain anymore bruises on my ass.” I tell him plopping down on his super comfy couch.

“Oh come on Angel that wasn’t my fault you fell off the bed and hurt your little ass. Maybe next time you’ll be more careful and won’t have to walk around funny cause your ass hurts.”

“Well if you wouldn’t have been tickling me like you were I wouldn’t have fallen off of your bed.”