We sneak from our seats, get the fuck out of the domed stadium, and meet the others in the parking lot where we share hugs and hearty congratulations. Kella even gets uncharacteristically emotional and sheds tears, so, of course, soft-hearted Echo joins in, her barely glossed lips tremulous as they hug.
Then she makes her way to Graham, pausing to talk. As usual, he says something that makes her laugh.
“Thanks for coming, man.” Xavian sticks his hand out to me.
I shake it. “I wouldn’t have missed it. Congrats! And next month, you’ll start your big-boy job down the hall from me.”
He laughs. “Fuck you.”
We’ve been friends since joining the same Scout troop as gawky ten-year-olds. He spent a lot of nights at my house because his single mom worked multiple jobs to keep a roof over their heads. His shitbag father—whoever he was—ran out before Xavian was even born. We’re almost as close as brothers.
But all I can think right now is that the motherfucker better have taken a giant step back from Echo.
“So…did you tell her?” I ask in low tones.
“That I’ve got to work tonight? Yeah.”
“What did she say?”
“She understood, but she was disappointed.”
That X isn’t going to teach her the mattress tango? Fuck. If she has actual feelings for Xavian, I need to quash those before he hurts her.
Should I remind her that, during their senior year of high school, he bet Graham and me a hundred bucks that he could sleep with the entire varsity cheerleading squad—and that we all had to pay up a month before graduation? As a teenager, I tipped my hat to him because I’d taken the same bet the year before and only made my way through half the team. As an adult, the wager sounds stupid and sophomoric. Cringy. But if Xavian took that bet today—and he probably would—he’d succeed again.
Honestly, he’s not a bad guy. But he’s dead wrong for Echo.
Still, something made her ask the man whore to be her first. What?
“She’ll get over it,” I murmur to him. “A week in Hawaii will distract her.”
Xavian rubs at the back of his neck. “She hinted that we could get to it there.”
No. That isn’t fucking happening. I’ll make that impossible, even if I have to glue myself to her side every moment of every day.
“What did you tell her?”
“I was vague.”
“Find someone to do when we get there, huh?”
“Are you kidding? Hot tourists in bikinis who have had too many mai tais? Hell, yeah. But, um…I got a call from a guy named Sakamoto yesterday. He’s a PI who seems to think I have long-lost relatives on my dad’s side. Apparently, they’re interested in me, so I’m going to spend some of my free time looking into that.”
“Yeah?” His lack of family has always been a sore spot for Xavian, especially since everyone else in our friend group is loaded with parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins… X doesn’t have anyone since his mom died a few years ago. “How do you feel about that?”
“They want a blood test. I guess they’re super rich or something. Whatever. If it turns out we’re related…we’ll see.”
I hope my buddy someday gets the kind of family he’s always wanted. Maybe then he can brush away that chip on his shoulder. And if this distraction keeps him away from Echo while we’re in Hawaii, even better.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Echo pull back from Graham’s brotherly embrace. Then her stare falls on me. It’s so automatic to hold out my arms and for her to fall into them.
Something good settles into my chest as I hug her. “You did it, shortcake.”
She smiles up at me, teary. “I did. I wish Ella and Eryn could be here. My education was only possible because they sacrificed theirs for me.”
“I’m sure they wanted to come. But since we’re leaving tomorrow, you wouldn’t have had much time to spend with them.”
“That’s why we’re planning our great, big sisters’ adventure later this summer.”
I nod. “So do you feel all accomplished now?”
“Mostly.”
But not entirely?
“Hey, I have to get back to work,” Graham says with a wave.
Kella follows him. “Me, too. Sorry. Have a great time in Hawaii! We’ll have a graduation blow-out when you get back. And Maryam should be over the plague by then.”
“Sounds great,” I call.
“See ya!” X waves.
Echo smiles and blows them kisses.
Then the three of us are standing alone, Xavian and I both staring at Echo. An awkward silence falls.
“Lunch?” my buddy asks.
Normally, I would say yes—I’m starved—but if I can get him to fuck off, I’ll have that chat with Echo I didn’t get last night.
“Don’t you have a mountain of work to finish before we take off?” I send Xavian a pointed glare.
“Yep. I do. I guess…I’ll get to it. We’ll party in paradise. See you two at the airport tomorrow.”
“’K. See you then.” Echo leaves my arms—and walks straight into Xavian’s. “I’m proud of us.”
He cups her face, and I don’t like the way he looks at her. I clear my throat meaningfully.
“Fuck, yeah.” He backs away and weirdly high-fives her, breaking the moment. “First in our families to graduate.”
Echo laughs. “Right? We need to really celebrate next week.”
Is that code for I want to have sex with you?
“We will.” Then I turn to Xavian. “I’ll see you at the office, buddy. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
X takes my not-so-subtle hint. “See you there.”
When he’s gone, I turn to my bestie. “Need a ride back to your place?”
We can talk there.
Echo unzips her graduation gown and steps out, draping it over her arm. Her dress beneath stops my breath. It’s not her usual shapeless, ankle-length sack in earthy brown or mustard, decorated with old-fashioned flowers and floppy ruffles. Nope, this is a rich wine color, trimmed in matching lace that somehow makes her golden skin glow. It’s also short. Really short. Like, she better hope there’s not a stiff wind short. But wow, I’ve never noticed her tanned legs before. They seem miles long.
“I’m good. I rode my bike.”
When she turns to point at the rack, I catch a glimpse of her mostly bare back, minus two straps hugging her shoulder blades and a delicate tassel dangling in between.
Holy shit. Is she trying to attract attention? Granted, it’s another hot day, but lately her long skirts and combat boots, braids, beanies, and plaids have been replaced by stuff that’s a lot sexier.
I look away because I shouldn’t be staring at my best friend like that. “Cool. Um, I want to talk to you. Why don’t you feel totally accomplished? Your major wasn’t easy, but you made amazing grades, despite having to work to help with tuition and pay rent. You have lots of friends, the respect of your professors, tons of prospects…”
“I know. And I’m proud of all that.” Then Echo looks away, sinking her slightly crooked front teeth into her puffy pink lip. “I just wanted to make today about my new life. I woke up feeling like the usual me. I’m an adult, but in my head I’m still a kid since I haven’t done all the grown-up things like start a career, make car payments, worry about taxes…and other stuff.”