Then my heart stops as Trey’s smile outshines everyone else when he walks through the doors. He’s sexy as hell, and I wish I could take him right here, claiming him as mine. “Oh, he looks so happy,” Elena says behind me.

“Yes, he does, and hot,” Sadie’s Grandma Ida, chimes in next to me. She’s been chewing my ear off this whole time about how hot all the guys that live in the house are, and how she wishes Brady would invite her to move in. I have to say, as disturbing as some of the things that come out of her mouth are, she had me rolling with laughter, which made the awkwardness of being left alone with Trey’s family a little easier to deal with. “I told Brady, he should really consider getting a tattoo.” She pokes me in the leg to make sure I’m listening. I hear her, but all my attention is on the guy walking through the metal folding chairs while his eyes remain on mine. My heart melts when he winks at me before taking a seat between two females, whom I notice are appreciating him as well. Lucky for me, though, he’s paying them no attention. Shooting a nod to Brady and Grant, he smiles widely Jessa’s way.

Sadie is the last to walk, and her mom starts frantically waving at her. Sadie raises the hand at her hip to let her mom know she sees her. “Sadie, always the shy one,” Ida tells me. “Sometimes I wish she took more after me,” Ida continues talking. “At least she found herself someone like Brady. I mean his body is, well, I don’t have to tell you. But he loves her the way a man should.” She turns directly toward me. “Does that tattoo god you’re dating love you good?”

A giggle sneaks out of me before realizing she’s serious. I can practically feel all the heads of Trey’s family leaning closer, waiting for my answer. “Um, yeah, he loves me good,” I tell her, and she pats my leg.

“That’s good, sweetheart. Everyone deserves to be loved right.”

Before I can blink, Elena is next to me. How the hell did she manage that? I swear there was a man next to me the last time I checked. Keeping my eyes focused forward, I quickly look from the corner of my eye, and she’s staring at the side of my face. “So?” she whispers, and I slowly turn to face her. She must notice my confused expression because she begins talking again, “So, do you love him?” The hopefulness in her eyes would have me saying yes even if it wasn’t true. Luckily, for both of us, it is.

“Yes,” I answer, and she shrieks before her arms fly around my shoulders. When I wrap mine around her, I see Trey peering up from the gym floor, cocking his eyebrow up to us.

“Elena, quiet down,” Pete softly tells to her.

“Yeah, mom, seriously,” Trey’s younger brother, Derek, joins his dad in his moms reprimanding.

“Oh shhh, you two,” she says shooing her hands at them. “This girl loves my baby.” Her face beams so bright.

“I thought I was your baby,” Derek jokingly whines and then chuckles with his dad.

“Oh, you’re all my babies,” she adds. “And he loves you,” she whispers directly into my ear before leaning back and winking at me. “A mother knows these things.”

“I know. He’s a great guy,” I say, feeling uncomfortable and awkward about what I should be doing or saying back.

“Will you come home with him for Julyfourth? We have a huge bar-b-que with all the family.” She continues talking softly as some guest speaker about Microphysics rambles in the background. I vaguely wonder how many more family members they could possibly have.

“I’ll definitely try,” I tell her honestly, although it will be a fat chance due to Jen’s health. The last place I want to be is too far and be unable to get home.

“Oh, you have to. I’ll talk to Trey later about all the plans.” After that, she quiets down.

She seems like such an amazing Mom, and thoughts of my own mom fleetingly flit through my mind. It’s been so long, my memory has started to fade of her. In so many ways, Jen is my second mom. How ironic that I’ll most likely be that way to Jen’s children, unless Caden remarries. Just the thought of some other woman caring for my nieces and nephews has my stomach churning. Not that I don’t want him to be happy, it’s just... I hate it when my mind wanders.

Thankfully, the applause snaps me out of my thoughts. Well, that and Grandma Ida poking me in the side. Brady and Grant accept their diplomas, and return to their seats. After Jessa crosses the stage and she’s on her way to her seat, Grant gets up and pulls her into a big bear hug, swinging her around. He whispers something into her ear and redness fills her cheeks when he lets her go.

“He probably said something sexual,” her sister Sam says from in front of me, elbowing Dex.

“Samantha,” her mom scolds, but Sam and Dex just laugh, like teenagers.

Trey’s name is announced, and he crosses the stage, shaking everyone’s hands. The Dean of Architecture pulls him in and whispers something in his ear. Trey appears shockingly taken back, but a wide smile forms on his lips immediately. I wonder what he just told him. Maybe he got that job in Cincinnati. I know the Dean was putting a good word in for him. Oh God, a tear comes into my eyes thinking about him leaving me. I’ve tried to prepare myself for a Trey Michaels free life, but we’ve gotten so close this past month. He walks down the stairs and rounds the corner to his row. Staring up at me, he gives me a thumbs up along with a huge smile. I think I’m going to be sick.

After that Sadie walks across the stage, and Grandma Ida begins bragging about her a little more I really become disinterested in the whole ceremony. My thoughts go from my sister’s death to Trey leaving and everything in between. I’ll soon be left alone, especially if Caden remarries. Sure, I’ll be their aunt, probably one of those crazy aunts with all the animals. They won’t want to come over to Crazy Aunt Kailey’s house filled with plants and animals that I have named and have conversations with daily.

“Let’s go, girl.” Grandma Ida pokes me in the side with her long fingernail for the umpteenth time. When I look up, the ceremony is over and everyone has already started filing out of the auditorium. “She’s nice, but kind of ding-batty,” I hear her whisper to Sadie’s Mom.

A little annoyed at this point, I follow the others inch by inch to the end of the row. Not sure why Ida was so insistent to move, it’s not like we’re going anywhere. After about twenty minutes, I inhale a big breath, relieved we’re out of the claustrophobic surroundings. I don’t have much time to recoup before I’m swept up into someone’s arms. “I’m a college graduate, baby!” Trey swings me around in utter excitement.

“Congratulations.” I kiss his cheek, and he places me on the ground. My feet don’t hit the linoleum floor before his family rushes over. I begin to back up slowly, but he grabs my hand between the throng of people and brings me back to him. As his family gives him hugs and kisses, he keeps my hand in his, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

“Pictures,” Trey’s dad calls out, and you would think a drill sergeant just screamed at them the way the group scrambles into formation. It’s as though everyone knows exactly where they are assigned to stand. Trey is swallowed whole by his family, so I slowly back up. After a few shots, I ask Pete if he would like for me to take the picture, so they can have one with the whole family. He kindly hands over his camera, but Grant comes over and takes it from my hands.

“Thanks, man,” Trey head nods to him. “Come on, Kailey,” he calls me over, and everyone parts to give me space next to him. He tugs me against him so hard, his hand snakes across and grabs my ass, and I paste a perfectly wide smile on, trying not give away where Trey’s hand has currently taken residence. “It’s mine later,” he whispers, and I jokingly roll my eyes, even though I secretly love it when he talks like that.

“We’ll see about that,” I tease. “Hey, what did Dean Girardo tell you on stage?” I can’t hold out any longer. If he’s leaving me, I need to know.