“I will begin to call the graduates up in alphabetical order.” Our principal takes over from Oliver and he shoots me a wink from the stage. I’m totally riding his cock later.
The principal begins calling names, the first to go up is Kimmy, she looks radiant and happy. Then we hear ‘Ezekiel Boudreaux.’ We all jump to our feet and cheer as Zeke rises and saunters up to the stage. He is sex on two legs and I am one lucky girl to have him. He flips everyone the bird and we all laugh.
Before long, Cooper Fontenot is called out and the whole graduating class erupts into riotous cheering. Cooper, star quarterback of J.F. Kennedy Prep has won a full scholarship to Tulane and will join their football team in the fall.
Next up is Caine LeBlanc and I am the only one left in my seat screaming as he gets up and smashes his lips to mine. The guys on the stage catcall and I can feel the furious blush that steals up my chest and face.
Caine commands every room-or in this case, the football field-whenever he enters it. He claims anything he fucking wants regardless of anyone’s feelings and I love him so fucking much.
“Kailey-Himari Richard.” The principal calls out and I stand to my guys causing a ruckus on stage. I don’t have any family here for me today but I know a few up in heaven watching over me.
“She’s gotten so fat.” Connie snickers as I walk by her and I roll my eyes.
Connie took over as the queen hound when Georgina was declared a runaway and forgotten about. Casey and Faith follow her around just like they did with Georgie, never ever making it on their own.
I take the five stairs up to the stage and stop in front of his picture. This whole ceremony is in memory of him, the boy who once stole my heart and then crushed it as he reveled in my pain. Brody Landry, my best friend and worst enemy.
I kiss my fingers and run it along his cheek.
I love you.
Then I collect my diploma, shake hands with Oliver, and stand between my guys as they hug me to them. My heart is full of the family I made and I know Mama is proud of the survivor I’ve become.
There will always be a dark part of my heart reserved just for him, for the boy who I loved to hate, and in return, he craved my hatred. Brody Landry.
Oliver tried to save him that night, but he couldn't, the bullet from Cameron’s gun was fatal, and Brody died as I was reaching my hand out, screaming for him. Oliver made the quick decision to remove his body before the police got there and later claimed to be the one to kill Brody, effectively cutting out his family.
Brody’s body was disposed of in the same fashion as Papa’s, the only difference was we had a private ceremony for Brody in my backyard. It was a clear beautiful day and the sun shone down between the vines of the purple Wisteria like fingers to touch our faces. I want to believe it was him, that he was finally at rest, and his battle here on this plane was ultimately over.
I was pissed at Oliver for a few months but I began to understand why he did what he did. He didn’t want his family to claim a Landry kill because they would then gain that power and mow over the other families. Those other families are now my guys. They have taken over in the Ballon’s uncertain time of losing their patriarch and oldest son. The Ballons were never able to regain their footing.
Now my four guys run New Orleans and I support them completely. My future plans are uncertain right now, but at least I know they are my future regardless of what I do.
And then one day, I will reunite with him, too.
“I am starving.” I exclaim as soon as I step foot in the house.
Cooper’s arms wrap around my waist from behind and his mouth presses into my neck.
“What do you want?” He asks, his breath fanning my cheek and his body pressing into mine.
“Yeah, Bebelle.” Zeke steps up in front of me. “What do you want?”
“She said she was hungry not horny.” Caine comes inside and growls.
“Actually…” I stare into Zeke’s eyes and bite my lip.
Caine grabs my hand and pulls me out from between them. “Eat first.” He says as he leads me into the kitchen. I am horny.
“Or we can do both like last time.” Cooper calls out and I gasp at the memory.
Ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. Three of us writhing on the bed, the sheets soiled beyond saving, and my screams shattering the night’s silence.
“Yeah, we could do that since I missed out on it last time.” Zeke adds.
Cooper, Caine, and Zeke don’t mind doubling down-or tripling down in some cases-with me. They don’t really cross swords though and that’s okay because I really like their undivided attention on me. Oliver is the one who would rather not share and I’m okay with that, too. He’s really opened up and I call him Mr. Kink on occasions, although lately he’s been more cautious.
Caine drops a plate with a sandwich on it in front of me and my mouth salivates when I see it’s my favorite. Tomato with pickles and cheese.
I hear the front door open and shut and then Oliver strides into the kitchen. He leans over and kisses my cheek, then takes a seat beside me.
“This sandwich again?” He teases.
I take a bite of the sandwich and close my eyes on a moan. So good.
“Jesus.” He groans and I open my eyes to see him readjusting himself in his slacks.
“Yeah.” Caine mutters and licks his lips.
“Sorry.” I grin ruefully.
“They did a good job for the dedication today.” Cooper says as he stands in the entryway of the kitchen.
“Took some convincing.” Oliver shakes his head. “There hasn’t been a body found and his parents refuse to declare him dead.”
Brody’s parents aren’t giving in to the story Oliver provided and his father especially is the biggest naysayer.
I drop the sandwich back on the plate, my appetite gone, and my chest once again feeling heavy.
“Give me a minute.” I tell everyone as I get up out of my seat.
I walk out into the backyard and head straight for the pruned Wisteria. It no longer engulfs the gazebo and I train my eyes on the opening, praying he’ll just come out laughing at us for thinking he was dead.
No matter how cruel he was, or what he put me through, I’m having a hard time letting him go, and it just feels like we have too much unfinished business. I lift my hand to my right breast, exactly where the scars of his initials still brands my skin and look to the sky.
I hate you much less now, Brody Landry.
The house looks dark from across the street. Like a large looming structure waiting for an innocent soul to pass its gate and suck them dry. I cross the street and hop the fence into the backyard. Things change, but some things will always remain the same.
The purple vines sway in the slight breeze and the gazebo once again sits proud and prominent. I’m glad she took the time to clean it up, her mother would be happy to see it this way.
I look up to the second story balcony and listen closely. There’s no noise, not even a creak, and I second guess what the fuck I’m doing and why I’m here. If I’m caught, everything is over, I would kiss goodbye to my life, and all of theirs.