But I was done playing his games.
Chapter Fifteen
Jade
“Cruz Christian Winslow,” the dean of the art school called out over the speaker.
Our group was on their feet, screaming and cheering as he walked across the stage. I fought back the tears that threatened. For some reason I was overcome with the fact that he’d surprised everyone by graduating while being on tour with Exiled. The truth was, he’d surprised me. I’d always believed in Cruz, but after all we’d gone through last year, a part of me had lost hope that he would be able to survive all the pressure and all the temptation that came with being the lead singer of Exiled. He’d fought hard for his sobriety, balanced all the drama going on with his family, and he’d lost his anonymity—but he’d taken it all in stride. And he’d come out the other end stronger than ever. I was so freaking proud of him. And in six months he would walk away from Exiled. Maybe this really was our time. Maybe Cruz and I could have our happily ever after.
Dad squeezed my shoulder and smiled down at me. Sara stood on the other side of him, and I was thankful they’d come out to support him. Adam, Tory, Lennon, and Bailey were all sitting in our row. Cruz’s mother had flown out last night so she could be here to support her son. No sign of Steven Winslow, but no one was surprised. I know it bothered Cruz, even if he wouldn’t say so.
I hadn’t been alone with Cruz yet, as he got in late last night, and had to be here at the commencement first thing this morning. I was anxious to see him. Had been all week. What did it mean? I didn’t have a clue. But I knew I missed him. I knew I loved him. And I knew I was proud of him. Would I still proceed cautiously, especially with all this Farah Clearwater gossip making its way through the media? Yes. Did I believe any of it? No.
But it was a reminder of the life Cruz was still living.
I hurried to the side and snapped a few pictures of him as he walked back to his seat. Instead of turning in his row, he walked straight for me. He ducked under the flagged off area and crashed into me with a hug. Why did it surprise me that he wasn’t following the rules? He never had. He’d always marched to the beat of his own drum, and that’s one of the things I loved most about him.
He spun me around and I heard Dad and Lennon laugh behind me. I buried my face in his neck and took in his masculine scent.
My beautiful rock star.
“Congrats,” I said against his ear.
“Thanks for being here.” He set me down on my feet.
“Don’t you have to go back to your seat?” I asked, looking around nervously as we stood off to the side.
“No. I’m only here until tomorrow. I’m not spending three hours in a chair.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Okay then. Let’s get out of here.”
His mom came over and hugged him, and my father pulled him into a hug and whispered something in his ear. Cruz’s face lit up, and I was thankful for the bond they shared. Sara, Lennon and the rest of the group took turns congratulating him, but each time I looked up his gaze locked with mine.
“So, I was hoping I could take everyone to brunch,” Cruz’s mom, Juliette said.
“Do we have to?” Cruz whispered in my ear, and I slapped at his chest.
“Yes. They’re all here for you,” I said so only he could hear.
“Sounds great, Mom.”
He grasped my hand, and I intertwined my fingers with his. I didn’t know what we were, and honestly, I didn’t care. I wanted to hold his hand and celebrate him. And that’s exactly what I was going to do.
Brunch dragged on for two hours, and Cruz shot me a look across the table multiple times to let me know he was ready to go.
So impatient.
We all said our goodbyes, and Lennon and Bailey headed out to Cruz’s childhood home to spend time with Juliette.
“You want to go to the beach?” he asked me once we were alone.
“Yeah.”
We walked back to my house so I could change, and he left his cap and gown with me. Of course, he hadn’t worn a suit beneath his gown. He wore black joggers and a T-shirt with tennis shoes.
Always the rebel.
We took his car out to our favorite spot at Oak Street Beach and spent the next few hours talking and laughing.
“So, no more Dick, huh?” he asked.
“I don’t know why you insist on calling him that. But no, I told you, that was over. Richard and I are friends.”
He nodded. “But you still need to be on your own?”
I laughed. He was the least patient human being I’d ever met.
“I’m feeling really good. I’ve been focused on school and working with Elaine, and it’s been a pretty drama-free semester. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss you, because I do. All the time.”
“Fuck. I can’t promise you drama-free, Jade. Not yet,” he said.
I moved closer to him as we sat on the blanket. The sun was just going down and the sky was covered in pinks and oranges. Peaceful and serene.
“Trust me, I know. Nothing about you is drama-free. And it’s not your fault, I get it. It’s out of your control.”
He reached for me and pulled me on his lap, wrapping his arms around me. He buried his face in my neck. “What if we just take it really slow?”
I laughed as his scruff tickled against my skin. “You only have one speed, Cruz Winslow.”
“Not true. Look how patient I’ve been these last few months.”
“That’s true. You have surprised the hell out of me,” I said.
He pulled back to look at me. My gaze locked onto his honey browns. “Yeah? So, let me see. You aren’t dating anyone else. I’m not dating anyone else. You miss me, and I miss you. So…”
My head fell back in laughter. “Point taken. Fine. Slow. I don’t want this to be news, not with all this Farah Clearwater drama. It will only become a media frenzy. I just want to spend time with you when I can. Just you and me.”
“I like the sound of that. Is kissing you part of this new plan? It’s hard to keep up with all the rules,” he said.
His hair was a mess, his face chiseled and gorgeous, and his full lips teasing me with every word he spoke. I licked my lips and tried to calm my breathing. It had been a minute since I’d kissed this boy, and my need for him was equal parts powerful and terrifying.
“I suppose a kiss wouldn’t hurt. But that’s it, Winslow. We’re taking this slow.”
He flipped me on my back in one fluid movement and propped himself above me, his breaths coming fast and hard. “Slow is my least favorite word.”