Page 77 of Trick Play

I did it. I was done.

I survived. I proved to myself that I could do it. I could be my own person. I could face my mistakes and not let them define me. I could make the best of a messy situation. I could forgive and move on.

This wasn’t what I pictured when I graduated high school. I wasn’t leaving an Ivy League. I wasn’t on my way to New York to work at a world-renowned museum. I found a different path. One that still made me happy and proud.

The speeches melted together until it was time to throw my cap in the air. I closed my eyes and took a mental snapshot to always remember how I felt in this exact moment. Then I looked around and realized it was over. I was free!

It took several minutes to find my family, and Whit was the first to make it to me, lifting me in the air and spinning us around. “I’m so proud of you!”

I laughed as my feet hit the ground again. “Thank you. I really appreciate you being here. I know it’s hard.”

He waved me off. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Mom pushed him out of the way and kissed my cheek. “I’m so proud of you, baby.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Dad grinned behind her. “You’re exceptional.”

I waved my hand in front of my face. “Stop you’ll make me cry.”

They shared a smile before turning to me, and Dad wrapped me up in his arms. “There are no words, Kennedy. Pride doesn’t seem sufficient. I love you so much, and I am amazed by you.”

“Thank you,” I told both of them. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Yes, you could have. You would have found a way,” Dad said.

“But I’m glad I didn’t have to.” My parents paying for my schooling was a blessing I’d never take for granted. It was allowing me to start my adult life without a cloud of debt hanging over me.

“You did the work on your own. You earned this,” Mom said.

“What are you doing here?” Whit said to someone behind me.

My parents and I turned, and I caught Ethan coming through the crowd.

“I’m here to congratulate Kennedy,” he answered calmly before turning his attention on me. His eyes lit up when he saw my parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, good to see you.”

It felt like the world stopped spinning as my parents stared back at him. I had no idea how they would react. Should I jump in? Whit wasn’t going to be any help.

“Oh, Ethan!” Mom shoved Dad out of the way and pulled a very stunned Ethan into her arms. She said something I couldn’t hear, and he immediately relaxed and wrapped his arms around her.

I looked to Dad who had an easy smile on his face. When Mom pulled back, he stepped in to replace her, giving Ethan a hug and patting his back. I caught the word son but nothing else.

Whit moved to my side with a deep frown. “What’s happening?”

I shook my head. “I have no idea.”

Mom and Dad ushered Ethan closer to us. “Ethan will be joining us for lunch with the Michaels.”

Whit smirked, probably assuming Lo would freak out. Little did he know, she’d switched sides.

“If that’s okay?” Ethan asked me.

I didn’t know what to say. I had so many questions. Was this his coming back or just being supportive? I mean, an exception for graduation made sense but not coming out with my family. And what had my parents said to him? I assumed they were on the same page as Whit.

“Sure.” It definitely came out as more of a question.

“I’ll call ahead and have them add a seat to our reservation,” Dad said while Mom tugged at Whit’s arm and led us to the next exit and into the madness of the parking lot.