Page 56 of Ly to Me (Devils of Alliston Springs #1)

Jared waved his hands, signaling he was stopping as he lowered his voice.

“That joke will keep me going while I’m all alone at bootcamp.

” My features fell, guilt rushing back in until Jared pushed his elbow into my ribs.

“Kidding, dude. I’m happy for you. Really.

Can’t wait to come visit you and Lyra when I get back.

Just make sure you don’t get all boring on me. Throw me a party or something.”

“Boring.” I scoffed the word as I leaned back, my entire body humming as Lyra stepped onto the stage. Watching her heels strike the wooden floor confidently, picturing those same heels on her feet the night we were supposed to go to prom together. The night we skipped prom together.

The night I could’ve sworn she was about to tell me she loved me.

The night I almost told her those three words right back.

Her hand reached for the paper and I stood and clapped, almost shocked that Jared followed suit right beside me.

“Thanks, man.”

“No problem.”

Jared stood a moment longer than I had, his eyes scanning the room before he slowly took his seat again. He leaned in close, cupping his hand to my ear as he asked, “Where’s her folks?”

“She doesn’t really have any.”

Jared’s brow arched. “Everyone said she has a dad.” I glared, like looking at him that way would reveal all the names and faces of those everyone he just mentioned. “Or that’s what I’ve heard…from the halls. You know.”

I dipped my head, giving a single nod. “I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

” I schooled my features as Lyra walked up the aisle, my wink turning her cheeks a rosy pink shade.

God, she was so fucking deserving of a better life.

“Act like I’m not about to tell you some shit before she walks by, okay? ”

“Got it.”

I flexed my hands over my knees. “Ly doesn’t have a dad. She lives with her mom’s ex.”

“And her mom…”

“She’s gone. Left her about a year ago.”

Jared’s jaw unhinged, then worked side to side. “Fuck.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “It’s all fucked.”

“The rumors?”

“All lies. She does jobs here and there—cleans houses and babysits. She’s just tryin’ to have a better life.”

Feminine hands settled over my shoulders. “Hey.”

I straightened and squeezed her hands. “Hey.” I tilted my head back and smiled up at her. She wrinkled her nose just before leaning down and kissing my cheek.

“Hey, Jared. Congratulations.”

“You too.” Jared covered her hand where mine had just been. “Congratulations, Lyra.”

The sincerity lacing his words seemed to strike Lyra. She cleared her throat and gave a soft smile to us both before continuing down her row and finding her seat.

My best friend narrowed his eyes on me. “If you break her heart, I’m going to beat you to the ground.”

“If that ever happens, I hope you kill me.”

Nearly a hundred graduation gowns and caps fluttered around the field—our field—as all the grads left the auditorium. I found her easily in the crowd, recognizing that shade of brown anywhere as it flowed down her back, and wrapped my arms around her from behind.

“Found ya,” I whispered.

She turned in my arms, grinning back. “You did.”

“Ready for tonight?”

She nodded. “Are you?”

“Born ready.” She giggled as I kissed her cheek. “I can’t wait to get out of here with you.”

Her face turned serious for a beat, and when she tried to cover it with a smile, I shook my head. “Don’t do that. Don’t hide from me.”

“Hide what?”

I tapped the center of her forehead. “What were you just thinking?”

She worried down on her lip, eyes darting between mine. “I…I was just thinking…what if we mess this all up?”

“Hmm.” I tapped my chin. “In what way?”

“I dunno. I told you I saved up to last us a few months, and that I’d get a job, but—”

“I’ve been saving, too. For a while.”

Most of what I’d earned over the past few years had been sitting in savings—savings my mother was finally letting me touch.

When I told my parents I was planning on proposing to Lyra, I didn’t expect as much support as I got.

Which was insane because they’d done nothing but support me and my choices my entire life.

“Is that enough?”

“Ly.” I gripped her chin. “Is this you gettin’ cold feet?”

“No,” she replied instantly. “I just…I want to make sure you know what you’re doing.”

I arched a brow. “Sweetheart, I’m well-the-fuck-aware of what I’m doing.

” Her lip twitched. “I never told you this, but when my grandfather died, he left me a bunch of money. I can’t touch it for a couple years, but it will be more than enough to let us do whatever the hell we want, wherever the hell we want. ”

She wiped under her eye. “Car, that isn’t what I meant. I meant—”

“Congrats, grads! Say ‘cheese!’”

My mother couldn’t have picked a worse time.

We posed for a few pictures, making my mom happy, and when I kissed Lyra, the camera flashed again.

“I can’t wait to start our lives together,” I murmured in her ear as I hugged her one last time. “I’ll see you later, my little Ly.”