Page 101 of My Three Hometown Alphas

He would be so mad at me if I ditched the ceremony for anything less than an emergency. Being sad is not an emergency.

I force myself to smile at my reflection in the bathroom mirror as I pull my hair into a ponytail. I’ll do it for him. I’ll do it for both of my parents.

They might not be sitting in the stands watching me walk across that stage, but they get a better bird’s-eye view of everything.

Tapping on my phone, I find the closest coffee shop. It’s early enough that the Georgia heat isn’t stifling yet, so I decide to walk. The light breeze hits my face as I weave between people on the sidewalk.

A sense of peace settles over me. Graduation might not seem important to me now, but I know it would be important to my parents. They’d want this for me.

I’m pretty sure when I look back on this is a few years, I’ll be glad I went through with it, too.

I’ve really been half-assing all of this, though. I don’t even know what I’m going to wear tonight under the gown I picked up yesterday from campus.

I brought a couple options with me, but I never even thought about buying something new for the occasion.

If my dad were here, I know he’d want to spoil me for my “big day.” The building emotion makes it hard to drag in a deep breath, but it makes my decision much easier.

I pull out my phone, searching for nearby clothing stores and salons. By some miracle, I find a salon nearby that had a cancelation. I have just enough time before the appointment to grab some coffee and stop by a boutique next door.

The first dress I try on is perfect. It’s fitted and black and hits just above my knees with lots of lace detail. It’s edgy while also being feminine. It couldn’t be more me if it tried.

I think my parents are pulling some strings up there because this all seems too unbelievable to be falling into place this way, but I don’t fight it.

I’m going to try to enjoy the rest of this day for what it is and not focus on the ache clawing at my heart. As much as I can, at least.

“Dillon Madden.” The name is announced and another person takes their moment to walk across the stage and receive their hard-earned diploma. The line in front of me shuffles forward.

My toes scrunch in the new black heels I bought at the boutique earlier. I’m not usually much of a strappy heel girl, but today I made an exception.

The guy in front of me steps onto the stairs after his name is called. A roar of cheers rings from the far side of the gym. He smiles and waves at the group of people here to support him.

I might not have anyone in the bleachers for me today, but I know I’m not alone, even if they’re only here in spirit.

Just before my name is called, I look up at the ceiling with a smile on my face. I start up the steps as they call my name, and then I freeze.

A roar of cheers erupts behind me.

I know those voices. Three deep, males voices that have starred in every fantasy of mine over the last few months, and one sweet voice that I’d know anywhere as my Lyles.

Without even turning around, I know it’s them. I have no idea how they’re here, but they are.

I almost trip over my own feet, sneaking a quick glance over my shoulder. It doesn’t take long to spot the group of them all standing and shouting among everyone else who’s sitting around them.

They’re here.

Tears spring to my eyes as I accept my diploma and shake everyone’s hands. The tears have very little to do with the leather-bound document in my hands and everything to do with the four people who I can’t keep from smiling at as I make my way back to my seat.

The rest of the ceremony passes by painfully slowly. All I want to do is run to them, but I can’t do that right now.

I’ve never been an antsy person, but I currently feel like I’m going to crawl out of my own skin.

I miss them all so fucking much. Taking a deep breath, I make the decision I’ve been toying with for a while now. I’m going to back out of the internship.

There’s someone out there better suited for the position, who wants to be there. They deserve better. I deserve something that I actually want to do.

I don’t know what my future will look like, but I know if I have anything to say about it, it will include those four people who came all the way here for me.

If they’ll have me… I’m all theirs.