“But don’t do the teeth thing to other guys,” he adds with a furrowed brow.
My face falls as I stare up at him in shock. “What? Why?”
“Because most guyshatethat.”
I splash him with an armful of water. “What the hell, Dec?” I shout. “You were supposed to teach me how to give agoodblow job!”
He laughs as he kicks water back in my direction. “Sorry, but I’m a sick fuck, and that’s just whatIlike.” With a shrug, he climbs from the floor and walks over to where our clothes lie discarded.
“Ugh,” I groan, rolling my eyes.
“But if you ever suck my dick again, now you know,” he says, slipping his shirt over his head. “I like a little pain.”
Shaking my head, I climb out and grab my pants from the floor. “What is wrong with you?”
He laughs. “Hey, you should be thanking me. Now, you won’t graduate completely inexperienced.”
I shove him on the shoulder. “Oh yes, thank you for letting me bite your dick.”
He’s laughing loudly now. “You’re welcome.”
There’s no use fighting my smile as I put on the rest of my clothes. The blow job was amazing, but I’m mostly just content to see that nothing between us has changed. I haven’t lost my best friend, and that’s what really matters most.
Chapter Thirteen
Colin
“Smile, my love!” my mum says excitedly as she snaps a picture of me holding my diploma in front of our university. There’s a crowd around us of parents and their graduates. I lost track of Declan somewhere in the chaos of walking across the stage and then out to the common area to meet our families.
I think his sister is here—at least, I hope she is. I hate to think about him being alone.
My mother wraps an arm around my waist and reaches onto her tiptoes to kiss me on the side of the head. “I’m so proud of you,” she murmurs.
“Thanks, Mum.”
“Our driver has already picked up your things at the residence hall, so if you’re ready, darling, let’s get you home where you belong.” She loops her arm through mine and tugs me toward the car park.
I glance around, seeking Declan. I can’t leave without at least saying goodbye. “Mum, I need to find a friend. Can I meet you at the car?”
“Of course,” she replies sweetly. As she releases my arm, she walks toward the lot, and I take off in search of my best friend.
Everything between Declan and me has been so normal and comfortable since the night at the pool—or as I’m referring to it, the greatest night of my life. I still can’t believe that happened, and our friendship has only improved because of it. Now, the idea of being without him for months on end has me feeling melancholy and nostalgic. If I could start these four years over again, I would.
When Declan is nowhere in the crowd, I decide to go looking for him in our room. My side of the room is empty when I get there, but his is still packed in boxes on the floor by his bed.
And he’s lying on it, still wearing his graduation robe and sketching in his book with the familiar black charcoal.
“Hey, Shakespeare,” he says with a lopsided grin when he sees me enter. “I thought you left.”
My mouth is set into a straight line, and a blank expression is on my face as I fight the emotion bubbling to the surface. Is that all he’s going to give me? After all this time? Does he feel nothing?
“I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye to you,” I mutter.
His eyes cast from the drawing to my face. “I don’t care for goodbyes.”
“I know you don’t,” I reply. “Did your sister show up?”
“Aye,” he mumbles focusing back on his sketch.
