Page 73 of Highway To Destiny

I gave her a big smile. “Things are great…truly great,” I replied. She pulled me into another hug after I moved my coffee out of the way of her advance, and I saw Spencer clutch his coffee to his chest. I rolled my eyes.

Before we took our leave, we told them we were graduating in another month and invited them to our Master’s Hooding Ceremony, where we’d receive our master’s degrees. They were honored to have been invited and said they’d look forward to being there.

On our stroll back to the dorm, I asked Spencer what he planned on doing after graduation.

“I’m really excited about moving forward this summer,” he replied. “Evan and I plan on staying in Boise, so maybe what we have can grow into something more. Of course, it depends on where my career will lead. One step at a time, though, right?”

“Well, we keep telling each other not to overthink things.” I laughed.

“You know, now we’re besties, I can’t get rid of you and vice versa,” he said as he stopped walking.

I turned to face him. “Spence, we’reCall of Dutybrothers. We’ve got each other’s backs forever,” I said as I tried to make light of it. But I saw Spencer’s lip quiver.

“Okay,” he replied, dropping his head.

“Hey…hey, Spence,” I said as I took a step toward him. “Our friendship means everything to me. Even though we won’t be close in proximity, that doesn’t mean we won’t see each other again.” I gripped his upper arm and gave it a quick squeeze. I realized what he’d said about us meant more to him than I’d thought.

He didn’t say anything but looked up at me with moist eyes.

“I think we’re both a little emotional, having come to the end of our time here, buddy. We’ve put quite a bit of work into our two years, and now it’s close to the end.” He sniffed and nodded. I hooked my arm through his as we continued our walk. “You’re my golden retriever, Spence—you always will be,” I said with reassurance. He hummed and leaned against me.

Mason and I chatted for quite some time before I headed off to bed. He wanted to know the details of my graduation and planned on driving to La Grande with Eli for the ceremony. I was surprised to hear that Eli wanted to come too, but I welcomed it since we’d become close in Seattle. I would have my own cheer squad with Mason, Eli, Mom and Kyle, and even Elmer and Ruthie, who’d have the chance to see Mason again.

Graduation was scheduledfor June fourteenth, which happened to be Mason’s birthday.His fucking fiftieth birthday.I had that figured out since last summer when his forty-ninth rolled around, and we were on the road together. That data was saved in my memory bank for a double celebration on graduation day.

I’d clued Mom and Kyle in on his big five-oh, and they said they’d handle everything. I was grateful for their generosity since I had some refinements to take care of with my thesis. I didn’t have too much to change or defend differently, but it was enough that I needed to focus. I gave Mom the phone number of Elmer and Ruthie’s store should she need any help with supplies or planning. I knew Ruthie would be a great resource.

The afternoon before graduation, Mason and Eli arrived. I told Eli I wanted some time with my guy, so I decided to take Mason to our diner for a quiet birthday dinner, just the two of us.

When we walked in, they had a booth set aside adorned with black ‘Happy 50th’ balloons, which I’d prearranged. Mason was mortified, and I was sure I wouldn’t hear the end of it. It wasn’t a fancy dinner, but it fit since it was where we started to get to know each other all those months ago.

On our big day, Spencer and I dressed up for the commencement, which would start in the early afternoon. We looked rather regal in our black and blue gowns. We didn’t sport the typical graduation cap that undergrads wore but had hoods trimmed in bronze velvet that signified our business degrees as MBAs. We looked dashing as we preened in my room. Spencer got emotional again, and I had to tell him to ‘Cowboy Up.’ He laughed.

Our Hooding Ceremony was held the same day the undergraduates were receiving their diplomas. Mason and Eli had already arrived at the stadium. Mom and Kyle arrived a few hours before the ceremony, and when they joined us, Elmer and Ruthie were with them. Jack and Sylvia had also driven from Seattle to surprise me. I thanked them again for the care they’d given Mason earlier in the year.

I was finally able to meet Spencer's proud parents, and I could see where Spencer inherited his sense of humor. Mr. Coleman, his father, was just as jovial and friendly as my bestie. His mother was the emotional one, and that clinched where Spencer got that trait. Evan had also come up with them from Boise to cheer his boyfriend on.

The ceremony was long due to the speeches but went smoothly. When our names were called, I could hear the whoops and hollers from a section of the stands. Spencer beamed and waved wildly to his parents and Evan, as I did to my family.

When it concluded, we met up with everyone, where handshakes, hugs, and kisses were exchanged freely. Mom gently took my arm, moved me away from our tribe, and said everything was set for our celebrations. Apparently, giving her Ruthie’s number turned out to be a godsend. We were all to head over to Elmer and Ruthie’s house to conclude the day with a surprise double celebration.

The weather in the afternoon was perfect: full sun, eighty degrees, and a light, warm breeze that rustled the leaves of the fruit trees, which shaded us with dappled light. Mom and Ruthie had outdone themselves, setting up a long table to seat the thirteen of us. They had decorated it with the black and blue colors of our now discarded gowns, and the interspersed black ‘Happy 50th’ balloons hinted at what I’d done at the diner for him. I made him sit at the head of the table, with Elmer at the other end.

The food was perfect for a summer day in June. The barbecued ribs, three types of salads, beer, wine, and iced tea were plentiful. Once we’d eaten, Mom and my brother disappeared and returned holding a large sheet cake that read ‘Congratulations, Connor and Spence’ in blue icing on one half, adorned with a cap and gown. On the other half, a rendering of Mason’s rig had black icing that read, ‘Happy 50th, Mason.’ Cell phones immediately popped out, and people took pictures of the creation. A chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ filled the air.

The day was filled with laughter and a few happy tears. After the cake, more beverages were poured, and everyone broke into idle conversations, which gave me the opportunity to steer Mason away privately.

I took his hand, intertwined our fingers, and walked him to their deck, away from everyone. Our arms wrapped around one another as I pulled him into a passionate kiss. “Happy birthday, Daddy,” I said seductively. He let out a low growl that always brought my dick to attention.

“Congratulations, babe,” he replied and put his forehead to mine. We breathed each other’s air and remained silent. The din of muffled conversation in the distance and the rustle of leaves added an ambiance of calm as we held each other. Our warm breath matched the light breeze that surrounded us. He placed his mouth near my ear and told me how much he loved me.

I was never going to let the man leave my side. Fate had played its hand, and I was happy that my trucker had chosen to give me a lift that hot summer day.

“I love you too,” I said softly in return. “We have a future to figure out, Daddy.”

He smiled and winked. “As you wish.”

EPILOGUE

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