Epilogue
EPILOGUE
T his was the moment I’d been waiting for. Two years of sleepless nights spent poring over law journals, writing papers, and studying for exams while interning at a well-respected DC firm had all come down to this. I swiped my damp palms on my suits pants and stared out the window of Lawton, Hughes, Banks and Kelleford before sucking in a gulp of air. My heart beat like a drum against my chest as I skirted my desk, sat in front of the computer, and entered my password.
I scrolled to the results page and hovered over the link before finally clicking it. An alphabetical list popped up right away. I closed my eyes for a second and reminded myself to think happy thoughts. Pass or fail, I still had a lot going for me. I had a great group of friends, a loving family and a nice gig working for a team of incredibly smart lawyers. Most of all, I had Aaron.
I smiled at the memory of waking up next to him a few hours ago. My alarm always went off a good hour or more before Aaron had to be up. Most days, he grunted and buried his head under his pillow while I showered and got ready. This morning, he’d offered a sleepy sigh before slipping his hand under the sheets to stroke my morning wood. I hummed when he fondled my balls, then gripped myself at the base and gave him a lopsided grin. He returned the gesture with something more lascivious before crawling over me, licking, kissing, and sucking his way down my torso. He set my cock on his bottom lip and held eye contact with me before swallowing me whole.
I threw back the covers to watch the show, threading my fingers through his hair and lifting my hips to meet his mouth as he alternately sucked and stroked me to oblivion.
“Aar, I’m gonna come…” I warned.
He didn’t stop. I trembled as a tsunami of pleasure washed over me. Then I pulled him over me. I licked the corner of his lips before plunging my tongue inside to taste myself while I fingered his hole. Aaron bucked his hips in a quest for friction, writhing wantonly until he fell apart, spurting cum between our sweat-slicked bodies.
“Wow. Good morning,” I said with a laugh, squeezing his ass.
“Good morning.” He bit my bottom lip and then kissed it better. “And good luck. You don’t need it, but a little positive energy never hurt anyone.”
“So that blow job was your version of ‘positive energy’?”
He grinned. “Yes.”
“Thank you.” I kissed his forehead, his nose, and then his lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too. You have nothing to worry about. You’ve got this, Matty.”
Positive energy, good vibes, you’ve got this , I chanted with my finger over the Enter key. One, two, three...Go.
The list was straight forward and alphabetical. I scrolled to the letter S and held my breath.
Matthew James Sullivan
Oh my God. That was me. I did it. I passed the bar. I looked at the list again to make sure I wasn’t seeing what I wanted to see rather than what was really on the screen. It was still there though. What if there was another Matthew James Sullivan? No, idiot. They’d called role before the exam and I was the only Matthew Sullivan in the room.
I covered my face in my hands, not sure if I wanted to laugh or cry. I couldn’t wait to tell Aaron. I wondered if they’d let me take an early lunch. I wanted to do it in person.
I knocked on the open door of Mr. Hughes’ office and found him sitting at one of his secretary’s guest chairs, typing into his phone. Trey Hughes was a handsome African American man in his late forties with close-cropped hair, prominent cheekbones, and a strong even jaw. He was a fierce litigator and one of my personal heroes. He’d taken me under his wing when I first started and had always been quick to show support. Mr. Hughes looked up expectantly, his brows raised in question.
“Well?”
“I passed.” My voice sounded small and unsure. I cleared my throat and tried again. “I passed, sir. I’m in.”
“Congratulations, Matt.” He smiled widely and stood with his hand extended before drawing me in for an impromptu hug.
“Thank you, sir. Um... would you mind if I took an early lunch? I want to tell my boyfriend and I’d like to do it in person if possible.”
I could feel myself blush. I was out at the office, but only in the sense that if anyone asked, I told the truth. However, word got around in this office pretty fast. No doubt the partners all knew I had a boyfriend now instead of a girlfriend. And funny enough, I didn’t mind at all. I’d come a long way in a few short months.
“Take the day off, Matt. You deserve it. Go tell your boyfriend, your parents, your friends. This is a big accomplishment. Savor a job well done. I’ll have a contract proposal drawn for you by tomorrow morning.” He patted my back once more before moving toward his office.
I didn’t linger. I hurried to the elevator and called Aaron when the doors slid open to the modern-style glass and steel lobby. He answered on the first ring.
“Hi Matty. Miss me already?”
“Of course. Where are you? Didn’t you say you’re working on a photo shoot downtown?”
“Yep! I’m in your hood. We’re at the Mall. Philippe insisted on serving bagels even though I assured him the models wouldn’t touch them. He doesn’t listen. Cream cheese too. Coffee is the only thing anyone wants and...”
He went on and on. Nonstop chatter, Aaron style. He told me about the photographer he was assisting and the issues they’d had with lighting. I gave an occasional “mmhmm” or a “that’s cool” as I dropped my briefcase off in my car and then headed toward him by foot, thinking it would be easier than trying to find another place to park.
I made my way along the wide footpath, pausing when I noticed the photo shoot in the distance. I didn’t see him right away. Aaron had just finished explaining that they were taking two more shots before packing up. He had to be here still.
“Aren’t you supposed to be doing lawyerly things? Or...did you have something to tell me?” he asked.
I smiled at his cautious tone as I continued along the path. I spotted him a moment later standing under a gorgeous tree in full autumnal splendor. The red and orange leaves contrasted nicely with Aaron’s dark hair. Fuck, he took my breath away.
He was dressed in his favorite fitted khakis with a navy long coat. It wasn’t particularly chilly, but I suspected Aaron would have worn the coat regardless. According to him the garment was new and deserved to be admired by the masses. I would have guessed that he felt that way. My man was an unrepentant fashionista.
I loved knowing those small things about him no matter how inconsequential. All the things…which side of the bed he preferred, what kind of toothpaste, soap, and shampoo he like. His favorite coffee mug, his jogging routine. Life is in the details, I mused.
“Hey, turn around.”
“What do you—oh! Hi there.” Aaron waved and flashed a beautiful smile.
He yelled something to one of the other assistants as he sprinted toward me. I met him halfway and swept him into my arms, holding him tightly around his waist, then twirling him in a circle before crashing my mouth over his. I stepped back, brushing a strand of hair from his eyes.
“You did it, didn’t you?” he asked, dabbing at the corner of his eyes.
I nodded. “Yeah. I did it.”
“I knew you would. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” I let out a rush of air and tried to gather my thoughts. “This feels like a big deal.”
“It is a big deal.”
“I don’t just mean passing the bar. I mean...I feel like we’re about to really begin. Me and you. Our life to together. I feel like anything is possible, you know?”
“Yes, I know. I feel it too,” he replied, biting his bottom lip.
“We can do it all, Aar. Everything. Marriage, kids, the works. I want to grow old with you. I want to be the only one you ever want or need ’cause I swear you’re it for me. And I’m so fucking grateful I found you.”
“Me too. I love you. Never let me go, Matty.”
“Never.”
We kissed in the middle of the path in front of his work crew and the general public. I couldn’t help marveling at how much my life had changed in a year. I’d come a long way for sure, but I wanted so much more. With Aaron. He was my lover, my friend, my future and the answer to every question I’d ever had.
This was our beginning. And it was better than good.