Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Cadence
Graduation day...
Today was my graduation day, and I was both nervous and excited.
I stayed with my mama so we could spend the time together, and at first Titan was all for it.
Then later he tried coming over and wanted to stay the night, but my mama wasn’t having it.
He pouted like a spoiled kid, and it was cute and funny.
I told him he’d be alright, and I’d see him at the ceremony.
The ceremony was at nine-thirty, but we had to be there at eight. It was almost seven-thirty, and I was headed outside with my mama in tow. She drove, and I didn’t have a problem with it because I was more than likely going to be with Titan after the ceremony.
“Are you ready?” Mama asked.
I looked at her and smiled. She encouraged me to go to school and stay on course. Even when I decided to take time off after I graduated high school, she didn’t talk down on me. She supported my decision every step of the way.
“I am. It was a time I didn’t think that this would happen, but here we are,” I responded.
“What you mean?” She looked at me like she knew there was something I wasn’t telling her. I never told her about the actual arrangement with me and Titan because I didn’t want to put her in a position to lie if the subject ever came up.
“I mean, I may not have been graduating if it wasn’t for Titan. I was in danger of losing everything I worked hard for because my financial aid was revoked. He knew about and offered to help me,” I explained.
“Wait... what? Your financial aid was revoked. How did that happen?” She asked.
I explained to her what the lady in the financial aid explained to me. I even went ahead and told her about the agreement in order to get my tuition paid. By the time I was done, we were at the school, and my mama was looking at me like she’d seen a ghost.
“Cadence, why didn’t tell me any of this?” She started. “You know I would’ve made sure you got what you needed,” she expressed sincerely.
“I know, Mama, but I wanted to do this on my own. I didn’t want you to start working overtime or going into debt for me,” I explained.
“Well, at least you finished and your situation is no longer fake,” she said as she got out the car. I met her at the front and stopped.
“What makes you think this isn’t fake anymore?” I asked.
She pointed behind me, and my eyes followed to see Titan standing in front of the auditorium, looking like he’d just come off a centerfold runway, holding an enormous bouquet of red roses and baby breath.
“That’s how I know.” She smirked as she walked off.
Titan met me halfway with Malik close by. When he got near, he pulled me into his broad frame and kissed my lips before handing me the flowers.
“What are you doing here so early?” I asked.
“I wanted to see you before everything got hectic,” he explained. “Plus, I wanted to get a good seat.” He smirked, causing me to laugh and shake my head.
“That’s sad. Now where is everybody else supposed to sit?”
“Shit, that’s on them. My people are already inside, and your mama and Nae have a seat with them.” He shrugged.
“Your people?” I knit my brows together.
“Yeah.” He nodded. “My mama and pops. Lani’s aggravating ass, Kobe, Tatum, Ava, Myla, Sasha, Dani and Graves,” he acknowledged.
Before I could respond, I heard a voice behind me that caused me to snap my head in that direction.
“I done told you to keep your hands off my sister, nigga,” Saint fussed as he approached us holding my niece with Myheir and Noble alongside while Eve was on the other side, along with Harlow.
“Just wait until we leave here and I put something else on her,” Titan countered with a smirk.
“You gone make me shoot your ass,” Saint uttered.
“Harlan!” Eve snapped.
“E, take all that down, baby, before we have to head back to the truck real quick,” he warned salaciously. I looked over at Eve and her ass was blushing.
He pulled me from Titan’s embrace and kissed my temple.
“Congratulations, sis,” he praised.
“Thank you, and thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t have missed this shit for the world.” He smiled.
“I can’t wait to celebrate after this. We gone show our asses, sis,” Harlow expressed. Titan and Saint frowned.
“Man, sit your ass down,” Titan started. “You sound like Lani’s ass. The only time Tink shows her ass is with me, so y’all can cancel that shit.” He frowned.
Shaking my head, I left them behind and headed where the rest of the graduates were lining up and got in place. My heart was beating out of my chest, but it was all worth it.
***
“Cadence Nicole Mitchell.” I could barely hear my name being called because everyone who was here for me were the loudest in the room.
“Let’s go, baby!” I heard Titan yell.
“That’s my best friend!” I heard Janae yell.
I shook my head as I received my degree and posed for a picture with the president of the college.
The rest of the ceremony was a blur. I had my degree, and it all seemed so surreal because I almost didn’t make it.
Once the ceremony was over, I was met by my mama first, with tears in her eyes.
“I know I told you already, but I’m so proud of you, baby.” She cried as she hugged me.
“Thank you, Mama,” I responded as I wiped the tears from my eyes.
Janae was standing next to her waiting her turn. When my mama released me, she pulled me into her arms and started jumping up and down like she was crazy.
“Look at you all graduated and shit.” She smirked.
“I know, right.” I smiled. “Like I’m really a college graduate,” I simpered.
“And the girlfriend of a fine ass, rich ass, football player,” she added.
All I could do was shake my head at this girl. Lani and Harlow followed suit, along with Saint, Eve and the kids. I was overwhelmed seeing all these people here for me when I just knew it would only be me, my mama, and Janae. Even Titan’s parents were here, and that said a lot.
I looked around and noticed I didn’t see Titan or Malik.
“Where’s Titan?” I frowned.
Before someone could respond, I heard my name being called... well, the nickname that he gave me.
“Tink!” He called out.
I looked in that direction and saw him leaning on a burnt copper BMW X5 with a big white bow on it, and a big ass grin on his face. I was too shocked to move until I was nudged by Janae.
“Bitch, you better go thank that man,” she encouraged.
Simpering, I sauntered over to my man who was holding another bouquet of flowers. When I reached him, he did his signature move and pulled me into him and kissed my lips.
“Congratulations again, baby.” He kissed my lips again.
“Thank you,” I simpered. “But you brought me a car?” I asked, completely astonished.
“Yeah. That damn Altima was almost outta here and I couldn’t have my girl out here like that,” he joked.
Shoving him in his good arm, I replied. “Watch it, but still. It’s too much, though,” I added.
“It ain’t never too much when it comes to the people you love,” he countered.
I blinked a few times, trying to comprehend the fact that he just admitted he loved me.
“Y-you love me?” I stammered.
He cupped my chin and pressed his lips against mine before he responded.
“You damn right I do and when we get rid of all them nosy muthafuckas in our face, I’ll show you just how much.” He smirked.
“Aight, nigga. Wrap that shit up!” Saint fussed, causing everybody to laugh at his antics.
“You ready?” Titan asked.
“Ready for what?” I quizzed.
“I arranged a whole brunch for you, and it’s about time to be there,” he insisted.
“Oh, you’re showing out today?” I simpered.
“And I hope you do the same later when we leave everybody,” he husked as he peered down at me.
I blushed as he walked me to the passenger side of my truck.
“So, I can’t even drive my own gift?” I asked.
“Not while I’m with you,” he stated. “You’ll have plenty of time to drive Tink.”
He closed the door and rounded the truck until he made it back to the driver’s side.
While he drove, I admired the truck’s interior.
The seats were a buttery soft leather in a rich cognac color with black stitching.
The framing was the same color as the truck.
From the looks of it, it was fully loaded, and I loved every bit of it.
While I was admiring the truck, I remembered that Titan said that he loved me. Turning to him, I called his name to get his attention.
“Titan,” I called out.
“Wassup, Tink?”
He looked at me.
“I love you, too,” I simpered.
I saw a smirk ease onto his face, showcasing that dimple of his.
“I thought I had to leave your ass at the harbor. I was over here thinking what to tell your mama and my retarded ass cousin.”
I burst into laughter because I knew he was serious. There’s no way that he did all this and I wouldn’t return the gesture.
***
After brunch, we all went our separate ways. The girls made plans to go out later while the guys complained about it. Titan and I were back at his place, basking in the aftereffects of the love we both proclaimed for each other. I was almost asleep when I heard him call my name.
“Tink,” he called out.
“Hmm,” I countered, not bothering to move.
“Lift up.”
He tapped my butt, and I unraveled my body from his body.
I had to adjust sleeping on the right side since I was so used to sleeping on the left.
I moved so he could get up, and I admired the muscles rippling in his back as he moved toward the dresser.
I looked as he opened the drawer and pulled out a black, square box.
He came back to the bed and handed it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Open it and see.” He smiled as he looked at me. The gleam in his eyes said everything that he didn’t verbalize in that moment.
I took the lid off the box and removed the purple velvet covering. Underneath was a smaller, more feminine version of his Cuban link chain and a number seventeen pendant. I tittered at the gesture, but I loved it.
“This is beautiful,” I cooed.
He took it from me and placed it around my neck before kissing it.
“Not as beautiful as you,” he complimented, making me blush.
I sat up and straddled his lap as he rested his hands on my hips.
“You have done a lot for me in this short time that we’ve been doing this, and I just want you to know that I appreciate you. Even when I was being mean to you in the beginning, you still helped me and I appreciate you for that,” I acknowledged.
I know how things started between us, and no one could’ve told me that we would be at this place now.
“You got it, Tink. You’on have to thank me for shit that I do for you. Hell, I should be thanking you. Not only did you help salvage my reputation, but you showed me it was more out here than a quick nut. Well, you know I’on do that quick shit, but you get what I’m saying.” He smirked.
“Get to the point.” I rolled my eyes.
“My point is that I love you for teaching me how to love and treat a woman properly. I love you for accepting me as I was but still don’t take my shit, and for that baby, you can get whatever the fuck you want from me,” he proclaimed.
I leaned down and kissed his lips, careful not to put more pressure on his shoulder.
“I got one more gift for you,” he stated.
“Titan, you’ve done enough,” I whined.
“Not even,” he started. “We leave on Monday to go to St. Laurent for a few days. We both could use the distraction and some very much deserved alone time with no school, football, cameras or our families. Just you and me in a villa fucking from the windows to the walls,” he laughed, and I joined in.
I didn’t expect to be here, but I’m not complaining, and I damn sure planned on being here for a while.