Chapter 28
Cara
A few weeks later: graduation day.
Reagan and I put extra effort into our appearances today. We don’t have any intention of returning to university, so unless a midlife crisis has us completely changing our lives, this will be our last graduation.
It’s kind of crazy to think about. The last four years have been a whirlwind of classes and assignments. Tomorrow is our official first day of the rest of our lives.
Yikes. Nope. Not going there. If I do, I’ll probably start hyperventilating. There’s already an email from the law firm’s HR department in my inbox. When I saw it this morning, I nearly tossed my phone.
The school president calls out a name, and I take another step toward the stage. I wish Reagan and I had the same last name. As it is, she was already called, so I’m currently sandwiched between two students I don’t know.
Someone else is called up, and I move without thought.
I’m more nervous than usual because Mom isn’t here yet—or she wasn’t the last time I checked my phone. Apparently there was an emergency at the firm and, of course, she had to take care of it herself. It doesn’t matter that I’m graduating with a degree she pretty much forced me to get.
My name is called, and I step forward with a smile as Reagan screams from somewhere in the crowd of graduates. We made a bet this morning on who could be the loudest for each other, though I don’t even know why I bothered. There’s no beating Reagan in a loud competition.
I accept my degree and smile toward where my best friend stands to snap a photo.
On my way off the stage, my eyes meet Lucian’s.
God, he’s handsome. There’s something in his gaze, this animalistic promise that’s currently doing wild things to my body.
I nearly trip on the stairs and have to look away from the man who owns my heart, or else I’ll embarrass myself.
I just need to get through the next hour, and then I’ll be free. Free of this place and its shackles. The ones that keep me and Lucian separated outside of our apartment building.
More names are called, but I’m barely paying attention. I can’t stop glancing in his direction. How he finds me among the many students must be a hound thing, because it’s like he’s laser-focused on my exact location.
Ever since finding out his secret, things that I thought were just strange behaviors or quirks make so much more sense. The way he can easily read my emotions, in both human and hound form, is apparently a scent thing. I’m still getting used to it, but I have to admit it makes things easier.
If only humans were that in tune with each other.
When the last name of our graduating class is called and the final speech is made, we all stand to celebrate. There’s raucous cheering and an excited charge in the air that I can’t help but get caught up in.
Leaving the arena is slow moving as everyone tries to race out to their loved ones and the taste of freedom.
I’ve made plans to meet Carter and Reagan outside the arena near the big oak tree.
My mom is supposed to meet me there too, but I still haven’t heard if she ever arrived.
Unfortunately, Lucian won’t be joining until later when we announce our relationship to my best friend.
I’m a little nervous, but I know Reagan will be happy for me.
Jealous too, probably. It’s been hard keeping a secret from her these last few months.
I had to at least tell her I was seeing someone—if only to stop her from trying to set me up on more blind dates—but that’s it.
Even though she tried to get me to spill the beans, and I so desperately wanted to tell her, I kept my lips sealed.
I know she wouldn’t tell anyone about my relationship, but it’s easier to keep a secret when fewer people know.
After one accidental elbow to the ribs and at least two people stepping on my heels, I finally make it outside.
The first deep breath of fresh air tastes like freedom.
Alright, so maybe not complete freedom, because I still have to deal with my mother—who keeps insisting I live in her grand mansion—but close enough.
I tried telling her no again yesterday, and she threatened to cut me off.
Little does she know, cutting me off sounds damn perfect.
Without her money, I’d no longer feel obligated to do what she says.
Still, I can’t just turn down an actual job or plan for my future. I want out, but I’m not foolish.
The plans she has for me will take me away from Lucian. A different city entirely, and I’m not willing to give him up. Not now, and maybe not ever.
Carter stands with Reagan, the pair looking cute as hell. He’s hugging her and twirling her around while she laughs. I snap a picture before they notice me.
“Congratulations, Cara,” Carter says when I approach. He pulls me in for a hug that barely lasts a second before Reagan joins in.
“Fuck this place!” she shouts, and I snort a laugh, but my joy falls when I turn my head and find my mother watching us with a displeased look on her face.
Oh, goodie. This should be fun.
All she says is, “Cara, dear. Are you ready to go?”
No offer of congratulations. No comment about how proud she is of me. The only thing she gives me is her signature annoyed look and the assumption that I’m leaving with her.
“Hi, Mom. I’m celebrating with my friends, remember?”
She sighs, and I have to force myself not to roll my eyes.
“I thought we decided you were going to come home with me and get settled before Monday.”
“That’s what you decided, but I told you I wasn’t doing that.” I know she remembers because we argued about it only yesterday. I hate when she does this.
“Seriously, Cara, I had hoped a university degree would have instilled better values in you. You’re an adult now. Partying with your friends shouldn’t be a priority. It’s not a good look.”
God, she’s such a fucking bitch sometimes.
She talks as if I’m going to get drunk and streak across town—something I’ve never done and seriously regret now.
For as long as I can remember, my mother has wanted me to be her spitting image.
Graceful, but not enough to be intimidating.
Reliable, but not taken advantage of. Strong, but not strong-willed.
She’s never once accepted me for me, and honestly, I don’t think I ever have either.
Until right now.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” I know from the look she gives me that I’ll get an earful about this later. She won’t do it here, not in front of my friends and polite society, but she’ll scold me the next time we’re alone.
Her phone rings, and I know before she even looks at the screen that she’ll answer it. She always does.
Something shifts inside me, and I can’t stop the words from escaping my mouth. “Mom,” I say, and she turns around, her finger hovering over the screen of her phone.
She looks at me like I’m the single most disappointing thing she’s ever seen in her life, but I don’t feel like a disappointment. Not to my friends. Not to Lucian. And not to myself. Not anymore.
“Well? Spit it out.”
Fear wraps its spindly fingers around my heart, yet I push the words out anyway. “I appreciate the job offer, but I’ve decided to turn it down.”
The look she gives me is one I’ve never seen her wear before. Fury lines her face, and if she’d given me this look a few weeks or even months ago, I’d have surrendered immediately.
Not now, though.
Now that I’ve said the words out loud, I realize just how good it feels. This is true freedom.
My mother, clearly struggling to grasp what I’ve just said, opens and closes her mouth several times before she manages to get any words out. “Don’t be foolish, Cara.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I just can’t work at the family law firm.” The words come more easily this time. I want to pump my fist in the air at this newfound sense of control, but my mother would probably have an aneurysm.
“You’re behaving like a child. Do you think good jobs just grow on trees? How will you pay your bills when you’re unemployed? Because I assure you, I won’t be financing this little act of rebellion.”
“I…” Shit. What am I going to do? I suppose I could pick up a random job for now while I figure things out, though it’s probably best not to tell her that.
“She’s working for me, Mrs. Montgomery.” Cooper comes out of nowhere, and it’s a struggle to keep my jaw from unhinging in shock.
I’m doing what now?
“And you are?” Mom asks, unimpressed.
Cooper extends his hand to her, but she doesn’t take it. “Cooper. I’m the owner of the Happy Hounds Animal Sanctuary, and your daughter was kind enough to accept my job offer.”
I stare at him completely dumbfounded. Did I somehow manage to forget an entire conversation, or did he just make that up?
My mother looks at me like she can read my thoughts and knows this is bullshit, so I wipe the confused look off my face and go with it. “He’s right. I think this will be a better fit for me. You know I’ve always loved animals.”
Reagan and Carter watch our interaction with curiosity but stay silent. They know enough about my relationship with my mother not to get involved.
Mom’s phone, which had briefly stopped ringing, rings again. She glances at the screen and then back up at me.
I swallow. Fuck.
There’s that look again.
“Well, good luck with that. Come see me when this inevitably falls apart and you’ve come to your senses.” She doesn’t wait for a response, just turns on her heel and walks away.
Oh, my God. Did that really just happen?
“My best friend is a fucking badass,” Reagan says, breaking through my disbelief and making me laugh.
Turning to Cooper, I say, “Thank you for that. I don’t really know what I would have told her otherwise.”
He nudges me with his shoulder. “The job really is yours if you want it.”
“What?”
“Yeah. You’d be doing me a favor because the whole numbers thing is the literal worst part of owning a business. Actually, Marianne could probably use someone for her vet clinic too, if you’re interested. From what I hear, she’s become quite fond of you.”
Now I do let my mouth fall open because holy shit. “You’re serious.”
“Not usually”—he winks—“but in this case, yes. You don’t have to decide now; just give it some thought. No pressure.”
Reagan squeals and throws her arm around us. “I don’t know who the hell Marianne is, but look at you go, harlot!” She kisses my cheek, and I don’t miss the intrigued look on Cooper’s face when she uses my nickname. “Now let’s celebrate!”
Reagan stares at me like I’ve suddenly grown three heads. She glances briefly at Lucian before returning her gaze to me. This might be the first time in our friendship that she’s had nothing to say.
“I think we broke her,” Lucian fake whispers in my ear.
She blinks a few times, rubs her eyes, and then grins.
“Oh. My. God. Cara Harlot Montgomery, how dare you have kept this from me! I need all the juicy details.” She sucks in a sharp breath, and her face scrunches up in disgust. “Ugh, yuck! All the roleplaying Carter and I did feels really icky now.”
Lucian looks uncomfortable, which is exactly what Reagan was going for.
She fucking loved messing with him as a professor, and our new relationship status will probably just make it worse.
If only she knew the full truth. She’d have a field day with him if she knew he was also the big, massive ball of love I call my pet.
I’ve stopped calling him Cooper—because even I think that’s weird—but until we tell Reagan the truth, we have to keep up the pretense when she’s around.
Lucian hates it.
“Did you tell her yet?” Cooper asks as he passes around fresh drinks for everyone.
“He knew?!”
I throw my hands up. “He figured it out on his own. That one is even nosier than you are.”
Cooper’s hand flies to his chest in mock outrage. “Rude. True, but rude.”
“We’ll still need to keep this a little quiet, just to put some time between graduation and our relationship so no one suspects anything, but we wanted you to know.”
“Fine. I guess I can understand, even if I do hate that you kept this from me. But if they get best friend necklaces, then so do we.” She pouts, looking at the matching chains Lucian and Cooper wear.
They’re identical. How have I never noticed before?
Then she leans in close and whispers, “I can’t believe my best friend bagged Hot Prof. I’m so proud of you, harlot.”
“Is there a story behind this harlot name? Please tell me it’s juicy,” Cooper says to Carter.
“Please tell me it’s not,” Lucian adds, making me smile.
“Well, you see…” Reagan begins, and I snuggle into my shifter boyfriend, blissfully happy.