Page 33 of Blurred Boundaries

“I love you, too,” he says, and before I can even begin to process it, he’s lifting me into his arms. “I love you so fucking much.”

Our lips meet in a kiss that starts slow . . . and even though I’m aware of where we are, that we should probably lock the door and not push our luck, the thought leaves as quickly as it comes. Because what are the odds of us getting caught twice in one day? It seems statistically impossible.

So, I deepen the kiss instead, letting the fear, tension, and everything else fall away. And for the first time since all of this started, I let myself rest in it, in him, in the simple certainty that I have him, and he loves me.

Epilogue

TAJ

—Lovely Day

by Bill Withers

TWO YEARS LATER

Graduation ceremonies are such a bore fest.

I have officially graduated, but I have to keep reminding myself of the fact, so I don’t lose my mind sitting through the rest of this. Like, just give me my certificate and let me walk across the stage. Release me from this torture! And why exactly, am I sitting here surrounded by strangers when the actual best part of my life is in the crowd? I would very much prefer to sit beside my hot-as-sin boyfriend, breathe in his familiar scent, and steal kisses whenever I feel like, thank you very much.

Yeah, yeah, I’m a goner. Who wouldn’t be for Michael Sawyer?

It’s still a little crazy to me that we’ve been together for two years now, because when I look at him, it still feels like it did that first night, when my eyes found him across the club and everything else faded into background noise. And let me tell you, the man is ageing like freaking fine wine, too.

I mean, don’t get me wrong. It hasn’t been all that rosy, but nothing ever is. Horák kept his mouth shut until he resigned a few weeks later, and then snitched on Mike to his university in Nigeria. Those bigots reacted exactly as one would expect, promptly firing him. I felt guilty for days until Mike snapped me out of it, telling me to see it as an opportunity for us to start building something together properly. We registered as common law partners after that, and Mike managed to stay on a family unification visa. He continued working for his dad’s company from Prague. Really, it was a win-win situation.

I get up when my name is finally called, walking across the stage in a blur of movement and flashing lights, relieved that this whole thing is almost over. When I collect my certificate and turn back to the audience, Mike, my parents, and the rest of my family erupt into whoops and cheers, their applause filling the room. I shake my head at them as I make my way back down. But I can’t hide the warmth that spreads through my chest.

After the ceremony, I find them outside, and then it’s time for pictures.

“I know I said it this morning already, but you look hot as fuck,” Mike says as he adjusts my tie, fussing with it while we try to pose properly for a picture.

I finally told my parents about him when it became obvious he wasn’t going anywhere. I wasn’t at all surprised when they accepted him immediately, I actually think they like him more than they like me now. At least, his parents are no better than mine. They adore me in a way that still feels unreal.

“You’re the hot one,” I tell him. I tiptoe to press a quick kiss to his cheek just before the next photo is taken.

“I can’t wait until we’re home so I can show you how hot you are,” he murmurs into my ear, low enough that only I can hear it.

My cock is immediately on board, but we’re trying to be respectable people now and not fuck in public.

“Can we leave now?” I whisper, glancing at him just as Lukáš and Angelika join us.

Angelika is due any day now, and it has become something of a running joke that the baby might decide to make her grand entrance today.

“My goddaughter still isn’t here?” I pull her into a hug along with her husband.

“She’s not,” she says with a small huff, though there’s fondness in it too. “And I need her out, like, now.”

“Congratulations, son,” Mike’s dad says, clapping me on the back before his mother pulls me into one of her warm hugs.

“Someone wants to speak to you,” Mike says, prying me from his mum’s arms to give me his phone.

Kingsley’s face fills the screen, beaming at me. He and Mike have gotten close over the years, though I have a feeling Mike is still suspicious of him.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it there. Congratulations, bro,” Kingsley beams.

Since Kingsley went to join the Vancouver Eagles in Canada after being drafted into the NHL, his schedule has been crazy. Most of the time, we barely manage to catch him on calls like this. Mike and I have actually been planning a trip to see to him before I start my apprenticeship; the thought of seeing him again makes me excited.

“Thanks, King.”