Aching for His Discretion (The Discretion Dynasty #1)

39. Teegan

Chapter thirty-nine

Teegan

Many Months Later

S itting on my living room couch, I sniffled softly as Gabriella stood with Troy by the lake. Grayson roamed the floor a bit confused, but nonetheless, he comforted me occasionally.

She began to sing, and I sighed heavily as I couldn’t help but relate the most to her words.

Levi and I haven’t been the same since that night many months ago, and as if it wasn’t just the blink of an eye, my graduation was tomorrow, and my move-in day was in the next month or so.

We were on okay terms, but he just always seemed so distant, and when I got accepted to the OB/GYN residency at Johns Hopkins last month, he was almost speechless for the rest of the evening. I could tell he was happy for me, but he wasn’t happy because our separation would soon be on the rise, with a possible long-distance relationship standing between us.

My parents were over the moon with joy at my accomplishments, but my brothers haven’t talked to me since that day in the hospital. The guys, however, brought me flowers and candles to congratulate me, which definitely cheered me up.

More tears came to my eyes as I realized we hadn’t even talked about our relationship, how we’d stay together, when we’d see each other. Nothing was finalized, and my emotions felt everywhere. For a while, he’d been my safety net, and now… now I felt quite lonely in one of the most exciting and scary moments in my life.

He didn’t give me a final answer for whether or not he’d make it to my graduation, and after I brought it up over the phone the other night, he still didn’t have an answer. My heart ached for us to go back to seeing one another every day, to smiling, to spending time together, and I felt hopeless.

Part of me tries to acknowledge the positives of distancing myself from him, and I wish I could forgive him for the trauma I had to endure… because I loved him. I loved him with everything in me. I believe I must’ve accidentally admitted it to him while I was sleepy, yet I haven’t felt the same from him… not recently, at least.

We had so many unresolved issues, and I had no clue what to do at this point.

And as Gabriella ran from Troy, tears in her eyes, I could only shake my head.

“Don’t leave him, Gabriella; he loves you!” I exclaimed, wiping my tears.

“What are you doing?” I heard a voice, and I jumped to see Micah, Elliot, and Nico standing with confusion riddled on their faces.

I paused my favorite childhood movie, embarrassed, and I wiped my tears as Micah pushed the front door closed.

“H-hey, guys...” I said, sniffling, and Nico came to sit beside me as the guys placed some bags on the counters. They were planning to help me pack and move, and as much as I didn’t want to bother them, I greatly appreciated their help.

“What’s wrong, Little Mama?” Nico asked, and I shook my head as I played with the end of my sweater. Elliot and Micah both came over as well, and I felt pressure to speak as they continued looking at me.

“I’m... I’m just gonna miss him. Things between us just changed so much, and they’ll never be the same as they used to,” I whispered, and they remained silent. They noticed he’d been acting different lately and always did their best to comfort me.

“Teegan... you shouldn’t let this preoccupy your mind. You’re graduating medical school tomorrow, for Heaven’s sake. Your parents will be there supporting you with us. You should be celebrating,” Micah said, and I shrugged softly.

“I know. I just feel overwhelmed by it all and sad,” I whispered.

Elliot crossed his arms. “You shouldn’t let him ruin your big day. You haven’t even guessed what your surprise is tomorrow. Preoccupy your mind with that, why don’t you?”

“Because it’s useless!” I groaned. “You guys are being so mean. You don’t even want to tell me.”

“Would it be a surprise then?” Nico asked, and Micah shook his head.

“Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one out of the four of us?” he asked, and I grabbed two pillows and threw one at Micah, then hit Nico with the other. In response, they simply smiled at my irritation with them.

“Now, if you idiots don’t mind,” Elliot said angrily to Nico and Micah before looking back over to me, “I would like you to get some rest so that tomorrow morning, you’ll have plenty of time to do your hair and makeup to get ready for your big day.”

I sighed before standing and grabbing my kitty in my arms. Making my way over to my room with a pout, I reluctantly let out a sad smile once my back was toward them...

See, they always know how to make me feel better.

“Teegan, honey, we need to get a move on!” my father said by the door, and my mother glared at him through the doorway as she finished helping me curl my hair.

“Shouldn’t you be downstairs waiting in the car?” she asked, and he simply crossed his arms. She rolled her eyes at him, and I giggled as I slipped on some flats and grabbed my black heels and my cap and gown. My mother grabbed some of my other necessities before my father grabbed most of the items from our hands and sighed as he made his way to the front door.

I kissed Grayson goodbye before stepping out and smoothing my shimmery beige mid-bodycon dress out slightly. I was a bit skeptical of wearing it initially, but it was absolutely gorgeous. My mother ushered me over to the steps with a huge smile on her face but tears in her eyes as well.

“Mama... don’t cry,” I whispered, and she shook her head.

“Cry? I’m not going to cry, sweetie,” she said as tears fell down her face.

“Yes, she will and then you will too! We need to go now!” my father said at the bottom of the steps, causing my mother to roll her eyes.

We quickly went down in a hurry. Upon exiting the building, another car pulled up behind my father’s, and Micah stepped out dressed in a white button-down and black slacks.

“Dr. Monroe! We need to get a move on. Mama Roe, Papa Roe, the ceremony isn’t going to wait for us,” he said, and my father rolled his eyes as Elliot and Nico stepped out as well. My mother squealed happily as she gave the three of them hugs as I helped my father load the car with my things.

“All right! Chop-chop, we got to get a move on, Doc.” Nico winked, and I smiled as I sat in the back of my parents’ rental car before my father pulled off.

Much to my father’s surprise, despite our tardiness, we made it to the ceremony on time, and I was sitting amongst my classmates as a speech was being given on our behalf.

It felt surreal almost that Alec and Dr. Harrington were gone… and so were the questionable decisions the school was going to make because of them. Though it was a different atmosphere after they left, the school’s prospects were looking up. They were much more positive with more attentive staff, better regulations, and promising allocations of the school funds.

It was almost as if their disappearances were a blessing in disguise.

Looking in the crowd, I felt my heart crumble for the hundredth time… not noticing Levi anywhere near the guys or in the back possibly. I made them save him a seat, but it was still empty. We were already standing to be called to the stage, and I felt a bit sad as I waited for him to show up, though I knew I was hanging onto false hope.

“Our next graduate holds our highest honors as our valedictorian. Ladies and gentlemen, graduating at the top of her class is Dr. Teegan Monroe!” our announcer said, and I blushed heavily at the introduction as I ascended the stage.

The guys stood, making the most noise, and I smiled, trying to hold in my laughter as Nico began whistling. My parents cheered alongside them. I could have sworn I heard my mother sobbing too.

My cords and sash were placed on my shoulders, and I shook the hands of the dean and other administrators before walking to the other side of the stage when I stopped completely in my tracks.

Because there he stood at the bottom of the steps: my knight in shining armor, holding his favorite thing to say sorry to me… A huge bouquet of white roses was in his hands as he stood in a black suit and a black turtleneck underneath. He looked so handsome, warm, and inviting. He looked like the man I knew and loved.

Rushing down over to the steps, I practically tripped over my feet before jumping into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck as both my feet kicked up, and he shushed me softly as he held me close.

“You came,” I cried into his shoulder, and I ignored the “aww” from the crowd as he rubbed his hand over my back.

“I did, baby… I wouldn’t miss this for the world. You know that. If only you knew how fucking proud I am of you, Tesoro. I am so sorry for my behavior lately, baby,” he said, and I squeezed him tighter as tears escaped my eyes. I pulled back, and he tsked as he kissed my teary cheeks.

I went to pull him in for another hug before he chuckled and stopped me.

“I know, baby, I know… but we have to let the ceremony continue, hmm? Go on, Tesoro,” he laughed, handing me the flowers.

I blushed as I grabbed them from him, and he placed a kiss in my hair. Thankfully, my mascara was waterproof.

Walking back over to my seat sheepishly, I sat patiently as my eyes immediately found him after he took a seat in the crowd. I ignored everyone as they continued and practically blocked out much of the ceremony after that. How could I focus on anything but the man I loved?

The ceremony had finished, and I met my parents with hugs as well as the guys, before I threw myself into Levi’s embrace once again. He rubbed his hand over my back soothingly and placed small kisses on my neck.

Hearing a throat clear after a minute or so, I blushed heavily as I pulled away and looked over at my mother, who had a huge smile, and my father, who didn’t seem all that pleased.

“Well… I know we’re all supposed to get dinner now, but we decided to push it to tomorrow afternoon for lunch. It seems Mr. Amante has some plans for the two of you this evening,” my father said, and my jaw practically dropped as I realized this entire thing was the surprise the guys told me about.

After taking a few pictures, I made my way over to Levi’s car and looked down at our hands as I unintentionally swung them back and forth while playing with his necklace around my neck.

Today felt absolutely perfect. I had no complaints. Quite the opposite, in fact. My only complaint was being left in the dark by the guys and practically ignored by Levi for a few weeks, but I would get over it sooner or later. I just couldn’t wait to spend time with him.

As we reached his door, he placed his hand on the side of my face as he looked at me. I gazed into his eyes, and from what I could see, he genuinely meant that he was—

“I’m sorry, Tesoro. I know you know that, baby… but I mean it. I really do. I put you through so much, and I made you feel less than the woman I know you to be. I don’t deserve you, baby,” he said sincerely, and I melted as he placed a kiss on my lips. If my brain wanted to warn me about falling for this man again, it was failing miserably as I stared up at him, my heart practically swelling in my chest.

“My pretty girl. So fucking intelligent and sexy. I’m so proud of you, baby,” he whispered.

My knees buckled involuntarily, and a smile came to his face as he unfortunately noticed.

“ Not yet, Tesoro ... that’ll only be one part of your surprise, baby. Don’t worry,” he promised, placing his hand over my bum, squeezing it as I bit my lip in anticipation.