Fight for You

Epilogue

Avery

18 Months Later

I stepped onto the next stair as the person ahead of me was called across the stage. After years of studying, projects, and classes, it was my graduation day. I was receiving my Bachelor’s Degree for Cybersecurity, with a minor in mathematics.

I’d gotten top marks all throughout my college career, and my future looked bright. A few months ago, I was approached by a headhunter from a major financial firm. They offered me a salary position upon graduation, where I would protect sensitive data and ensure the integrity of financial transactions.

I couldn’t be more excited. The position would allow me to use my degree while learning new skills. Once I got experience under my belt, my goal was still to obtain a job with the CIA. I would continue to work hard to make sure my dreams came true.

But I wasn’t chasing my dreams alone. I had the most incredible partner by my side. Troy supported me through everything; he helped with study sessions, and cheered me on if I got discouraged. He even said that when, not if, I got my dream job, he would drop everything and move to Washington DC with me.

For a while, he even served as my personal bodyguard. After my tussle with Brant and Riley, Troy didn’t leave my side. He nearly got escorted out of the hospital because he refused to leave the room so the staff could take my X-rays. Eventually, they gave up arguing with his big ass and handed him a lead apron to wear so he could stay close.

He also took a leave from work and escorted me to and from all of my classes, though that was short lived. It ended because Brant and Riley were morons; they tried to file assault charges against Troy. The first thing the police did was pull the security cameras from the businesses surrounding the alleyway where they attacked me. The cops saw that the pair were the aggressors, and they were charged. They were currently serving their 2-year sentences at the local jail. Dumbasses.

But with those two gone, Troy felt comfortable enough to return to work at the gym. And speaking of the gym, I received a hero’s welcome there after I got out of the hospital. The other trainers threw me a party to celebrate my fighting spirit. I’d become close to many of them, and was happy to report that for the first time in my life, I was surrounded by friends.

And I had the love of a lifetime. Troy continued to inspire, amaze, and support me in everything. He gave me the strength to fight through whatever life threw at us, because I knew he was always battling at my side. He was the best man I could ever ask for, and I fell more in love with him every day.

We continued our training together, and I wasn’t such a weakling anymore. I had traces of muscle definition all over my body, which I never thought was possible. Troy always thought I was beautiful, but I didn’t miss the way his eyes now lit up when my abs popped when I made love to him.

“Avery McAllister,” was announced over the microphone, and my heart skipped a beat. Troy and I had been married for a year, but I would never get tired of hearing my new last name. It meant the world to me, just as he did.

I marched across the stage, receiving applause as I took my diploma from the Dean’s hand. We smiled for a photograph, and then I looked out into the crowd to the large section of trainers who were screaming their heads off to cheer for me. But the loudest whistles were coming from my gorgeous man, who was standing up and waving a sign that read, I love you, Shortstack!

I snorted a laugh and shook my head before blowing him a kiss. I didn’t care who saw; I wanted everyone to see. I had no shame or fear in my heart, only happiness, light, and love. Troy beamed and ‘caught’ the kiss, making me chuckle again before I mouthed, ‘I love you too, Big Mac.’

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