Forever Better Together

by A. D. Ellis

  Grif laughing, telling stories, animated like I’d never seen him. He was one hundred percent in his element. Was being with me keeping him from pursuing a career in dance? Was I holding him back? Would he be better off with someone like Dani? Or Josh or Scott? Men who could be as immersed in his training, in his passion, and in his love for the cosmetology business just as much as he was?

  My heart plummeted to my stomach. I didn’t like the answer I was being shown, but I saw the answer all too clearly.

  Our differences weren’t bad. But maybe all of our differences weren’t allowing Griffin to grow and become the amazing success I knew he was going to be.

  My eyes stung as I watched him and Dani start dancing with several of their classmates.

  It would be selfish to keep him tethered to me when he so clearly deserved to be let loose to soar.

  But my heart ached at the thought of letting him go, even though it seemed like the right thing to do.

  “Hey, there you are.” Griffin wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed me. “I thought you got lost.” My cheeks were still cold from standing outside; Grif’s warm lips tingled against my skin.

  “Yeah, sorry. Got distracted by an email from Coach.”

  “You ready to go home?” Grif waved to a couple of people as they headed for the door. “I’m tired. I want to snuggle into your bed and watch movies.”

  “Sure. Let’s go.” My heart and head hurt as I contemplated how to address my concerns.

  By the time we reached campus and pulled up to our building, I felt as if I was going to puke. I knew what I needed to do for Griffin’s sake, but it wasn’t something I wanted to do at all. Our history, our friendship, our love, all of it was in the balance.

  “Babe, what’s wrong? You’re super quiet.” Grif locked the suite door behind him before he followed me to the kitchen.

  “I think maybe this has been a mistake and we should break up.” Okay, blurting the words out like that hadn’t been part of my plan and was likely the dumbest thing I could have possibly done.

  Grif snorted. “What? Did you slip rum in your Coke tonight?”

  “Babe, I saw your eyes light up when you talked to Dani,” I began.

  “Dani? Wait, is this a jealousy thing?”

  “No, not really. Do I wish you and I could talk about our interests as animatedly as you and Dani? Sort of, yes. But it’s more about the way you were completely in your element, alive, totally immersed, so excited. You turned down a dance audition and tour. Because of what? A trip to Florida with me? Baby, I can’t let you be hidden and stuck here with me when you have so much more you can do.”

  Griffin crossed his arms and glared at me. “So, you think that because you aren’t into dance and hair and makeup that you need to, what? Let me go? Is that what this is? If you love it, let it go. If it comes back to you, it was meant to be. Something like that? You’re talking about ending a brotherhood, a friendship, a relationship that dates back almost a decade all because you can’t talk perms? Or contour brushes verses stippling brushes verses highlighter brushes? Or a pixie cut verses a bob verses a layered crop?” Grif’s volume increased as his words continued. “Should I be the all-valiant hero and martyr and break up with you because I don’t know or care much about the difference between a touch-down, a field-goal, a three-pointer, or a homerun? We should break up and throw away something beautiful and perfect because I’d rather dance than play in a three-on-three tournament? So, all this time when you’ve told me our differences didn’t matter, was it a lie?”

  “Of course not!” I reached for him but he held his hand up.

  “So, I can’t worry about our differences. I can’t be concerned that we don’t have a ton in common when it comes to our likes and hobbies. I can’t worry that you maybe would like a sportier, more athletic boyfriend to spend your time with.” Griffin rubbed a hand over his face and laughed humorlessly. “But you, you can see me talking with school friends about school-related topics and interests, and all of a sudden The Great and All-Knowing Quincy can decide that you’re holding me back and need to set me free?”

  My eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I’m just worried I’m keeping you from being all you can be. You’re going to be a huge success. You’re going to soar.” I looked to the floor. “And I don’t want to be the one keeping you from that.”

  Griffin rolled his eyes. “I’m not a God damn bird, Q. You’re not clipping my wings or chaining me down.” He slapped his hands against my chest. “You need to take some deep breaths and rethink this entire evening. I’m going to take a shower.”

  He turned on his heel and walked to the bathroom.

  I stood in the kitchen and replayed all that had just been said.

  Was I being dumb? Or was I right to think Grif would be better able to reach for the stars with someone who understood his dreams more than me?

  I shook my head and wandered to my room. Ten minutes later, I was in running clothes.

  “Hey G, I’m going for a run.” I knocked on the bathroom door.

  By the time I’d run a mile and returned to our suite for a shower, I found Griffin in my room with a stack of large poster-size boards.

  “Sit down.” He glared at me and pointed at the bed.

  I sat.

  “First, I need you to know why I’m not interested in that dance tour.” He placed the posters on my desk and propped a hand on his hip. “Number one, the director has a bad reputation. Number two, I plan on taking classes this summer. Number three, I plan to have a job this summer. Number four, I’ve seen the group going on tour, they aren’t fabulous. Number five, I want to lay on the beach and spend time with Momma and you this summer.” He walked closer to the bed, placed a knee between my legs, leaned in close to kiss me, and then continued. “Second, I feel that this presentation won’t be my best work because it’s a rush job, but you left me no choice.”

  I raised my brows in question.

  “Watch, read, and be quiet. You may speak when I’m finished.” Griffin picked up the top poster and held it up for me to read.

  “Love is putting someone else’s needs before yours.” —Olaf from Frozen

  “Now, while I get that somewhere in that maybe-he’s-been-tackled-too-many-times brain of yours you may think that breaking up with me is for the best and is putting my needs before your own, I have to remind you of something. What I need and what I want is you by my side, you big dummy. You can’t put my needs before your own if my needs include having you in my life.”

  My nose and eyes stung but I simply nodded.

  Griffin held up the next poster.

  “Encourage those you love to pursue their (healthy) interests, even if your own interests lie elsewhere.”—Beauty and the Beast

  “Do you expect me to learn and like football? Basketball? Hockey? Baseball?” Griffin’s rapid-fire questions had me shaking my head. “Okay. Just like I wouldn’t expect you to change majors and enroll in the cosmetology program with me. I feel like this one is just so obvious it’s like duh, but maybe you need a reminder.” He dropped the poster and put his hands on my knees. “Our differences are what make us special, unique. It’s okay for us to like different things. You’ve been harping on that from the beginning. Every time I said maybe we were just too different, you lit into me. Now it’s time for you to hear the words right back.”

  “You were talking about our finances and families,” I began.

  Griff put a finger to my lips. “Different is different. You taught me that our differences don’t matter. You can’t change that now.”

  I smirked.

  Griffin held up a third poster.

  “But the thing that makes Woody special is that he’ll never give up on you… ever. He’ll be there for you, no matter what.” — Andy from Toy Story

  “We’re each other’s Woody. Don’t you see that? We’ll never give up on each other—current stupid decision notwithstanding—we’ll be there for each other. Always.” Griffin’s wo
rds caught in his throat and he sniffed.

  “Babe, I’m sorry,” I started.

  “I’m not done.” Griffin reached for another poster.

  “Forever is a long time if you don’t have someone to share it with.”—Hercules

  “I don’t want to face forever without you.” Tears began to stream down Griffin’s face as he picked up his final poster.

  “You mean more to me than anyone in this whole world.”—Peter Pan

  My heart clenched, tears overflowed, and I opened my arms to Griffin.

  “Wait,” Griffin croaked and held up a finger. “I need you to know, if breaking up is really and truly what you want, I’ll step aside. If you don’t want to be with me, if this isn’t what you had hoped it would be, I won’t fight you.” He walked closer to the bed to stand between my legs. “But if this is just some wild notion you got, some crazy idea that I’d somehow be better off without you, then I will fight you.” He punched a fist lightly against my chest while tears continued to pour. “I’ll fight you because I love you. I want you. I need you in my life. We’re better together, right?” He punched me again with no force.

  I shuddered and pulled him close. “Forever better together,” I mumbled against his mouth before kissing him.

  Epilogue

  Quincy

  Four Years Later

  I woke to a fiery heat engulfing my cock and slim fingers gripping my hips as Griffin sucked me deep to the back of his throat.

  “Whoa, happy graduation day to me.” I reached under the blankets and took hold of Griffin’s hair as I threw my head back and enjoyed the pleasure his very talented mouth brought me.

  Griffin grunted and let my cock fall from his mouth. “It’s my graduation day, too.” He crawled up my torso and emerged from the blankets. His hair was a mess, his lips pink and swollen, his cheeks flushed. “And I want to start the day right.”

  I nodded and attempted not to smile. “You’re right. We should get started with a healthy breakfast.”

  Griffin tweaked my nipple. “I was thinking more along the lines of your dick buried in my ass until we both come so hard we see stars. Then we can worry about breakfast.”

  I glanced at the clock on the desk. “We’re going to be pushing it for time.”

  “Are you going to refuse a graduation day morning fuck session?” Grif cocked a brow.

  “Hell no. I’m just saying we may end up having to rush to get there.” I propped my arms behind my head and settled in to watch the show. There were very few things I liked more than watching Griffin straddle my hips and impale himself on my dick.

  A few moments later, I couldn’t take it any longer. I gripped his hips and began to thrust hard and fast into his ass while Grif jacked himself. When we both exploded, Griffin leaned forward on my chest and kissed me while I wrapped my arms around him and pumped my throbbing cock gently in and out.

  He whimpered into the kiss. “I’m going to be walking across the stage awkwardly today.”

  “And I’ll enjoy every damn step you take knowing your ass is tender because of me.” I licked his lips and pulled slowly from him. “I love you. But we better get a move on. Momma and Mae are probably already downstairs. Max is likely waiting at the auditorium.”

  Griffin and I had continued to live in campus housing all four years of college; in a strange twist of fate, we’d been allowed to stay in our suite the entire time. Overall, it was just easier to live on campus. Closer to everything. Made getting to practices easier. Both of us had to stay on campus if we wanted to keep the meal plan that came with our scholarships. Plus, it made more sense to live rent-free on campus while saving our money until we graduated.

  After today, we’d have a week to clear out of our suite.

  Griffin had put down the deposit and first three months’ rent on an amazing apartment we’d discovered. The location would put Grif close to his job and me almost as close to the sports management firm where I’d landed a sweet-ass position working on a team with two of the top agents in the country. I planned to observe, learn, and model myself after them in hopes of eventually getting some top-name clients of my own.

  We jumped in the shower and only wasted a few moments kissing and soaping each other up. Four years of hard work was finally about to pay off. We rushed around getting dressed, fixing our hair, and gathering our robes and ridiculous-looking caps before zooming down the elevator and all but running out the door.

  “It’s about darn time you two showed up.” Momma stood with her hands on her hips on the small patio outside our building. “Don’t think I wasn’t about two seconds from coming and dragging you two out by your ears. I’ve seen your naked butts before.”

  I laughed at Griffin’s red cheeks and kissed him before pulling him close. “Guess we can’t say she doesn’t know us well.” He blushed even pinker.

  Griffin and I took turns hugging Momma and Aunt Mae. The four of us had grown even closer over the last four years thanks to winter, spring, and summer trips to Florida. One of our big goals was to eventually have our own place down there, but Momma and Mae were voting for us to continue staying with them.

  The four of us piled into my car and I zipped through traffic to the auditorium. Max texted to say he was saving Momma and Mae’s seats.

  Once we parked, Griffin and I rushed to the location we’d been assigned. The ceremony was expected to last about two hours. Grif and I had contemplated not even walking during the ceremony, but Momma got a hint of that and put her foot down. “You will walk across that stage and we will be there.” End of story.

  A full two hours later, Griffin and I held our graduation caps and diplomas in our hands as we made our way through the crowd to meet up with Momma, Mae, and Max.

  Hugs, kisses, kind words, pictures, and a few tears took place before our entire crew headed to our next stop. We’d do a late lunch afterwards, but we had a special event to take care of first.

  Two years ago, when Griffin completed cosmetology school and earned his license, he landed a job at one of the most upscale salons in our area, Classy Chic. The owner, Diane, had been a guest teacher at Grif’s school and took a liking to him. She offered him a job helping with reception while he was still in school. The day he earned his license, she brought him on as her newest, and youngest, stylist. She’d been mentoring Griffin for the past two years and helping him build his client list.

  Six months ago, Diane announced she was opening a second Classy Chic location and she wanted to have Griffin help her run it. He wasn’t required to put in any money, but Diane wanted his input on décor and business practices. Diane was providing Grif with such an amazing opportunity.

  Today was the day the new Classy Chic was being dedicated. Diane and Griffin planned it that way so Max, Mae, and Momma could all be there. A lot of Grif’s friends from cosmetology school were also coming to show their support.

  Classy Chic was close enough to our new apartment that Grif could walk if he wanted to. The five of us walked through the front door. Diane immediately greeted us and Griffin made introductions. I’d met Diane many times; she was quite possibly almost as fond of Grif as I was.

  Momma and Mae exclaimed breathlessly over the beauty of the salon.

  “We can thank Griffin for that. The whole interior was his idea.” Diane beamed and gestured around the salon.

  High, exposed ceilings, the entire front of the store was gleaming glass, worn brick walls painted a bold purple, shimmering crystal chandeliers, shining glass tables, sleek black sinks and chairs, and glinting full-length mirrors all pulled together perfectly by a sparkling fountain cascading from one wall. The look could have bordered on gaudy, but something about the way Griffin had paired the décor just worked. Perfectly.

  “This looks like the type of place you’d come if you wanted to be truly taken care of,” Momma gushed.

  “And the type of place you’d come to spend some real money,” Mae agreed with a nod. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.”


  “We’re all so proud of you, Griffin.” Momma kissed Grif’s cheek.

  “I think all of our guests are here,” Diane began. “Shall we get started?”

  Champagne was poured and passed around.

  Diane took Grif’s hand and they stood in front of the small crowd.

  “When I moved to the east coast, I never imagined my salon would do even better than my three west coast locations.” Diane spread her arms wide. “Not only did Classy Chic flourish on the east coast, we’ve grown more than I ever expected. Bringing this kid on as staff three years ago was the beginning of a very beautiful friendship and professional relationship. Making him a staff stylist two years ago gave me the idea that Classy Chic could expand to a second location.” She took Griffin’s hand again. “As Classy Chic prepares to open this location, I want to thank Griffin Murphy-Sanders for being part of it as a friend, a support person, and a kick-ass stylist.”

  Grif blushed and kissed Diane’s cheek. “Thank you, Di. This opportunity is beyond any dream I ever had when I began my journey to earn my cosmetology license and business degree. I have much to learn, several years of hard work before I’ll even contemplate feeling successful in my field.”

  Diane scoffed.

  “But the fact that you believe in me and have given me such a chance to make something of myself means the world to me. Thank you to Diane, to my family and friends, and to my boyfriend, Quincy, for supporting me, encouraging me, and standing beside me through all of this.” Grif raised his glass. “I am truly blessed.”

  Everyone toasted and sipped their champagne and gave a small round of applause.

  I cleared my throat and stepped up to stand by Griffin.

  Diane winked and moved to the side.

  Griffin eyed me with surprise.

  I squeezed his hand. “I wanted to take a minute to congratulate Diane on the opening of her newest salon. It’s absolutely gorgeous. But really, who doubted it? Anything Grif touches turns out amazing.”

  The small crowd chuckled.