Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Austin

I glance at my reflection in the mirror. "Does this tie look okay?"

It's the fall semester of our junior year, and this time, Dex and I are sharing a house with Kael and Angelica. I encouraged Dex to remain at Poli House, but he insisted it was better if we lived together.

And I'll have to agree that we're good roommates. We're already familiar with each other's habits, so watching Kael and Angelica get used to each other for the first time was interesting, as was settling some of their disputes. Not that Dex and I didn't have any—he's still as messy as ever—but we're able to pick our battles with each other way better now.

"You look so handsome, baby," Dex says, standing behind me. "We should make you wear a suit more often."

"Hell no," I reply because it was such a pain in the ass shopping for one. Of course, Mom was happy to take up the task and tag along with me, but I've never felt like formal wear makes me look as amazing as it does Dex.

Speaking of my gorgeous boyfriend, I turn toward him and take in his black slacks, jacket, and red tie. "God, you look amazing. You might not be allowed to change out of your clothes later."

"Yeah?" He pecks my lips as he grips the lapels of my jacket. "Maybe we have time for a quickie right now."

"I wish. My parents will be here any minute." I glance at the open bedroom door. "Plus, Kael and Angelica won't let us live it down."

My sex life has surpassed the learning curve, to say the least. Dex and I have tried all sorts of positions since we professed our feelings last spring, and Dildo Baggins has also had his share of activity, though that's more for Dex's enjoyment than mine. I prefer the real thing to anything artificial. But he makes it fun, and I'm definitely not complaining.

I even fucked Dex for the first time over the summer, and that was…surreal. He loved it, and so did I, but my favorite is still when it's just the two of us in the dead of night, facing each other and trying not to wake up our roommates. When Dex takes his time, and we make love slow and sweet. When I can see the vulnerability and affection in his eyes. Just thinking about it makes me shiver.

"You cold?" Dex asks, throwing his arms around me.

"Okay, lovebirds," Kael says from the doorway. "Your parents are here."

"Don't you look snazzy." Kael is wearing slacks and a jacket he bought from a secondhand store with Angelica's help. She was also able to find a pretty knee-length dress. Kael has been sporting some scruff lately, along with leaner muscles from his workout routine, and it looks good on him.

"Thanks, you two." He smiles. "See you in a bit."

Kael and Dex have been instrumental in securing more funding for all-gender single stall restrooms, and they got a standing ovation at a recent LGBTQ+ club meeting they attended to make the announcement. Turns out they benefit parents and families too.

We head downstairs, where my parents are looking just as flashy in their formal clothes.

"Thank you for coming today," Dex says as he hugs them.

"We wouldn't miss it," Mom says. "Where's Jodi?"

"She's meeting us there."

In a few minutes, we'll be heading to a fundraiser Dex helped organize through his internship for a local congressional candidate. He was able to help select the charity after speaking to Jodi and her friends, who volunteer for Successful Women. It's an organization that helps disadvantaged women with everything from supplying interview clothes to writing the perfect résumé.

Ever since Jodi stood up to her boss, she's like a new person. Not only does she advocate for women's rights, but she's also been dealing with her past trauma through therapy.

"Are we ready to go?" Dex asks as he hands each of us something to carry. Boxes of basket giveaways head to Dex's Jeep, while additional displays for Casino Night fit in my parents' back seat. Jodi and the other organizers didn't exactly need his help, but Dex insisted. He's so proud of his mom and has even participated in her therapy sessions. As a result, they've become even closer.

I wave for Dad to follow us as we pull away from the curb. We've had our parents over for dinner a couple of times, and the last man Jodi brought around got Dex's approval. When she and the guy parted ways as friends, Jodi was stronger about it than she'd ever been before.

When we get to the hall, the first person we see is Jodi fixing the black tablecloths on the round tables.

"I'm so nervous," Jodi says after she greets us. "So, what do you think?"

"Everything looks great," Dex says as he busses her cheek. "And so do you."

"Yeah, you really do," I add. She's wearing a simple black dress with a strand of pearls that accentuate her neckline.

"It's going to be a fun night," Mom says.

"Can we help with anything?" Dad asks, and we're put to work assisting with last-minute fixes before the doors officially open.

As the guests begin arriving and finding their seats, I can see the pride shining in Dex's eyes. When he introduces us to Congressman Burke, I can almost picture Dex's future. And given the representative's delighted smile as he takes in the venue, Dex is going to be damned good at it.

Kael and Angelica arrive and immediately head to the open bar for refreshments. Dex's eyes light up upon seeing his friends walk in. Ian, Bruce, Milo, Carson, and Craig have all decided to support him, which is really awesome.

I smile when I see the girl standing beside Milo.

"This is Lisa," Milo says, and I can see the affection for her reflected in his eyes.

"Great to meet you," she says with a grin. "I've heard a lot about you."

According to Dex, Lisa was home over summer break, and by chance, she and Milo ran into each other. They rekindled their friendship first, which led to them admitting they were still in love. Just like my favorite second-chance romances.

I sit with my parents and our friends at a table close to the podium where Dex will be giving a speech. Dex and Jodi finally take their seats as we're starting dinner, and he seems way less stressed. So far, the fundraiser seems to be running smoothly, not that I'd really know. Likely, any events I host at my future library gig will involve books, animated characters, and children.

As our families are chatting away with our friends, it feels comfortable, like a snapshot of how far we've come. Not only Dex and I, but Jodi too, and I can't help hoping that it lasts. That once we graduate with our bachelor's degrees, our friendships and family bonds will be even stronger.

As they begin clearing the dishes, Dex squeezes my hand under the table. I give him a reassuring smile as he stands to give an introductory speech. I can't help admiring his handsome profile and his self-assured swagger as he walks to the podium.

"Can I have everyone's attention?" The microphone squeaks, so he moves his mouth away like an old pro. "Thank you for coming out tonight. Congressman Burke is proud to host an event that benefits women's empowerment. Before buying tickets for the casino tables and the raffle baskets, Congressman Burke would like to say a few words."

When I look around the room, everyone is rapt with attention.

"But first, I want to give a shout-out to my wonderful boyfriend, Austin, for his help organizing the baskets. There's everything from a spa day to a special signed edition of a bestselling book."

Excited murmurs rise around the room, but my cheeks are on fire, and all I want is to crawl through a hole in the floor when I feel people trying to get a closer look at me from the other tables. It doesn't help that Mom points to me.

But I'm glad people seem excited about the prizes. I reached out to Victoria Paige's public relations person on Instagram to ask if she'd be willing to sign something for the fundraiser. I didn't expect to hear back, let alone have Victoria contact me herself, but she was so amazingly kind. She sent me a couple of signed books along with bookmarks and pens, and that's how I made up my adult-reader basket. I created a kids' version too, with a mix of modern and classic books, including Alice in Wonderland .

Dex clears his throat. "I also want to tell you a little story."

Dex practiced his speech on me this week, so I try to remain still and not give anything away—or, in this case, anyone.

"My dad abandoned us when I was a child. My mom was a year younger than the age I am right now," he says, and Jodi gasps. She listens intently with her hand to her mouth. "We had to get creative sometimes just to eat and pay rent."

My mom reaches over to grip Jodi's hand in support, and I smile at her.

"But we did it. We survived because my mom is courageous and resilient. Not that she didn't make mistakes—she freely admits to that. But she kept pushing through all the stuff life threw at us, and sometimes that took herculean strength." Dex pauses to smile at her. "The point is, plenty of us in this room have either been there or are just one paycheck away from struggling. That's why this charity means so much to my mom. She loves volunteering with equally strong women, and that's what inspired Congressman Burke to help. Without further ado, please welcome my mentor, Representative Aaron Burke."

Energetic clapping breaks out as Dex shakes his boss's hand and the congressman heads to the podium.

"I'm so proud of you," Jodi says when Dex takes a seat between us. "I can't believe you said all that about me."

"Well, it's all true."

"I'm only here now because of you. You didn't give up on me." Jodi swipes at her eyes. "You are the most giving person I know and the best son I could ask for."

It's a private moment I can't help getting choked up about. And now Dex is swiping at his eyes too as they grow quiet to listen to the speech. Jodi beams at Dex when the congressman throws him some accolades, and I grip his hand, just as proud.

The rest of the night is a lot of fun as we use our tickets at the gaming tables. Turns out, I'm pretty good at blackjack. Who knew?

By the time the raffle winners are called and the evening comes to an end, we're beat. We say goodbye to my parents and our friends, then stay to help with the cleanup. Jodi encourages us to head home as she and the other volunteers finish clearing the tables, so we hug her goodbye and leave.

The air is cool against my cheeks as we walk hand in hand to Dex's car.

"That was an awesome night," I say.

"It was." He squeezes my hand. "Thanks for being the best boyfriend and supporting me."

"I told you I was boyfriend material," I tease.

He wraps an arm around me. "Hey, that's my line."

"I came up with it first."

Dex aims the key fob to open the doors, then pulls me in for an embrace. I can feel his steadying breath against my neck as he asks, "So how does our trope play out?"

I draw back. "Huh?"

"You know, our trope, like in your romance books?"

I smile. "We're obviously best friends to lovers."

"I didn't figure we'd be a marriage pact because I don't need a pact to want a future with you."

"Swoon." I peck his lips.

He tightens his hold. "But I am a bit concerned that you rarely get tongue-tied anymore."

"Concerned?" I stare at him. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"Not if you only get tongue-tied in front of hot guys."

I huff out a laugh, then gather his face in my hands. "When you were up at that podium, talking about your mom, know what I was thinking?"

He swallows. "What?"

"I was thinking how beautiful you are inside and out." My throat is clogged with emotion. "How just seeing you across the room takes my breath away."

"Fuck, Aus." He briefly screws his eyes shut. "You're the only one who's ever made me feel like there's butterflies in my stomach trying to break free."

"Guess that means we're going to get our HEA."

"Happily ever after?"

"You remember what that stands for?"

"Of course I do. I was hoping you'd say that. Because the best friends-to-lovers trope is pretty lit."

"Damn, I love you."

"Love you too."

When our mouths meet, I feel that same fluttering Dex described, but this time in my chest, like it's too small to contain our happily ever after.

Thanks for reading Tongue-Tied! Chase and Amos from Method Acting are up next!

If you're interested in more college settings , read my Easton U or Roosevelt College series!