Chance looks just as scared as I feel. Being together would mean that he has to admit to the world that he’s bisexual. And that wasn’t something he was ready for four years ago. I don’t know where he stands now, or where any of this will lead.
But I lift my hand to his cheek, reassuring him as much as myself. “One day at a time, right?”
His chest expands with his deep inhale. “One day at a time.”
I shouldn’t be here.
I glance around the table at Stephen’s friends, everyone talking comfortably with one another—Stephen at the forefront of the conversation, as usual. He’s outgoing and personable, always making everyone laugh with his antics.
Presley is in the same boat as I am, meeting these people for the first time, yet she doesn’t seem as uncomfortable as I feel. She’s easy to get along with, and can adapt to any situation. Even Alyssa fits right in, asking questions and laughing along with the strangers she just met.
I nudge Avery with my elbow. “What was your favorite part of your day?”
He thinks on it while he chews, and then he swallows. “Seeing Austin’s face when he saw me getting signed out of school to hang out with you guys.”
I smirk. “That felt pretty cool, huh?”
“Yeah.” He sips on his water. “I don’t know if it’ll make a difference, but it made me feel better than them for a day.”
I shift in my seat to face him. “Hey, you should feel better than themeveryday—and not just because you got to rub some pro athlete friends in their faces.”
“It’s okay.” Avery pushes the food around in his plate. “I know I’m not. They’re bigger, stronger, cooler.”
I tip his chin to bring his eyes to mine. “What people look like on the outside means nothing. It’s what’s in their hearts—how they treat people when they have nothing to gain—that shows their true character. You’re smart and creative and kind; you look out for your sister and help your aunt. You’re a good person, Avery. Don’t let a bunch of asshole kids make you feel less than. You’re better than they could ever hope to be. Do you understand me?”
His eyes dart around the table as it falls silent, everyone’s attention now on us, and his cheeks redden. “Yes, I understand.”
Presley dabs at the corner of her eye with her napkin. “I didn’t know you felt like that.”
Avery shrugs. “It’s not something I like to talk about.”
But he talked about it with me.
Pride swells in my chest, especially when Presley reaches under the table and clasps my hand.
Here I am, giving Avery advice to boost his confidence, yet I’m thinking that I don’t fit in with this group, wishing I could be more like Stephen. But if I weren’t exactly the person I am, maybe I wouldn’t have been able to form this connection with Avery.
And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Celeste—the only one whose name I remember because she’s so loud and bold—leans on her elbows and gestures between Presley, Stephen, and me. “So, how do you three know each other again, college?”
Presley clears her throat. “Uh, yeah. We met at a party, and we were inseparable for a while after that.”
Celeste watches us from over the rim of her wine glass. “And neither one of you tried hitting on Presley?”
Stephen chuckles. “Oh, we definitely did. We—ouch!” He glares at Presley across the table. “What was that for?”
Her eyes dart to the kids. “So sorry. I didn’t realize that was your leg.”
I try to help smooth things over. “We both had a crush on Presley. I think that aided to our rivalry.”
“Do you have a crush on her now?” Alyssa asks, wide eyes blinking between the three of us.
Stephen and I glance at Presley, letting her take this conversation where she feels it should be around the kids.
“We’re just friends,” she says quietly. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been in each other’s lives, and we’re getting to know each other all over again.”
But Alyssa doesn’t let it go. “You said you were reading a book where a girl fell in love with two people at the same time, and I asked you if you were ever in love, and then you said you were in college.” Her keen eyes dart to me and Stephen. “Were you in love withthem?”
