He nods once. “Let them say whatever they want about me. It’s you three I’m worried about.”
“We’ll be okay with all this security,” I say, even though I’m not confident in that statement myself. I flick my gaze to Avery and Alyssa. “Do you guys feel weird with this situation right now? Do you have any questions, or want to talk about any of it?”
Alyssa shrugs, smacking her gum as she chews. “This is so cool. We’re gonna be famous.”
Avery scoffs, not one for all of this attention. “We’re not famous. They’re doing this because there are angry, mean people in the world who hate the LGBTQ community. This is disgusting behavior.”
Alyssa looks over at me, the smile falling from her face. “Oh.”
This is all my fault.This is exactly what I was worried about. The kids are being thrust into this drama, and they don’t deservean ounce of it. Not only is it affecting my job, but it’s affecting the two most important people in my life. I have to put them first.
I have to end this now, before it gets worse.
“Hey.” Stephen pushes to his feet and moves into the center of the room. “Everyone, look at me right now.”
We turn our attention to him, Chance being the last one to swing his reluctant gaze.
“I don’t want to see these long faces. Especially not on you.” He points at me. “I know what you’re thinking in that head of yours, and you can just forget it.”
I swallow down the lump of guilt in my throat.
“We are a family, and families stick together. Family is forever.” Stephen swings his arm toward the door. “Those people out there? They’re just doing their job, trying to make a buck off of our story. But they’re not in control of us. We are. So, why don’t we give them something good to write about? Instead of them snapping pictures of us looking upset and scared, why not show the world what a beautiful, happy, diverse family looks like? We can spin this any way we want. It’s our choice to stay miserable, or to rise above this and fight back. The world is always going to be filled with hate—but we don’t have to focus on them.”
“Yeah!” Alyssa shoots up and pumps her fist in the air. “Those assholes can go fuck themselves!”
I gasp, Avery shouts, and Chance pinches the bridge of his nose.
Stephen grimaces as his shoulders jerk up to his ears. “I love your enthusiasm, ‘Lyssa girl, but maybe not with the cursing so your aunt doesn’t kill me.”
She clamps her hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”
I let out a small chuckle, and make eye-contact with Avery. “What do you say, kid? Want to take this situation by the balls?”
He grins. “Hell yes.”
Chance smirks. “That’s my boy.”
Pride and love swirl in my chest.
Family.
I’ve felt a little broken since my sister passed, but having this support system now fills an empty loneliness that’s been in my heart. She would love these guys so much.
Almost as much as I do.
“Didyou know they made white hot chocolate? Chance bought me one the other night, and it’s life-changing.”
Trenton glances at my hot cup. “No, but I’m sure Giuliana does.”
I scoff. “I don’t know why everyone’s under the impression that hot chocolate is for kids.”
“Because adults need caffeine, not a cup of sugar.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing, Warden. This is fucking delicious.”
Jason nudges my knee with his. “You ready for this, Mac?”
I straighten my tie and flash him a wide grin. “You know it.”
