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“You are,” Jimmy said for the first time, hinting that he knew who Remy was.
Remy tightened his lips, trying to smile. “Where is Cali with that drink?”
“Excuse us,” I said following Remy as he walked off.
When we were out of Jimmy’s earshot, Remy whispered, “You partnered with the supernatural division of the FBI?”
“Not with the department. With James. And, to be fair, I just thought he worked in organized crime.”
“Right. Because that’s so much better. And anything he discovers while using this as his base of operations will certainly not leave this room,” Remy sniped, genuinely rattled.
“Remy, you wanted a community center somewhere it would help people. This is it. And partnering with someone like Jimmy is a necessary evil. Would you have preferred if instead of him it was a drug dealer from one of the local gangs? Because those were my two options.”
Remy calmed himself. “I’m not questioning your decisions, Dillon.”
“It certainly sounds like you are.”
“I’m not. Believe me, I think you did an amazing job. This place would never have existed without your hard work and everything you’ve done. Thank you, Dillon. You’re incredible.”
Allowing his compliment to sink in, a smile beamed up from the deepest part of me.
“I appreciate you saying that.” I looked into his beautiful, grateful eyes. “And I recognize how hard you worked on this, too. No one else sees it, but I do.”
Remy wanted to wrap his arms around me. I could feel it. Instead, his hand bounced up touching my arm.
“I appreciate that,” he said sincerely. “And, I guess I’m not the only one who likes to live dangerously,” he said with a smile.
I smiled knowing it was true. “I guess not.”
“As the day continued, I introduced Remy to everyone there. With every introduction, it felt increasingly as though I was introducing my boyfriend. I knew he wasn’t, and he was never going to be. But, that was the energy between us.
The way his wolf looked at me didn’t help. It was like Remy was imagining tossing me onto a bed, flipping me over, and taking what he wanted.
Moreover, the man used every excuse he could to touch me. I mean, I was doing the same, but I wasn’t the one planning my wedding; he was. I was the one too foolish to stop falling for a guy planning his wedding. So I was allowed.
Standing in front of everyone after Hil insisted I make a speech, I pondered what I should say. Looking at my mother, who had been talking with Remy’s mother, it came to me.
“I would like to thank everyone for being here,” I began. “Also, I would like to thank everyone who has agreed to work and volunteer for the center. I was born very close to here. I used to see this building almost every day. I could never have imagined that it would become a place that could make the lives of kids better.”
I paused lowering my head as I remembered staring up at the lights, wanting “my father” to accept me.
“I think it’s important for everyone here to know that I’m gay. I’m sure many of you have already figured that out,” I said to a few chuckles. I smiled. “I’m not great at hiding it.” They laughed again. “But, I thought it was important that I state it. Growing up in this neighborhood, I didn’t always believe I could.
“I want this space to be the first of many places in this community where people can feel comfortable saying that. Someone once told me that when you embrace your true self, you are rewarded. Well, I’m gay, and I’m mixed, with a black mother and a white father who wanted nothing to do with me.” I paused. “At least I think I’m mixed. I am mixed, aren’t I, Mom?” I asked my mother who looked on proudly.
“As far as I know,” she said to the crowd’s laughter.
In truth, I wasn’t sure anymore considering I was a changeling. But since people treated me like I was mixed, I guess it didn’t matter whether or not I was human.
“Those were the things that have shaped me. In the past, I’ve run from them. Now, I embrace them. I want this center to be a place where everyone feels safe being their true selves. Everyone, no matter what you are. Because I believe that if you are true to yourself, life will reward you,” I said looking at Remy.
Walking away to a round of applause, I was congratulated by everyone, starting with Hil.
Staring at me with tears in his eyes, he looked at me differently.
“Does being mixed really play as large of a role in your life as being gay does?” he asked surprising me.
I laughed. “Yeah, it does. Maybe more.”
