31. Presley
“Why did you think tequila shots were a good idea for this meeting today?”
Celeste blinks as she glances around at the four of us. “Is there ever a bad time for tequila?”
I laugh as I take the bottle from her and set it on the dining room table. “Thank you. I love tequila.”
“Just not at ten in the morning,” Cassidy finishes.
Celeste shrugs as she lowers herself into the seat beside me. “Alcohol helps my creative juices flow.”
Kourtney pats her wife’s shoulder and smiles at me. “So, what have you come up with so far?”
I let out a shaky breath as I stare down at the papers scattered across the table. “I need to narrow down the purpose of this organization. I feel like my thoughts are all over the place.”
Kourtney nods. “Something concrete. A specific and direct plan.”
“Exactly.”
After Stephen told me all about Kourtney’s website and how she started her business from scratch, I knew I wanted to have her on board for this. She was able to take her vision and bring it to fruition. And I need all the help I can get.
I clear my throat as I attempt to articulate my thoughts. “I want this to be about education: Educating children, and their families as well. I want it to be a safe space for them to ask questions, to clear up any misconceptions. I want to teach them why this matters.”
Cassidy nods. “We also need to focus on the other side of that coin, and make sure it’s a safe space for the queer people who are volunteering their time for this. It should be a give and take, something that benefits both parties.”
“I agree.” I suck in a deep breath. “But I don’t want it to be so formal, like a class.”
Celeste grins. “I don’t know. Queer People 101 has a nice ring to it.”
We all chuckle. Aarya leans forward, her dark hair falling around her shoulders. “Do you want this to be something you take into schools? Or something that people go to outside of school hours?”
“I think we should start with something outside of school. We might have a better turnout if people want to be there, instead of forcing it down their kids’ throats.”
“Let’s start with something once a month,” Aarya says. “You can do it at the gallery I work at, so you don’t have to worry about finding a space.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really? That’d be okay with your boss?”
She flips her hair over her shoulder. “I’m the events coordinator, so he’ll be on board with whatever I bring to the table.”
“Each month could be a different theme.” Kourtney’s brown eyes light up as she speaks. “One month, a kid-friendly paint-and-sip at the gallery; another month could be playing kickball at the local park; another month could be a cooking class at my parents’ catering kitchen.”
My heart picks up speed as jot down everyone’s ideas. “Wow, this is great. There will be something for everyone.”
“You need to come up with a name,” Celeste says. “Then I can help get the word out, and start marketing it around town; local media outlets too. I have a bunch of contacts from my PR days.”
“And I can help you set up a website,” Kourtney chimes in.
My eyes fill with tears as I glance around the table. “I really appreciate your help. I know we’re not really friends yet, but?—”
Cassidy holds up her hand to stop me. “We absolutely are friends, and this is what friends do. They help each other.”
Kourtney reaches out and covers my hand with hers. “Mac told us a little bit about what happened with your sister, and how you raised these kids on your own. You don’t have to be alone anymore, Presley. The boys are a team, and so are we. We all have each other’s backs no matter what.”
My vision blurs as I dab at the corner of my eye, and smile. “Thank you.”
My sister was always my best friend, and after she passed, I found it difficult to connect with people. Nobody knew me the way Allie did, and I didn’t have the time or desire to go out and socialize. Dominique was the only one who made the effort to form a friendship with me once I moved here—she didn’t exactly take no for an answer, and I’m grateful for that.
It feels good to have a core friend group now; it feels like I’m getting back yet another piece of myself.
I’m finally setting down the weight of grief and looking forward to the new life I’m building.
Is that a power tool?
I drop the grocery bags on the counter in the kitchen, and bolt up the stairs. “Why do I hear the sound of a drill?”
“It’s fine,” Avery calls.
Nothing about this sounds fine.
The kids’ rooms are empty, but the bathroom door is slightly ajar. I tap my knuckles against the frame and stick my head through the opening.
Avery is sitting on a giant hockey player’s shoulders, drilling in a new light fixture above the sink.
“Uh, hi. What the heck are you two doing?”
Avery hands Stephen the drill, and climbs off of him. “We’re just fixing a couple of things around the house.”
I arch a brow at Stephen, who is uncharacteristically silent. “And why are we doing that?”
Stephen hikes a shoulder, trying to make himself busy so that he doesn’t have to look me in the eye. “I noticed there were a few things on your to-do list.”
“Oh, you just happened to notice it?” I widen my eyes as I look at Avery, who won’t look at me either. “Wonder how that happened.”
Thick as thieves, these two.
Stephen’s eyes finally meet mine as he reaches out and brushes my hair behind my ear. “I’m teaching Avery some important skills.”
Avery gestures to his handiwork. “I just put that whole thing up by myself!”
My chest warms with so much love. “It looks great. I’m so proud of you.”
Avery beams. “Stephen’s going to teach me how to clean the gutters, and then we’re going to repaint my bedroom.”
I hold up my hands. “Whoa, hold on. You’re redoing your bedroom?”
He nods, chewing the inside of his cheek. “If that’s okay with you.”
I glance between him and Stephen, and nod. “Sure. What color are you thinking?”
“Not sure yet. Could we go to the store and look at some swatches?”
Stephen nudges him with his elbow. “Tell her your other idea.”
“I’d like to paint a mural on one of the walls.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “I think that’s a great idea. I’d love to see what you come up with.”
“Really?” His cheeks push up into his eyes with his wide smile. “I’ve been sketching some ideas.”
Having Stephen and Chance around the house has been so good for the kids. I haven’t seen Avery this full of life. I need to keep putting him in situations that boost his confidence, and give him a sense of control.
“It’s your room,” I say. “You should have a say over what it looks like.”
He lunges forward and slams into me, squeezing me hard with a hug. “Thank you, Aunt Presley.”
My eyes flick up to Stephen as I hold my precious nephew in my arms. Thank you , I mouth.
He shoots me a wink.
God, this man is so getting laid later.
“What are you smiling about over there?”
My cheeks push up even further as I sneak a picture of Chance. “Oh, nothing.”
His head whips around as he shoots me a glare, but Alyssa tugs on his hand. “Stop moving. You’re going to make me smudge your nails.”
“Sorry,” he whispers. “It’s your aunt’s fault.”
She giggles. “I’m actually surprised at how good of a job you did with my nails.”
“Yeah, if hockey doesn’t work out for you, you can open a nail salon.” Stephen’s shoulders shake with his silent laughter as he pokes fun at Chance.
Chance lifts his middle finger in the air, showing off his black nail polish.
“Who knew you were so good at painting nails,” I muse.
Chance arches a brow. “I have lots of skills you haven’t seen yet.”
I bite my bottom lip, and goosebumps fly across my skin. “Can’t wait to see these skills.”
Stephen grins from his spot on the couch beside Avery. “Your skills are nothing like little man over here. I don’t know how you can make strokes with a pencil and turn it into a masterpiece like this.”
Avery’s face reddens as he continues sketching. “And I don’t know how you don’t bust your ass on the ice when you play.”
Alyssa grins, handing Chance a yellow crayon. “Ooo, Avery cursed.”
He glances up at me. “Sorry.”
I roll my eyes. “ Ass is the least of my worries with this one in the house.” I jerk my thumb toward Stephen.
Stephen holds a hand to his chest, feigning innocence. “I don’t know what you’re insinuating, Ms. King.”
My heart feels like it’s overflowing with joy as I watch these men with my niece and nephew. I used to love wild nights out, dancing and drinking, and then having loud, wild sex after. Now, I’m completely content with lying on the couch with my family while they color.
Plus, I still get to have wild sex.
“How’s the nonprofit research coming along?” Chance asks.
I scribble another idea down onto my notepad. “Good. Tell me what you think of these names: NextGen Unity; Safe Space Allies; Inclusive Hearts .”
“ Inclusive Hearts ,” he says without looking up from his nails.
“I vote for that one too,” Avery says.
I nod. “That one’s my favorite of the few I’ve come up with.”
When the girls were over earlier, we made a checklist of the things I needed to do to form a nonprofit organization. Once I come up with a name, I can get started on all the legal forms. It seems daunting, but I’m excited to do this.
Not everyone thinks like Miserable Molly, and I want to create something beautiful to make a difference in our community.
“Avery, I was thinking maybe you could design a logo for me.”
His head jerks up. “Really?”
“Yep. Something that symbolizes Inclusive Hearts .”
His eyes light up as he turns the page in his sketchbook. “I’m on it.”
I chuckle. “It doesn’t have to be right now. I know you’re excited to sketch out your ideas for the mural.”
“I want a new room,” Alyssa says. “Can Avery paint something on my wall too?”
Stephen laughs. “We’re going to have to get you an assistant to keep your art bookings organized. You’re about to become a very busy man.”
Seeing the proud look on Avery’s brings hot tears to my eyes. After everything he’s been through, he’s finally getting to spread his wings and become the talented, smart, sweet man I’ve always known him to be—only this time, he believes it.
I love this diverse little family we’re turning out to be.