Twenty-Nine #2
Brevan looks at him with a severe frown that turns into a flush and shy smile.
It all disappears when he starts talking animatedly again.
“Rainbow Dorset has seen exponential growth with you, Kendrick. You single-handedly built the ambassador program and now we have sister schools in three different countries. It’s because of you that Quin is there and the trade school is as massive as it is.
There are people from all over the world coming to Rainbow Dorset to learn in that department alone!
And you’re expanding the sports department, too, bringing on rugby and volleyball and stuff.
“Your age doesn’t matter. You’ve brought what was already an amazing school to something incredible and world-renowned.
You’ve brought what was a LGBTQIA+ positive school into its own world.
A safe world for people to be what they are without fear or prejudice.
A place where they can feel confident to pursue any career without judgment or cruelty. ”
Brevan is obviously passionate about Kendrick’s work. Not that I question where that came from. They met and subsequently got together when Brevan was invited to be a student ambassador during the inception of the program.
“Okay, okay,” Kendrick said, pulling Brevan’s face into his neck and calming him like an overexcited child. When he meets Liam’s gaze and they share a look, I know we’re all about to learn something epic. “Look at me.”
Brevan sits up and stares intently into Kendrick’s eyes.
“I’ll tell you the real reason I’m considering retiring.” At Brevan’s hurt look, Kendrick says, “Don’t look at me like that, love. I know how passionate you get, and I’m not entirely ready to do this yet.”
He presses his lips together and gives Kendrick a curt nod.
“About a year ago, Liam showed me an abandoned campus in Northern California. It had once been a private boarding school, but the US doesn’t really have the population for such a thing.
The property is amazing, but it needs a lot of work.
My idea is to build another sister school to Rainbow Dorset, but for K through 12.
More than that, I immediately want to instate scholarship programs and housing for victimized and newly homeless LGBTQIA+ youth.
I want to provide a safe space for them while exposing them to the highest standards of education and present to them every advantage and opportunity available. ”
“That’s amazing!” Brevan says, nearly bouncing out of Kendrick’s lap.
“Easy. I’m nowhere near ready to truly take this project on. More than anything, I’d need some massive financial backing. I haven’t even bought the property yet.”
“Let’s buy it!”
Kendrick chuckles, and the rest of us echo the sound. “When we’re ready, then we’ll move forward.” He brushes Brevan’s cheek in a very affectionate way. Something that reminds me of my nephew and his husband—filled with pure, unfiltered love and adoration. “I want you to partner with me.”
Brevan’s face lights up and then immediately falls. “I don’t know what I can do. I’m not very smart.”
“We’ve been over this. Don’t say that,” Kendrick says, his voice stern as he takes Brevan’s chin in his hand. “You are very smart and incredibly confident in many areas. What I’d like to see you help me with is the sports department.”
Brevan’s smile is beaming. “Yes!”
“I’d be happy to support you when you’re ready,” I say. “This is an amazing idea. I’m sure I can send a lot of people your way.”
Kendrick gives me an appreciative smile. “Thank you.”
“Same,” Liam says. “I know a bunch of people who would jump at the chance to help with a project like this.”
“I’m not sure if you’ve thought about insurance yet,” Theron says with a grin, “but I know a guy.”
Kendrick chuckles. “Thank you. Truly. I’m only still thinking about it right now. Jotting down notes and ideas. I’m not even sure where to begin.”
“By buying the property!” Brevan says. His stomach makes a very loud protest at the conversation, making us laugh.
“You haven’t fed the football player recently,” Liam says.
“Listen, I just bought a lot of meat from the butcher and vegetables from the farmer’s market. I can throw some on the grill,” I say.
“Oh, and we just made a shit ton of potato salad,” Theron says. “My sister dropped off enough eggs to bathe in and we needed to get them used.”
“We have strawberries and biscuits,” Brevan says, jumping to his feet.
“All right. Gather the goods and we’ll reconvene,” I say. Leaning over, I press a kiss to Oren’s temple. He’d been quiet, silently watching us all with a smile. “Want to start the grill?”
His eyes get wide as he looks at me.
“I got it,” Kendrick says.
Oren relaxes again. “Sorry,” he whispers.
I kiss him. “Don’t be. I’ll teach you to grill before the summer is out. Be right back.”
By the time I return with sausages and burgers, a tray of washed vegetables, and a stack of cheese, I find Oren staring at his phone. There’s something about his expression that makes my heart stop.
Setting the tray on the table as the others approach with their contributions, I sit next to Oren and pull him close. “What’s wrong?”
He stares. I can feel the hairs on his bare flesh standing on end. “My father is dead,” he says.
My heart rate spikes. Holy fuck. Holy fucking fuck.
“Can I see?” I ask.
Oren nods, but doesn’t move. I gently take the phone from him and read the post. It’s a short statement from the EEPD saying that Jessup Prosser was found murdered at Ironside State Prison, presumably the victim of a prisoner. The details have yet to be released as the investigation continues.
I set the phone on the table and pull him into my arms. He’s calm. Not shaking. Though his heart is beating quickly, he feels… almost relaxed. “Are you okay?”
He doesn’t answer for a minute, but then asks in a whisper, “Is it really bad of me to feel relieved?”
My arms tighten. “No. It’s not bad to feel relief when your abuser is dead. You’re free, Oren. It’s over.”
Oren shivers. “It’s over,” he repeats, and it sounds almost reverent.