40. Presley
“Is she fucking kidding me?”
I clench my jaw and roll my eyes. “Just ignore her, Dom. She’s not worth our energy.”
Dominique scoffs. “I beg to differ. She’s definitely worth the energy it’d take for me to punch her in her stupid face.”
I chuckle. “No violence today. I refuse to give Miserable Molly a reason to shut us down, or paint us in a bad light. This is happening, and she can’t do a damn thing to stop us.”
Today is the first event for Inclusive Hearts . I’m still going through the process of registering it as a nonprofit organization, but I figured there’s no reason we can’t start coming together now and spreading the word around the community.
It royally sucks that Molly and her minions showed up to try to tear us down, but we aren’t going to pay her any mind. Her disgusting, discriminatory actions speak volumes about her—not us.
“This is a great turnout.” Celeste struts over and bumps me with her hip. “The media will want an interview in a little while.”
My pulse thumps faster. “Is there anything specific I should say? I need some of your PR expertise.”
“They’re definitely going to ask how you feel about Miserable Molly, but I’d try to keep it as positive as possible. She’s not the focus of why you’re doing what you’re doing here.”
I nod. “Got it.”
Aarya purses her lips. “I hate that what she’s doing is considered peaceful protesting. There’s nothing peaceful about those assholes.”
Cassidy pulls me to the side and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “I’ll keep a close eye on Aarya and Dominique for you so you don’t have to worry about our guard dogs attacking anyone.”
I laugh. “Good plan.”
They’re both feisty females, and I wouldn’t put it past Aarya to cut a bitch.
Kourtney walks over to us and holds up her phone for me to see. “Almost everyone who RSVP-ed has checked in. The app is running smoothly.”
“Thank you so much for all of your help on that.”
My heart is overflowing with all of the love and support I’m receiving from my friends and family on this project. As much as I enjoy my job at the school library, I haven’t felt fulfilled; I haven’t had a purpose. Creating Inclusive Hearts has breathed new life into me, and I couldn’t be happier to contribute to such an important cause.
In addition to our friends, Stephen and Chance’s teams both showed up with their loved ones. I told Alexander that he didn’t have to come being that he’s still recovering from his injury less than two weeks ago, but he insisted on bringing Giuliana. Aarya said he’s going stir-crazy at home, especially since he hasn’t been cleared to play yet, so at least this gets him out of the house.
“You need to check on your man.” Celeste points to Stephen, who has appointed himself in charge of the hot chocolate station, but is drinking it instead. “I swear, that’s the only reason he suggested a hot chocolate station—so he could have a vat of it to himself.”
I laugh as I make my way over to him. “How many cups have you had, baby?”
His shoulders jump as he spins around. “What? Only one. Why, what have you heard?”
I arch a brow as I reach out and swipe my thumb over his top lip. “You have a chocolate milk mustache that says otherwise.”
“I’m just tasting it to ensure quality. You don’t want everyone to go home later and talk about how bad the hot chocolate was.”
My head tilts back as I let out a loud laugh. “Yes, because that’s what will have the town talking—not the group of queer people poisoning the minds of young children.”
Stephen wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Ignore Molly and her signs. You’re doing a beautiful thing with this organization, and I’m so proud of you, pretty girl.”
Warmth seeps into my chest. “Thanks, baby. I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
I pull back and point my index finger in his face. “Now leave the hot chocolate for the rest of the guests.”
He feigns innocence, splaying his fingers on his chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
My gaze roams around the baseball field at the local park. Kids of various ages and adults are squealing with laughter as they play kickball; everyone is interacting and having a great time.
And to think, this might not have happened without Miserable Molly. Her reaction to my polyamorous relationship sparked this fire inside of me to try to make a change in our community.
Throughout all of the bad, there is always something good that stems from it. You just have to look for it.
I scan the crowd for Cassidy, and make a beeline for her. “Hey, can you help me with something?”
“Of course.” She salutes me. “What do you need?”
“I want to take some hot chocolate over to Molly and the other moms.”
Her eyeballs nearly pop out of her head. “You...what? Why?”
I hike a shoulder. “It’s cold out, and they could use a little warmth in their frigid-ass hearts.”
She grimaces. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“I’m not going to start trouble.” I make an X over my heart with my index finger. “Promise.”
Her shoulders slump. “Fine. Let’s use the cart.”
Cassidy and I load up eight cups of hot chocolate onto the cart, and roll it across the street.
Molly steps out in front of the group, handing her sign off to one of her friends before facing me.
“Hi, ladies.” I plaster on a smile. “I wanted to offer you some hot chocolate to keep you warm while you’re out here.”
Molly glares at me. “We don’t want any of your hot chocolate. What we want is for you and your friends to get out of here, and stop trying to turn our children gay.”
“I can promise you that nobody is trying to turn children gay. That’s the main reason I put together this organization, to educate people who have misconceptions about the queer community.”
“I don’t have any misconceptions.” She plants her hands on her hips. “These children are too young to understand what it means to be gay, and you’re confusing them. I won’t stand for it.”
I ignore her comments because nothing I say will get through to her—certainly not here, with an audience.
Instead, I stick my hands in my coat pockets, mainly to keep myself from strangling her right here on the sidewalk. “Well, I just wanted to come over here to say thank you. You’re the one who inspired me to start this organization. Your bigotry and hatred made me realize what’s lacking in this community. I wouldn’t be standing here with all of these people without you, so thank you.”
Several of her friends murmur to each other, while Molly sputters.
I lift one of the cups and hold it out to her. “Are you sure you don’t want some? My boyfriend made it, and he’s a self-proclaimed hot chocolate connoisseur, so it’ll probably be the best hot chocolate you’ve ever tasted.”
She scoffs. “Your boyfriend? Which one? It’s hard to keep things straight with the way you’re spreading your legs to multiple men.”
Cassidy steps forward, but my hand shoots out to grab her wrist and pull her back. “Oh, he’s right there.” I point my index finger at Stephen across the street. “The six-foot tall ginger who’s wearing the fuck out of those gray sweatpants.”
Molly’s cheeks redden. She’s clearly rattled that she isn’t getting a rise out of me. “You’re a whore, you know that? That’s what all the moms at school are saying about you.”
My heart rate spikes, but I hike a nonchalant shoulder to appear unfazed. “They don’t say the nicest things about you either, Molls, though I’m sure you’re already aware of those rumors.” I haven’t heard any rumors, but she doesn’t know that, and now she’ll be wondering what everyone’s saying about her. “It’s such a shame that women behave like that, isn’t it? In this kind of political climate, we should be banding together and supporting one another instead of tearing each other down. They’re playing right into the hands of the patriarchy.”
“This is just the beginning. You won’t get very far with what you’re trying to do. I won’t allow it.” Molly balls her hands into fists and speaks through gritted teeth. “You’re a poison in this town, Presley. I can’t wait to put you down like the bitch you are.”
God, how easy it would be to lay her out with one punch.
I swallow down the words itching to climb out of my throat. “I’m so sorry for the hate you’re harboring in your heart. I truly hope you find happiness in your life.”
She scoffs. “I am happy. You don’t know anything about my life.”
I gesture to the group before me with their insulting posters, and start walking backwards. “This isn’t what happy looks like, Molls.”
She continues yelling, but I spin around and link arms with Cassidy—mostly to drag her ass across the street with me so she doesn’t hurt anyone.
“You have a lot of self-control,” Cassidy says, shaking her head. “I don’t know how you let her speak to you like that, and remained so calm. My blood is boiling for you.”
“She’s not worth it, Cass. Besides...” I direct her attention to the camera crew who no doubt recorded the whole scene. “The whole city is going to see her true colors, and know that we are nothing like that.”
Scanning the field for Avery and Alyssa, I find them together as they teach Giuliana how to play kickball, and my heart squeezes at the sight of Chance laughing with Alexander as they watch the kids from the sidelines.
Today is one of the best days I’ve ever had, and I get to spend it with the most important people in my life. I feel so fortunate that the universe brought me back to Stephen and Chance.
I pity Molly. I truly do. How awful it must feel to be her? To wake up filled with hate every day. To always be so twisted up with anger. To need to tear others down because you can’t find love from within yourself.
“Pres!” Celeste shouts my name from the far side of the field. “They’re ready for you.”
I suck in a deep breath and straighten my shoulders, tipping my face to the sky.
Wish you were here, Allie.
Hope you’re watching.