Page 81 of The Rebel's Guide to Pride

“That’s not what I want for you.” He huffed out, eyeing the pride flag on the QSA tent. “This is what I wanted for you. For you to be safe and welcomed in town.”

“Then why are you supporting the mayor’s campaign against us?” I asked. “And don’t say it’s just business.”

He wiped the sweat off his forehead with a sigh. “I believedit was the right thing. If I threw my support behind the mayor, then no one would target my son. That’s why I said it wouldn’t affect you—”

“Well, it did.” I stood to my full height, taking in a deep breath. We were nearly eye level now, but his gaze made me feel like a kid again. “It did affect me. I was at Buchanan’s rally too and saw firsthand what he stands for. It was terrifying to witness that crowd, to see you up on that stage.”

“You shouldn’t have been there,” he said with a sad note in his voice. “After this election is over, things will calm down.”

“Because you still expect Buchanan to win, that voting for Carmen won’t amount to anything?” He didn’t reply, and I took a step back. “That’s what I thought.”

“Zeke, wait,” he said as I started to storm off. “It’s not your job to fight. You’re just a kid.”

I turned back to him, clenching my fists. “You might’ve been trying to protect me when I came out to you and Mom,” I began slowly, leaning into the anger I’d felt for so long, “but I wasn’t happy. Maybe it would be easier to go back to before, keep hiding so nothing would hurt me. I can’t do that, though. And if that means I have to fight, then I’m not backing down.”

Chapter 34

This is how Pride Day was supposed to be.

Sweat dampened my tank top as I took in what we’d created—the last speakeasy. My heart pulsed with too much rage over my father’s warning. Too much adrenaline, like we’d been on a roller coaster climbing higher and higher with the temperature. I refused to let what he’d said stop me, and the heat hadn’t stopped hundreds of people from showing up.

Our town was revolving around David Beggs and the faithful donkey I’d once painted pink. The sweltering breeze carried with it their excited conversations, shrieks from children playing, a buzz of excitement I couldn’t describe—a thrill that took me back. I could still feel the crunch of pea gravel under my shoes. The hydrangea blooms dancing across my face when I came out of my hiding spot. A sense of awe as I gazed up at the town founder…

We might be a month late,I thought,but we are finally doing it.

“Carmen should be here any minute,” Sawyer said,pulling me from the memory, and handed me a stack of campaign flyers. “If you and yourboyfriendcan hand these out, we’ll get voter registration started.”

Her insinuation was thicker than the humidity. Cohen shot me a look, his face splotchy as he fiddled with the camera strap around his neck. We’d been staying up late to chat and ask each other endless rounds of questions. But I kept going back to the one he’d asked me while we’d been listening to Bleachers.Will you be my boyfriend?That same question that I’d let ruin everything between us in freshman year.

Kennedy let out an exaggerated sigh, powering on the tablet. “I think,” she began in a stage whisper, “that I liked it better when they were outright fighting. The tension is giving capital H horny.”

Sawyer gave a murmur of agreement. “You two need to other-stuff already,” she said pointedly.

“Stop,” I said, my grin notwithstanding. Even though I would very much like to do that with him, I didn’t want to risk messing things up again. It was nice finally getting to know him, letting him do the same.

“Huh?” Cohen asked.

“Don’t worry,” Sawyer said, making a crude gesture with her hands. “I’m sure you’ll understand soon enough.”

“Saw,” I laughed, but then the chuckle died in my throat when I heard my name.

I turned to see Mason making his way over to us in a slow swagger. It sent me back to the darkened bookstore on the night of the first speakeasy.

Cohen cleared his throat, watching me again. His sweaty palm slipped into mine territorially. Mason might’ve been afun idea, but Cohen was real. The future I had never let myself have until now. “You have nothing to worr—” I tried to assure him.

“Hey.” Mason cut me off as he approached, deliberately ignoring everyone else. He gave me a slow devilish grin while he checked me out. His eyes lingered on my exposed arms in the tank top, and I knew where his mind had gone. “Need an extra hand?”

“We’re good,” Cohen snipped before I could reply.

Mason shot him an annoyed look. “I thought Zeke and I could—”

“No.”

Cohen had shut him down so fast it only heightened the awkwardness between us. I watched their interaction with my mouth agape. Then the snickers from Kennedy were enough to make me come to my senses. I said, “Meet you in front of the parade float,” to Sawyer, and pulled Cohen away before it got even more cringe.

“Sorry,” Cohen said after we’d gotten out of earshot.

“What was that about?” I asked, watching too many emotions flash across his face. “You don’t have to be jealous.”

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