Holding up my phone. "Then everything I have goes public. I'll find your strongest opponent in the primary and throw my full support behind them. I'll give interviews about growing up as the gay son of Caleb Huntington II, and how you tried to bribe my boyfriend to leave me." Stepping closer, invading the hell out of his personal space. "You might still win the primary, but it'll cost you more than you're willing to pay."
"You wouldn't dare." The color drains from his face.
"Try. Me."
We stare at each other for a long moment. I can almost see the calculations running behind his eyes, the cost-benefit analysis of fighting me versus acquiescing.
"Fine," he finally says. "I'll back off. But you're making a mistake with that boy."
"His name is James." It's actually fun to correct him. "And my only mistake was believing you instead of him." As I move toward the door, I stop. "Oh, and tell Thomas and Robert to stop being such stuck-up assholes. I'm in love with James, and if he takes me back, he's the type who could probably sign them up for some interesting fringe porn subscriptions if they don't learn some manners."
Something that might almost be respect flickers in my father's eyes. "Are you sure you won't reconsider politics? With killer instincts like these, you could go far."
"I'm sure. Turns out I'd rather make the world better in ways that don't require selling my soul."
I leave him standing with his mouth half-open. As the door closes, I do catch a glimpse of his face, still angry, but also strangely thoughtful. For the first time, I've stood up to Caleb Huntington II and won.
It feels better than I expected it would.
By the time I return to the ballroom, the individual charity presentations have begun. A representative from the coastal cleanup initiative is wrapping up her pitch, and Marcus is fidgeting at the side of the stage, clearly nervous about his turn.
Looking around the room, I search for James.Bingo.He's standing near the back now, arms crossed, listening intently to the presentations. Our eyes meet again, and this time, he doesn't immediately look away. I try to communicate everything I feel through that look: regret, hope, and determination.
The university president returns to the podium. "Next, we're pleased to hear from Marcus Rodriguez, manager of Rainbow Haven House, a shelter for LGBTQ+ youth in our community who have nowhere else to turn. Rainbow Haven House has been a university partner for the past eight years, providing educational support and college readiness programs."
Marcus takes the stage, adjusting the microphone with slightly shaking hands. But once he begins speaking, his nervousness fades. He tells the story of Rainbow Haven, how it was founded by a mother who lost her son to suicide after he was bullied for being gay, and how it provides not shelter but community for kids who have been rejected by their families.
He shares success stories of residents who have gone on to university and careers, his voice breaking slightly when he mentions that some are in this room tonight.
James's expression stays neutral, but tension radiates from his shoulders. His jaw works as Marcus speaks. He doesn't like being reminded of his past, not because he's ashamed, but because he's always looking forward, always planning the next step. I know that now, in a way I didn't before.
When Marcus finishes, the applause is substantial but not overwhelming. These are wealthy people who support manycauses, and while they're sympathetic, most of them have never had to worry about a roof over their heads or family rejection.
Oh shit.I know what I need to do.
As the next charity representative approaches the podium, I make my way to Drew near the stage.
"I need to say something," I say, quiet enough that only he hears me. "Can you make it happen?"
Drew looks surprised but nods. "I'll talk to President Wells. Give me two minutes."
True to his word, he manages to get the university president's attention, and after a brief, whispered conversation, President Wells nods.
After the current presentation concludes, President Wells returns to the microphone. "Before we move to our next scheduled speaker, we have a brief addition to our program. Caleb Huntington the Third has asked to say a few words about Rainbow Haven House. I'm told that Caleb is one of our most promising law students and has recently become very involved with this particular cause."
My father's head jerks up at the announcement, his eyes narrowing as I take the stage. The irony isn't lost on me; he's spent years trying to get me to take a more visible role in his political life, and now that I'm finally on a stage, it's to support something he tried to destroy.
The microphone sits too low, so I pull it up and look out at the crowd. The DPO guys have stopped serving drinks to stare at me. Gavin's thumbs are enthusiastically pointing up. And there's James, still at the back, looking wary but curious.
"Thank you for that introduction, President Wells. I hadn't planned to speak tonight, but after hearing Marcus's powerful words about Rainbow Haven House, I felt compelled to add my perspective."
Taking in a slow, deep breath, I try to shake free more donations from the crowd. "Many of you know my family. You know the opportunities I've had, the safety nets I've never had to use. You might not know how many young people in our community don't have those same advantages."
My father is standing rigidly near the front, his politician's smile fixed firmly in place. Let him worry.
"I recently visited Rainbow Haven House for the first time. What I saw was both heartbreaking and inspiring. I saw a building that's falling apart, with a leaking roof, outdated electrical systems, and windows that don't open or close properly. But I also saw a place filled with more love and acceptance than many of these kids have ever known."
Pausing to find James in the crowd again. "I met someone who grew up in the foster system, bounced between homes that never quite wanted him, who finally found shelter at Rainbow Haven when he had nowhere else to go. Despite everything working against him, he has put himself through university on scholarships. He built a life based on helping others. He became one of the most honest, principled, hardworking people I've ever known."
