Is that what I’m doing, rediscovering myself?“Does this mean I’m gay?”
Bec snorts her amusement. “Maybe a little. Straight people don’t usually ask to kiss their same-sex friends.”
I blush. “Oh.”
“But you’re still attracted to men too, right?”
One man in particular comes to mind. Hazel eyes and sandy-brown hair and a presence that demands my attention. A man who cares for others with everything he has and makes them feel safe. A man who leads not with cruelty, but with integrity. “Yes.”
Bec gives me an easy smile. “Maybe you’re bi. It doesn’t really matter how you identify, Della. What matters is that you feel safe enough to be your true self.”
I return her smile, finding that Idofeel safe. “Thank you.”
“Let’s get back to the party,” she suggests. We stand and link arms, walking back to the bonfire with a level of comfortability that didn’t exist between us before.
The party’s still going strong. Someone’s playing a guitar while everyone stands around the fire chatting amiably. The mood is high despite the camp’s recent upheaval, so it’s easy to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.I spend the evening talking withBec and Liv, both of whom are kind enough to introduce me to some of the other camp residents. To my surprise, I don’t sense any animosity from my new acquaintances. Curiosity, sure. But it seems we’ve all come to accept each other’s presence, even if I won’t be here forever.
Maverick is always in my line of sight; not in an annoying or overbearing way, here’s justthere. Somehow offering comfort simply by proximity. I don’t know what time it is, but I know it’s late. Late enough to have me yawning several times in the span of a few minutes. I feel him—sense his powerful presence—behind me and turn around. I shiver, noticing the heat radiating off his huge body in waves.
I turn around and look up at him. “Hi.”
“Hi,” he says, taking off his flannel and wrapping it around my shoulders. The simple, kind gesture makes me want to cry.
“I was just heading to bed,” I tell him.
“I’ll walk you.” He slides his hands into his pockets while I wave goodbye to Bec and Liv.
“Goodnight,” Bec sings, in as good a mood as ever.
“Did you have a nice evening?” Maverick asks as we start walking toward his tent.
“I did.” I smile down at the ground, careful not to trip over any stray roots. “Your father is lovely.”
“He’s the best man I know.”
“I’m sure he would say the same thing about you,” I say.
Maverick stops walking abruptly. “Was that a compliment, darlin’?”
I stop too, rolling my eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head, Rebel Man.”
“Rebel Man?” he asks, his amusement obvious.
“Is that not an accurate assessment of your title?” I tease.
“I suppose so.” His mouth turns up at one end. “What did you and Bec talk about?”
“What?” My eyes go wide.
His brow quirks at the change in my tone. “I saw her follow you away from the bonfire.”
“Oh,” I breathe. “Yeah.” Despite her assurance and the fact that kissing Bec didn’tfeelbad, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of shame after being raised on the narrative that being gay is unnatural. Still, I want to be honest with him. I want him to know about this new part of me I’m exploring. “We may have kissed.”
His brows inch even higher. “You and Bec kissed?”
I nod, biting my lip. “Well, I asked if I could kiss her. She said yes.”
“And?”
