The Road Ahead

Rio After being disowned by my dad, I left Georgia, finding my way to Pathfinders Lake, to my cousins who'd always accepted me without question. The idea of a week away with them, at a music festival and exploring mountain roads in my Trueno '86, sounded like the perfect escape. But then there's Cooper. My cousin, the one who helped me understand myself, the one who's always been perfect in every way. I try to push down this old crush that flares up again, but I can't. He's gay. Could he ever be interested in a pint-sized enby firecracker with more crop tops than one human should reasonably own? But when we reconnect over the week, I can't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, the road ahead could be more than I ever imagined. Cooper Rio's finally here, and I'm excited—more than I probably should be. They've always been the most badass person I know, and now, watching them embrace their truth, I'm proud of everything they've become. We're spending a week at the cabin, and every minute feels like we're picking up right where we left off. But as we spend more time together, I start to realize something—something I've been trying to ignore. The connection we share is more than just family. I never expected to feel this way about Rio, but when I see them, I can't deny the pull. The road I thought I'd be walking is shifting, and the only one I want beside me is Rio.