Odd Man Rush (East Coast, #2)

by Kristen Granata

To anyone who has fallen in love with someone who didn’t fit the mold society created. Love is love.

But fear is a strong motherfucker, and it’ll rob you of all the things you’ve ever dreamed of if you let it.

“Which is building that website you’ve dreamed of. Celeste was right: You could still work for your parents and see how it goes. They’d never have to know about it, just like they didn’t know about the two of you when you were in college.” His eyes bounce between mine. “But please stop shoving down all the things you truly want. Not with me. Life is too short to not take advantage of this opportunity in front of us.”

“I don’t want to hear what you think, or what we shouldn’t do, or whatever it is you’re trying to predict will happen. I only want to hear what you want, so if you don’t want to go any further, then tell us right now. Otherwise, you’re going to come home with us and we’re going to fuck every last bit of doubt right out of you.”

“You can be in love with more than one person at a time. People tell you that you can’t, but you can. The only limits on our hearts are the ones we put there.”

“Because we want our parents to love us unconditionally, and we’re terrified to find out that they don’t.”

“But maybe life isn’t about meeting everyone else’s expectations. Maybe it’s about meeting your own, and living a life you’re proud of.”

Sometimes the love you find doesn’t look exactly like the love you once envisioned for yourself. But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t jump in with both feet and give it everything you’ve got.

“Kourtney, Jason, and I have been fucking for the last month, and now we’re in a relationship together. So, Merry Christmas everyone.”

“I’m so happy for you guys. You’re beautiful together.”

Krum is the first one to walk over and clap Jason on the back. “We support you, brother. It’s not even a question.”

I would’ve fallen for them regardless of the bodies they were in, or the genders they identify with, because that’s what true love is all about. Love is the connection, not the gender.”

I’m standing here as a bisexual woman in front of camera crews and reporters and cell phones recording this for the world to see. I’m standing here, proud to be in a relationship with Jason and Celeste. I’m standing here as my true self for the first time in my life.

“I’ve been having such a difficult time coming to terms with what I’m looking for in a partner. Dating apps ask if you’re looking for males or females, and I honestly don’t know. One person for the rest of my life feels so constricting. And whenever I think about choosing one over the other, I can’t help but think, Why? Why do I have to choose? Why are we limiting ourselves to one person for eternity?” She gestures to me. “Then I see someone like you, and I feel hopeful that maybe I can find more than one person to spend my life with. Maybe I’m not so crazy after all.”

“The only thing that breaks up a family is the people inside it who let it get broken up. And that’s not going to happen here.”