Page 45 of Beyond the Rainbow (Pride Camp 2025 #11)

Adult Amos entered and stood before the lonely boy.

“Amos, you don’t need to change to find friends who’ll love you.

You already deserve love. I used to think that one day I’d finally be worthy—one day, I’d be confident, successful, fearless.

But here’s the truth: You don’t have to wait to love yourself.

You are already enough. Right now. Today. ”

He leaned closer to Lonely Amos. “I used to wish I could skip ahead—to the part of my life where I felt strong and unshakable. But every step of the journey mattered. Even the fear. Even the doubts and loneliness. Every version of me brought me one step closer to the person I wanted to be. And I wouldn’t change a thing. ”

Adult Amos turned and followed Teenage Amos into the night.

Wesley stepped forward. “Now Lonely Amos will meet Elder Amos. The Amos who has lived a long time and has much wisdom to share.”

Rowan stepped into the spotlight, his gaze not on Lonely Amos but on the audience.

“I’ve lived a long time, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this—I wasted too many years doubting, too many years wishing I could be someone else.

But the truth? I was always wonderful, just as I was!

I just didn’t see it. And so are you. Right now. Just as you are.”

Elliot stepped forward, standing beside Rowan, his gaze sweeping over the guests.

“For so long, I thought I had to be fearless to deserve happiness. That I had to have everything figured out. But standing here now, I see the truth: We don’t have to be fearless.

We don’t have to have all the answers. We just have to keep moving forward.

Because every step, even the hard ones, leads us closer to the happiness waiting for us around the next bend in the road. ”

Wesley stepped from the sidelines to join his friends.

“You think you’re alone. That no one will ever understand you, but listen to me: Love is coming.

Friendship, laughter, joy—it’s all ahead of you.

And one day, you will stand where I stand, looking back, and you will know that you were never truly alone. ”

Next Jasper moved to stand beside Wesley.

“One day, you will look back at your life, at the boy you once were, and you will understand. You will see that every version of yourself was perfect in its own way. And you will pass this message on to someone else—because that’s what we do.

We grow, we learn, and we light the way for the ones who come after us. ”

Caleb, who had played Lonely Amos, rose and stood beside his castmates.

He drew in a deep breath. “You don’t have to have it all figured out today.

Or tomorrow. Life isn’t a race—it’s a story.

It’s a campfire wish. And the best wishes?

They take time to come true. And your time,” he looked out at the crowd, a quiet smile on his lips, ” is all ahead of you. ”

The End

And the five young authors bowed as one.

For a heartbeat, the room was silent—stunned, breathless. Then the reception hall exploded with applause. Every guest surged to their feet, voices lifted in celebration, whistles filling the air.

At the edge of the stage, Nate lifted one hand to wipe away his tears. David was at his side in an instant, wrapping him in a warm embrace. He murmured something into Nate’s ear and then gently led him to the stage, where his students stood, their voices lifted in unison.

“ Nate! Nate! ” Their young cries rose over the applause, bright with love and gratitude.

Nate stumbled to the stage and was instantly embraced by his students, many of whom were wiping tears from their own eyes. He spoke to them as they stood as one in a huddled embrace, murmuring words that only they heard, then turned to the assembled guests.

“I’ve won awards, had a play produced on Broadway—” He shot a quick glance at Colin, eyes twinkling.

“Well, almost Broadway.” He shook his head, an arm wrapped around Caleb and Jasper.

“ But this?” Nate’s voice broke, and he swallowed hard before finishing.

“This is the proudest moment of my writing life.”

He turned back to the boys, his eyes shining. “And it is because of them.” With that, he stepped down from the stage, leaving them in the spotlight, where they belonged. The applause swelled around them, a celebration of joy and love.

Colin and Joshua applauded with the rest of the audience, both men rising to their feet to salute Nate and his students. “He’s been amazing this week,” Joshua said, smiling as Nate’s students left the stage to gather around him in celebration.

Colin watched his husband, his heart swelling with love. “He has,” he agreed. “But he’s not the only amazing one in this group.” Before Joshua could respond, Colin stepped forward on his scooter, making his way onto the stage before turning to face the campers, counselors, and wedding guests.

“If I could have your attention for just one more moment,” he said, waiting for the murmurs to settle. He glanced toward Joshua, whose brow furrowed in curiosity. Colin smiled. “Before we move on, there’s someone in this room who I have to recognize.”

He turned to face Joshua, his gaze steady, his eyes alight with something both intense and tender—a pride so profound it made his breath hold in his chest. “Camp Pride didn’t just appear out of thin air.

It took months of planning, countless hours of dedication, and more heart than I’ve ever seen before in my life.

And at the center of it all—making sure every camper felt safe, supported, and seen—was my beloved husband. ”

A quiet hush fell over the reception hall as eyes turned to Joshua, who blinked in stunned surprise as he moved to stand in front of the stage, gazing up at Colin, his eyes shimmering with tears.

Colin looked out over the crowd and smiled.

“Anyone who knows Josh knows he doesn’t like the spotlight.

He leaves being a spotlight hog to me .” Gentle laughter rippled through the crowd.

“But I’m shining it on him today because god knows he deserves it.

” He drew in a deep breath and gazed down at his husband.

“This camp exists because of your love, your devotion, and your commitment to giving these kids a place where they could play, learn, grow, and most importantly be themselves without fear of judgment or rejection. Every single day for months I watched while you poured your whole heart and soul into creating this—this celebration. Every single thing that happened at Camp Pride happened because of you. And it’s just impossible for me to let Camp Pride end without telling you how proud I am of you. ”

He turned to face the assembled guests. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Camp Pride Head Coordinator, Joshua Campbell-Abrams!” A slow swell of applause began, growing into a standing ovation as campers and counselors alike cheered for Joshua.

Trent climbed onto his chair, whistling and cheering while Jeff held him around the waist to keep him balanced.

Nate pumped his fist into the air yelling, “Josh! Josh! Josh!” Colin smiled and moved to stand beside him, then he reached for his husband’s hand.

Joshua’s eyes were bright, his throat aching with emotion. He tried to speak, but couldn’t, and instead pulled Colin into his arms.

The applause grew louder as Colin held him close, rocking him in his arms, feeling the warmth of Joshua’s gratitude dampen his shoulder.

And in that moment, with the people Joshua had worked so hard for cheering all around them, Colin knew—Camp Pride was more than just a summer camp.

It was a legacy of love that Joshua had built with his whole heart.

“Listen,” he whispered into Joshua’s ear.

“If Rufeus wants this to be a yearly thing … I’m in all the way. ”

Joshua lifted his head, drawing in a ragged breath.

“Oh god, sweetheart,” he whispered. He bit his lower lip, his eyes shining as he reached up, his fingers tracing the line of Colin’s jaw before cradling his face.

And then, with a deep inhale, he pulled Colin into a kiss—sweet and slow, and filled with a love and gratitude that flowed too deep for words.

As the afternoon ebbed into evening, Joshua set his phone on the stage and connected it to a speaker, filling the reception hall with music.

Trent and Jeff swayed together as their song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, echoed softly through the room.

Joshua collapsed into a chair next to Colin, who was picking at his cake and staring at the newlyweds, his gaze thoughtful.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Joshua murmured, leaning against him.

“They’re not worth a penny,” Colin chuckled. “I was just feeling sad because I can’t dance with you tonight.” He tilted his head toward the stage. “I’d be willing to bet that “We Can Last Forever” is somewhere on that phone. If not,” he added, tapping his own, “I know damned well it’s on this one.”

Trent and Jeff’s song concluded with a round of applause. The room fell quiet except for the low murmur of the gathered guests, and Joshua rested his chin on Colin’s arm. “How tired are you?”

Colin shrugged. “Not very.”

“Are you in pain?”

“Not at the moment.” He raised his eyebrows and flashed a grin. “Why? What do you have in mind?”

Joshua rose and took his arm. “Come with me.” He led Colin to the dance floor, then gave him a brief kiss. “Wait right here.”

Trent and Jeff had moved to sit with Jeff’s parents, laughing and chatting, with Sophie leaning on Trent’s shoulder, but they turned to gaze at him as Colin maneuvered his scooter to the dance floor.

Several of the campers had also moved to join him, some shooting a half-embarrassed glance his way before wrapping an arm around their dance partner.

David, spotting the campers and noting their hesitation, grabbed Nate’s hand.

“C’mon, rabble-rouser. Let’s show them how it’s done. ”

Joshua stepped onto the stage, fingers moving over his phone for several seconds. Then, as the opening strains of “We Can Last Forever” filled the room, he strode to Colin’s side with a quiet smile and wrapped both arms around him. “I don’t need fancy dance steps. All I need is you.”

Colin braced himself on his knee scooter, pulling Joshua close with one strong arm.

Their bodies pressed together, the warmth of Joshua’s breath brushing his cheek as they swayed in time with the music—slow, steady, wrapped in each other.

Everything else faded, the world narrowing to this moment, to this love that was their whole world.

“Seems impossible that it all ends tomorrow,” Colin murmured finally. “That tomorrow night we’ll be home in our own bed.”

“It’s been a great week,” Joshua said. “But truth to tell, I’ll be glad to be there.”

Colin nodded, his cheek brushing against Joshua’s hair. “Me too.” He breathed out a laugh, then whispered: “Maybe I can figure out a way to make love to you, cast and all.”

Joshua leaned back and looked at him, his handsome face creased in a frown. “Don’t even think it.” He snuggled close in Colin’s arms. “Trent would kill you. Besides … I have a solution already figured out.”

“Yeah?”

Joshua licked slowly across Colin’s mouth, his tongue flicking … tasting … savoring, then kissed him—full and wet, with a heat that started low and slow, then grew into a hunger so fierce that Colin trembled.

Joshua leaned back, eyebrows arched. “Get the picture?”

Colin nodded and chuckled as he nuzzled Joshua’s neck. “I get the picture. And I can’t wait.”

Joshua shivered as Colin’s mouth moved over his neck, his fingers tightening on Colin’s shoulders. “No fair starting something you can’t finish,” he murmured against Colin’s ear.

Colin huffed a quiet laugh, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss just below Joshua’s jaw. “Oh, I fully intend to finish it, bud,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “My foot may not be working, but there’s not a damn thing wrong with my hand.”

Joshua let out a dramatic, fake sigh. “Lord God! If you so much as sprain something trying get all hot and sexy, Trent will string you up by that damned cast.” Yet, the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his true feelings.

He pressed his lips against Colin’s ear and murmured: “But there’s no denying, my love, you do have talented hands. ”

Colin’s grip tightened. “Here I stand, at your service. The love of your life.”

Joshua tipped his head back, eyes warm with affection. “My soulmate and heartbeat.”

For a moment, they held each other, swaying in time with the music.

The dining hall was beginning to empty, and the guests who remained spoke in hushed voices, their laughter drifting across the room.

Overhead, fairy lights cast a warm, golden glow, reflecting in the polished wood floors.

The weight of the week settled over them, but here, in each other’s arms, none of that mattered.

Tomorrow, they would leave Camp Pride behind.

But tonight—tonight was theirs. The song faded and the other dancers moved off the dance floor, but Colin and Joshua remained, lost in each other, wrapped in the warmth of a love that was steady, certain, and sure to last forever.