Before you read this have you read ‘Love Again‘? 

The Contestant#3

Vinson sat by the bottom corner of Corey’s bed, smiling so big and so bright Corey was sure if their grandfather went outside, the damn sun would need sunglasses. 

 

“I hope your face gets stuck like that old man.” Corey said as they folded their favorite polo. 

 

“Ah that would be wonderful, I’ve always been told I have a nice smile.” Vinny said. 

 

Corey scoffed as they rolled their eyes; he did have a nice smile. 

 

Turning to their suitcase, Corey dropped a pile of folded polos inside. 

 

“You be on your best behavior, you hear me Cornelius? Make an effort! Who knows, this woman could be your future wife!” Vinny said. 

 

Corey laughed as they shook their head and turned to their dresser. 

 

“What if she’s transphobic?” Corey said as they opened the top drawer and began grabbing underwear and pairs of socks. 

 

Vinny scoffed. 

 

“Cornelius, I’m offended. You really think I wouldn’t vet the future wife of my favorite non-binary grandchild?” Vinny said, a hand flying to his chest as he pretended to be hurt. 

 

Corey laughed and shook their head as they grabbed another shirt and began folding it. 

 

“Okay first, I’m you’re only non-binary grandchild…” 

 

“You don’t know that!” Vinny said as he pointed a stern finger at Corey. 

 

Corey paused for a moment, giving their grandfather a ‘be so for real look’. 

 

“And second…What if I’m not her type?” Corey said. 

 

“Are you kidding me, you’re a Cambio by blood, we’re everybody’s type!” Vinny shouted. 

 

Corey opened their mouth but Vinny was hearing none of it.   

 

“Ahh Cornelius, I know what you’re trying to do and it’s not working. Now shut up and keep folding.” He said, waving a dismissive hand. 

 

Corey chuckled as they finished folding a shirt and tossed it into their suitcase. 

 

“And you better be on your best behavior. Be a gentle person and show her why she should pick you. You hear me Cornelius?” Vinny said.  

 

 “I hear you papa, I hear you.” Corey said with a nod. 

 

Pleased with himself, Vince gave a sharp nod just before the sound of knocking caused the pair to look up. 

 

Alex, Corey’s father, leaned against the door frame and looked back and forth between his child and father-in-law. As he stared at the pair, a smile spanning from ear to ear took over his entire face.  

 

“Not a word old man.” Corey said, looking at their father. 

 

Alex held up his hands. 

 

“I wasn’t going to say anything!” He said. 

 

Pushing off of the door, he made his way across the threshold of the room, and ventured over to the bed. Chuckling, Alex fist bumped Vinny as he sat down next to Corey’s suitcase. 

 

“I hate you, both of you.” Corey said, waving a pair of swim trunks between the pair. 

 

Alex and Vinny laughed as Corey rolled their eyes and turned back to their closet. 

 

“This will be good for you! Worst-case scenario, you get eliminated and come back home ready to get back into the dating world again.” Alex said as he folded one of Corey’s shirts. 

 

“And best-case scenario I miss my flight and don’t have to go at all.” Corey said. 

 

“Oh no, you’re gonna make that flight. I don’t care if I have to drive you to the airport myself.” Vinny said.  

 

Corey laughed. 

 

“You can’t even walk, how in the world are you gonna drive a car?” Corey said.  

 

“Shut up and finish packing.” Vinny said as he grabbed a pair of socks and threw them at Corey. 

 

---

 

Corey flipped the lid of their suitcase closed and after zipping it up they slid it off the bed and stood it up.  

 

“You ready?” Victoria asked. 

 

Corey turned around to find their mother leaning against the door frame. She had that same look in her eyes; That same look she’d had on Corey’s first day of kindergarten, and the day Corey moved out to attend culinary school in Italy.  

 

“You better not cry! This whole thing is your father’s fault.” Corey said, pointing a finger at her.  

 

“I’m just so happy that you decided to go.” Victoria said with a bright smile. 

 

“With you three practically ganging up on me, it’s not like I really had a choice, now did I?” Corey said. 

 

“You’re damn right you didn’t have a choice. I’m gonna be come a papa squared!” Vinny declared from the hallway.  

 

Corey rolled their eyes. 

 

“Relax old man, I haven’t even met the woman yet. What if she’s rude, or doesn’t want children?” Corey asked. 

 

Vinny waved a dismissive hand. 

 

“She isn’t, trust me. And she does want children, she said so herself.” He said, waving a dismissive hand. 

 

“What if I don’t like her? What if I’m into guys? Huh? Ever thought about that papa?” Corey shot back. 

 

Vinny, along with Victoria and Alex all paused to look at Corey. 

 

“Well, are you Cornelius?” Vinny asked. 

 

“Am I what?” Corey asked, looking from their grandfather to their parents then back to their grandfather again. 

 

“Are you into guys? Cause I know of another competition I could sign you up for.” Vinny said. 

 

Corey’s head jerked back a little, their face bunching up as if they’d smelt something foul, and that was all the response Vinny needed. 

 

“That’s what I thought. You’re going Cornelius. And don’t forget to mention me in your wedding vows.” Vinny said. 

 

Corey opened their mouth to speak, but Vinny held up a hand. 

 

“You’re going.” He said, his tone letting Corey know that this wasn’t a discussion, nor was it a debate.  

 

Before Corey could even open their mouth, Vinny turned his wheel chair, causing his daughter and son-in-law to part like the Red Sea.  

 

As Corey stood there, in the middle of the bedroom, they looked back and forth between their parents who simply shook their heads and laughed. 

 

“Unbelievable.” Corey muttered as they made their way out of the room.  

 

---

When dinner ended, Corey grabbed their plate, along with their grandfather’s and followed their mother to the kitchen. There, Corey helped her with the dishes before bidding their mother, father, and grandfather a goodnight. 

 

Back at their condo, Corey stood beneath the falling water of their shower head, reflecting on the past two days. While they pretended to be all frustrated and angry about their grandfather meddling in their love life, the truth was Corey knew it was about time. Hell, they’d downloaded and then deleted OkCupid along with a few other dating apps, about a dozen times. Maybe this was exactly what they needed to get back out there. 

 

While Corey doubted they’d fall in love with the woman they were supposed to be competing for; they couldn’t deny that they were a little curious as to what the experience would be like.  

 

Maybe their mom, grandfather, and Roger were right; maybe this competition was exactly what they needed to push them to get back out there into the dating world.