The Current Between Us (27 page)

“
Yes, but, Gage, seriously, I should’ve paid for it. They told me when we were making arrangements they would let me pay, but once it was over they wouldn’t let me. I tried to send the stuff back, they wouldn’t allow it. You shouldn’t be buying our clothes,” Trent said, with Gage still only inches from his face, and he reached in kissing Trent’s lips softly again.

“
Shhh… I told you, it was a favor to me. I got some great deals you wouldn’t have gotten. Did Rhonny and Em like their selections?” Gage asked.

“
Are you kidding? I’m not sure either of them took their dresses off for the rest of the night. Em might still be wearing hers to bed and Rhonny looks like some kind of exotic supermodel. I had no idea she could look like that. I’ll be playing dad all night, I’m sure,” Trent said.

“
Good! What about Hunter? Did he pick a suit? What did he pick?” Gage asked. He seemed genuinely excited.

“
Black and white, like mine,” Trent said, smiling.

“
Good. You’ll all look stunning. I’m glad. You deserve it,” Gage said, kissing his knuckles again.

“
I’ll pick you up about six tomorrow night. The opening begins at seven. We need to get there on time,” Gage said.

“
I can drive us. You don’t have to come out here,” Trent said.

“
No, I want to. I have a special car for the kid’s tomorrow night.”

“
Gage, you’re doing too much.” Trent shook his head no as he spoke.

“
No, I’m not, Trent. Please just let me do this,” Gage said.

“
The kids won’t be able to stay too late. I need to be able to take them home early, and you can’t leave your own grand opening to take us home.”

“
I thought I’d have a driver bring Rhonny and the kid’s home early. You can stay with me for the evening, right? I want you to be there with me, by my side, through the entire night. I know it’s asking a lot. There will be so many people coming and going all night. The RSVPs are up to five hundred guests,” Gage said.

“
That’s great. Isn’t that great?” Trent asked.

“
Yeah, it’s only my work on display tomorrow night. No one else’s; I’m just surprised.” Gage laid his head on the side of Trent’s seat, staying within the confines of Trent’s personal space.

“
I’m not surprised. You’re a big deal, Gage.”

“
I don’t know. We’ll see what the sales turn out to be. I’m not so sure, but The Gallery looks good, so much better than I dreamed. Thank you for doing so much,” Gage added, smiling again.

“
It’s my job. You paid me to do it,” Trent said.

“
No, I watched you. You were careful with everything, making changes as they were needed. The panel box alone should have set us way back. Thank you,” Gage said again.

“
I was glad to do it, but I need to get back inside. If Em or Hunter wakes…”

“
All right, one more kiss,” Gage said, wrapping his arms around Trent, pulling him forward for the kiss. This time Gage took his time and Trent melted into him. The kiss reached out and touched his soul like the man sitting next to him did every time he did these unexpected things. When they parted, Trent knew some of his soul was left behind, given to Gage during the kiss. Trent tried so hard to keep Gage in his place. Keep him at arm’s length, but it wasn’t working. In just a few days, Gage made his way solidly inside his heart and could own it if he wanted it.

“
Be careful going home,” he said, smiling when he finally opened his eyes. Gage still right there in his face, coming in for another soft kiss.

“
I will. Thank you for this afternoon and for coming out tonight,” Gage said, kissing him again on the lips.

“
I’ll see you tomorrow.” Trent’s hand was on the door handle when Gage pulled him back for one last soft kiss.

“
Goodnight, handsome. Dream of me, I’ll be dreaming of you,” Gage added, grinning that sexy smile.

“
I will. I’ll see you in the morning,” Trent said, opening the door and sliding out. Gage didn’t leave until he got safely inside the house, with the door shut and locked from the inside.

Chapter 16

“Daddy, my socks match my dress,” Em said, walking into his bedroom completely dressed, her hair bouncing with soft curls. Sophia had come by to help tonight. She’d brushed Em’s hair until it shined, then used hot rollers giving it an extra lift, or so they told him in great detail as the rollers were being put in her hair. Her little dress was pink satin organza and both her lacy socks and shoes matched perfectly. “I want to get married in this dress. I think I look like a princess, Daddy.”

“
I do too, Emalynn. How’s Hunter doing?” Trent asked, tying his tie in the mirror.

“
He’s coming. Auntie Crazy is brushing his hair with gel, and he’s making faces in the mirror,” Em said, standing very still in the middle of the room to avoid wrinkling her dress.

“
I bet he is,” Trent said, pushing the knot up and laying the collar down.

“
Knock, knock,” Rhonny said from the doorway. Trent turned and stopped what he was doing, not at all prepared for how striking she looked in her new clothes. He usually saw her in jeans, a T-shirt and her long hair tied in a knot on top of her head, now she stood in front of him as a glamorous supermodel ready to take on the runway in the navy blue, deep V-neck sequin evening dress. She looked way too sexy and all his parental instincts kicked in.

“
Rhonny you look beautiful, too!” Em said and jumped up and down.

“
Do I, squirt?” Rhonny asked.

“
Yes
!” Em said.

“
You do look very pretty. I feel like a protective father. Where’s my shotgun?” Trent teased, sort of.

“
Oh, whatever! And you’re looking pretty good there yourself, Dad! You too, little Emmie,” Rhonny said.

“
Yes! Daddy looks pretty, too!” Em said, beaming up at him. She was about the cutest, sweetest thing he’d ever seen, and she couldn’t contain her excitement about the night.

“
Guys, look how handsome Hunter looks,” Sophia said. Hunter walked past Sophia, wearing his suit with the tie knotted perfectly and his hair gelled in place. Hunter barely moved as he walked forward, so not to mess up his hair. Trent grinned. He looked very handsome all made up. They all did and he chuckled because everyone now stood in the middle of his small bedroom staring at one another.

“
Hunter man, you look great! Now does anyone need to go to the bathroom before Gage gets here?” Trent asked.

“
No, Auntie Crazy made us go,” Em said.

“
Well, that’s some good lookin’ out, Sophia,” Trent said, giving her a high five as the doorbell rang.

“
He’s here!” Em shrieked, her little heels clicked on the hardwood floor as she ran to the door.

“
So much for them remembering our talk about being quiet and good tonight,” Sophia laughed as Hunter hightailed it out of the room, still trying to move his head as little as possible as he speed-walked to the door. Rhonny followed Hunter to the living room.

“
You look nice, Trent,” Sophia said as he shrugged on his tux jacket. “I’m glad to see you happy.”

“
Thank you, I am happy. Nervous about it all, but I’m trying to go with it,” Trent said, looking in the mirror one last time.

“
You should, he seems into you,” Sophia said, propping her shoulder against the door frame.

“
Which doesn’t make any sense,” Trent said, adjusting his dress shirt before he picked up his wallet and phone from the dresser.

“
It makes every bit of sense!” Sophia started, but Trent effectively cut her off.

“
Are you sure you don’t want to come? It’s not too late.”

“
No, I have to go back to work. It’s month end. I just wanted to help get everyone ready and take pictures.”

“
Thank you, Sophia. The kid’s look incredible. I wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without your help,” Trent said, and he could hear Gage’s voice in the hallway.

“
Daddy, come on. Gage is here and has a surprise!” Em yelled down the hall.

“
It’s so good to see them excited like this,” Trent said softly as he approached Sophia.

“
Trent, they’re great kids. You’ve done such a wonderful job.” Emotion high in Sophia’s voice, she reached out to hug Trent, kissing him lightly on the lips. Em’s shoes clicked on the hard floor, running his way.

“
Go, Trent,” Sophia whispered, smiling with tears in her eyes.

“
Daddy, come on,” Em said, pulling at his hand.

“
Em, you have to settle down,” he said, taking her hand and letting himself be pulled from the bedroom. The minute he stepped out into the hall, his eyes made contact with Gage. The sight took his breath away. Gage looked stunningly handsome in his tuxedo. His perfect blond hair looked newly trimmed and neatly in place. His face appeared freshly shaven, and the black tux looked made for his body. He was the most striking man Trent had ever seen. A slow smile came to Gage’s lips, transforming him into a man more handsome than he was a moment earlier.

He forced his eyes away from Gage to his family. Em made it back in front of Gage, beaming with excitement. Rhonny stood close by, her hand on Hunter
’s shoulder and Hunter looked up at him, standing so quietly still, his hands in his slacks pockets and a smile on his upturned face. Trent’s eyes darted back up to Gage. Emotion swelled in his heart. This time of year was usually such a hard time to manage for them. They all tried to put on a brave face as Lynn’s death loomed over them. Now, in a few short days, Gage took away all that pain, giving them something fun and hopeful to have in their lives. Trent forced himself forward, willing himself not to let the emotion coursing through him show on his face. Instead, he hoped Lynn was here with them now watching them with as much pride as he felt so deeply in his heart.

“
Good evening, you look stunning, Mr. Cooper,” Gage said, reaching for him, bending in for a sweet soft kiss.

“
Thank you, you look handsome,” Trent replied, his voice cracking a little as he spoke. He turned his eyes away quickly, afraid they were betraying the emotions running through him. “You all look really nice.”

“
Daddy, let’s go! Gage has surprise for us outside.” Em squealed.

“
Yes, indeed I do. Let’s be gone,” Gage said with a smile and took the few steps back to the front door, opening it wide. The kid’s went first out the door, then Rhonny and Trent followed. The kids got to the first step and stopped, before dashing out, forgetting they were dressed up. Rhonny did about the same thing, but Gage pulled Trent back for another soft kiss.

“
You look, gorgeous. I knew you would, but yet again you’ve captivated me, body and soul, handsome,” Gage whispered after the kiss.

“
Daddy, it’s a limo,” Hunter yelled.

Trent could hear Sophia behind him snapping pictures, and the kids were back up the steps, pulling him out into the yard. His eyes registered the long black stretch limo in his driveway. A driver stood outside the far back door, waiting on them, and most of the neighborhood stood outside watching to see what was happening in their little piece of the world.

“Go, Trent, I want to get the kids’ faces,” Sophia said behind him. He looked back and Gage was shutting the front door. A giant smile plastered across his face. The kids raced across the yard, looking at the car from every angle. When Trent made it over to the car, the driver opened the door.

“
Good evening, sir,” he said.

“
Wait, I want pictures. Em, Hunter, come stand with your dad and Rhonny in front of the limo. Gage come get in the picture,” Sophia said, her camera up to her eye, angling the shot. The driver closed the door and stepped out of the picture, smiling indulgently. Gage stepped down from the front porch with a giant grin. He came from the side, moving his way in next to Trent.

“
I want a copy of this photo, Sophia. You guys should see it from the inside,” Gage said, smiling as she snapped the picture.

“
It’s so big, Gage,” Em said, her little facing beaming up at him for the next snap of the picture. “Thank you for letting us ride in your limbo.”

“
It’s a limo, Em,” Hunter corrected her.

“
Limo,” Em repeated, but never took her adoring eyes from Gage.

“
This is my pleasure, Emmie. Now let’s get these pictures done so we can get inside,” Gage said and scooped Em up in his arms. She hooked her arm around his neck for several more rounds of photos, before Trent stopped Sophia. The driver reopened the door. The kids got in first and the oohs and ahhhs were so loud the adults laughed and were joined by the neighbors standing closer now.