The Current Between Us (44 page)

Gage gave a nod and took a seat at the desk where a landline phone sat. He waited for the door to close with a solid click, offering him the moment of privacy he so desperately needed. The full weight of the moment settled in on Gage, and he took a deep breath, exhaling all the stress of the last few days out in a deep huff. It was over, well, almost over. He dreaded the idea of being at Washington
’s disposal for any reason. He knew this next twenty-four hours would suck no matter how he spun it. Regardless, Gage had pulled it off, and who would have thought he could? Wasn’t that just a complete freaking surprise?

He grinned on a sigh of relief as he palmed his cell to get Trent
’s phone number. He’d gotten a commitment from Abdulla and the United States government…
Wow
! And the case he’d spent the last six years working came to an end. Not with the bang he’d expected, but a small fizzle and for some reason he felt better about this case than any he’d worked before. Gage picked up the phone and dialed Trent’s number.

“
Coop Electric,” Trent said.

“
Baby,” Gage paused. His voice sounded tired and drained even to him, and he was met with silence. What was with all the silence today? Trent didn’t say anything and Gage looked down at the pad on the phone to see if the call was still connected. He tried again. “It’s done.”

“
What does that mean?” Trent asked cautiously.

“
It means he’s in custody, and I’ve got an agreement with the government, as well as Abdulla, to remove you and the children from this,” Gage said and waited for Trent’s reaction.

“
What?” Trent asked. Gage smiled at the disbelief he heard on the other end. He hadn’t told Trent his plan because he didn’t want to give him false hope, and seriously, who would have ever thought he could have pulled this off?

“
It’s been a long few hours. I’ve waited to call you until I had it confirmed from both sides. The president even verified it. I heard him say it myself.”

“
So the kids won’t be brought into this?” Trent asked.

“
No,” Gage said. “We’ll watch it, but they’ve given me their word.”

“
For sure?” Trent asked.

“
Yes.”

“
Gage…” The relief in Trent voice caused Gage to smile and loosen his tight grip on the phone.

“
I know,” Gage said.

“
Thank you.”

“
You’re welcome, Trent,” Gage said quietly back.

“
I didn’t even realize this was an option on the table. Gage… did you get your story?” Trent asked.

“
No, I gave it up to get the agreement,” Gage said. Trent was silent. “It’s really okay, baby. You’re more important than anything to me. I want forever with you, and I can’t have forever while jeopardizing everything you hold dear.”

“
I’m sorry… Are you okay?” Trent asked.

“
No apologies, Trent. This was all my idea. I’m good, actually relieved. Wait a minute, you weren’t saying I’m sorry because you don’t feel the same way anymore?” Gage asked. His hands started to shake as he waited for Trent’s answer.

“
No, not at all,” Trent said. Gage could hear the smile in his voice.

“
Good!” And he looked up to the heavens and mouthed a quick thank you.

“
When will you be home?” Trent asked.

“
Not for a while. I agreed to fly to Washington DC. I’m theirs for at least the next twenty-four hours, and then I’ll be back.”

“
I’m in serious shock here, Gage. You spoke to him?” Trent asked.

“
Yes, I did. It was hard; he’s gone religious or something. He’s taken a vow of silence, but he did speak about the kids and about you too, nothing else. It was about three or four sentences. The main points are you have nothing to fear from him and you’re raising the children as they should be raised. You’re a good man, per him.”

“
Really?” Trent asked.

“
Yes, that and he knew you were working at the gallery,” Gage added.

“
So he has been watching like Lynn thought?”

“
Yeah, looks like it.”

“
Thank you, Gage. I’m sorry you gave up your story, but thank you for keeping Emalynn and Hunter safe,” Trent said, his voice sincere and quiet. Gage could hear the relief with each word spoken.

“
No thanks necessary, Trent. I’m glad it worked out. I didn’t have a backup plan.”

“
I’m still so shocked. I thought the kids and I would be on the run. I was afraid the adoption would be overturned or the kids would be a target for retaliation… Gage, I really thought we would be on the run…” Trent let it all tumble out, and Gage smiled, knowing his words were finally sinking in.

“
On the run with me! We’re a team, Trent. I have to go, though. When I get back, we need to talk. If it’s okay, I’ll come by there first,” Gage said.

“
Please do. And it’s safe for the kids to be at school now? We can go on with our lives? I can start looking for new business, now?” Trent fired off the questions, back to back, not giving Gage time to answer any of them.

“
Yeah, I forgot about that. Sophia mentioned it last night, and I meant to ask you. Trent, you promised to tell me if anything happened as a result of coming with me to the opening. I’ll transfer money into your account when I get cell signal again, and I’ll call vendor relations at Layne and get you set up by the end of the day. They’ll get you working tomorrow. You don’t need to worry about any of it. That should be the least of your worries right now,” Gage said, pulling the calendar of his phone up to schedule a reminder to do all those things. His brain was fried, his adrenaline high ebbing. He didn’t want to forget because he knew Trent would never remind him.

“
Gage, I’ll figure it out myself. You gave us back our safety; it’s more than enough. You don’t even know my bank information,” Trent said, but Gage stopped him by spouting off the name of his bank and his account number.

“
What else do you want to know about you? I told you I pulled your complete background information. Babe, I don’t want to argue right now. I love you, just let me have this one without a fight. Layne will have enough work for you to run five crews, I promise. It’s gonna be fine and you deserve it. You do outstanding work.”

“
Thank you,” Trent simply said.

“
I love you, Trent. Stop saying thank you,” Gage said, not wanting the gratitude, just the love.

“
I love you, Gage.”

Chapter 24

The grill sizzled with burgers and hot dogs adding to the celebration going on in Trent’s backyard. Gage was due home at some point today. They wanted to surprise him with a small party in the backyard. Gage stayed in Washington DC a day longer than expected, tying up the loose ends of the case and being at their disposal for any questions. As of now, the only words Abdulla uttered were those he’d said to Gage, but true to their word, the case the government built kept him and the kids completely out of it. Gage truly saved his family.

Sophia lay on the deck, tanning her winter white body. Gage
’s mom cooked inside, putting together some sort of dip she’d brought which was supposed to be Gage’s favorite. Rhonny laid in about the same position as Sophia, but floating on a blowup raft in the freshly filled swimming pool. Gary and his father were in the water with Trent’s kids who splashed and played in their inner tubes and arm floaties. Gage’s parents brought a couple of the grandchildren along to play with Em and Hunter and they were all splashing around in the pool. The radio played in the background on the local pop-rock station, not that anyone could hear it over all the squealing coming from Em and Mirabella every time they got splashed. The meat was done, but no one seemed quite ready to eat yet, hoping Gage would get there soon.

Trent checked the cooler he kept outside, the ice held up even in the summer sun, keeping the drinks, the potato salad, and mayo all cool inside. The table looked ready; disposable plates, napkins, bags of chips all ready to open. Everything looked perfect. They were waiting to see if Gage could make it home before too much longer. He loved the thought Gage
might make this a home. They hadn’t discussed it, but it felt natural for Gage to be considered part of the family here.

Trent grabbed his shirt from the hem, lifting it up and over his head, tossing it aside. He kicked his sandals off to land in the same general direction as the shirt, leaving him in his long brightly-colored swim trunks. A glance down at his chest revealed he was pretty winter white himself, and he chuckled. He had decided to relieve Gary of the kids, maybe dump Rhonny into the pool when he got the chance, but before his decision moved toward action, a car pulled to the back of the driveway, straight past the fence he
’d left open. Gage’s driver came into view through the windshield. Gage was home.

The moment the car stopped, Gage stepped out from the backseat, and the kids went nuts cheering for him. Trent changed direction, swiveling on his heels, and a smile spread across his face as he walked over to Gage. Trent didn
’t think Gage could look any sexier than he did wearing his khaki work shorts and an old T-shirt, duffle slung over his shoulder. He shut the car door without a backward glance, and the driver began to back down the drive. Gage called out and waved to the children, before walking to meet Trent.

“
I told him I was staying, I hope it’s okay,” Gage said loudly, still several steps from Trent.

Trent could hear Sophia and Rhonny corralling the kids, keeping them from darting forward. He appreciated the minute they gave him. Gage looked tired, his eyes red, and his usually perfect blond hair needed a good brushing, but he was still the most handsome man on the planet. Trent walked straight to him, gathering Gage in his arms, and kissed him with everything inside him. Every bit of love, compassion, and appreciation pouring from his heart into the kiss. Gage seemed surprised at first and it took him a minute to catch-up, but he dropped his duffle bag and slid his hand up to Trent
’s face, turning him to deepen the kiss. It took a minute to register the cheers and laughter going on behind him. He finally broke from the kiss, slowly opening his eyes to meet those of the man in his arms, but Gage’s eyes were still closed.

“
I was worried it still wouldn’t have been enough to keep you with me. I can see I might be wrong. Tell me I’m wrong,” Gage said and finally opened his eyes. Trent smiled watching all the emotion playing out on Gage’s face.

“
You’re here for as long as you want to be,” Trent said and kissed Gage softy on the lips, letting it linger until Gage pulled away.

“
I want forever,” Gage said, watching Trent closely. The uncertainty was back, but it was just like Gage to run head first in and ask questions later.

“
Then it will be forever,” Trent simply said, no doubt or hesitation in the words because he meant them.

“
Good, it’s exactly what I want.” Gage wrapped Trent tighter to him.

“
Thank you, for saving our lives,” Trent said, keeping Gage in the circle of his arms. They stood toe to toe, chest to chest. The personal space Gage always breached now seemed right to have him there. Trent wanted him this close forever.

“
Thank you, for saving my life.” Gage said. Hunter bounced at their feet which meant Em was close behind. Trent bent down, scooping up Hunter in his arms. Gage ruffled Hunter’s wet head and scooped Em up in his arms. She wrapped her arm around Gage’s neck and kissed his cheek.

“
What’s that for?” Gage asked.

“
Daddy said you helped us real much. Thank you,” Em said and gave a big nod.

“
Thank you,” Hunter said too, sliding his free arm around Gage and they stood there a minute in a small group hug.” I think this is about the best moment of my life,” Gage said, the emotion of the moment landed in Trent’s heart, and he leaned in, capturing Gage’s lips in a slow, chaste kiss, before he turned and kissed Hunter’s forehead and met Em with her lips puckered up for a big wet kiss.

“
I love you, guys,” Gage said, looking back and forth between Em and Hunter.

“
We love you,” Em said, looking at Hunter, who nodded, smiling at Gage.

“
You two are wet and you got Gage all wet. Go get ready to eat. The hamburgers are ready.” They both placed the kids on the ground. Trent leaned down and grabbed Gage’s duffle, slinging it over his shoulder and wrapped an arm around Gage as he turned back to the waiting crowd for the first time. Sophia, Rhonny, Gary, and Gage’s parents had given them a few minutes, staying on the porch, but they appeared ready to greet Gage home and start the party. Gage and Trent walked forward, arm in arm.

“
Gary spending lots of time here?” Gage whispered.