Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“Yes, absolutely, and Emalynn dared to pick the wrong cubby. Good thing Hunter’s an expert cubby picker,” Gage said, taking the offered soda as Trent moved the tray from the table.
“Yeah, Hunter tries hard to make sure he takes care of Em, no matter how loudly she rejects his help,” he said, chuckling while opening his straw. So far, the first five minutes seemed to be going fine. Trent found enough to occupy Gage in conversation while opening the kid’s food. He was also able to keep his eyes averted, focused on other things, without making it look obvious. High five to him for the first five minutes!
“Taking care of his sister is the sign of a true gentleman in the making,” Gage said. Trent couldn’t help but laugh straight out loud at that one.
“Yeah, except he can’t stand to let her win at anything she does,” Trent said, finally sitting down, taking a seat across from Gage.
“Well, I think that just makes him a man,” Gage said, turning fully to Trent at the table. The full force of his gaze had Trent fumbling a little with the simple task of opening the kids’ food.
“You’re probably right,” Trent said, turning away toward the tubes, scanning the playground, listening and looking for both heads darting around. Silence ensued between them, but it wasn’t bad and he still avoided purposeful eye contact. He thought over the list of questions he’d come up with on the way over, trying to decide where best to start.
“Listen, Trent, I only barged in on your family time tonight to apologize,” Gage said. Hunter chose that moment to barrel up to the table.
“Daddy, where’s my drink?”
“Right here, Hunt… Hey, man, slow down, some.” Hunter gulped half his apple juice before turning to leave. Hunter stopped though and pivoted back around as quickly as he’d come.
“I have a new friend,” Hunter said, his little chest heaving.
“That’s good, buddy. Go play,” Trent said. It’s all it took to have Hunter dashing off, back into the playground.
“I’m sorry, what were you saying?” Trent asked, keeping his eyes on Hunter until he disappeared into one of the giant tubes.
“I was just apologizing,” Gage said, but not saying anything more.
“What could you possibly have to apologize for?” Trent asked, glancing over to Gage. His confusion caused him to lose focus, throw him off his game, and he didn’t guard his expression or the location of his gaze. He looked Gage straight in the eyes and… it wasn’t terrible.
“The other day, when I met you… We got off on the wrong foot. I misread some… things. I shouldn’t have hit on you like I did. I’m not sure what I was thinking. I guess I wasn’t thinking,” Gage said and took a drink of his soda. A grin formed as Gage kept his stare trained on Trent’s. Trent felt his cheeks heat in a small blush. After a minute, he looked around to see who might by close by or may have overheard, but they were alone on this side of the playground.
“Really, it’s fine, I was flattered. I just gave up the lifestyle when I got the kids. Plus, I never mix my personal life with business, not in my industry. Construction’s too packed with homophobes. I don’t hide, I’m happy with who I am, I just don’t flaunt it. I try to keep all the different parts of my life separated. I tried hard to not bring the kids tonight to work with me, but I couldn’t find anyone to watch them. I really try to keep everything separate from each other,” Trent said. He rambled a little as he spoke, but hoped enough pieces were there to cover it all.
“So you are gay?” Gage asked. He looked confused, and again Trent looked around making sure they weren’t in hearing range.
“Yeah, I am,” he said, but Gage still looked confused.
“What lifestyle did you give up?” Gage asked.
“The quickie… that meaningless moment. When my sister left me Em and Hunter, I decided I needed to be the best role model I could be. I’m gay. Totally gay, but I can still be responsible and morally sound, if that makes any sense. Back then, I thought I would turn it to relationships. You know, find someone to share all this with. I was so happy and still am, but I was naïve. I thought I could find someone who would want a monogamous relationship, someone to date… Yeah, I laugh about it now. Women are totally into the kids, but guys can’t hang so well. I get it. This is a whole lot to handle,” Trent said.
“Daddy, where’s my drink?” Em came to the end of the table, interrupting their conversation.
“Right here,” he said, handing her the ready juice box, and she drank it down quickly.
“When do we get ice cream?” she asked, placing the empty juice box on the table.
“After you eat, which needs to be soon,” he said.
“Three more minutes?” she asked, with no concept of time. Three minutes could be three hours if he wasn’t careful.
“Okay, three more minutes, and tell Hunter, too” Trent said, grinning down at her upturned, smiling face. She didn’t wait, but took off running back to the play tubes.
“See? It never stops with them. It’s a lot, I get it,” Trent said, turning back to Gage. Amazed again, he sat there easily holding the guy’s gaze without going into panic mode. Yay, him! It was a small, but thorough, accomplishment after the last few days of hell.
“Just a minute, I have so many questions. Are you saying you only date?” Gage asked, his brow narrowed like he tried to figure out some complicated math equation.
“Yes, I guess so. I don’t do the random moments at all anymore,” Trent said.
“Then go out with me,” Gage said. It wasn’t really a question, more an answer given to him and it effectively silenced Trent who only stared back at Gage. After a minute, Gage gave his charming grin and added, “I must say, I would have liked a solid yes, but silence is better than a no.”