Painted On My Heart

“We need you to move,” a security guard instructed, motioning him forward.

Kellus nodded and dropped the vehicle into drive. He’d send Gage a text that he’d be back in a couple of hours for their meeting. He couldn’t do it now, not when his Dockers would betray his instantaneous reaction to Arik Layne.

~?~

Kellus glanced to the high ceiling, studying the vastness and flow of the space. Slowly, he turned in a full circle as he looked around the entire studio. After a second of staring in total astonishment, he looked back over his shoulder at Gage. “This place is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it around here.”

“I think that’s the idea. It’s one of the reasons my cousin chooses these outlying areas to build. Off the record, my dad and uncle thought he was nuts. They wouldn’t invest much, but he showed them,” Gage said, his grin growing big as he mimicked Kellus’s initial reaction to the space, and turned around the room as if trying to see the place through Kellus’s eyes.

“It’s really an honor to be here. I’m not sure I’ll do this place justice.”

Gage barked out a laugh at his very honest comment. “You upped my game in that design arena. I envisioned excellence. And with you, I never worry about what I’m gonna get. If you’d travel, I’d have you at every studio I open.” Gage turned to face Kellus and looked him straight in the eyes as he said, “You really need to travel.”

“I know. Maybe someday,” Kellus replied, leaving Gage standing there as he stepped behind a portable wall. He didn’t want to have that conversation with Gage. As much as he liked Gage and as much as he trusted him with just about everything, he feared his mentor would be like everyone else in his life. He wouldn’t understand the decisions he’d made or the reasons behind them. Ultimately, it would cause Gage to turn away from him, and he couldn’t have that. Gage had singlehandedly built Kellus’s base of core customers. At this point in his life, he wouldn’t jeopardize that for any reason.

“We can move these?” he asked, trying to change the subject. Clearly, the wheels on the bottom of each wall proved they were movable.

“Sure. You’re bringing a little bit of everything you do, show your full range, correct?” Gage asked, walking slower as he came around the wall to where Kellus now stood.

“Yeah. I thought I would. I’ve dabbled in some larger sculptures. I listed those with Sara,” Kellus added, more comfortable with this topic. There was a silence as Kellus walked through the entire studio, looking at everything, with Gage trailing behind.

“I’m leaving for a few days, but Sara’s got everything ready for you. I’ll be back for opening night. I’ve extended my gig with Wilder.” Gage supplied that great news as if it were an afterthought.

“Congratulations. It’s what you wanted.” Kellus turned his way, discomfort of a moment ago pushed aside in excitement for his friend. Gage had worked so hard and was so good at finding and telling a story from a very unique point of view. He deserved some place that would let him shine and Wilder sure seemed like a good fit. Kellus extended a hand as he stepped closer to Gage.

“I originally wanted to anchor for a national network, but I like this more. I’m just enough of a rebel that I’d like to keep my indie status in check. So it’ll be special reports, interviews, and some lengthier segments at my discretion. I’ll be featured on Secret as well as Wilder’s homepage. I also get to office here in Dallas. We’ll build a make-shift studio in the Secret corporate offices so I’ll be home with the kids and Trent—I like that the most.”

Kellus beamed at the news. “That’s great. I watched your segments on Wilder and I love how hands-on it felt. You made me laugh when you pulled out your camera to take candid pictures of the Queen during the interview. Everyone you’ve interviewed seems like a good sport about that.” Kellus crossed his arms over his chest. “I like Secret. I did some work for them, and I’m scheduled to do some work for Wilder,” Kellus added.

They absently walked and talked until they had circled back to the front of the studio. The paper covering the glass separating the gallery from the main part of the resort had been removed, and even at this late hour, workers filled the busy lobby, hustling to get things in place for the opening. He watched Gage lift a hand to his husband. Trent was in full work mode. He’d donned his tool belt and stood with a group of men, going over a set of plans sprawled across the front desk. The conversation looked intense. Wilder’s technicians were there too; he knew that only because of the logo on their shirts. He wasn’t certain about the others—maybe the general manager stood between Arik Layne and Trent. Even as busy as they were, Trent still seemed to know Gage was a few feet away and gave a nod.