“You didn’t have to do all this—” Trent chuckled at the look on Gage’s face when he started the sentence. He changed it up in mid-thought and re-stated it. “Thank you, we’re very grateful. Everyone looks really nice.”
“I like that response so much better,” Gage said, leaning in a little closer and sniffing. “I like your scent. I need to know what you wear. Are you nervous?” Gage asked, staying close to Trent’s face. Gage’s eyes seemed to focus on his lips, waiting for him to answer.
“A little,” Trent said.
“Don’t be, you’ll be fine, I promise.” They made great time to the gallery, staying somewhat on schedule even in the traffic surrounding the building. When they were about five minutes from the front door, Gage pulled them all together.
“Listen, guys, here’s what we do when we get out of the limo. Hopkins, my head of security, will be standing right by the car door. Rhonny you step out first, Hopkins will be there to help you. Take his hand and stand up, but stay close to the car. Hunter, you go next and then Hunter you stand by the car door and take Em’s hand, helping her out, okay?” Gage explained, and Trent chuckled at the three sets of big eyes just staring at him, soaking it all in.
“The area’s roped off, but we have so many big names coming, they’ve already sent messages to me that the press cameras are lining up. I want you to walk straight up to the front doors. I want you to look up, with smiles on your faces. Just look and focus on the front doors. The flashes won’t blind you so badly. My security will stay with you the entire way, even inside until your dad and I get there. Trent, I want you to walk up with me. I’ll get out first and then help you out. Got it, everyone?” Gage asked, nodding his head, smiling, clearly trying to encourage them on, and they all sat there staring back at him, not one of them smiling or saying a word.
“Got it?” Gage asked again, lifting his brow this time, but the silence continued.
“Do I need to go over it again?” Gage asked as they waited for their turn in a long line of limos in the front of the gallery.
“Maybe I should go with them,” Trent added, looking at the kids. They seemed to be getting smaller by the second.
“I would like you to walk with me, Trent. I want the world to know I found you,” Gage said, gripping Trent’s hand a little tighter. Gage’s last words seemed to bring Rhonny out of her haze.
“I can get the kids up there. We’ll wait inside for you,” she said, and he watched Rhonny trying to regain her confidence.
“We can do this, right, guys?” she said, lifting her hand for a high five, but it took a second for each child to lift a hand for a half-hearted high five. His Hunter and Em were nervous and it showed on their faces. A few seconds later, they pulled to the front of the building, and they were all quietly staring out the darkened windows. Gage was right, the cameras were lined up, the night already dark, and the excitement filled the air with everyone outside wondering who might be in this limo. The side door opened, and after a brief pause, everything clicked into gear.
“Rhonny, you first. Hopkins is security. He’ll stand there with you, then walk you all up,” Gage said as a hand came down into the car. “That’s him. Now remember to smile for me, and keep your head up.” Rhonny did as instructed and Gage smiled proudly back at Hunter.
“Hunter, man, you next, then Em. Remember to smile. Let me see your smiles.” Gage waited for them to smile before continuing. “Now keep them just like this until you get inside,” Gage instructed. Hunter climbed out of the car, and then helped Em do the same. Trent leaned his head over and watched them walk into the building. Em almost pranced as she walked up the carpeted runway, and he couldn’t help but smile even with all the nerves running through him.
“Em’s a natural,” Gage said, watching them closely, too. “Okay, Trent baby, I’m getting out. I’ll stand and button my jacket, then put my hand in for you. I know you can get out on your own; it’s more of a symbolic gesture. I’ll keep and hold your hand the entire time while walking slightly ahead of you. We don’t stop. We keep walking forward. Hold your head up, smile and stay with me no matter where I go, okay? These cameras aren’t here for me, but for the celebrities coming tonight. This is just the first time I’ve ever brought anyone to anything; someone may be interested. Good?” Gage didn’t wait for him to answer, but kissed his lips quickly and got out of the car. Trent followed as instructed and prayed the heated blush he felt wasn’t visible on his cheeks quite yet.
Gage reached a hand into the limo. Trent took it and stood, but couldn’t help but look down. The flashing blinded him. Trent fumbled at buttoning his jacket, but got it done, and Gage stood in front of him blocking everything for a moment. He whispered a quick word of encouragement, but Trent couldn’t hear over the questions being hurled at Gage from the photographers and reporters mobbing the runway to the door.
“Is this your boyfriend, Mr. Synclair? Is this why you’re retiring? Were those your children?”
They were still by the limo. Gage leaned in closer and whispered loudly in Trent’s ear, “Let’s go, handsome. Take my hand, look at the front doors, and smile your charming smile. You know the one you give when you forget you’re keeping yourself at a distance from me.”
It caused Trent to look up and meet Gage’s gaze. “There we go, now smile… Yes, perfect. Let’s go,” Gage said. He took Trent’s hand, leading the way to the gallery. Gage looked at the crowd and waved, but Trent didn’t, he walked forward, a step or two behind Gage, keeping their hands together. His face focused on the front doors, and Em and Hunter’s little heads were stuck in the window, watching him walk up. When he saw them, they waved, and he couldn’t help but smile bigger as he made his way through the reporters and photographers. His children were so excited watching them walk up.