Gifted Connections 4

“We’ll help pass it out,” Megan, Beth, and Cora offered.

Jace, Remy, and Jaxson took positions behind Alex and started handing him gifts.

“I’m going to grab a trash can,” Drake offered.

Noah looked up from helping Harry into a seat, and his eyes lit up. He made his way across the room smiling. “Hey man!” Noah came up to us. “How was your trip?”

“Good,” Troy said in a clipped tone.

“How sweet is the helicopter? Show me the pics!” Noah said eagerly.

“I forgot my phone,” Troy shrugged. “I’ll show it to you later, man.”

Noah and I exchanged glances. Hardly any in small family were ever without their phones. Remy because of his business, and Troy for his social media addiction and his company.

“Well…okay,” Noah said slowly. “You sounded really excited out about it.”

“Oh I am, I really am. My phone died, and I was running late.” Troy shrugged nonchalantly.

“Where is it?” I asked.

“Where is what?” Noah asked in confusion.

“The helicopter,” I explained to Noah. “Troy said he doesn’t have it.”

“What?” Noah exclaimed.

As if on cue, my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and looked at the caller ID. Troy’s name was on my display. I stared down at it bewilderment.

“Who’s that, lovebug?” Troy asked.

Suddenly my stomach felt like it was in knots. Lovebug? Troy never used that endearment, and who was using his phone?

“It’s Anna,” I lied with a feigned smile. “Noah can you write down the gifts and who got them for Alex?”

“Sure, but you’ve seen me write,” Noah joked.

I smiled at him. “I’m sure you can handle it for a few minutes. Just make it legible.”

I answered the phone, walking out of the banquet room. “Hello?”

“Blake!” Troy's voice yelled in my ear.

“Troy?” I asked in confusion. I looked through the clear glass of the banquet room at Troy. “Where are you?”

“That’s why I’m calling,” he said frantically. “I just woke up in an abandoned building. I had to fight five men to get out of there. I’m really sorry I’m running late, but I’ll be on base in about twenty minutes and at the party in an hour.”

“Troy?” I asked hesitantly.

“What?” he asked. He still sounded frazzled.

“When and where was the first time you told me you loved me?” I asked him as I watched the man in the banquet room standing awkwardly.

He cleared his throat. “I never have,” he said quietly. “You know…I mean…”

The other Troy turned and looked at me.

“It’s okay Troy,” I said with a sigh. I feigned a smile and waved at him before I turned around and looked at the chaos in the arcade area. Amusapalooza was getting packed. “Come home safe okay?”