Page 5 of Primary Seduction
“Let’s hope so,” replied Tom, looking away with a furrowed brow, then his face lit up. “Excuse me,” he said as he made his way towards Ginny, Tom’s girlfriend, who was cradling their baby to her breast as she sat talking to the people around her. As Tom approached, Max saw Ginny gaze up and smile at him, their love an almost tangible thing.
Max headed back to Trent. “Let’s go, hotshot,” he said, slapping his back. He turned towards the entrance and walked into the cool night air, instantly feeling some of the buzz recede. He hadn’t drunk a lot but enough to feel his slowed thought process. Being outside woke him up a bit, which he was sure he would need for the following conversation.
Trent stumbled out the door behind him, catching himself before he fell flat on his face but cursing like a sailor.
“You okay there?” Max tried to hide his smile. “Need any assistance?”
“No, I bloody well do not,” replied Trent snarkily. Max began walking slowly, allowing Trent time to catch up. He just picked a direction; he had no idea where he was going but was just happy to move his body after being sat for so long.
“How’s the job going?” Max asked after the silence became uncomfortable.
Trent cleared his throat. “Um…yeah, okay. The kids are ready for the break. So am I, if I’m honest!” he said.
“Oh, are you on break now?”
“Not quite. Tomorrow is the last day, then we have a week off.” Trent looked up into the sky and blew out a breath.
Max frowned. “Everything okay?” he asked quietly.
Trent glanced over at him, then to the ground. “Yeah, I just wish…”
Max kept quiet, waiting for Trent to finish. When it was clear he wasn’t going to, Max asked, “What do you wish?”
“I wish I could see my kids more. They’re older now and don’t want much to do with me, especially since the divorce. I’d like to see them this week, but they’re probably busy.” He trailed off, looking uncomfortable.
“Why don’t you call them and ask? The worst they could say is no.” Max glanced around when Trent initiated crossing the road. He had no idea where they were going, but Trent obviously did.
Trent didn’t say anything for a few minutes, they just kept drifting down the street.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to hear no,” Trent whispered.
Max barely heard him and realised that was the whole point. He could pretend he didn’t hear, or he could answer. Max decided to answer. No point hiding from fears, it sometimes made them worse.
“They may surprise you and say yes.Don’t let fear stop you from doing what you want. Nothing would ever get done if people stopped when they were scared. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t faced my fears.” Max frowned when he realised what he’d revealed. Trent glanced over at him, but Max tried to deflect potential questions. “Just ask them.”
Trent made a non-committal noise, then stopped walking. Max looked around him, trying to figure out exactly where they were. He didn’t see anything he recognised.
“Where are we?” he asked Trent.
Trent looked up at an apartment building and frowned as if he wasn’t sure how he got where he was. “My place.”
Max raised his eyebrows. He’d not known Trent long in the grand scheme of things, and this was the first time he had ever been to Trent’s place. “Oh, okay. Nice.” It was a small building compared to some around this area, but Max could see the security features: CCTV cameras were visible, and a security guard posted in the foyer.
“Thanks,” Trent said slowly, still staring at the building, brows furrowed.
“Well, I best leave you to it then. Have a nice evening, Trent.” Max held out his hand for Trent to shake. Trent looked at his hand and reached out to shake it, not immediately letting go. Max felt the familiar tingles running along his skin as it did every time he had touched Trent in the past.
Max admitted, at least to himself, that he was fiercely attracted to Trent. He knew Trent was straight, even though he’d seen Trent’s reaction at the sight of Asher and Sean kissing earlier, but it didn’t stop him from having a crush on him.
He realised they were still holding hands and moved to pull away, hesitating when Trent tightened his grip for a second.
“Do you want to come up?” The words were again whispered as if Trent wasn’t sure about asking.
Max was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, even if it did mean he just made his own life more miserable later when he reminded himself Trent was off limits. “Yeah, sure. I’d love to see the place.”
Trent hesitated, and Max had noticed he bit his bottom lip when he was thinking or unsure. Max took the decision out of his hands—even though he should probably have given Trent a way to back out—and headed for the front entrance. He felt Trent following him, and then they were inside.
“Good evening, Mr Walker,” the security guard called as they passed.
