Page 27 of Stay A Little Longer
Lance moved back to the grill before he gave into the urge to tug Trent back for another kiss and another, “How do you like your steak?”
“Medium rare but I think you’re verging on well-done at this point so don’t worry about it.”
“Smartass.” Lance returned the endearment as he flipped the steaks, “You want a beer?”
“God yes. Please tell me as a true Texan that you have Shiner.”
“Of course. It’s in the fridge. Grab me one while you’re in there.” He motioned to his trailer and watched as Trent disappeared inside.
Was it strange how easily he accepted Trent into his space? He was so careful about the people he invited into his home. Careful because there were things nosy neighbors, relatives and coworkers would find if they went digging.
But there was no reason so be careful with Trent because he already knew Lance’s secret. Knew and hadn’t judged him. Hadn’t pushed him away. Was here, with him, having dinner with him, bringing him a beer and kissing him in the twilight.
“Mmm. Thanks.” He muttered when Trent slid an arm around him from behind, offering the beer and dragging his lips over Lance’s neck as he did so.
“Thank you for the beer.” Trent pulled away after another light kiss, “I can’t remember the last time I had Shiner. Damn, I missed good beer.”
Lance raised an eyebrow, “You can’t get Shiner in Nashville?”
“I can’t be seen drinking beer that doesn’t come from my sponsors.” Trent rolled his eyes, “Looks bad when I won’t drink their shitty water beer but I’ll deposit their checks into my bank account, ya know?”
He hummed his agreement even though the very idea of being paid to drink a particular brand of beer was ridiculous to him. That was Trent’s life though. Even the underwear he wore was brand name. Lance knew because he’d seen the billboards just as clearly as he’d seen the briefs Trent was wearing last night. They were the same ones he’d had his hand in and…
He had to change his line of thinking so he cleared his throat, “What’d you guys do today?”
“Had a Trent Thorne Gay Pride Parade.” He raised his eyebrows and Trent laughed, “You think I’m joking but I’m not. Lemon paraded me through town like some kind of sideshow. We had breakfast at the diner where she proceeded to tell anyone that would listen about my sob story then we walked all over town so she could introduce me to people in every shop and store. We had lunch at the exact same diner and then spent the afternoon doing pretty much the same thing.”
Lance fought a shiver. That sounded absolutely godawful. Being marched through town and forced to talk to strangers about his life and his sexuality? That sounded like his version of hell.
“It wasn’t so bad.” Trent must have seen his face because he shrugged, “I’m used to the stares and the people taking liberties. It was a little weird when people asked me if the rumors were true and I actually got to say yes, but they were all pretty nice about it.”
“To your face.”
Trent winced, “Yeah, well, it’s more than I got from some people.”
Lance plated the steaks and flipped the grill off, contemplating what to say to that. He had so many questions he didn’t know where to start. Or if he was even allowed to ask. This thing between them, getting to know each other, it didn’t necessarily come with a free pass to dig into Trent’s personal life.
“Why’re you frowning?”
He rubbed his jaw sheepishly, “Just wondering if you’re sick of people nosing into your personal life.”
“Lance.” Trent tugged the two chairs at his small patio table closer together and patted one, “Come sit down and have dinner with me and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
“I don’t want to push.”
“You’re not pushing. I invited you in. My only rule is that turnabout is fair play. You ask, you better be willing to answer.”
Lance met his serious blue gaze. How was this not a dream? He had Trent Thorne sitting on his patio, ready to share dinner with him and offering him an all-expenses paid trip into his head. And here Lance was, foolishly hoping that it might mean Trent’s heart was just as involved as his, in whatever this was.
“Deal.”
Trent grinned at him, “Then fire away, Deputy. I’m ready and willing to be interrogated if you are.”
