The Space Between

by Victoria H. Smith

  After sending off the message to Drake, I lay back and finally took that long needed rest.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Drake

  After squirting a bit of product into my palm, I ran it through my hair with my fingers. My mom’s porcelain face came into view via the bathroom mirror as I moved on to crisping the collar of the gray shirt that paired with my black suit.

  I dropped my arms as she put her hands on my shoulders to smooth out the material.

  “You look very handsome, Truman,” she said, smiling bright.

  “Ah, Mom.” I adjusted my black tie. “You’re going to make a guy blush.”

  Taking her hands away from my arms, she placed them at her waist and stood beside me. “Well, I can’t help it. You look very nice, and I couldn’t be happier that you’re going out with Ashley Jameson tonight. She’s a very nice girl, and you two will have a great time.”

  I bet she was happy. She wouldn’t be if she knew what my actual plan was. I was still glad she was pleased, though. Even if her happiness was because of a lie.

  “And to invite Lacey and Cooper to come,” she said, shaking her head with her wide smile, “I just couldn’t be more pleased with you. You’ve become so thoughtful and mature all of the sudden.”

  “Well,” I turned around, “I figured I should leave here right since I’m heading off to campus soon.”

  She grabbed and rubbed my shoulders. “That makes me happy to hear.” She dropped her hands. “You have fun, and I don’t feel you need a curfew tonight. Stay out as long as you want.”

  That was a guilt knife if I’d ever felt one. “Are you sure, Mom?”

  What was I saying? I really did feel guilty.

  “I’m sure. I want you to have fun. You’ve budged a little with your attitude change, so I will. You better head out. Don’t want to be late now.”

  *

  Driving through the steel gates and up the cobblestone driveway, I made it in front of Ashley’s house. The two-story country home was much larger than ours, and the landscaping expanded for what seemed like miles out front. These were the type of people I was supposed to associate with, the kind of people with fancy houses and well-trimmed hedges. The girl I’d be ending the evening with tonight didn’t have any of those things, yet she intrigued me more than these people ever did.

  Smiling at the thought of her, I approached Ashley’s door. The expression left the minute the door of the country manor opened. Ashley’s set of overly-plumped, ruby red lips smacked when she witnessed her escort for the evening.

  I fought myself from shuddering.

  “Drake! You look amazing.” She grabbed me in a hug, nearly crushing the single rose I brought.

  Thank God I wasn’t sore anymore. This girl hugged like a straight up dude with that death grip of hers.

  Wiggling, I unfastened myself from her grasp. “Thanks, Ashley, and you

  look . . .” I sought out a platonic word as I stared at her short, velvet dress and opera gloves. “. . . nice.” I presented her the crushed flower.

  She beamed like I showered her with the highest compliment as she took the rose. “Thanks. That’s so sweet of you. Do you want to meet Mommy and Daddy? I can go get them before we leave.”

  Oh, God no. A meet with the ‘rents was the first step to the altar. I quickly found an excuse. “I would, but we’re already running late, and then there’s the obvious issue

  of. . . .” I pointed to my face.

  The mild bruises and few scabs I had weren’t horrific looking, but they were there. I figured using my injuries as an excuse would deter her.

  “Oh.” She looked worried. “I see what you mean.”

  I let a small sigh of relief escape from my lips.

  After closing the door behind her, Ashley walked with me to the Jag. She made sure to loop her arm around mine like I was escorting her to prom.

  Rolling my eyes, I opened the door for her.

  “Such a gentlemen.” She grinned, sliding into the seat.

  God this act was going to be hard. Once I saw Lacey the situation would be more tolerable, though.

  We headed downtown to the theater. This one was much larger than the one Lacey worked at, and it also had valet service. Taking advantage of the fact, I pulled the car up to the front. The valet opened the door for Ashley, and I came around and escorted her up the grand steps inside.

  In the center of the golden foyer, Cooper stood under the crystal chandelier wearing a cream-colored suit and matching leather shoes. He might have been the best-dressed guy in the place if it weren’t for myself. The other show attendees hustling and bustling around him, he gazed about the room.

  He was also very much without Lacey.

  My jaw clenched. Did he have Lacey meet him here? Forgetting about Ashley, I charged toward him. “Where’s Lacey?”

  He flinched in surprise, but then smiled. “Oh, hi, Drake.” He looked around me. “Ashley.”

  She pulled up alongside me. “Hey, Cooper.”

  Ignoring the salutations, I asked again. “Cooper? Lacey?”

  He refocused on me and my impatience. “Lacey went to check her wrap.”

  Clenching my teeth, I kept myself from being a smartass and stating that he probably should have gone with her. When she walked down the stairs, I no longer cared about missing my chance at the insult.

  Wearing a short black dress that dipped and exposed enough of her perfect cleavage to send a spike into my pulse, Lacey joined our small group. Her black dress was lined with lace and outdid the elegance of every female present.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off her even if I wanted to.

  Her chocolate eyes lit up when she saw me. I guess I impressed her, as well.

  “Drake,” she said, her glossy-red lips begging to be kissed. “Wow. Look at you. You clean up rather well, I’d say.”

  I didn’t have words for how she looked, and if I did, I wouldn’t waste them on group ears. They’d only be for her. I had to figure out a way to get her alone for a minute.

  “Drake?” Ashley managed to eye me through her overload of eye makeup.

  Oh, yeah. I was her date tonight. I supposed I better make with the pleasantries. “Thanks, Lacey, and I could say the same about you . . .”

  Her caramel cheeks blushed, and I wanted to snatch her up she looked so cute.

  Fighting it off, I finished by saying, “. . . and I’d like you to meet my date, Ashley Jameson. Ashley, this is Lacey Douglas.”

  Ashley held out her velvet-gloved hand to Lacey’s wrist-length, black laced one. “Charmed.”

  “Likewise,” Lacey said.

  “So should we head in?” Cooper held out his arm for Lacey.

  I decided to go for my chance before I missed it. “Actually, I have something I have to speak to Lacey about on my mom’s behalf. Cooper, would you mind escorting Ashley in while I speak to Lacey? It will only take a few minutes.”

  “Of course. No problem.” Cooper diligently held out his arm for Ashley, but she didn’t take it.

  Frowning, Ashley’s bottom lip lowered into a pout. “How long will you be?”

  “Not long. I promise.” I pulled her arm into Cooper’s so she’d go.

  She walked off when he did, but her gaze lingered on Lacey and me before she gave Cooper her full attention. No sooner did the two head up the stairs and toward our box, than I grabbed Lacey’s arm and escorted her off.

  “Drake, what are you doing?” she whispered, looking both nervous and exhilarated.

  Turning a tight corner, I didn’t answer her. Banking on something else to speak for me, I slipped my hands to her cheeks and kissed her smooth lips. The wave of her scent fired up my adrenaline, but I managed to keep myself from taking her up against the marble wall.

  Not fighting the desire I had for her, she deepened the kiss and ran her hands up my chest.

  I didn’t want to stop, but there were people all around us. Even if they had no idea who we were, it was rude to create a s
cene.

  Breaking our kiss, I leaned my forehead against hers. “You look stunning.”

  Her lips tipped up to the side, and she gave me a small kiss. “And you look sexy as hell tonight. Looking all handsome and debonair and stuff.”

  Chuckling, I leaned back and laced my fingers in hers. I finally got to take in a proper look of her breasts and curvy body hiding behind the thin layer of her dress. “You’re seriously going to get me in trouble tonight. I want to peel that dress off you.”

  “I hope you will later.” She grinned, swinging our hands back and forth.

  I fought in a groan. I didn’t know if I could last the whole early showing with her looking the way she did. The plan was to watch the show, then dip out before dinner. I’d have to contain myself, though. We had an act to perform. “Don’t worry about that, and that is a promise.”

  She gave a wide smile. Her eyes flickered to the side when the crowd in the halls thinned. She let go of my hands “We probably should get inside. We don’t want them to get suspicious by being out here when the show starts.”

  I grabbed her hand as she stepped off. “Wait. As much as I enjoyed kissing you, that wasn’t exactly the reason for pulling you aside.”

  “It wasn’t?”

  “Nope, it wasn’t.” I pulled her back to me. “I got you something.”

  She eyed me curiously. “You did? Did you give Ashley something?”

  “I did.”

  “Uh, huh.” She crossed her arms, her smile coy. “What happened to being platonic?”

  “There is a difference between being platonic and just being an asshole. I got her a rose because I was her date. Chivalry wasn’t lost on me, you know?”

  She chuckled.

  “Anyway, your gift is a bit more unique.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the long velvet box.

  Her lips parted in surprise. “Drake, you didn’t have to—”

  I snapped the box open, and her voice instantly cut off. Her mouth wouldn’t form words, so I took that as a pleased response to the silver bracelet with two charms inside.

  “Hold out your wrist, Lacey.”

  Mouth still agape, she did.

  I slid the bracelet around her flawless skin and clasped the closure. “As you can see, this is a charm bracelet. You have an “L” for your name, of course.” I pointed to the cursive, silver letter. “And a diamond encrusted music note.” I ran my finger along the sparkling charm against her skin.

  “Drake . . .” She shook her head in dismay. “It’s too much. I can’t—”

  Pulling her in slowly, I kissed her lips, when I finally stepped back I said, “You can.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Lacey

  His hand laced in mine, Drake walked me up the stairs to our theater box. We probably shouldn’t have been holding hands, but the weakness we had for each other seemed to have taken us both prisoners.

  Before we came within sight of the door, we let go because an usher would be there.

  “What are we seeing?” I asked, trying not to let on about my disappointment of my hand leaving his.

  Stopping in front of the usher, Drake grabbed a program from him, then handed it to me. When I saw the name of the show, my heart fluttered.

  “I hope you don’t mind that we’re seeing an opera. I wanted to get us tickets for a musical like the one you were in, but this show was the only one still running with tickets available.” Taking a pair of silver opera glasses from the usher, Drake held the shiny pair out to me.

  Upon taking the glasses, I had to physically contain myself from wrapping my arms around his neck.

  “Is it not, okay?” he asked, his look uneasy. “You’re not saying anything. Do you want to do something else tonight?”

  “No.” I shook my head from the combination of both shock and glee. “I’m just overwhelmed. This is perfect, Drake. You don’t know how perfect.” I wanted so badly to kiss him in the moment that I had to let out a breath to calm the action building inside.

  “Oh,” he said, relief washed across his face. “Well, great. Shall I take you in?” He held out his arm, and I took it.

  The suited usher with a red bow tie opened the door and another usher inside pulled back the crushed velvet curtains. Cooper and Ashley were already seated in the box. My expression dropped as I saw the way they sat. In the four seats, Ashley and Cooper sat next to each other with empty seats on either side.

  Drake tugged me in close to him and put his lips to my ear. “Don’t worry. We’re sitting together,” he whispered.

  I hoped so.

  Cooper turned around, then stood when he saw me. “Everything okay?”

  Ashley shifted in her seat, facing us with her sculpted eyebrow raised. “Yeah. You were taking your time.”

  “Yep. Everything is fine. Just Drake family business that Lacey needed to be aware of for her shift tomorrow,” Drake said.

  He released my arm in the direction of Cooper and walked to Ashley’s side. Taking his direction, I followed suit by going to Cooper’s.

  Ashley padded the seat to her left for Drake to sit, running her hand along the seat while pursing her lips.

  The girl completely gave me chills. Drake was right about her being pushy.

  “Actually, Ashley, could I trade seats with you? I have this weird thing about sitting in the middle. I’m the worst person to go to the movies with. I always have to find that exact seat square in the middle of the theater. Viewing any other way, messes with my eyes. I hope you don’t mind.” Drake flashed her a grin that would have made me melt if I was allowed to react to his presence.

  The expression played the same with Ashley.

  Getting up, she let him through to the middle. “I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable, Drake. Just let me know what you need, and I’ll provide it for you.”

  I was sure she would.

  They both sat, and Cooper watched me. “Do you have a preference, Lacey?”

  Why did this guy have to actually be sweet and considerate? God, what Drake and I were doing was so wrong, but the thing was, we felt wronged by our situation. Ignoring the guilt inside me, I took up his offer by sitting in the seat next to Drake.

  “Thank you, Cooper.” I said, putting my clutch under the seat.

  He nodded with a smile and joined my side.

  I read my program until the lights dimmed and went completely dark, signaling the start of the show. My silver glasses in place, I held them up and watched the large stage with the single actress wearing an elaborate ball gown that put to shame the one I wore at the theater I worked for.

  Goose pimples formed on my skin at the anticipation of the first note, and when it hit I lost sense of my environment completely. I drowned in the beauty of the song, completely succumbed to it. Drake didn’t know how grateful I was for these tickets, and this beautiful box to see the show from. When the first act wrapped up, I leaned back and sat properly to the back of my seat. God, I was so into the performance I was actually sitting on the edge of my chair. Cooper leaned back when I did, so he must have been just as into it as I was.

  “Enjoying yourself?” he asked, resting his arm on the back of my chair.

  Lifting my neck up a bit, I tried not to let his arm brush my neck. Platonic. Drake said to keep things platonic. “I am.”

  And I honestly was. I just wished I didn’t have to lead Cooper on to enjoy the time.

  He gave a wide grin. “Great. I’m happy to hear that. Would you like a refreshment?”

  Rolling my tongue a bit in my mouth, I actually was thirsty. “Maybe just a bottle of water.”

  Nodding, Cooper left. No sooner was he gone when Drake was in my ear.

  “You looked very into that, so I couldn’t bear to bother you. I can’t guarantee that restraint for the rest of the show. Just fair warning.”

  He pulled back quickly, and my gaze landed on Ashley who was busy messing around in her purse, oblivious to Drake’s suggestions to me.

  My
heart drumming in my chest, I forced my breathing to regulate. God, the next few acts were going to be tough. When Drake said something he didn’t bluff. What was he going to do?

  Cooper came back and handled me a bottle of Evian. “I hope it’s chilled enough for you.”

  “I’m sure it’s fine.” I smiled, placing my glasses into my lap, so I could uncap the water.

  “I’m glad you decided to call, Lacey. This has been great so far.”

  The guilt pulled at my chest as the room went dark again.

  Cooper got back into his previous position of leaning forward, but I was distracted this time. Anxious, I waited for Drake to make on his suggestion. After a few minutes of being tense, I let out breath. Maybe he’d changed his mind.

  I placed my water bottle down to the floor with my purse. When I rose up, his lips brushed my neck, and when they started they didn’t stop and turned into a full on kiss.

  My eyes fluttering, I gripped my skirt as he gave me gentle nips and sucks.

  The paranoia about our dates seeing us rattled my nerves, so I studied my right to get a visual on Cooper. His elbows were on the banister of our box; he was just as engrossed in the show as he had been during the first act. On the other side, I could see Ashley clicking on her phone, also completely distracted from what Drake and I were doing.

  I was happy she wasn’t paying attention to us, but why was she on her phone? Was she just so above this whole experience that she didn’t care about the beautiful show we fortunately got to see?

  I wasn’t able to dwell on the matter long as Drake picked up his kisses on my neck. I’d have to give it to him, he was smooth. His head was angled just enough that he looked as if he were whispering to me. I didn’t want to take the chance of us being caught, so I slid my hand to his leg to signal him to stop.

  He took this gesture completely different.

  He slid his hand along mine, then over it until he braced my thigh, matching the hold I had of his.

  I sucked in a breath. He was not going to do this to me right now, was he?