Chapter 9

Austin was nervous, but the excited kind of nervous that kept him on his toes. "I have to go to the theater and make sure everything is ready."

"How are you doing this? The theater is too big," Weaver asked.

"We built an addition to the stage that will create a circular runway out into the theater. That way people can sit close and get a good look at the clothes. We're only using the area in front of the curtain, to bring the clothes as close as we can. And once the models have done their runway, they'll stroll down the center of the theater and out toward the lobby. That way everyone can experience the show no matter how far away they're sitting." He ate his light breakfast. "What time are you picking up Louise?"

"Eleven," Randy answered. "We'll be there in plenty of time." The show began at three, and he expected the entire experience to take about two hours. And that's what Austin wanted this to be: an experience. "Just go and do whatever it is you need to. Don't worry about anything."

Austin's phone rang as he finished his eggs, and he answered it as he hurried out the door.

"There's an issue with the runway, and we may need to use the stage," Chris told him. He picked up his pace without thinking.

"No. Don't do that. I'm on my way, and we'll figure it out. I'll be there in ten minutes." He rushed toward his car, still talking. Then he raced back and gave Randy and Weaver each a kiss before sailing out into the sunny morning and getting into his car. He zoomed through town, reaching the theater in record time. There were always issues before something like this.

Chris met him in the lobby, and they walked through to the theater—where part of their runway looked like a third grader assembled it.

Austin took a closer look. "They forgot to secure this area right here. There was supposed to be another brace here and a leg there. No wonder it isn't working. Get the carpenter in here and tell him he needs to fix it right away."

Chris's eyes widened. "I tried that, and he said he was busy."

"This is his fault, and he'll fix it or he isn't going to get paid for anything. Play a little hardball. He should have been here to check on this already." Austin crawled past the bunting and under the rest of the setup, making sure it was put together properly. It all seemed okay. "And call the borough inspector. Tell him that we need him to check this out today. I want to make sure this is safe once the carpenter is finished." There was no way in hell this show was going to fall apart, not on his watch.

"He says it's a Saturday, and he's in Maryland with his family," Chris reported after talking to the carpenter. "I told him that if he didn't get back here, we weren't paying his bill and that we were turning him in to the borough. The bastard hung up." Those words seemed so out of place.

"Okay…," Austin said as he tried to figure out what to do. "Did you call the building inspector?"

"The office is closed."

"Look up his name, then search locally. He lives near here. Dig in and see if you can get any sort of borough official. They have a stake in this as well. They all know each other, and once you get hold of one, they will be able to contact each other. Word gets around fast in New York. I bet it's even quicker here."

"Okay. But what can they do?" Chris asked.

Austin groaned loudly. "Damned if I know. But someone has to help. It's either that or we tear this thing down completely and rework everything." He snapped his fingers. "That's it. Get everyone you can in here, including the models. We need to get this entire thing out of here. We can't fix it and know it's safe." His mind went in a million directions in seconds. "Please."

"But…?" She seemed completely lost.

Austin took her by the hand and led her halfway up the theater. "We remove the extension. Then we change the entire show. The models come down the center of the theater, past everyone, and then over to that side the stage, up and over, then down the other side, and exit down the side aisle. We close that entire side of the theater except for the first four seats and use only this side. It will make the entire show more intimate and give everyone a good view. But we need people and we need them now. The event is in four hours, and there's a lot to do." His head ached, but he had a plan. "What do you think?"

Chris smiled. "Okay. That's what we'll do."

Austin pulled out his phone and sent a text to the neighborhood group explaining that he needed help. Then he called Weaver.

"Help…," he said. "The show is going to crumble." He explained what was wrong. "I need you, Randy, and Louise. Get down here as fast as you can." Messages started coming in from the group, but he ignored them at the moment. "I'll explain everything when you get here… and bring drills and hand tools. We'll need them." He hung up and checked his messages.

Sorry. We're out of town. Hope everything works out.

We're camping this weekend. But good luck. Hope you fix the issue.

Austin groaned as another message popped up from Dan, their next door neighbor. Cassie and I can be there in ten.

Austin grinned and pumped his fist in the air. "Any luck?" he asked Chris as she ended a call.

"I started with the guys, and most said they could get here early."

"People from my neighborhood are coming, and so are the guys." He texted Randy to bring his truck. "We're going to need to haul all this away."

"We'll break it down and put it against the very back wall of the stage for now. The main curtain will be closed during the who anyway. Later, everything will need to be carted off."

Austin shook his head. "Call one of the local construction companies. There is a ton of plywood and bracing that can be reused. I bet they would pay you for the materials since they are barely used and can be easily recycled into other projects. But that can be done after the show." He intended to make the very most of all their resources.

"What is it you need?" Weaver asked as he strode in with a toolbox in hand, Randy right behind him, both of his men in T-shirts that showed off their muscled arms.

"We need to take all that down. The carpenter messed up, and it isn't going to be strong enough. The entire show is being reworked on the fly, but I can't rehearse it with the models with the extensions in place."

"Okay." Randy and Weaver strode down and began getting out the tools. Soon, the drills whirred, and sheets of plywood flooring came loose. Chris directed where to put things as some of the neighborhood people joined them. Cassie grabbed another drill, and she loosened screws as Dan joined Randy in hauling parts backstage.

Some of the models began to show, and they joined in, getting the extension down in what had to be record time. A steady stream of people hauled pieces up behind the curtain, and the sounds of multiple drills and hammers filled the theater.

As the rest of the models came in, Austin got them together, while Louise passed out coffee and water to everyone who needed it. "Everything is going to be different from how we rehearsed it," Austin told the models an hour and a half before the show as the last of the old setup was removed. "The clothing will be the same, but you will be walking a different route. So, everyone follow me."

"Where will we gather?"

"Backstage just like before. Chris will signal you when we are to start, and she will lead you along the side of the theater wings back to the lobby. You'll come in through those main doors."

"What about the ropes?" Randy asked.

Austin barely took a breath. "Use them to close off everything from that section of seats over that way. No one is to sit there." He turned back to the models. "As I was saying. You'll walk down the center aisle of the theater from the lobby. Everyone follow me." He stood tall and walked slowly to the front. "Then cross over to the right, where you'll climb the stairs to the stage, walk across, stopping in the middle to turn and strike your pose just the way we rehearsed it. Then continue, slowly descend the stairs, and exit down the side aisle. Move slowly and steadily, just like we rehearsed. No faster. Give everyone a chance to see you and the garments."

"Why are we doing this?" one of the models asked. "Everything was working so well."

Austin couldn't argue with him. "It's because the carpenter messed up and didn't shore up the extension well enough. It came apart, and while we might have been able to fix it, we didn't want to take any chances, so we're making this change." He looked out at the faces and smiled. "You are all going to be great. Go and walk the route a few times over the next ten minutes. Make sure you feel comfortable, and then go back and get dressed for your first looks. We have hair and makeup people ready, and they are going to need some time, so the sooner you're ready the better." He sat down, watching as each walked the route and then exited the theater. This just had to work.

"Weaver and I are going to take Mom with us so we can change," Randy said. Austin hugged both of them, with Randy enveloping him in his arms. "You're going to do great, so don't worry." He kissed him, to a few catcalls, and then they took off. Austin wished he had a chance to change clothes, but the show had to go on, and it was his job to make sure it did.

"That was a cluster and a half," Weaver said as they rode back to the house. "But Austin seems to have it in hand." It had been a lot of work in a very short time, but the task was done, and the theater had been cleaned up, so it looked like the mess was never there.

"He can do anything," Randy said. "I just hope everything goes off tonight." He dropped his mother off at her hotel. ‘We'll be back in twenty minutes, so be ready."

"I will," Louise said and went into the hotel while Randy took off. He pulled up in front of the house, and Weaver hurried inside and upstairs, starting the shower before stripping off his clothes. He washed quickly, getting out as Randy got in, taking but a second to admire the hunkiness on display. Weaver dried off and got dressed, putting on the clothes Austin had chosen for him. While Weaver was at it, he found the outfit Austin had planned to wear and put it in a garment bag. By the time he was dressed and had everything ready, Randy joined him, and they retraced their steps to the hotel, where he picked up Louise in her glittery black dress.

Randy found a place to park less than a block from the theater. "You two go inside, and I'll find Austin so I can give him this," Weaver said, carrying the garment bag inside. He messaged Austin and met him in the wings. "I thought you might need this."

Austin broke into a huge smile. "Thank God. I thought I was going to have to go out there looking like this." He leaned in for a kiss and was gone.

When Weaver returned to the lobby, a number of other people had gathered for the show. It looked like a good turnout, and just before the main doors opened, even more people showed up until the lobby felt pretty full.

Then ushers opened the theater doors, and people slowly moved forward, funneling into the theater along the left side. "You may sit wherever you like, but not behind the ropes." They quietly repeated the instructions as patrons made their way inside.

There was a certain excitement in the air, like this was a big show in New York or Paris. People talked among themselves, and the theater buzzed with low tones that only added to the evening.

"Let's sit on the aisle," Weaver suggested. "Austin mentioned for us to sit about here. He's going to have to give a short talk before the start, and I think he's nervous and wants to see us." He went in first and let Randy and his mother sit together.

"Remember Paris last year?" Randy whispered.

Weaver chuckled as his cheeks heated. "Yeah. You and I at those fancy fashion shows with all those important people." Austin had booked a couple shows during Fashion Week, and they had gone along with him. It had been an amazing trip, but during the shows, they'd felt like fish out of water. Neither he nor Randy were particularly interested in fashion or what was stylish. But they made damned sure that they saw Austin walk those runways. If Weaver hadn't already loved him, he sure as hell would have after Austin glided down the runway in flowing pants and shirt that made him look like an angel. Weaver hadn't been able to take his eyes off him, and it seemed Randy hadn't either. The clothes really didn't matter—neither of them knew anything about that sort of thing—but it was the man wearing them that entranced both of them.

"Yeah…." Randy's voice was soft and ocean-deep. "And stripping him down once we got him back to the hotel…." His throat rumbled. "Seeing all those people watching him…."

"Yeah," Weaver agreed. It awakened something in both of them, and they'd had to take Austin so he felt like he was theirs again. It had made for a number of very intensely passionate nights. He grew warmer just thinking about it. "I wonder if tonight is going to feel like that." Weaver sat back and closed his eyes.

"Now I am happy I'm staying at a hotel," Louise said. "You boys need to settle down. Jesus, it's getting testosterony in here." She waved her hand in front of her face.

"Austin is ours and we're his. It's…," Randy began, his words very deliberate and slow.

"He's doing something he loves," Louise supplied.

Weaver leaned forward. "We know, and we'd move heaven and earth to be here for him." He was grateful Austin wasn't in the show itself, if only because the situation was already stressful enough.

"I know. I saw," Louise said.

Weaver met Randy's quizzical gaze as the lights in the theater lowered, and music began to fill the space. He had expected something new and bright with a strong beat, but he recognized the Charleston instead.

"Good evening, and welcome to the Carlisle Theater Benefit Fashion Show," Austin said as he stepped out onto the center of the stage in black pants and a white jacket over his tuxedo shirt and black tie. He looked stunning, and Weaver swallowed hard as Randy shifted in the seat next to him. Because, well… damn! "Tonight, we are celebrating the glamour and sophistication of simplicity. We're going to harken back to the roaring twenties, when almost everything, it seems, including the movies, were in black and white. The elegance and sophistication of simplicity. So, please, enjoy the show."

The lights came back up in their portion of the theater, leaving the unoccupied section dark. The music volume rose, and the first model began coming down the main aisle. Austin stood at the side of the stage, and once the first model reached the edge, he began explaining the clothes the young woman was wearing and that, like all of today's looks, they could be purchased in the lobby after the show, with a portion of the proceeds going to the theater.

"I like that," Randy told him as one of the male models passed their row in all white. He looked almost ethereal. "I think it would look good on you."

"Me?" Weaver said. "Can you imagine me in white?"

"Yeah, I can. With your hair and eyes, you would be stunning." Randy nudged him, and Weaver began to consider the notion as other looks slowly passed by and across the stage, until all of the twenty models had shown each of their two looks.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I want to present to you our final collection for today, as well as the amazing volunteer models who made this day possible."

The doors opened once more, and all the models paraded in before climbing on stage so all the looks could be seen at one time. Weaver and Randy stood, with Louise, as did the rest of the audience, clapping. But it was Austin's smile as he stood off to the side that warmed his heart. Randy nudged his shoulder, having seen just how happy Austin was as well.

Chris slowly climbed onstage, taking the microphone from Austin. "And I'd especially like to thank the director of this production. He took over the job just two weeks ago, and as you can see, he made it a success. Austin Reynolds." She motioned to him, and Austin made a slight bow. "Who I am thrilled to report has just accepted a position here at the Carlisle Theater as the director of events and fundraising."

Weaver snapped his head around to Randy, who did the same.

"Well, I'll be damned," Randy said, grinning.

Weaver couldn't help be happy as well. He had a new job that he thought he was going to enjoy, and with Austin's new position, it looked like all of them were beginning to get settled in their new town.

"Did you know?" Louise asked.

"No. But it's great. She must have offered him the job after we sat down," Weaver said, clapping along with the rest of the audience.

Chris handed Austin back the microphone, and he moved center stage, smiling brightly. "We have drinks and snacks out front, and be sure to stop by the vendor tables on your way out. Thank you all for coming, and enjoy the rest of your evening." Austin set the mic aside and slowly descended the stage steps.

Weaver and Randy met him, engulfing him in a three-way hug. "I'm so proud of you."

"Me too," Randy added. "I think you're going to do some amazing things."

Austin grinned at both of them, and once they broke apart, Weaver stepped back as Louise gave Austin a hug as well. "Thanks, all of you. She asked me backstage."

"Is this what you want to do?" Weaver asked.

"I think so. I love big events, and I know I can put them together and find ways to help make money for the theater. They want to restore the fa?ade above the marquee. It's going to cost a lot, because no one seems to know why the surface is peeling away, but we'll figure it out, and I'll raise the money to make the outside of the theater as grand as the inside. Why?"

Weaver hugged Austin again. "Because we want you to be happy, the same as you do for us. You moved here because you thought it would be best for Randy, and you more than any of us took a chance that you'd land on your feet. And we're thrilled that you have." Weaver hugged him once more. "You know I love you and so does Randy."

"And I love both of you." He pulled away, but still held Weaver's hand. "The day isn't over yet."

Weaver nodded. "Randy says that I'd look good in the all-white outfit."

"Of course you would. Why do you think I had it set aside in your size? Go on out front and pick it up." He turned to Randy, who had the audacity to smirk at him "I have a few things set aside for you too. Now go on out there, mingle, and get some clothes for summer." He practically dragged the two of them out front and got them the clothes he had picked out.

Weaver didn't argue and paid for what Austin had chosen. Randy did the same, and with their purchases and the couple of things Louise found for herself, they all did their bit to support the theater.

"I think I get it," his mother said that evening as she set a bowl of her amazing pasta with pesto on the table.

"What is it that you get now?" Randy asked, expecting another of her pronouncements.

"The three of you. I think I get it now." She pulled out her chair and sat down. Randy leaned forward, half expecting another verse of the same tune. "Austin needed something, and the two of you came running without a moment's hesitation. Just like your father. If I needed anything, he came running and moved heaven and earth for me. The two of you did that for Austin, and I dare say he would do the same for you."

Randy patted her hand. "Mom, this is something all three of us know. With you and Dad, your hearts were filled with each other. For us, there are two and our hearts are just as full. But it's different too."

"It takes even more work," Weaver said gently. "We look out for each other and make sure that no one feels left out or better than the rest. Randy was part of me first, but that doesn't mean that I love Austin less or that Austin took away from Randy. I think my heart just got bigger, so they would both fit."

Randy couldn't have put it better himself. "Just think of it this way. Instead of one son-in-law, you have two."

His mom nodded slowly. "I guess I kept trying to fit you into the mold of what I thought a good relationship should look like, and instead, you were already out there, making your own brand of happiness." She sighed deeply. "Can you forgive me?"

Randy smiled. "Mom, there's nothing to forgive."

"Yeah, Louise," Austin said, along with Weaver. "The three of us are a family."

His mom took both Weaver's and Austin's hands. "We're all a family."

Randy was shocked. He never thought he would hear those words from her. But here they were, plain as day.

"And now I can relax."

"And maybe find someone to share your life with," Austin said.

Randy about choked on his glass of water and shot Austin a dirty look. "My mother does not need to be going out on dates."

Louise scoffed. "I've seen a number of men over the past few years." She whispered it like she was sharing some big secret.

"Why am I first hearing about this? And are these men good enough for you? Why haven't I met any of them?"

"Because you'd scare the crap out of them," Weaver told him. "It's good your mom is dating. She's a vital woman and should be happy."

Randy growled as he ate his pasta, not liking this one bit.

"There is a man I really like. We've been dating for a few months now, and it's starting to get serious."

Randy swallowed. "Damn…. Then I need to meet him to make sure he's good enough for you."

"Don't get your underwear in a twist. I'm not going to get remarried any time soon, and Jerry is a nice man. We keep each other company and do things together. He lost his wife about the same time I lost your father, and we're both figuring out how to get on with our lives."

"I think it's wonderful," Austin said.

Randy wanted to growl at him, but Weaver said the same thing, and he knew he was outnumbered. "Yeah. I suppose. As long as you're happy."

Louise rolled her eyes dramatically. "Just stop that and be nice. I'm your mother." She shot him one of her "I changed your diaper" looks. "Eat your dinner before it gets cold," she muttered under her breath, and Randy did as he was told, grateful that she was going home tomorrow. As much as he truly wanted her to be happy and to have a full life, it was still disconcerting to know she was out there dating other guys.

"Just stop the brooding," Weaver said once Randy returned from taking his mother to the hotel.

"But she's dating and…."

"Has been for a while," Austin added. "Just let it go." He slipped his arms around Randy's waist, his hands sliding under his shirt, stroking his skin. Randy closed his eyes and gave himself over to the caress. "Your mother has finally accepted our relationship." He rested his head on Randy's shoulder. "And Louise is a big girl. She can definitely take care of himself."

"Yeah, she can," Weaver said, pressing his chest to Randy's, kissing him hard. "Meanwhile, we have plenty to celebrate, and none of it has to do with your mother." Damn, that smirk was wicked. "Austin has a position doing something he's going to love." Weaver pulled off his shirt while Austin cupped his pecs, tweaking his nipples in the most amazing way. "And the three of us have a real home here."

Randy shivered as Weaver unbuttoned his pants and then lowered the zipper, pushing them down his legs.

"So just let go of the rest of it," Austin whispered before sucking on his ear. "We all have plenty to be grateful for. We're starting a new chapter in our lives." His hands slid down Randy's belly and then into his boxers, cupping him in warm hands. "But right now, this is a celebration of us… the three of us."

"Yeah?" Randy moaned softly. He was usually the instigator of their bedroom activity, and he liked that the others were taking charge tonight.

"Oh yeah," Austin kissed his shoulder. "We love you, Randy." He began stroking him, and Randy clamped his eyes more tightly closed, letting the care, love, and passion wash over him.

"I love you too. Both of you, more than I ever thought possible," Randy whimpered just before Weaver kissed him again, harder and with enough intensity to weaken Randy's knees.

"We're built on love," Weaver said, kissing Austin and then him once more.

Randy had no doubt about that. They had been through a lot and had come out the other side stronger and he hoped happier.

"And we take care of each other." All three of them slowly moved toward the bed. "We have each other's backs, and we always will." Weaver stopped moving, and Randy opened his eyes. "We always will. We're a family. We may be unconventional, but we're still a family. And we're building a new life here. The throuple next door."

Both Weaver and Austin sealed their point with a kiss that took Randy's breath away.