The day she got on the stand and told the entire court room what had happened in the car with Cole before he'd arrived was the first time he'd heardexactlywhat went down. It had made him so angry he'd wanted to jump over the rail and pound the bastard into the floor. He'd barely managed to hold onto his anger and keep his leopard in check.
By the time it was over and Cole was found guilty, Gage wanted to whisk Mia away from everyone and everything and keep her safe the rest of her life. The urge frustrated and terrified him. He was too young to be feeling such intense emotions. On top of that, Mia had already been through so much and he didn't want to scare her, so he shoved the feelings down and pretended they didn't exist.
Several days passed before Gage had the chance to talk with Mia. He found her painting and watched silently for a time.
“I know you're dere.”
He chuckled a little and stepped into view. “I didn't want to disturb you. How are you doin'? Haven't seen you much da last few days.”
Mia shrugged. “Okay. Glad dat nightmare is over.”
“Yeah, me too. I was so proud of you when you got up on da stand. You didn't back down even when dat fuckin' lawyer was tryin' to turn it around and make it your fault because of what you were wearin'.”
“Mr. Saunders prepared me for it. So did watchin' da way he went after da others who came forward. I knew he was gonna try someting like dat.” She averted her gaze from him. Mentioning the others taking the stand brought back the memory of him being questioned. It had hurt, sitting there in the courtroom, listening to him give sordid details about his sexual relations with Stacy.
“I didn't want to do it, you know? Get up dere on da stand. I was subpoenaed and if I didn't testify, dey would have charged me wit' contempt.”
“I know. It's not like I didn't already know you've screwed a bunch of girls, Gage. It's none of my business anyway.” She set her paintbrush down and turned to face him. “Thank you, for being dere at court every day. It really meant a lot.”
“A'course I was dere. You're important to me, Mia. We've known each other all our lives. Where else would I be?”
When he said she was important she had a flicker of hope. His next words made that flicker go out. Ugh, why did he have to be so confusing? “Still, you didn't have to be dere but you were and it meant a lot to me. Have you decided what you want to do after graduation next week?”
Gage let her change the subject. “Uh, yeah, actually.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I got into Tulane. Full scholarship. Guess dey liked my football skills.”
Mia blinked. “Oh, wow, dat's great. Congratulations. Didn't Remy get a scholarship dere too?”
“Yeah, from his wrestlin'.”
“What are you plannin' on majorin' in?”
“Applied Business Studies. Me and Remy, we're gonna open our own architecture and carpentry business. He's gonna focus more on da architecture side of tings. I figure, I like workin' wit' wood, I'm good at it, might as well do it for a livin'.”
“You are good at it. I still have dat flower you carved for me.” It was unique because he didn't carve her a rose, he'd carved a moon flower into a piece of pale wood.
“I didn't know you kept it It wasn't one of my best.”
“Dat's why I liked it. It's flawed, just like real flowers can be flawed.” Mia shrugged. “Are you gonna commute or embrace da college life by livin' on campus?”
Gage grinned. “You know me, I gotta embrace it all. I figure, it's da only chance I'll ever have to live somewhere else, might as well enjoy it. Tulane's close enough I can visit any time.”
“Dat's true. I'm sure your mama will enjoy da break. I swear, you and Remy are worse den all of us Lafluer's put together.” The teasing in her voice was blatantly apparent and she flashed him a grin.
Gage laughed. “True, cher, very true. Our mama shoulda taken lessons from yours on how to keep unruly boys in check.” He knew he and his brother were wild growing up. How Eliza Lafluer kept so many children in line was a mystery.
“Your mama shoulda taken da switch to you more.” Again, the teasing was apparent in her voice.
“Probably.” He shook his head. “I'll let you get back to your paintin'. I still tink you should let others see your work. You're good, Mia.”
She bit her lip. “I dunno. Maybe. I'll tink about it. See you later, Gage.”
“See you later, Mia.” He headed back to the compound with his mind less troubled now that he'd had the chance to talk with Mia. With that done, he could focus on figuring out what he was going to take with him when he moved onto campus in a few weeks.
Chapter Ten
Mia
Mia couldn't believe how fast time seemed to fly by. Six months ago she'd sat in a courtroom waiting to hear exactly how long Cole would be behind bars for his crimes. Six months. It seemed like it was only yesterday and yet she was almost halfway through her junior year of high school. Ever since the trial ended she'd been in a painting craze. It was the way she let her emotions out so she didn't feel overwhelmed by them.
