The paintings were a work of progression. The first ones were very dark. They showcased her mental state so soon after everything had happened. Over time, however, they became a bit lighter. As she worked through her feelings, her paintings became happier images filled with hope. Part of that, she knew, was because of Gage. He'd become so attentive, so affectionate, so protective of her. It made her feel safe and happy. It made her feel like maybe she really did mean more to him than she realized. Maybe, just maybe, he loved her the same way she loved him.
She'd been thinking about his suggestion months ago, about letting others see her work. After some deliberation, and discussion with her twin, who encouraged her as well, she finally decided that maybe it was time after all. She didn't want to try to do her own 'show', she wasn't even sure how to go about setting something like that up, so she'd contacted the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans and set up a gallery showing of her work. Keeping it a secret, until everything was in order, wasn't easy. She wanted it to be a surprise. Once she had the showing scheduled she finally told her family, followed by the rest of the Pard. Then, she headed into New Orleans to Tulane. She wanted to tell Gage in person. He was such a big part of her inspiration, she wanted, no, she needed, him to know how much his support and encouragement lifted her up.
Gage
Within weeks of moving onto campus, Gage found himself a pledge to Phi Gamma Delta. Remy was already a Delt and Gage, after looking into the different frats on campus, chose to follow in his footsteps. It wasn't easy to get into the fraternity, but then, if frats made it easy everyone would be a member. Sure, there was some hazing, but hell, that was a long-standing practice on college campuses every where. The way Gage saw it, as long as it didn't go to the extreme of putting someone's life in danger, what the hell? People who went off about how it's 'so awful' were fucking pussies.
He loved being a Delt. He had his own room instead of having to share a room with someone else, like he would in a regular dorm. There was such a bond of brotherhood among his fellow Delts that made him feel welcome almost from the start. Okay, sure, he also liked the status of being in a frat. Social status was as much a big deal in college as it was in high school and those in fraternities were on the top rung of the ladder.
His first week as a full Delt he discovered the fraternity was associated with Kappa Alpha Theta. They threw a welcoming party for new Delts as well as new Thetas. Holy fuck, some of the girls were so damn hot. He still felt the pull toward Mia but he was giving her time to finish growing up. When one of the Thetas came on to him, he flashed her a wicked grin and led her off to his room where they had their own private party. He learned, very quickly, that Carrie wasverygood with her mouth.
Mia
Mia tried to tone down her nervousness as she approached the frat house of Phi Gamma Delta. It was late afternoon, the air was beginning to turn cooler as fall progressed, and this was the first time she'd actually come to Tulane to see Gage. She usually only saw him on the weekends when he came out to the compound. With a shake of her head, she pushed down the nervousness she felt and hit the doorbell.
“Well, hello beautiful. What can I do for you?”
Mia arched a brow at the guy who answered the door. “Hello. I'm actually here to see Gage. Is he around?”
“Lucky him. Yeah, upstairs, second floor. His room's the fifth one on the left. If it don't work out with him, you should hit me up,” he said with a wink.
Mia just shook her head and headed up to the second floor. She counted doors until she reached the fifth one on the left. She probably should knock but she didn't think about it. She just opened the door. The instant she did, she regretted it. Her entire world shattered around her. Gage was there, all right, but he wasn't alone. He sat on the edge of his bed while some brunette knelt in front of him with her mouth wrapped around his cock. A sound escaped her as she turned and fled back down the hall to the stairs.
Gage had his eyes closed while Carrie worked him with her mouth. She loved giving head and it felt damn good. Sometimes, when he closed his eyes, he imagined it was Mia instead of Carrie. A noise at the door reached him and his eyes snapped open just in time to see Mia turn and run. “Shit. Mia!” He pulled Carrie off him, tucked himself into his pants, and went after her.
Mia bolted down the stairs and out the front door. She heard Gage call her name but she ignored him. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she ran as fast as she could to the car she'd borrowed from her mother just so she could surprise Gage. All this time, she'd believed she meant something to him. All this time, she'd believed the way he'd been so attentive and protective meant he had feelings for her. God, how could she have been so stupid?
She was in the car and pulling away from the curb by the time Gage got outside. She swerved around him when he got into the street and gunned the engine to roar past him. In that moment, she wanted nothing to do with him.
She barely remembered the drive back to the docks where Julius was waiting for her. He'd gone shopping while she'd gone to see Gage.
“What's wrong? What happened?”
“I'm so stupid. All dis time, he hasn't been attentive because he has feelings for me. He was doing it out of obligation, because we're Pard. I walked in on him getting his dick sucked by some brunette. I guess now I know why he never wanted me to visit him on campus.”
Julius hugged his sister. “Oh, cher. I'm so sorry.” He wanted to hurt Gage for this. How many fucking times did he think he could break Mia's heart before it shattered for good?
“I don't want to go home. Tina invited me to a party. I wasn't gonna go but you know what? Fuck it. I'm gonna go after all.”
“Dat's da spirit, sis. Go have some fun. Just don't have too much fun, you hear?”
“I'll try not to. Will you tell mama I'm spendin' da night at Tina's?” That way she wouldn't have to worry about going home early.
“A'course.” Julius hugged his twin again then watched her go.
Gage
Gage tore through the streets on his way to the docks. He needed to get back to the compound and talk to Mia. He needed to explain. God, how could he have let her catch him in such a position? Fuck, how could he have put himself in that position to begin with? As soon as he reached the compound he went to the lean-to to see if Mia was there. He knew, without looking, that it was empty. Maybe she was at the house.
“You got a lot of fuckin' nerve showin' your face here right now.”
Gage actually blinked at Julius. He'd never heard the other leopard talk like that. “I'm lookin' for Mia. I need to talk to her.”
“Haven't you done enough, Gage? How many times do you tink you can break her heart before it's broken for good?”
“Look, Jules, I know I fucked up. I've fucked up a lot, but I want to fix it. I just need to talk to her.”
“She isn't here. She's at a friend's house for da night.” He didn't mention the party he knew his sister was going to.
