That wasn’t news.
“She saw him briefly and he’s okay. Honey, this is going to be straightened out. David is threatening to press charges against whoever is doing this.”
“See,” Mia said. “Everything’s fine.”
“The press is outside,” Jasper said. “And I have an idea.”
“What could you possibly want from those arseholes?” Mia asked.
“Well, they’re blood-sucking parasites, but they’re blood-sucking parasites who’re on Oakley’s side. They’ve condemned those wankers from the start, and now, because of them, Cole’s been arrested. I say we use them.”
“What do you mean?”
“What’s not obvious about that, Mia? I’m saying Oakley goes out there and tells them what’s happening.”
“But why? Cole will be home soon.”
“Shit like this sticks. We need everyone to know the truth sothat no one can say things likeCole also slept with a minor. Still gross to think about you and him like that, by the way.”
“Don’t think about it, then,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “But you’re right, and I’m going to do it. They’re here because they’ve heard about Cole being taken off in a cop car. I don’t want any of them adding two plus two and getting five.”
Mia nodded. “You’re right. We can’t leave any room for speculation.”
Being questioned for having sex with someone underage was about as serious as it got, even if it was all rubbish, and I couldn’t have him facing those sorts of consequences. I wasn’t talking about legally because that would be taken care of. But people talked, and he could lose his job.
I stood up, and Mum, hanging up the phone, said, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I’m doing this. I’m not letting anyone twist this to sell a story and make money.”
I was going to make this right and then I was going to plan the rest of our lives together, because like hell was I spending even a day away from him.
“Do you want us to come out there?” Mum asked.
“She’s not going alone,” Jasper told her.
“I can do it,” I countered.
“I’m not doubting that, but you’re not going out there alone.”
“We shouldn’t all go,” Miles said, wrapping an arm around Mum. He’d been brilliant since he’d arrived, and I could see the strength in Mum now from just having him around. He was all she needed. “It should be Sarah and Jasper.”
Mia nodded. “Fine. Whatever will help. I don’t want anyone to think he’s likethosepeople.”
“No one is going to think that,” Jasper said.
“You don’t know that. He was taken in right after the trial and sentencing.”
“Hey,” I said. “We’ve been over that, and preventing wild, fabricated stories is why I’m about to go talk to those reporters out there.”
I was focused now. The rapid thudding of my heart had slowed. I had something to do, some way to help Cole, and that helped me not lose my head.
“Come on,” I said to my mum and brother.
“Oakley, you’ve never wanted to go to the press. I can go out there if you want,” Mum said.
I shook my head. “No, it has to be me.”
I would do anything, speak to anyone, if it meant Cole’s name wasn’t dragged through the mud, if people wouldn’t question why he was taken off in a cop car, and if they didn’t think there was some truth to it.
