When all else fails, trust yourself.

I squealed like a little girl before running and hugging my family. The verdict was in; Anthony was found guilty of aggravated assault, attempted murder, possession of a weapon on school grounds, rape, and trying to evade arrest. The jury gave him 25 to life and I couldn't be happier. The entire courtroom was happy with the justice system and even aunt Rosa gave both Carr and Roni a hug.

Carrie and I exchanged smiles before she was once again engulfed in hugs. The room started thinning out as persons still needed to be at work, so I headed to the cafeteria to wait on the others. I bought a donut and sprite before sitting towards the back of the room and just as I took my last bite, the winning group walked in.

Veronica's parents were locked in conversation with Carrie's and her brother was actually talking to my cousin, Darcy and herself; something he rarely did. They spotted me and made their way over as the two men went to buy food for the group.

"Jane."

"Hey mom." I said cautiously, making sure to avoid eye contact.

She sat adjacent to me and Aunt Rosa took the seat right next to her. They saved a seat for Uncle Austin and Veronica's mom saved a seat for her husband. There was no surprise when Darcy sat next to me and everyone else seemed oblivious as the remaining chairs were filled by my cousin, her girlfriend, and her brother.

"So, do you have work today?" My mom asked as the men rejoined us.

"Am... Yes, but my boss gave me the day off."

"Oh, okay."

"How's that boyfriend of yours?" Aunt Rosa asked and I barely withheld my cough.

"Ryder? He's... Good."

This time Darcy did cough and I kicked her foot to silence her. We might be doing things that we shouldn't have but she needed to know I wasn't with her and I hadn't left him yet... Yet? Was I going to?

Our table plunged into silence as everyone ate but my family won't be my family without a little drama.

"So, how long did you know your daughter was gay?" Aunt Rosa asked and both Mrs. Wilson and Caleb choked on their individual meals.

"Am... Well... She told me a few days after she left the hospital." Mrs. Wilson commented.

"And you?"

"Am... Donna told me."

"How did you guys react to the news?"

"Rosa, that's enough."

"No, it's okay Mr. Paige. I wasn't that shocked; I mean, I didn't really know before then but when she told me it didn't make a difference. She is my daughter and once she's happy... So am I."

"But she's happy doing the wrong things."

"And what's that?"

"It's a sin to be intimate with the same sex-"

"Ah, but it is also a sin to do so many other things. It would be unfair to tell someone to stop doing one thing when others do other things. Even us as parents sin, but because it's not the same we think we can get away with it... It's all the same in the end."

"But lesbians?"

"Look, I really didn't want to say anything. I'm a man that don't usually get involved when it comes to my children and their love lives but it's Veronica's choice and we're okay with it."

"You're okay with it?"

"Yes. Aren't you okay with your daughter?"

"I love my daughter, not what she is."

"How is she any different?"

"She's... Well-"

"She's still the same girl."

"She's a lesbian."

"Rosa! That's enough. The girl went through a really rough trial, can we give her a break?"

"Austin-"

"No, you need to stop."

"It's okay. I get that she wants some answers to better understand this. Why don't we go someplace else to talk, huh?" Mrs. Wilson suggested.

I inwardly agreed as the table was slowly turning into a war zone. Veronica's dad announced he needed to get back to work, earning an eye roll from both his children and my mom had to head back to the hospital. Mr and Mrs. Paige headed to the parking lot to wait on the others while Carrie and her girlfriend's family talked a bit. My mom pulled me aside to hug me and I stood still as I knew she would soon spoil my mood.

"I'm so glad you and that boy are still together." She says and I refrain from rolling my eyes.

"Ah ha."

"Sweetheart, I'm really sorry about being such a terrible mom these few weeks. I've just been... Well... I'm just glad we can put all this behind us."

"Okay."

"I'm gonna go say goodbye to the others. I'll call you later."

I rolled my eyes at her back as she headed out before Carrie came over to hug me.

"Are you going to be okay?" I asked, concern evident in my voice.

"Yeah. She's really trying, that's all I ever wanted. We're going to go someplace else to talk and she promised to listen."

"You know that doesn't mean she'll change."

"Yes... But she's willing to try. Janie; she showed up to my trial, she has been nothing more than polite and has actually had a conversation with me. It's more than I can ask for."

I nodded as I recognized the determination on her face and I wanted to tell her not to get her hopes up but couldn't be the one to upset her. Instead, I hugged her one last time before she rejoined the group and headed outside.

Turning, I realized that it was just me and Darcy and I blew out a breath as she still sat at the table. Her attention was focused on the phone call and from where I was, it looked as though she was talking to one of her 'clients'. The sudden pang of jealousy that radiated through me had me shocked and I shook my head both mentally and physically before heading over to the table. Darcy saw me approach and wrapped up the conversation before standing.

"Hey-"

"Are you leaving?" I cut in, annoyance clearly evident in my voice.

"Am, yeah. I have this thing I gotta do."

"Really?! Just be honest already; you used me for your selfish gains and now you're off to one of your whores."

"What? That is not true, I have somewhere important to be-"

"Yeah, whatever."

I rolled my eyes and started walking away from her when my body was roughly pulled to a stop. Darcy ignored the fact that we were in a public place and instead forced me against the nearest wall. I wanted to scream at her or shove her off me or... Something... but I didn't.

She held my hands up at my sides and her expression changed to an unreadable one as her body was pressed against mine. My heart rate kicked up a notch at her boldness and my body betrayed me as I got turned on. My mind went blank as she forcefully kissed me and my knees went weak as I surrendered.

"Don't ever walk away from me." She stated harshly and I felt my head nod in answer.

"I don't know what your problem is... But there is no one else. You don't own me and I don't own you so let's be very clear." Her face came closer to mine and I closed my eyes as her lips found my ears. "If you want me... Then you can have me... But you know how this game works."

She pulls away and I reopen my eyes to find hers locked on me. "What do you want Jane?"

"I want you." I whispered.

"All of me?"

I nodded and the look on her face had me saying yes in an instant.

"You're willing to be my slave?"

"I-"

Before I could answer, her brain started working again because she pulls away from me and leads me out the building. I barely noticed the stares from the people around us as I'm rushed outside and in a blink of an eye we're driving towards my house.

"Dace."

"Don't speak." She commands and I stay quiet as I bring my knees to my chest.