Page 55 of The Flame of Carson
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“Damn.”Tony breathed.“Gage, you didn’t tell me she was this good.”
Gage was beaming as Stacey reached down to offer Alan a hand up.“She’s even better than she was last time I saw her fight.Of course, that was two years ago when I first visited her.”
“Now I know why Ethan told me and Tony to pay close attention.”Grant added.
Gage stood and walked toward Stacey and Alan.“You were amazing babe.”
“When Carlos called to vet you, he told me you were good.I think he was holding back on me.”Alan remarked.“Stacey, you could probably teach some of my instructors a thing or two.”
“Thanks Alan.”Stacey grinned.“I thought you had me for a minute there.”
“I thought I did too, then you whipped out that reverse.”Alan chuckled.
“Good thing you’re not working for Blackout, otherwise Tony and I would be out of the job.”Grant laughed.
“I’ll say.”Tony nodded.
“Like I told Ethan, if he were to ask nicely, I might offer to teach your boys a thing or two.”Stacey winked saucily.
Half an hour later Gage and Stacey were in her car and heading out for dinner.After signing the final paperwork for her membership, she grabbed a quick shower and Gage left the dojo.Gage wanted to take her home right then, but knew she had to be starving.He navigated her car through the evening Austin traffic toward downtown.He knew the perfect place to take her for dinner.
“Where are we going?I thought we were heading home?”Stacey asked.
“I figured you were probably hungry.You haven’t eaten since when?Lunch?”Gage answered.
Stacey reached over and lay her hand over his on the stick shift.“You are too good to me Gage.I love you.”
Gage lifted their hands and kissed the back of her hand.“I love you too Stacey.I told you when you moved here, I wanted you to be my woman and I take care of what’s mine.”
They pulled into a parking place at Kirby Lane.She had told him that she loved it after Krista and Ethan had brought her there last year.After the workout she had, he figured Kirby Lane would be the perfect spot for carbs.They exited the car and headed inside.Both so lost in their moment, they were completely unaware they were being watched.Neither checking their surroundings or they might have seen the black mid-sized sedan pull slowly away as they walked inside.
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Grant walked into hishouse just as his land line rang.Dropping his bag to the floor next to his recliner, he picked up the cordless set on the end table.“Whitney.”
“Um, hi Grant.”
“Evelyn?”Grant asked in surprise.
“Yeah, it’s me.”Evelyn replied.“I’m not calling too late, am I?”
“No, no, it’s only eight here in Austin.Is everything all right?”Grant replied walking toward the kitchen for a beer.
“Yes, yes things are fine here.I bumped into Sean’s mom earlier at the store.She asked about you and I realized that I have not talked to you in what, almost a year and a half?”
Grant sighed.“Evelyn, I’m just as guilty.I promised Sean at his grave that I would always look after you.Yeah, I had a big case last year and then before that was the trial for Ingram, and now another one, but that’s no excuse.”
Evelyn was silent on the other end.After Sean had been killed, Grant had made a silent vow that no matter what, he would keep up with Evelyn.She was one of the last links he had with Sean.Up until a year and a half ago, he had called her regularly and visited her whenever he went home to visit his parents.Guilt ate at him for dropping the ball on this.He sighed again and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Evelyn, you sure everything is alright back home?”he asked.
“Today would have been mine and Sean’s tenth wedding anniversary.I stopped by the cemetery this morning and well...”She fell silent a moment before clearing her throat.“I was just missing him.Missing you too.I know you two were like brothers.I even pulled out our wedding video.I couldn’t help but laugh seeing you two that day.”
“Yeah,” Grant chuckled.“That was a momentous day.You made him so happy Evelyn.I hope you know that.That meant so much to me, knowing my brother was happy and he was with you.”
