Free Tough To Love by Marie Rochelle

later the sounds of kids fighting, and chairs being knocked over, had Julian and Sage racing out of his office to find out what was going on. She stopped running and watched as Julian broke up a fight between two boys.
    Coming up to the younger boy, she touched him on the shoulder. “Jay, what is going on?” she asked. “Haven’t I warned you that if you got into another fight Julian could kick you out for good?”
    “Bitch, you better keep your mouth shut,” the other boy, Mario, screamed at her. “I’m going to kick his ass and there’s nothing you or Julian can do about it.”
    “Mario, that’s enough,” Julian shouted. “You’re out of here. It’s best if you leave on your own before I toss you out. I won’t tolerate you disrespecting Ms. Nicole.”
    “Julian, it’s okay. I know he’s upset and didn’t mean anything by it,” Sage said, quickly jumping in.
    She knew Mario loved coming here. If Julian kicked him out, he would be out on the streets with his older brother in a gang. Something must have happened to make him fly off the handle off like this.
    Mario calmed down instantly and stared at her. “Ms. Nicole, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I don’t want to get kicked out. I love coming here after school. If I can’t, I won’t have anything else to do after school.”
    “See, Julian?” Sage said, making eye contact with the man standing next to Mario. “I’m sure Jay and Mario will be able to work things out. However, if the two of you get into another fight with each other or anyone else, both of you will be banned from coming back, understood?”
    “Are you sure, Sage?” Julian questioned. “I can give them both a two-week suspension. They both know that no fighting is one of the top five rules.”
    “NO!” Both boys screamed and then looked at her for help.
    Sage hated to punish both boys so harshly for their first mistake, but they did need to be taught a lesson about breaking the rules.
    “I don’t think they need to be suspended; however, I think they should have kitchen duty for an entire month. They still need to learn that breaking the rules is wrong.”
    “I think that’s fine, but if the guys don’t agree, we’ll go with my plan.”
    “We’ll agree,” Mario and Jay said at the same time.
    He glanced at both young men. “Good, now go and find something constructive to do before I change my mind,” Julian said, picking up the fallen chairs.
    The boys took off so fast to the back room Sage was surprised they didn’t trip over their own two feet. She was glad Julian listened to her instead of allowing his temper to take over.
    “What are you going to do when they find out your secret?”
    “What secret?”
    “How you’re really a nice guy and this tough man routine is just an act?”
    “Hopefully never,” Julian laughed. Coming over to her, he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Care to tell me how you got so smart after only working here for a month?”
    Jabbing Julian in the ribs with her elbow, Sage laughed when he dropped his arm and held his side. “I’m wounded. You’re kicked out for two weeks.”
    “Do you think you can really make it without me for two whole weeks?” she teased.
    “Nope,” he grinned. “You’re the person who keeps me calm. I couldn’t do it without you.”
    For a moment, Sage had a momentary lapse in judgment and thought about Rally. She wished just once she heard those words from him. But that wasn’t going to happen because he hadn’t spoken to her since she raced out of his house. She had gone back to the house later that day and surprisingly he was nowhere to be found.
    “Earth to Sage.” Julian waved his hand in front of her face, regaining her attention.
    “Stop it,” she mumbled, swatting his hand out of her face. “I’m listening to you.”
    “I think your mind was a million miles away on Rally. Is he still giving you the silent treatment?”
    She sighed, tired of discussing Rally. “Can we not talk about