Free Just Ride: Legion of Guardians by Xyla Turner

my temper in front of the boys.
    “Her dad’s.” Shay raised an eyebrow at me. “Yes, I tried to talk her out of it, but she’s stubborn. Just like somebody else I know.”
    “She’s pissed?”
    “She’s livid, Razor.” Shay lowered her voice until the truck doors were closed since the boys were in the back. “Like, really mad.”
    Fuck.
    “Hmm.” I nodded.
    “Well, let’s make the best of it. I get to pick your brain about Operation Santa. Are you doing it this year?”
    We discussed our involvement with the organization and talked about logistics. The boys were old enough to roam but we remained close enough to watch them on the rides and gave them money when they needed.
    Shay was easy to talk with. Almost like a dude, but in a real cool way. I had no idea why she wasn’t with anyone, but more importantly, what happened between her and my brother. I probably should have kept my mouth shut, but I was curious.
    “None of my business. But I’m curious. What’s up with you and Bronx?”
    Shay stopped mid-sentence, slowly look up and in my eyes. “What?”
    Like I said, I probably shouldn’t have said anything.
    “You and Bronx.” I folded my arms over my chest.
    “We fucked, Razor.” She shrugged her shoulders. “He’s not interested in me and neither am I.”
    Oh.
    “What do you mean he’s not interested in you?” I smirked. “Are you fucking blind?”
    “Fuck no, I ain’t blind. He’s the blind one.” She shook her head. “He made that shit crystal fucking clear. He wasn’t fucking with me like that. So fuck him and the air he breaths.”
    “Shay, woman. I’m telling you.” I had no idea why I even put my shit in there. “Talk to that man. I don’t know what shit he was on, but I ain’t tellin’ you no lies. He regrets that shit.”
    “Razor, I know that’s your brother and all, but I don't wait for any man. I got my situation. I’m doing me. Don’t worry. I get it regular. Fuck Bronx.”
    Well, that was also crystal clear. I nodded, then said, “Obliged.”
    “Fuck does that mean? I do not speak biker.”
    “Means, I hear you, woman.” I laughed.
    She was funny. Hard as shit, but she meant well. At least I was able to spend those few hours with her than Lori, the stalker. She would have peppered me with questions about Apollo and that would have made me lose my shit on her.
    When I dropped off Will after we left the carnival, I was met by some movers at her mom’s house.
    “What the fuck is going on?” I asked.
    “Mrs. Rutgers is being relocated.” One mover said as he placed a headboard on a truck bed.
    When we walked in, there was a man in a grey suit hovering over a woman in night clothes. She did not look well and he was speaking harshly to her.
    “Susan, this is bullshit!” the man yelled.
    “Phillip, this is not up for discussion.”
    “The hell it is.” He went to run his hand through his thinning hair. “How could you not tell me something like that?”
    Shay turned towards me and whispered, “Maybe we should take the boys and come back. This is a family matter.”
    “Who is that?”
    “That’s Kylie’s mom and dad,” she said, still whispering.
    “We are divorced. It is none of your concern what I do, when I do it, or what I’m going through. Kylie had no right to tell you. It’s none of your damn business.” It seemed like her saying that took all the strength she had.
    “Let the record show that it was you who divorced me. I didn’t want that. You needed your space. I took made vows, Susan. Vows that I intend to keep.” He scooped her up and headed towards the door.
    “Put me down, Phillip,” she whispered.
    “Good time and bad times, Susan. Sickness and in health.” He turned and saw us.
    “Shay?” he asked.
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Tell Kylie that her mother is with me and will remain with me. All of her belongings are being delivered to my place, and I expect to hear from her when she returns.”
    “Phillip, don’t do this.” Susan