Protecting Her Lost Soul

Chapter 26

It's been a two weeks of trying to ease Miley into school. She's been so bloody amazing. We're now onto trying full days with me not there. She did throw tantrums with me leaving her but once she knew that I'd return at the end of school she was fine.
     Flynn and Tyler have been helping me when I'm at work. I try not to take evening shifts but with uni in the day it's hard to find extra time. They also help watch Miley when I go running with Rex. He absolutely loves running with me. He has so much energy that it's good for him to run it off.
    I don't even bother with a lead anymore. He's always glued to my side anyway. I've seen a lot of Ruby and Scarlett as well. I'm getting really peeved with how Ruby's Dad treats her though.
     I drop Miley off at school and I head to the cafe I know her Dad owns. I sit at the back in the corner. "Oh, hey Riley. What can I get you?" Ruby asks as she wanders over.
    "Just a decaf coffee, please," she nods and heads back to the counter. My goal is to watch and observe. My phone buzzes and I get it out.
      JAX- Can you work today between 6pm-closing? Please? Maya called in sick? X
     I had better ask Flynn first. I send him a message and he text back and said no worries.
     ME- Sure, no worries.
    JAX- You're a life saver. I'll bring the goodies. X
     I laugh at his goodies. He's a sweet addict. "Ruby for fuck sake! Get out the way!" My eyes fly off my phone screen to a fat dude pushing Ruby out the way. I glare at him, he must be her Dad.
    Greasy brown hair, 5ft 6 if you're lucky, brown eyes. Watch your back, dickhead. I'm gunning for you. I look back at my screen grinning at Jax's messages.
     I hear a cup lower onto the table and I look up to see Ruby. I grab her hand and gesture for her to sit down. She does hesitantly. "Why the hell do you let him speak to you like that?"
    She shrugs, "I'm used to it. What choice do I have? He pays for my apartment, barely pays me. Since my brother left, it's my right to take over from him. He'll disown me if I don't."
    "Is that really any worse than this? What does my brother say?"
     She shrugs as she looks at her hands, "He said that he will support me what ever I chose. Said I can live with him. But it's too soon, I can't be sponging off him."
    "Know you have a place with me if you need it," she smiles halfheartedly at me. I understand, I really do. She feels trapped with no logical way out. To support herself on her own.
    "Ruby, get the fuck over here now! God, your so fucking lazy," her Dad growls.
     I'm going to fucking knock him out. I stand but she quickly grabs my hand. "Please don't," she begs. I sigh and sit back down. I'm going to make him pay, maybe not today but I will.
     She hurries back behind the till whilst I sit and drink my coffee. I cringe and put some sugar in it. Decaf coffee is grim but it's better than nothing.
    I watch for an hour and then head to uni. I find Tyler in the courtyard with Jesse and Tristan and bound up to him. I grab his jaw and his eyes widen looking at me. "What the hell, Sis!"
    Tristan bellows out a laugh and I quickly glare it him. I focus my eyes back on Tyler and he squeals like a girl. "Fuck you're kinda scary Lee."
    "Leave!" I growl to Tristan and Jesse. I hear their laughter fading so I focus back on Tyler. "What are you doing about Ruby's dad?"
    He sighs loudly, "What can I do sis? I've given her options but she won't take it. I've even tried reasoning with the guy, he's a fucking narcissistic arsehole."
    "What's his name?"
    He gently prizes my hand away from his jaw and relaxes slightly. "What are you planning to do? You better not make things worse." I glare at him. "Rodney Piper," he gives in.
It's no better having a name for the pig. However, it's going to help me take him the fuck down.
I start planning my revenge whilst I go to my classes. I manage a workout and I pick up Miley. Once home I take the dog for a walk with Miley. She's starting to hate having to walk him all the time.
She loves him for sure but the constant need to have to take him out, yeah she's not keen on it.
I start cooking dinner when we're home. I get Miley in the bath whilst multi tasking. Man, I've really been thrown in the deep end caring for a child and a dog.
However, I think I'm doing pretty well. Not amazingly well but I'm dealing. At least it means I remember to eat too. I don't have a lot of time to wall gaze anymore. She occupies every part of me.
Flynn walks through the door with Tyler. I smile at them both. "Flynn could you help Miley out the bath please?" He nods and toss the keys on the table.
I watch Tyler out the corner of my eye as he slumps on the couch. I take the pasta bake out the oven and start dishing. I have a feeling Tyler will be over most nights unless he's not with Ruby.
I'm so glad it's Friday. We can have a quiet weekend. I just have to get through my evening shift at work.
I tidy up after dinner and get ready for work. "Want to go out tonight when Lee gets home?"
"I'm tired mate, you go," Flynn mutters. From the look Tyler's giving he's not taking no for an answer.
"Don't be such a bore, we can have pre drinks here and then we will go." I roll my eyes. I'm not one of these girls that will stop their man going out, quite the opposite.
He's not really mine anyway. I'm his in every way that counts. I kiss them all goodnight and head to work.
I put on my beanie when I arrive. I meet Jax in the boot room and I kiss his cheek as he hands over some skates. "Hey babe," he smiles.
"Do you think I can use the printer at some point tonight please?" his brow pinches and then shrugs.
"Sure babe." I grab the next customers shoes and grabs some skates. I wrinkle my nose at the smell of their shoes. Some of them really stink. I pass over the skates and Jax offers me a toxic waste.
I take a blue one and shove it in my mouth. I love sour sweets. My jaw tingles at the strong sourness but I soldier in through.
"How can you keep a straight face?" he continues to observe my expression.
I take a green one and open it and offer for him to take it. He opens his mouth and I slide it in. This ought to be fun. His face start screwing up and I burst into a giggling fit. "Babe," he whines as he cringes.
"You're funny," I continue laughing but serve another customer. My jaw tingles again when I get to the middle.
I switch a few times between the boot room and the ice for a few hours and I'm now in the office. I place some gloves on and put some fresh paper in the paper tray.
I hitch my phone up to the printer and print the few documents I have on my phone.