Page 23 of Liberty
We both turned to see Ma standing there.
“Yep, sweet Bea, I sure am.” My father nodded.
I shook my head. “Not you too, Ma?”
“Fraid so, son. It is written all over the both of ya.”
“Written…” I tucked my head back. “I’ll tell you what is written on us. Rules of engagement like her next move is gonna be to slap the spit outta my mouth if the look in her eyes today was any clue.”
“Yeah, she was hopping mad at ya,” Ma said as she chuckled. “But I am betting that no man has ever rubbed her the wrong way like you have. I bet she got along with most men before she met you. Had men friends and it was all fine and dandy. But you are different from what she has encountered before. You make her on edge. Touchy as all heck and nervous even.”
I shook my head. “You're both nuts if you think that is love.”
“Maybe for other people it isn’t love,” Ma countered. “Like your brother Justice and his Scarlet. They are nothing like you and Belle personality wise. So, they fell in love pretty darn easily.”
“Yep,” my dad agreed. “But there isn't anything easy about Belle or you for that matter. Yeah, you are a joker, but you can raise hell better than most men I’ve known. You never show any feelings you think might be considered as weak. I’m notcriticizing because you are a professional fighter and weakness is as good as death to your kind. But you have a real talent for pissing people off with just a few words. Like the way you ride your brother Justice and try to keep him humble. But I got one question for you. Who’s keeping you humble?”
I laughed. “Fate thinks he’s got that handled.”
“Too bad for him then,” my father replied. “Cause it is gonna be this Belle woman. Mark my words, Liberty. She is gonna turn you inside and out then she is gonna set you on fire.”
I laughed-snorted at his somewhat grisly description. “Well, if you mean that in a violent way, then I will have to agree with you. A few minutes ago, she sure looked like she would jump at the chance to pour gasoline on me then strike a match.”
Ma laughed and took my father’s hand in hers then gave me a nod of her head. “I’m sure she wouldn’t do you that much bodily harm, Liberty. But I will say that when this all hits ya, it’ll be making a huge hole in your screen door for sure.”
I kept shaking my head at them. “I don’t even know what that means. “
They both laughed.
“Good luck, son. You are gonna need it,” my dad said as they both walked away.
“Hey Lib!”
I sighed and turned to see Fate coming my way.Great, more Walker smirking and smartass advice coming my way.“I am not in the mood, Fate.”
“Oh?” He grinned at me. “You need help, man. Lots of help.”
“What are you talking about now?” I asked in disgust.
“Scarlet is heading this way and she is pretty upset about what’s happening with you and Belle.” He shrugged. “And thatmeans Justice is not none too happy either. So I just wanted to give you a head’s up, is all.” He motioned behind me. “There they are now in fact.”
I let out a breath and turned to face them.This just will not end. Why can’t they all mind their own damn business?
“Did you get her to calm down?” Scarlet asked me.
I shook my head. “No luck on that. I tried, Scarlet. It seems like all I do is make it worse.”
“It seems like?” Justice repeated at me. “Saying you could get her naked if you wanted to? I mean what did you think she would do? Agree with you?”
I glared at him. “Look, I appreciate everyone’s advice and help or whatever. But this is between Belle and I to work out or not, ok?” I narrowed my eyes at Fate and then at Justice. “I need you two to step back and stay out of this.”
Justice glared at me. “Just do not let it get in the way of our wedding. That is all I ask. The rest of it is yours to mess up.”
“Who says I’m gonna do that?” I demanded.
Both of my brothers laughed.
“What do I keep saying?” Fate scoffed. “De Lulu. The guy just cannot see it.”
