A Tykson revved its engine down the street. The single-person, hovering motorcycle was on the wish list of every eighteen-year-old I knew, except me. I was saving every little bit I had to buy my own ship so that I could safely get off this planet. It was my only chance at not getting caught. Another solid five years, and I might be close to having enough.

The blast of air under the Tykson spat dirt along my leg as it zoomed past. “Asshole. SpaceTech isn’t even attempting to clean up the city anymore.”

Roan ignored me because I could go on forever once I started on the company. “Haden stopped by during your intermediate class.”

I winced. I’d seen my ex stop by, but thankfully, I hadn’t talked to him. “What’d he want?”

We separated for a second to let someone pass between us. The side streets were way too crowded tonight. It was making me antsy.

“Jorge has a new recruit for you to train.”

“What’s the recruit’s story?”

Jorge was the head of the ABQ Crew. He’d been the one that found my mom and me nine years ago when we first got to New Mexico. He set us up with a safe place to live and papers so we could finally stop running. I owed him everything.

In return, I trained his recruits for free so they could help patrol the streets. Someone had to make Albuquerque safe, and SpaceTech wasn’t doing shit. This city owed a lot to the Crew, even if SpaceTech viewed them as a vigilante gang.

“Guy a year older than us wants in. He’s got some medical training, so he’ll be an asset, but he has to learn how to handle himself in case shit ever goes bad.”

Anyone with medical training was welcome in the Crew. “I can do that. He’ll have to start in my beginner class, just like everyone else. No bitching about being in with kids.”

“That’s fine. He’s already agreed and won’t be complaining. He’ll be there tomorrow.”

“Frosty.” Teaching was the only thing I actually liked doing on Earth. It made me feel like I was making a difference.

“And…”

Oh boy. Roan never hesitated to say anything unless he was about to piss me off. “What?”

“Haden wanted to talk to me about something more personal,” Roan said as he pulled me back to his side again.

That didn’t sound right. “More personal? With you? You’re not even friends with him.”

“He, uh… He wanted my opinion on how to get back together with you.” Roan blocked his face as if I’d hit him.

I rolled my eyes dramatically, and Roan stood straight again.

Haden was a bad decision that wasn’t going away. “No. He thinks he wants to get back together with me.”