After putting my heels on and grabbing a purse, we held hands on the way to the living room. Animal was sitting on the couch with a tall iced tea in his hand. He stood when I entered the room, a gentleman’s habit that I returned with a small curtsey.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bones, don’t you cut a fabulous vision?” He reached into his back pocket and held out two tickets. “And for you, entry to Midville High School’s graduation. These tickets are more impossible to get than the MusicFestStock ones were. Use them wisely.” He offered them to me and I placed them in my purse.
“Thank you, kind sir.” Animal bent to give me a kiss on the cheek. He was here more than he wasn’t, which was good. Family burned deep for him and he considered me an extension of Nix.
The fact that these men weren’t actually related was almost laughable. They adored one another.
“You think this is cool? I should’ve texted her. You sure you don’t want to come?” Nix was fidgeting with his tie again.
Animal patted Nix on the face. He took the tie from Nix’s hands and undid it. He slipped it out and unbuttoned Nix’s top button.
“There you go. Just be you, baby. How many times do I have to tell you? You are enough.” Animal tossed Nix’s tie on the couch. “And I’ve got a thing I have to do, but thanks.”
I gave my man an assessing once-over. Animal had been right. The tie was better left on the furniture. I put my arm through his. “We got to go. I heard a rumor that the parking’s a nightmare.”
Nix decided on the blue minivan because he didn’t want the Hummer to be too flashy.
We were skeletons going to a graduation, so the flashy cat was out of the flashy bag, but I didn’t complain as I climbed into the passenger side.
“I’m worried.” He voiced needlessly. His hands were tapping on the steering wheel.
“I’m excited to see her. It’s a big day.” Nix’s sister was an enigma for me. He’d shown me a few pictures, and the girl and I shared similar space on the broken heart on his chest. I hadn’t met Christina yet, but Nix was hoping to go to a tea party and introduce me in a few weeks. Before that, Mom would be home with Alton from Europe. A lot of firsts on the horizon.
The parking lot was a nightmare, but Nix seemed less anxious as we got closer. After parking and walking what had to be a half a mile to get in a giant line, I was wishing for my old behind-the-bar Crocs.
Nix held my hand and from time to time I would squeeze his. The woman taking tickets paused for a minute before taking ours. The ink would set us apart, and we’d have to get used to it or force people to get used to us.
We found a spot on the bleachers. Nix read the pamphlet over and over. When he found her name, he pointed it out to me. Ember had the last name Massy. His aunt had changed both of their names to keep them under the radar. Nix had explained that it was kind of pointless because they had stayed in the same house.
My butt felt flat by the time we stood for the graduates to march in. There were hundreds of people in the stands, so we didn’t expect Ember to see us. Nix spotted his sister but I was unable to see which girl he was referring to.
There were speeches and songs that were long-winded and touching, depending on the performer at the time. Finally, it was time for the degrees. Some of the kids got polite claps, and others got wild applause. When they got to the Ms, both Nix and I perked up.
Finally they announced it.
“Ember Ann Massy,” echoed throughout the auditorium. The polite clapping began as Ember crossed the stage. I looked at Nix. I watched as he decided that his sister deserved more.
He stood up and started whistling loudly, adding, “Go, Ember!” in his loudest voice. I cheered from my seat, but let Nix have the spotlight. I watched as Ember squinted to see who was causing a fuss over her. The pure, innocent thrill on her face made me tear up. After she got her diploma and shook the principal’s hand, she waved at Nix.
He sat down as the next kid’s name was called. I kissed Nix on the cheek. He turned his face toward me.
“Just like a big brother should. Nice work.”
I watched as he puffed up his chest and his eyes sparkled.
It had been worth the traffic and the flat butt for that moment.
The graduates flipped the tassel from one side of their caps to the other. But Ember still had a surprise for Nix. During the recessional, after each row neatly exited, the graduates were supposed to proceed to the atrium to meet family.
Instead, Ember handed her diploma to the girl in front of her, branched off, and slid through a row of people. She came through the maze of guests, lifting her graduation gown until she got to the stairs. Nix was grinning from ear to ear and met her halfway down. Ember launched herself into his arms.
“This is my brother. My brother came!” she was telling all the people around her. The good-humored crowd clapped for them both.
Ember yelled over the crowd, “You’re back? For good?”
I didn’t hear Nix’s answer, but judging from the happy jumps Ember committed to once she was on her feet, he’d given her a response she liked. Ember’s sense of decorum hit her quickly and she scurried through the crowd and got back in line.
Nix came to stand next to me, and he was still smiling. I rubbed his arm. “Good work. This was the right thing to do for her.”
He was thrilled. Soon after Ember was out of sight, Nix’s phone had a text from Animal.
Must have gone great. Can I give Ember your contact info?
I waited as Nix texted yes. Soon after he had a text from Ember, so he obviously had her number but that fact was unknown to his sister.
I have to get on this bus! That really happened? You were here? You’re back?
Nix and I made our way slowly down to the crowded exit. He messaged her back.
Yes, I’m here. Yes, that happened, and yes, I’m staying.
The responding text was fast.
There’s a program where they take the graduates to a party. I’m on the bus. I’ll be home at 2am. They do this so we don’t drink and drive. The whole class goes. Can I see you tomorrow?
Nix answered.
It’s a promise. Have fun. Be safe. Call me if you need anything.
She responded with emojis.
After we cleared the auditorium, we shuffled with the crowd to the parking lot. It’d take a million hours to get out of this place.
Nix and I sat while he put on the air conditioning.
I caught him looking at the text exchange again.
“What’s up?” I rubbed his thigh.
“It’s just amazing to me. How quickly she forgave me. I mean, I left for a year right after connecting with her. She’s a better man than I am. I would’ve held a grudge.” He put his head against the headrest while we waited for the cars around us to start moving.
“She’s a smart girl. You deserve quick forgiveness.”
He turned his head and stared at me.
“You’re both too nice to me.” He licked his lips.
“I hope so.” I leaned over and put my head on his shoulder. We stayed like that until Nix could actually start to drive.
I had a present for him tonight, so about halfway home, I redirected him to Lauren’s tattoo parlor.
45
SOME MORE
Fenix
I listened to Becca and did as she asked, though I’d never been to the parlor in the van. Luckily, Becca turned it into a joke.
It was great to see Lauren. We hugged quickly. I watched her assess the ink, checking to see if any of it was fading or feathering.
I must have passed her inspection, but she hadn’t seen the damage from my gunshot wound’s scar.
“Mercy, I approved the design of what she’s doing. So you know.” Lauren patted Becca on the shoulder and left for her back office.
The shop was closed usually this early on a Saturday, but Becca had Lauren’s regular chair set up like I was getting a tat. After she instructed me to sit and remove my shirt, it was clear I
was getting one. She shut the door to the private room.
She tied her hair back and washed her hands thoroughly. It was hot seeing her concentrate on the colors and the tattoo machine.
Finally, when it was set to her liking, she addressed me.
“I had an idea for you. And I had Lauren work up the design. So, I want to know if it’s okay and I’ll show you the plans.” Becca went to turn on her stool to, I assumed, show me the outline she wanted me to approve. I snatched her wrist.
“No.” I watched her beautiful face fall a little. “I don’t want to see it. You do whatever you want to me. I trust you.”
I let go of her wrist and relaxed back in the chair. I closed my eyes and pointed at them with flourish.
Becca grumbled a little about having to wash her hands again, but I could tell she was pleased by the lilt in her voice. I waited and she prepped my chest. I felt the wipes, the light shaving, and the outline getting applied.
“Okay, I’m about to start. You sure? I could still show you.”
I shook my head. “I want to be surprised.”
And as much as I wanted to watch my girl ink my skin, I kept my eyes shut for the entire procedure.
She was working on my chest, right where I had my broken heart. The pain was spiritual for me—it always was. The modification of my body was about more than my appearance.
Her hand felt sure, her application smooth. I knew she was a talented artist, and that she loved trying to convert that skill to this new medium. I was buzzing with excitement when it became clear she was close to done. The tattoo hadn’t taken too long, and she hadn’t covered a lot of area.
She wiped at it reverently. “Okay, let me grab the mirror. God, I’m nervous.”
I kept my eyes closed and a smile on my face. “It’ll be great, love.”
“I’m ready. Take a look when you want.”
I assumed she was holding the mirror for me because it hadn’t been placed in my hands.
“I’m going to look around for a few seconds so my eyes adjust. Sound good?”
I waited for her to answer. “Yes. Damn, I should’ve thought of that.”
I turned my head toward the wall. I blinked a few times until I was focusing like normal. First, I looked at her beautiful face. She was obviously nervous about my reaction.
Then I dropped my stare to the mirror she was holding. My chest was reflected—the familiar broken heart altered. She’d inked a thread, sewing up the jagged edges. Each name on my chest had a small eyelet that formed the picture.
The women on my chest fixing the broken parts of me.
I shifted in my chair as the meaning hit me. I looked from the mirror to my actual chest. The tattoo was still bleeding a bit. She’d done a beautiful job. The shading was very realistic.
Next to her name, she had a small half skull outline with a bow. Upon closer inspection, the bow was a little infinity symbol.
“I love it.” I let my finger run along the edge of the new image.
“Oh, thank fuck.” She set the mirror on my lap.
I had to chuckle at her response.
“It’s perfect.” I wanted to tell her more, but I wasn’t able to find the right words.
“You’re perfect.” I could see there was more in her eyes.
She took the need for words from us both by rolling closer so we could kiss.
“One more thing.” Becca used her heels to push the stool backwards. She unbuttoned the front of her shirt.
Exactly above where her human heart was located, she had an obvious Lauren creation. The new tat was an exact replica of my face ink. And my name was written underneath it.
I got out of the chair and pulled her to standing. I bent my neck so I could run my lips on her dedication to me.
“The face tattoo was so much… but this too?” I touched her new tat with my fingertips.
“You’ve covered yourself to hide. And I’ll cover myself to join you.”
I dipped her before our next kiss.
Ink and our love would last forever.
The End
Sneak peek of Animal
ANIMAL
I wasn’t sure what the world had in store for me. A shit beginning, that was for sure. Firehouse Baby was my name for at least six months, so that was why I picked my own name later on.
I was a number to the state. My boy Nix, he had it bad. Sad shit happened to Bones, but at least he knew who he was.
I was what I created. I was a homemade myth. And now I was getting ready to become a homemade legend.
I didn’t have a family handed to me, so I picked my own. Shattered souls came to me, and now I would lead them.
Coming Early Winter 2018 Animal by Debra Anastasia
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Hubs and Kids: Nothing is better than you.
Helena: Pepper thanks Salt
Tijan: You keep me sane and that’s a hard job.
Texas K: I can’t wait until we write a horrible book together someday.
Erika: Word Counting is a skill! <3 Thanks for keeping me honest.
Lauren Rosa and Christina Santos, my gorgeous girls. How I got so lucky to have you BOTH in my everyday, I’m not sure, but I am forever grateful.
Family:
Mom and Dad, thank you so much for keeping a copy of all my weirdness in your house so you have to explain to the neighbors how “unique” your daughter is.
Pam: I love you so very much. You are the best big sister in the world. And hey Jim!
Mom and Dad D: Thank you for treating me like the daughter you never expected to get and also can’t get rid of!
Uncle Ted and Aunt Jo: Thank you for being Disney magic, I love you!
Business Beauties:
Kimberly Brower, you are a rock star. Thank heavens for you and Jess.
CP Smith, my incredible formatting goddess.
Paige Smith for kick ass edits.
Gitte and Jenny from Totally Booked.
Give Me Books Blog.
My Swat Team, Debra’s Daredevils and the Beta team! I’ve got access to the most amazing crew in the world. Thank you!
Christina Santos
Lauren Rosa
Ashley Scales
Angelica Maria Quintero
Michele Macleod
Elaine Turner
Sarah Piechuta
Lauren Lascola-Lesczynski
Jennie Gordon Coon
Friends I love and lean on:
Tara Sivec
Teresa Mummert
Meghan Quinn
Nina Bocci
Liv Morris
Ruth Clampett
Daisy Prescott
SM Lumetta
And so many more I know I am forgetting.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debra Anastasia likes to write from her heart, her soul or her butt. The genres she dabbles in are examples of that. Her paranormal stories include For All The Evers and the Seraphim Series. There are four books in the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series and Mercy is the newest in the new adult angst genre. Fire Down Below and Fire in the Hole, Booty Camp Dating Service and Beast complete her comedy repertoire. The Revenger, a dark paranormal romance, is finally in the light, and the last, a novella called Late Night with Andres, is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research.
Debra lives in Maryland with her two kids, husband of twenty years and two dogs. The king of the house is clearly the tuxedo cat that is the size of a small donkey. Find about her latest adventures on DebraAnastasia.com
OTHER TITLES BY DEBRA ANASTASIA
Angst
Mercy
Poughkeepsie Begins
Poughkeepsie
Return to Poughkeepsie
Saving Poughkeepsie
Comedy
BEAST
Booty Camp Dating Service
Fire Down Below
Fire in the Hole
Felony Ever After
Late Night with Andres
Paranormal
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For All The Evers
The Revenger
Crushed Seraphim
Bittersweet Seraphim
Coming Soon
Animal (Winer 2017)
Mercy Page 34