by Ember Davis
Beckett looked surprised that she liked the idea of being married by an Elvis impersonator. She just shrugged and told him there wasn’t a reason to wait and the most important thing was being surrounded by our family. We flew back home the next day, the guys from SO dropping us off on their way to kick start the second leg of their tour after the month-long holiday break they took.
That was a week ago now and we’ve all settled back into a routine. There is one major difference though: we’re much busier. All our waiting lists have grown. I guess that’s what happens when you start popping up on the social media of rock stars and, you know, they mention them to everyone in a sold-out arena.
The shop’s Instagram has been going crazy, but Andrea’s holding down the fort and keeping us in the loop. She’s been such a great addition; Beckett would be pulling his hair out if she wasn’t managing the shop. She’s already got half of our slots filled for the Vegas convention, but she’s holding off on the rest right now until Amelia nails down the wedding plans.
I’m sitting up front with Andrea scrolling through some websites looking at dress options for the wedding. Amelia’s asked us both to be her bridesmaids. She isn’t having a maid of honor; she said it’s because she could never choose. She told us we could wear anything we wanted, she just asked that it have a vintage flair to it and be a solid, springy color. I know there are some real bridesmaid dress fails out there, but this one certainly won’t be.
I rest my chin in my hand watching Andrea slowly scroll, “I don’t know, what if I just wore the dress from New Year’s Eve again?”
Andrea gives me a side eye, “No ma’am. You will not be doing that. Same shoes would be fine. That dress was gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, and you looked stunning, but this is an excuse to buy a new dress.”
I shrug, “What’s the point if I always just buy a new dress for the next event?”
Amelia braces her hand on my shoulder and looks to the ceiling like she’s looking for strength. She’s not wrong to not know what to do with me. I’ve never been super girly even though I like girly things. I just want to be comfortable when it comes to what I wear and jeans really do work best in the shop, which is where I’ve spent most of my time. Before that it was school and I didn’t really care if I stood out, especially after my parents died. I just wanted to keep my head down and get through every day.
It’s kind of rough being a woman in a male dominated field. I know I don’t have it as bad as other female tattoo artist and I’m sure other industries are worse. I just want to always make sure that it’s my art that people are reacting to and not me or my body. Not to say I dress all buttoned up either. I’d rather slash up a t-shirt to show a little skin that way than wear a mini skirt; that’s all I’m saying.
Now that I have Zeke in my life, with how sexy he makes me feel by just looking at me and how turned on I can get just by thinking about him, I want to make a different kind of effort. There was something special about dressing up for New Year’s Eve. It wasn’t that he looked at me different or touched me more. Maybe it was how dressing up made me feel. I don’t know.
Andrea gives my shoulder a little squeeze. “It’s not every day that you’re a bridesmaid where you get to witness your bff getting married by Elvis to the love of her life.” She laughs, “We’re getting new dresses.”
I roll my eyes just to give her a hard time, she had me at Elvis. “Well I guess I should dress up more.”
Her eyes go soft, “No, not at all. You should continue being you. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take the opportunity presented to go all out.” She nudges my shoulder as we go back to looking at the computer, “Steve and I might be waiting longer to get married than Amelia and Beckett are, but I hope that you’ll be a bridesmaid for me too.”
I feel a huge grin spread across my face before I wrap her up in a hug, “Of course!” I pull back and ask her, “Have you guys set a date, yet?”
She grins, “Not exactly, we both want a winter wedding, so I’ve been looking at some venue options that aren’t super traditional and more scenic.” She shrugs, “I’m going to see a few places next week.”
This time I bump her shoulder, “If you need or want company, I’m happy to go with you.” Before she can answer me, I gasp and point to the screen seeing a light teal satin tea length dress that I fall in love with instantly. “That’s the one, put it in the cart.” I read through the description, “I want a lilac underskirt thing to match my shoes instead of the black they have pictured.”
Andrea grins at me, “It’s perfect!”
She starts clicking on the computer when the door chimes and she lifts her head with a smile on her face. “Hi! Welcome to Banks Ink. How can I help you?”
I don’t look up at first since I’m thinking about the look Zeke will give me when he sees me in this dress, my hair in some fancy vintagey updo. Maybe a flower in my hair? I shake off the fantasy because I’m at work; not that that usually stops me.
I look up and my breath catches in my throat because staring back at us is the spitting image of Zeke, just…older. Well, older and clean cut without the man bun. Zeke is a few inches taller and broader also. I blink a few times and try not to let my heart sink. What is Zeke’s dad doing here? They haven’t spoken in almost five years. Fuck.
He takes a tentative step forward, “Hi.” He glances at me and gives me a small, soft smile, “I’m looking for Zeke.”
That shakes me out of my stupor, and I stand up rapidly. Andrea furrows her brow and shoots me a weird look. I take a step around the counter and take a deep breath, trying to reign in my calm. “Mr. Masters,” his eyes widen slightly like I wouldn’t know who this man was or something. Well, surprise. “I’m Olivia, I’m Zeke’s girlfriend.” He gives me that small soft smile again. “I’d be happy to get Zeke for you, but only if you’re not here to put more blame on him for the accident Graduation night.” He winces and looks away, but he doesn’t look angry. “If you are, then you need to leave, right now. I will not allow the man I love to have any more shame, regret or guilt heaped on him.” I take a deep breath before I start yelling and keep my voice steady, “That’s not what we do in this family.”
His shoulders slump. I’m not sure what reaction I was expecting, but when his sad eyes meet mine, I know that he has no intention of placing more blame on Zeke’s shoulders.
His voice is softer than I expected, “Olivia, it’s nice to meet you. Please call me Brian.” He reaches out his hand and I shake it instinctively. “I’m so glad my son has someone like you in his life, who fights for him.” He runs a hand over his face, “I should have fought for him. I have no excuse for what happened, and I won’t try to make one. I’m not here to put anymore blame on him.” He looks me straight in my eyes and I can see his sincerity, “I promise you, Olivia.”
I take a deep breath and nod. “Okay, I’ll go back and see if he wants to come out and see you. He should be finishing up his client soon and then we’re done for the day.” I give him a small smile, “I don’t know what his answer will be. He’s been afraid of this day for a long time,” Brian’s shoulders slump even farther, “but he does need it.”
Brian nods, “Thank you.”
As I head into the back, I hear Brian asking Andrea which art on the wall is Zeke’s, but I can only focus on the love of my life who is hunched over his client. His focus is so fucking sexy, and I can see the intensity in his grey eyes. He’s been keeping his beard a little shorter lately; I think he doesn’t want me to think it’s craggily. It’s hot as fuck either way. A few strands of his hair have gotten loose from his man bun and they hang down, framing his face.
Fuck. I don’t want to hurt him, but I know that he needs to face his past before he can fully embrace his future. Brian better be telling me the truth; I really don’t want to have to slap the man. Maybe I can get Walsh to beat him up. I don’t pay attention to whether anyone looks up from their work, my attention is completely on my gruff man, who happens to be a
ll soft inside.
Zeke glances up and his eyes lock with mine. I don’t know what he sees there but worry and concern instantly etch his face. “What’s wrong, Livy?”
I force a small smile, “Are you almost done, Babe?”
He glances back down at the tattoo and then up at me, “Yeah.” I nod before pointedly looking back down at his client, urging him to finish.
He flashes me a worried look and then hunches back over his client. Less than a minute later he straightens up and puts his rig down. He glances up at me again as he wipes it down as I enter his station area and sit in the extra chair off to the side.
He has his client hop off the chair and check out the work before he snaps a pic and wraps it up while giving aftercare instructions. He fist bumps his grinning client, “Andrea will cash you out upfront and she has aftercare sheets too.” He chuckles, “Not that you need it.”
He’s right, I see Zeke’s art all over the guy’s body, so definitely a repeat client. Zeke keeps glancing at me as he cleans up his station quickly. When he’s done, he stands up and pulls me up out of my chair.
He wraps his arms around me and rasps, “You’re scaring the shit out of me, little fairy. What is going on?”
I take a deep breath and look around and keep my voice low, “Maybe we should go to the backroom for this.”
He picks me up and throws me over his shoulder and stalks toward the backroom. I let out a surprised gasp, but I must admit that the view is fucking amazing. I fight the urge to reach down and give his ass a squeeze. Amelia’s totally right, these guys don’t let an opportunity to throw one of us over their shoulder pass them by. Barbarians.
Zeke kicks the door closed behind him and then lets me slide down his body slowly. I shudder because anytime that I’m this close to Zeke’s strong body lust takes over. He cups my face in his hands and rubs his fingers along my cheeks. I close my eyes and push away my fear of what I’ll see in his eyes when I tell him.
I open my eyes and Zeke’s brow is furrowed, concern shining in his eyes and a scowl on his face. I take a deep breath, “Zeke, first, I want you to know that I love you with every single cell of my being. I will always stand behind you and support you.” His scowl deepens before he opens his mouth, but I cut him off. Just tear off the band aid. “Babe, your father is in the reception area.”
Zeke blinks once, twice, three times and he starts to shake his head back and forth. “Livy, no…”
I wrap my arms around him and hug him tightly. I reach up on my tiptoes and kiss his chin, his nose, his cheeks and finally his lips. “Yes, Zeke. He’s out there. I knew it was him the moment I saw him.” I cup his cheek and then run my fingers through his beard, “He looks so much like you.”
His breathing starts to pick up, usually I only hear it when he’s turned on, but right now I know it’s from panic. He’s shaking his head back and forth slowly, “No, Olivia.”
“Yes, Babe.” I sigh, “I told him that if he was here to put more blame on you and pull you down that he needed to turn right around and leave.” His eyes widen, “I told him that I wouldn’t allow you to have that put on your shoulders anymore because I love you and you never deserved it.”
The awe in his voice makes my heart break and reknit together, “You did?”
I nod firmly, “I did. I love you so much Zeke and what they did was wrong. I will not allow that to happen again. None of us will. I told him that we don’t do that in this family.”
He breathes out, “Wow.”
I give him a small smile, “That’s the least you deserve, Babe. The very least.” I press my hand against his chest; I can feel his heart pounding. “He promised me that he wasn’t here to do that. He said he was glad that you had someone fighting for you and that he should have done the same.”
Zeke’s eyes go a little glassy and I have to blink to fight back my own tears. His voice is low and unsure, “I don’t know if I want to see him.”
I nod solemnly, “I know, Zeke. I know.” I heave a sigh, “I wish I could tell you that you don’t have to.” His eyes narrow slightly, “I won’t force you. I can’t. Still, you need to put this to rest. You need to confront it so that you can continue to move forward in your life. So that you can heal and let your past go.”
He presses his forehead against mine and rasps against my lips, “I just need you, little fairy.”
I chuckle, “I know you need me, Babe, but you need more than just me. More than just our hooligan family. Even if you choose not to reconcile with your dad or anyone else from your past, you owe it to yourself to find out what he wants to say and to let yourself say what you need to.” I look up into his eyes, hoping that he can see the truth in them. “You need to do it, not for him, but for you. You need to show him the amazing man you’ve become and that you not only survived, but that you’ve taken your talent and made a life out of it.”
Zeke closes his eyes and wraps his arms around me, pulling me tight against him. Holding me and I hope taking some of my comfort and strength. I can lend it to him and help hold him up. I can be strong for him the same way he’s strong for me. I can push him the same way he pushes me; to do better, be better and to reach for more.
I whisper against his chest, “I’ll be right by your side.”
Zeke nods, “Okay.” He pulls back slightly and looks down at me, his grey eyes lit with determination. “Okay, as long as you’ll be by my side, I can face him.”
I take his face in my hands and pull him toward me as I go up to meet him. The kiss starts out sweet and gentle but almost instantly morphs into something more passionate. There is lust there, but there is also a heavy dose of fear and uncertainty.
He breaks away from my lips and kisses my forehead before tucking me against his body again and hugging me close. His voice is hoarse, “Do you think…” He clears his throat and starts again, “Do you think you could bring him back here? I don’t want to see him for the first time in the reception area or with everyone watching.”
“Of course.” I give him a small smile and I kiss the underside of his jaw. I take a deep breath of his masculine scent, cedar and citrus. I breathe out, “I love you.”
He murmurs, “I love you, little fairy. Thank you.”
I step back from him and turn to leave the room, I smile back at him, “That’s what families do.”
I walk to the reception area quickly and see that Amelia, Beckett and Walsh are out front talking with Brian. Amelia must have come in the shop to meet up with Beckett before heading home or to grab some dinner. She’s in the shop most evenings that Beckett’s appointments don’t run too late.
Beckett’s eyes meet mine and I can see the strain and the concern in them. Walsh studies Brian, his eyes narrowed slightly, like he’s taking the measure of the man and isn’t sure what to think of him yet. Amelia’s face is full of concern and she rubs her belly absently. Amelia meets my gaze and I see a fierceness there that tells me she’ll fight for Zeke and his happiness, that she’ll stand up next to me and him and take on the world with us.
I clear my throat, “Brian.” He turns slowly and I see the questions in his eyes, the worry that his son won’t want to see him. I nod toward the back, “If you’d follow me, we have a private room in the back of the shop.” I make sure my voice is strong, not just for Brian, but for everyone. “Zeke’s agreed to see you. Just remember I won’t stand for any mind games.” A slow smile spreads across Amelia’s lips, it’s full of pride with a little ‘you go girl’ thrown in.
Brian nods and starts to take a step toward me but pauses. He looks around the shop and then at our faces, his eyes filled with gratitude. “You have a really nice place here. I can see you all love Zeke very much. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to know that he’s had people who support him in his life. I should have done more of that. I know I failed him, but I promise you that I don’t have any intention of doing it again.”
Amelia gives Brian a sad smile as she reaches out and touches his bicep
. “It takes a lot of courage to admit when you’ve done something wrong, especially when it hurt someone. That’s a great first step.” Her words are quieter when she tells him, “Good luck.”
Brian gives her a tight smile and a nod before moving toward me. I turn and walk through the station area toward the back of the shop. When we pass by Zeke’s station, I motion with my arm, “This is Zeke’s station.”
A look of pride and amazement comes over Brian’s face as he takes in the art on the pony walls and back wall. Awe fills his voice, “You know, he always had a talent for drawing, and I’ve seen some of his work online, but seeing it in person is something else.” His voice cracks, “It’s beautiful.”
I give him a small smile, “He’s very talented.”
Brian nods and then continues to follow me into the back room. When I enter the room and move to the side, I see Zeke sitting on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped under his chin. His eyes and head are cast downward but when Brian enters the room Zeke’s eyes slowly rise and meet his dad’s. I can see the apprehension, the anger, the guilt and the fear in his eyes, but I also see a glimmer of hope. That is what I intend to latch onto.
CHAPTER 20
ZEKE
When I look up and see my dad for the first time in almost five years, it rocks me in a way I wasn’t expecting. He looks…older. I know that probably shouldn’t come as a surprise, but I remember him always being larger than life. He always took care of himself and it’s clear that he still does, but there’s a sadness around him now that wasn’t there before.
I guess the same could have been said about me until I let Olivia into my heart completely. I don’t feel like I’m bogged down by sadness and the past anymore. I know that I don’t have to let my life wallow in that one day anymore. I meet Liv’s gaze and it’s full of so much affection and care; it bolsters me and tells me that no matter what happens, we’ll be fine.