by t. h. snyder
“He remembered the room?” Linc asks.
Shaking my head, I look up to Dault, who now has his arms wrapped around me.
“It was the tattoo. I was sitting on the table and he saw our tattoo.”
“Wahoo!” Ashley squeals through the room, rushing over to hug us both.
We all burst into a fit of laughter as everyone else comes around to join in on our love session.
Sentiments of excitement are shared along with hugs and kisses. My eyes meet his and we both smile. He’s honestly made this day the best, I couldn’t haven’t dreamed that something as simple, yet meaningful, as the tattoo would help him see who we really were to each other.
Chapter 25
I felt something was up with Dault questioning my car, but it didn’t exactly make sense at the time. Hearing that he’s having flashbacks is encouraging to say the least. He’s slowly coming back to us and the excitement shifting through the shop is uncanny.
Walking to the front door, I peer out the window to see a line of people waiting for us to open up. As I glance to the skull clock on the wall, I see that it’s just about two o’clock.
It’s go time and I need to round everyone up and get them into their places. Etty’s pretty much occupied right now, so I figure I can lend a bit of a hand in her absence.
Standing in the middle of the hallway, I start to call out everyone’s name….shit, there’s a lot of us.
We all congregate in the center of the shop and move to our places as Jo goes to unlock the door. Linc, Etty, and Jo have agreed to man the reception area while Cliff, Ashley, and I get ready to prep for our first clients. We’ve given Dault the option to dabble around if he wants, but no pressure. After all his memory just resurfaced, I’m not sure an ink machine in his hands is the appropriate call right now.
Voices and the sounds of people starting to swarm the large space begin to fill the shop. Anxious to see what we are in for today, I stick my head out of the hallway to see Ashley and Cliff doing the same thing.
“Holy shit, there are a lot of people out there,” Ashley says looking down the hallway.
“You ready for this?” I ask.
“Hell yeah, I’m ready, this is going to be a walk in the park. Slow and steady…right boss?” She asks flashing me her gorgeous smile and a wink.
Damn, how did I get so lucky…I’ll never know.
The next few hours fly by and already I’ve sat six people in my chair and set a few more appointments to keep me busy throughout the week. The day is going so much better than I could have hoped for. Etty and Jo did an amazing job marketing the event; people are coming from all around Birmingham to meet the infamous Cursed Crew of Cursed Magic.
It’s a prideful moment to know that there are people out there just as invested in our art as we are—an exhilarating feeling that I don’t know will ever get old.
Needing a bit of a break after my last session, I clean up my area and head out to the reception area. Linc, Jo, and Etty are busy talking to a few people so I decide to walk around and see some of the items left on the display tables.
The front door chimes and I turn to see three people that I never in my wildest dreams would expect to walk into our shop.
“Christian…Jenn,” Etty screams running to the door.
With her hand extended to my ex-sister-in-law, Kris, I watch as she introduces herself while my blood begins to boil.
“Hi, I’m Etty. You must be Kris. Christian mentioned that you’d be here for a visit, thanks so much for stopping on by with them.”
Kris shakes Etty’s hand before looking up to me, her big brown eyes popping out of her head. Tucking strands of her brown locks behind her ear, she quickly turns her head to the ground and fumbles with her hands in a nervous gesture.
As I look over to Linc and Jo, my mouth is to the floor. They shake their heads and watch as Etty falls into Christian’s arms in a tight hug. It’s one thing to see Christian again, but what the fuck are Jenn and her sister, Kris doing here?
Jenn’s blue eyes meet mine and her face turns white as a ghost, yeah…the feeling is mutual.
“Yay, I’m so glad you guys came. I have to introduce you around to everyone. It’s been crazy busy in here since the doors opened, so I’m not sure if there’s time to really chat.”
Etty’s face is beaming with excitement and all I want to do is escort my ex-fucking-wife out of the God damn door. She has no right to be here and no reason to show up in our shop...she’s not welcome here.
“What’s all the excitement about out here?” Cliff asks his voice cutting through the thick air like a piece of glass. “Holy fuck and who is that delicious looking brunette standing next to that scum bag?”
My head turns to face his still stance, my eyes glowing like I’m a rabid animal.
“Cliff, not now,” I release through my lips, my jaw locked in place.
“Dude, she’s seriously hot,” he whispers in my direction.
“Shut. The. Fuck. Up. Now is not the time, nor is she someone you want to get involved with…believe me.”
Moving over to the happy reunion, I make eye contact with Christian and pull on Etty’s arm.
“Excuse us for a moment, would ya?” I bark in a sarcastic tone.
Ushering her through the reception area, her heals clatter against the tile as we make our way down the hallway and into Linc’s office. Shutting the door behind us, I’m practically breathless.
“What the fuck, Etty?” I ask through clenched teeth.
The smile on her face turns to a frown as her blue eyes stare back to mine.
“Oh come on, Steve, don’t start with me. Christian and I are friends, have been from the start. He’s welcome in Cursed Magic as long as I’m here.”
“Yeah, just wait till Dault gets wind of that, but he’s not who I’m furious about right now.”
I’m so angry right now, I could punch a happy fucking clown.
My fists are gripped so tightly along my side, it feels as though my knuckles will burst through my skin at any moment. With my pulse racing and sweat forming along my brow, I wouldn’t be surprised if I go into cardiac arrest…like right now.
With a confused smirk, Etty looks at me like I’ve grown ten heads.
“Who? Jenn? What’s wrong with her? She’s been dating Christian for the past few months, she’s really nice…I swear.”
Slamming my palms down onto Linc’s desk, I lean forward attempting to catch my bearings before I flip the fuck out.
“Jenn is dating Christian…well, that’s fucking rich.”
“What the hell is your problem, Steve? You’ve either lost your mind or I’ve completely missed the loon boat here.”
“That woman out there, Christian’s girlfriend and your new friend…wanna know why I’m so enraged that she’s here right now?”
Nodding her head, she crosses her arms against her chest and stands leaning to one hip.
“She’s my ex-fucking-wife, Etty. The chick I married after Ashley left me all those years ago.”
Etty’s hand flies to her mouth as a loud gasp escapes her lips.
“Yeah, so now you know why I’m a bit out of sorts. If Ashley sees her, I’m certain you’ll have another irate person on your hands.”
Moving closer to me, she places her hand on my arm.
“Steve, I had no idea. I’ve only met her once and Christian never mentioned her past to me all the times we’ve talked.”
“Look, I’m sorry for blowing up on you, but as you can tell she’s not in my top one million people to reunite with. I’ll just head back in my room and y’all can say your piece without me around.”
“Steve, please don’t be upset with me…I honestly didn’t know.”
“It’s not you, Etty. Just keep her away from me and Ashley…got it?”
As she nods in acceptance, I push past her and leave the room. My eyes scan the hallway leading to the open space and I see both Ashley and Dault standing beside Jenn and Christian.
Mother fucker…too late.
“Oh, Etty, get your cute little ass out here now,” I call from the hallway.
As she walks out of the office, her gaze striking the same group of people as mine.
“Time to enforce some damage control, she does not look too happy to see your friends here, Etty.”
“Shut the fuck up, Steve,” she says rushing past me.
Moving as quickly as I can down the hallway, I step to Ashley’s side.
“Well, this is a nice little family reunion. Thanks so much for coming to our grand re-opening you two. Would you like to sit in one of our chairs for your own piece? I know for sure I’d love to see Dault etch Christian.”
“Steve,” Etty seethes, looking to me with ice in her eyes.
“You can do whatever you want, Etty, but she’s not welcome in here,” I state pointing to Jenn.
Her gaze turns to Ash, her eyes pleading for help.
“Babe, let’s go back to your room.”
“Babe? Oh my God, you two are back together…well, of course you are. How long has it been? Were you seeing her the whole time we were married, ‘cause that would totally make sense...”
Jenn steps forward to confront Ashley as Christian pulls her back.
“What are you even talking about? I haven’t see Steve in years and if what he told me is correct…you left him. Did you know how sick he was, how badly he needed someone to lean on? No you didn’t, instead you left him when he needed someone the most. He was in such a vulnerable state and you left him.”
Nodding her head with a cocky grin, Jenn starts to laugh.
“Yeah, maybe you, Miss Priss, should get your facts straight. He was a low life loser dwelling on the fact that Little Miss Perfect left him and guess who got to deal with it as a runner up….me. For years, I tried to fill your shoes, to make him love me the way he loved you. It was a battle I could never win, I’d never be you…that’s what he wanted and, as I recall, you left him first. So get off your pedestal and take a look at reality, Ashley. He’s a drug addict, a drunk, and a worthless piece of shit. If that’s the kind of man you want in your life than have at it.”
“You stupid bitch,” Ashley curses as her body lunges at Jenn.
Between Christian and me, we’re now holding both women back before a fight breaks out in the middle of the shop. As I look around, patrons that have filled the space are now surrounding us as the drama unfolds.
“Etty, get them out…now,” I grind out through my teeth.
With a nod, she grabs Christian’s arm and pulls him through the door followed by Dault.
“Well, that should be an interesting conversation outside, to say the least,” Jo chimes in from the back corner. “Maybe Linc and I should go out there just in case.”
“No, you stay in here, Jo. I’ll be right back,” Linc says kissing her on the forehead and walking toward the door.
Turning Ashley in my arms, I look down to see tears falling from her eyes. Not wanting to cause more of a stir in the reception area, I guide her back to her room.
As she sits down in her chair, I wipe the falling tears from her eyes.
“Sweet girl, don’t you dare let her words affect you. She’s a talking through her ass about the life we once new, we both know that. Things are different now—she’s not a part of our lives now and never will be.”
“I can’t have her coming between us again, Steve. We’ve finally found each other, we’re finally happy. With everything you’ve been through, everything you’ve given up, and everything you’ve fought for—it’s just not fair.”
Kneeling down before her, I pull her trembling body into my arms.
“Ashley, she’ll never come between us. You’re my world and I won’t let anything tear us apart again. We’ve all moved on and my life is only about two people…you and me. I love you today, I’ll love you tomorrow, and I’ll love you when we’re old and grey, watching our grandkids run around the shop.”
A laugh pulls from her lips as she looks up to me smiling.
“You want our grandkids in the shop?”
Laughing back with her I nod.
“Ashley, I don’t care what our future holds, as long as I have you by my side.”
Kissing my lips hard, she wraps her arms around me.
“I love you so much, Steve. It’s you and me from here on out.”
Chapter 26
After the shit storm hit the shop, I wasn’t too sure I’d be in any frame of mind to celebrate the re-opening. Once Etty was able to resolve the issues with Christian and Jenn, she came back in with Dault and profusely apologized to both Steve and me. We understood that what transpired out there was not Etty’s fault, there’s no way she could have known our history with Jenn…in fact, no one did.
It’s a part of our past that Steve and I are both willing to move on from and forget. It’s just a shame that our closest friends had to witness her harsh words and hatred toward us both.
Being the caring person that I am, deep down I want to be happy for her. I’m not a completely heartless bitch, at one time of my life she was my best friend. I thought I was giving her and Steve what they wanted, I never intended for their lives to turn out how they did.
Knowing that she’s found a better relationship with Christian, it’s wonderful for them both. I’d never wish ill will on either of them and I’m sure, in many ways, they are perfect for one another.
Once the dust settles and all of our lives find a comfortable rhythm, maybe we’ll all be able to coexist. Anything is possible and with this crazy life, we all know that shocking surprises lurk around every corner.
As I tidy up from the last client, I walk out of my room and peek through the door to Steve’s room. He’s in the middle of tattooing a rose on the arm of a young girl. I love watching him at work—the look of determination spread across his brow and the way his tongue darks out when he’s lost in his art.
Taking a step back into the hallway, I make my way up to the front desk. Etty is sitting on the counter top while Jo is punching some keys into the computer behind the desk.
“Hey, girls,” I say, scooting in next to Etty.
“Phew, it’s been a long ass day, you’ve got to be exhausted,” Etty says rubbing her hand up and down my back.
“Ehh, it’s not too bad. My feet hurt worse than anything.”
“Yeah,” Jo says looking up to us. “Whose brainiac idea was it to get these heels for today? They are going in the trash as soon as we close shop. I am not a stiletto girl…not today and not ever again.”
The three of us start laughing as Linc walks into the room.
“What’s so funny, ladies?”
“Jo says the shoes have to go,” I reply.
“Oh no they don’t, those shoes are hot as hell and make your legs and ass look amazing, babe. The shoes stay,” he remarks, winking at Jo who now has a pout spread across her face.
“You’re lucky I love you, Mr. Minzotto.”
“Yeah, yeah…just keep the shoes on until later tonight.”
The three of us start laughing again as a few more people start to walk into the front doors.
“You ready for a few more?” Etty asks hopping down off the counter.
Following her lead, I slide off and turn to face Jo.
“Hell yeah, hit me,” I reply, slapping the cool surface.
“Alright, killer, we’re only open for another hour, so get your ass back to work.”
I flash a smile and make my way back to my room, awaiting my next victim.
The rest of the night goes off without any other disturbances. I’m overwhelmed with joy that our event went as well as it did. We truly have an amazing team within our crew and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it with them.
For my first full day as a tattoo artist, Jo tallied up that I sat ten people in my chair. It’s an astonishing accomplishment; I still can’t believe I changed that many people’s lives in one day with my art.
My e
yes focus to the door as Steve rests his body against the frame. A smile spreads across my face as he inches closer to me, taking a seat in my chair.
“So how does it feel to be an official tattoo artist?”
Oh, those words sounds so sexy coming off of his tongue, I guess I am an official artist now…not half bad, if I do say so myself.
“Steve, I was just sitting here thinking the same thing. It’s crazy.”
“You did very well and Etty took photos of everyone before they left so you can start your own book to place up at the front with all of ours.”
“Thank God for Etty, she’s always on top of this shit. It’s unreal. I still can’t believe how well today went.”
“The re-opening was a huge success—we couldn’t have done it without you. There were a ton of people that came through those doors today. No way Cliff and I could’ve handled it all on our own.”
Looking up into his eyes, I can see the pride beaming off of him. It melts my heart knowing that he’s acknowledging the hard work we all put in today.
“Thank you for helping me, Steve. I loved every minute of it. Hey…did Dault get anyone in his chair today?”
Scrunching his brow, I can tell his thinking and it’s too cute.
“I’m not sure. I was too busy in my own element and watching you that I didn’t even think to look down in his room.”
“I’m sure he’ll be back at it soon enough.”
“Most definitely, this is a big part of his life too, ya know?”
“I know. Cursed Magic really is a magical place…as cheesy as that sounds. All of us got our start within these walls. This, right here, feels like home to me.”
“It sure does and we have many more memories to make within these walls in the years to come.”
I lean forward pressing my lips to his, he kisses me back and for a few seconds I feel as though I’m floating. The way he makes me feel inside and out is like no other. I don’t know what I’d do without him and I never plan on finding out.
Pulling away I hear the voices of the others moving through the shop. A yawn pulls from my belly and I rest my head on Steve’s arm.